"I thought I would have to teach my daughter about the world. Turns out I have to teach the world about my daughter. They see a girl that can not speak, I see a miracle who doesn't need words." author unknown

Gabriella is on her way to the hospital

Well Gabby has been sick with a cold. It now has moved to her chest. I talked to the nurse on call and she feels Gabby needs to have chest X-rays to make sure its not turning into anything else. My husband John is taking her due to me being sick and running a temperature already. He is actually missing the Steelers play to take her ;) I have to say I am a nervous wreck though. I often feel its one thing after another. We were planning to take a family trip to Ohio to see my family for the holidays and are going to leave on Wednesday. I am hoping that we have caught this soon enough, this way we can still go see my family. I often feel its hard to plan to go anywhere due to not knowing what going on and when. But I just got the phone call that she has a "cold" and it only has begun to move to her lungs. So some meds, and she will be on her way.... Lots of Fluids, and she will be just fine... Thank God! Well lots hope i get to feeling better now ;)

Our Family

I wanted to start a blog to help other sitting in my shoes, and to show others what our daily life is like. My husband and I have many daily struggles, and have learned to take a day at a time. My sister blogs, and I know many other moms that blog. I want everyone to see how our family is doing, and where we are going.

I am a mother of 5, Dillon, Kiera, Kirstynn, Jazmyne, and Gabriella. Now I did not give birth to all 5, but I raise 5 kids, and I love all 5 the same. When I meet my Husband John he had Dillon & Kiera, and I had Kirstynn. Since then we were married on May 17, 2008. The day before we were married, my husband got Sole & full custody of Kiera & Dillon. He is currently in the process of adopting Kirstynn. We have 2 children together Jazmyne & Gabriella. If you would have asked me a year ago if I would be were I am now I would have laughed at you. As a family we have been through allot. I am not going into detail now, but when I have more time I will. We Live in Ligonier, Pa. Johns family lives up the road, and mine live in Northwest Ohio. We both have awesome relationships with our family, and were raised with the same values.

The name of my blog is from our Miracle Gabriella. She was born with only part of her brain . This was a devastating blow for us. This has been a struggle, with lots of rewards to come with it. Like I have said before, I don't know where we will be in the future, but pray daily that our life will only get better. I hope we will get to grow daily, and you the reader will get hope and see that there is always hope. I have learned so much, and still have lots to learn in life. My new goal in life is to help others sitting in my shoes, and help others who have just found out that their world is changing. Its a hard road, but I can honestly say well worth it. It has made me not take the little things for granite. To take each day at a time, tomorrow it not a guarantee, Its not a promise. With Gabriella everyday is a gift. I pray that she will out live me, and be happy. Thats all I can pray for nightly. I know that God will guide me in my life.
Much Love,
Maria

~My Blessings~

The other day Kirstynn asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I sat there for a couple of min. and finally responded I want nothing. I have every blessing I could ever dream of. As I sat on the computer last night crying looking back on the last 8 months of my life, It came to me. I personally have the best family and friends I could ever have. When I found out something was Different with Gabby I went through a Horrible Depression. And as I look back upon that section of my life, I see that Natalie, Shaun, Many of my Aunts, My mom, and some very close friends were surrounding me with so much hope. In fact when I was talking/writing them I can see it in my writing that It was probably the only thing that kept me going. There were days i honestly would sit in my bathroom and cry.... And not want to get back up so afraid. I wished honestly there was a hole that I could crawl into That I could have just died in. I was afraid to go to sleep fearing Gabby would die inside me while I was sleeping and the kick I just felt would be the last. I felt God was punishing me for all the bad choices I had made in my life, and that He did not love me. I was told by so many Dr's to just "get rid of my daughter" because it was in the best interest of her. My husband stood behind he always picking me up on them days. I can remember with each painful test that I went through that John was sitting next to me. Holding my hand, and praying with me...The weeks before Gabriella was born, someone finally told me *Dr. Painter* Maria this is not your fault, You did not do this to Gabby. I know when a mom looks at me with that face, that is what is going through their mind. He told me that There is hope for Gabby, and that If I have giving up, who else is there to fight for her! I always put on a front with everyone that I talked to because if you really knew what was going through my mind, well I would have put in the crazy hospital. I don't know why God gave me my Gabby. I cant imagine why he would have gave her to us. I still feel to this day that I am not smart enough, I have missed some things like with her eyes. I feel so much guilt over. I get angry with myself for not pushing to get her shunt put in sooner. I feel often that I am pushing my other kids aside so this way I can get Gabby's PT, or OT done. I am also having some major issues with Kiera and Dillon's mom. I hold anger toward her so often. It hard to forgive her when I feel she has learned nothing,. I am trying so hard to be a better Mom, friend, Sister, cousin, and Daughter. I don't know where to go, or how to get there so many times of my life. I talk to other moms who are sitting in my shoes, just there are just finding out. It pains my heart, I know how they feel. When I went to the hospital to have Gabby, it was the most scared I have ever been in my life. The things that happened to me that day will never compare to any other day in my life. I was so afraid of what was going to happen. I am so grateful that Dr. Eldberg was there, and helped me deliver my Gabby. When I finished pushing her out, it was the most scared I have ever been. All I wanted was to hear her cry. The hole OR was in silence. Then we all heard a faint cry. I could finally breath. They tried to whisk her off to the NICU, but Dr. Eldberg stopped them and made it clear that my only request was to hold my daughter, kiss her and tell her that I loved her. I truly wanted to make sure that she knew that I was there, and that no matter what happened that I loved her. After a couple of min. I handed her off to John. The tears were pouring down his face as he looked into her eyes. I saw him whisper to her that she had to make it, that we needed her, and that her loved her. Then away she went to the NICU. I was pushed off back into my room, where we sat for almost 2 hours. I was freaking out, wanting to go see my daughter, no one telling us how she was or where she was. I had a nurse walk into my room put me into a wheel chair and race me down a couple of hallways. I was SICK by the time she got me to my new room. In fact I was pissed she dumped me off, and ran away. I demanded to have my nurse come to my room, and tell me how to get to my daughter. John carefully helped me get into a new wheelchair, and slowly walked me to the NICU. We went through 2 sets of locked doors, and finally i was in NICU C/D. I went in and my heart sank as we walked by all these little beds, and all I could see was 2 feet up over a rolled blanket. Finally at the end of the row, was my little Gabby. All snuggle laying there so peacefully. I asked if I could hold my daughter. We had an awesome nurse, walk over explain to us that she was doing wonderfully. And that we could hold her and feed her. A nice lady walked in wanting to do Gabby's EEG on her, so We layed her back down and headed back to the room. Let me say this . I was put in a side room and let to learn how to pump, and do every thing by my self. I was scared, pissed an upset all in one. Needless to say God answered all of every ones prayers, and soon enough... Gabriella was up in my room. I can honestly say this is when My faith started to return. I was holding my angel, with no tubes, no equipment, just holding her. And she was happy. The only thing I wish I would have done is push for Dr. Hertle to come. I even asked several times, because Dr. Painter had she needed to have her eyes checked. If I only knew, how much pain she had really been in because of her eyes. To this day I feel so much guilt. I should have pushed more, but I did not. On July 4 I got to bring her home. I can say walking into my house watching my kids burst into tears, was the moment that I knew God had heard. He had heard every pray that I had ever said. When I look back upon that day it still brings me to tears. Dillon's face as her saw her, The tears that came from hem to see his sister. It was the happiest he had ever been. His sister was OK, She was home. We did not get to go see fireworks that night. We knew it would be to much for her. I felt horrible that we had to take that away from our kids, but to be honest they did not mind. We set of a couple of small fireworks at home, and for some reason they were happy to just do that. I can say I have seen my kids go from very selfish, to very giving and happy for what they have instead of what they don't have. Our house is magical on the 4 of July. Out back along the creek line, all the firefly's hatch and it looks like a Disney movie. For about 1/2 mile the hole tree line lights up. We in fact talk about how mystical it is. Every year we say how we cant wait for it. And to be honest it was a magical day for us. We all stand in our backyard and stare for about 3 hours we feel we are some of the most lucky people. Its a work of God. Maybe God knew that It would be a magical day for our family. Maybe that why its happens at our house. I personally think he knew that when we moved here it would be a special day. SO when She came home on the 4th, It was our magical day. God had giving us Gabby to bring home, to our family. So during this holiday, Please remember God is the reason we had CHRISTmas. HE gave his son, His only child to us, so we could have all these magical moments in our lives. I know that God was not punishing me. He was blessing me, Giving me Gabby. Through Gabby i have become more great full, thank full, and My faith has returned. During my holiday season I am going to have Pastor Jim baptise my children. I know that everyday with Gabriella is not a promise. Its a gift. And rightfully right now she is wearing an outfit that looks like she is a present. I may not always have answer, I may not always know what comes next in my life, or where I will be in a year. I can honestly say That I am leaving it in Gods hands. I cant imagine how hard it was for him to give all of us freedom from our sins by him giving up his only son. What a magical act for him to do. So if I have one thing to tell everyone is please be grateful for each day. Think about all your decisions before you make them. Forgive people for their mistakes. I cant thank God enough for my family. It may not always be picture perfect, but It could not be anymore perfect to me. I want to say thank you to everyone. I plan on writing more about my life with the struggles of Gabriella's. I want everyone to know what I go through, and it is hard. I want other people to get hope from her, to see that god does give us miracles. She is a living miracle. She is beating all the odds. Thanks for all the prayers. I know God must have heard. Merry Christmas everyone.




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My Little Fire Fighters

Thanks to the Payne Fire Dept, My kids got a private tour of the Firetruck! They loved it. Them firefighters were even kind enough to let the kids try on their helmets, and jackets. They educated the kids on fire safety, and the fire truck itself! Thank you Keith and Louie! :) My kids had a blast and you helped build lasting memories!

Yep them Doctors were wrong!

Well I just needed to let everyone know what we found out yesterday at Magee!!


I think it was the most interesting day of my life! It started out meeting and greeting all the Dr's who will be delivering Gabriella On JULY 1st! Nice Dr's : awesome Hopstial!! Then we had our normal ultrasound done, She is measuring Great, other than her belly was a little small. But considering that her but is wedged into my pelvis, and she is utterly bent in half sucking on her toes, i can only imagine that they could not get a real good reading! They told me not to worry to much about it! Then we got to meet the "brilliant" Doctor and they all refer to him there, Dr. Painter!! Awesome man, and guess what he told us.... That Gabriella don't have HPE lobar...YEP she don't have it!! Did a prayer just get answered or what.. Her frontal lobes did separate, and the "OBGYN" "Dr. Emery... was not to have "read" our MRI and told us incorrect information!! So now they think she could have "Colpocephaly" but they don't know because she don't really fit into that either... So in other words they don't know?~? But what I do know is that she is only missing a small part of her brain, and like Dr. Peters said we only use 1/3 of our brain anyways, so she may have a way brighter future..... I just cant believe it! So I am a true believer that god is there right now... and he is watching over us!! We will know when she is born and they can do more testing on her what it is...but I just need to say thank you to all who have been keeping us in your prayers because.... This just don't happen, and they are all just amazed up there!! So we are going to keep trucking along! Only 3 weeks, and yes she will be here! She is my birthday present...a couple days early!! So Thanks again to all of you! Much love...

Maria & Family!!





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Blessing's..in my life

So if you did not hear we went to court on last Monday....It was kinda a funny day actually... We got there at 8:30 in the morning, to wait about 3 hours before we could even get into the court room! (it was all the PFA cases first from over the weekend?!) Well needless to say we never made it to the court room...because we were informed by Stacy that she had a "Lawyer" that told her to postpone the hearing...He could not make it?!? Now that is kinda funny because if you have a lawyer is it not their job to come defend you in court? LOL...so as she is explaining this to the lady whom calls us into the court room, she says who is "lawyer" is! But wait this lawyer that she claims to have is John's lawyer from when he was a child that defended him, and is currently his fathers lawyer! How could she have a lawyer that is currently johns dads lawyer...wait she cant! Its called conflict of interest! So... with everyone running around, we find that the judge is going to postpone the hearing! Of course this makes us mad at that moment because we are trying so hard to close this chapter in our lives... Our lawyer informs us that she will be calling us with the new court date later that day...as she informed us to head down to file for Child support against Stacy... (finally, its not that we need her money, in anyway its the fact that we are now loosing money that is in our savings, and money that is for our family) Well on our way home from this court hearing i pass a sign that says "Today is what it is, you cant fix yesterday, you can only make a difference tomorrow" And it got me thinking, its so how our day was going.... Well needless to say when we got home, our lawyer called, and Informed us that the new court date was going to be set for September 4th, 2009...FOUR months away! WOW! Was that a answered prayer! When you file to have it moved it usually only get moved a couple weeks away...not months away...Debbie (our lawyer) told us that she must have really made someone mad at that court house!!! I was so happy, due to now i can put all my energy into baby Gabby and what we will need to be doing for her! Yea! By then Gabby will be here with us, and we will somewhat know what is going to be going on in our future...(at least a taste of it) Talk about blessing just falling out of the sky! We are also in the process of getting all this started and filed for Kirstynn this way she can legally be a Roddy. One more piece of our puzzle falling into place! I am sitting here thinking, Piece by piece my life is just where it needs to be...in fact i think i can say its almost perfect!! I don't think that i could ask for a better result! Kiera & Dillon are doing so good in school, Kirstynn is now signed up for school next year, and its just going to be an awesome year coming up! Its perfect! My kids are all growing up so much! Dillon got all A's and B's on his progress report! Yea, talk about one happy kid! (plus it helps when you get $$ for them good grades) and Kiera is just about the best reader i have ever seen! She is always reading to the little ones...Kirstynn Is counting everything around her, and loves the "play" read to her "class" Jazmyne now thinks there is a baby in her belly that wants to play with mine all the time! She is always lifting her shirt, and putting her belly next to mine! Its so cute!




I think that god has giving me allot to handle! Trust me in the last month there were so many days I did not know if i was going to have the strength to get up the next morning! But when morning came i got up, put a smile on my face, and went about my day! I know that things are going to still be hard in my future, and i may never understand why god choose us, But i know that he did for a reason...and When i fall I know there are so many people who are around me that will help pick me back up! Help me get back on my feet, Its like the poem Footprints... I never understood why Grandpa Wannemacher loved it so much, till I am sitting here thinking about it..Its the truth.. There are so many times in every ones lives where we are carried, to the next stage... So this is a thank you to all that have carried my stresses on your shoulders, who have said that extra prayer for me, because trust me everyone helps! I cant say thanks enough.... We go to have our MRI done on Gabby on the 12th at 2:30p.m..and go back on the 14th at 8:15 in the morning..to find out the results... I am so scared! But every times she moves there is a voice that tells me that she has a plan, She was put there for a reason! She is My family's Blessing!!! and i cant wait till the day I get to meet my "blessing"



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Gabby

We learned yesterday the baby has a condition call "..Holoprosencephaly" "Lobar". It is a condition that is normally linked to Genetic factors. In our case it is not though. They are not sure why it has happened, or don't know if they will ever know. The chances of this happening to us are like us hitting the lottery. Here is some information I can relay to everyone: It is only the lobar condition. There are 3 subtypes. Hers is the least dangerous.


**Virtually all surviving individuals have some degree of developmental delay, often persisting as mental retardation; this generally occurs in direct correlation to the severity of holoprosencephaly. However, case reports do describe individuals with lobar holoprosencephaly who have normal or near-normal development.In addition, feeding difficulties leading to aspiration pneumonia and/or failure to thrive frequently occur in individuals within all subtypes

**The age of onset is at 3-4 weeks of gestation.During early embryonic development, the frequency peaks at 1:250 but progressively declines because of high fetal mortality rates and elective pregnancy termination, which results in an incidence at birth of 1:10,000-20,000



**Lobar holoprosencephaly is the least severe form, with almost complete formation of the interhemispheric fissure and only focal areas of cortical continuity across the interhemispheric fissure, usually anteriorly.Sometimes, lobar holoprosencephaly is limited to an absence of the septum pellucidum



I know this may be hard for some of us to understand, There is allot of research going into this right now. I know that surgery is not an option, due to they have nothing they can do in that understanding. I just want to thank everyone for their prayers. Keep praying for Gabby, That is all we can do right now. I go for an MRI on May 14, and I will find out on May 16 what level it is that her brain has not formed. The good news is that she could if the brain has someone formed, could live a somewhat of a normal life. I myself am just tyring to understand, why right now. I know there is a plan, I just don't know what it is yet. Thanks again for your prayers...

love you all so much,

Maria & John & family

The poor Baby in my belly

I just wanted to let everyone know that when we were down in Pitt. yesterday we found out some scary news. After the ultrasound the doctor informed us that the baby has fluid on right side of the brain. We are not sure why there is the fluid on the brain.... So we had several test done yesterday :( On Tuesday we find out if there is anything wrong with the chromosomes and 7-10 day later we will find out more on that with a more advanced test! After that the baby has to have an echo done on its heart to make sure that there is nothing more going on there. Then in about a month we go have an MRI done on the baby to find out if there is any structure deformities.


This will inform us if there is anything wrong with how the fluid drains from the brain! SO pretty much I am stuck here waiting!!! We just need allot of prayers right now! I thank everyone that has been praying!!



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