Our first cardiologist appointment at Lucille Packard was both wonderful and awful at the same time--which is what I can say about most of his appointments. I start feeling sick about four days before every appointment he has. Nauseous. Light-headed. Incredibly anxious. And this time was no different. I worry about what they'll tell me--there seems to always be bad news. And since this was our first time with a new doctor, in a new city, at a new children's hospital I was even more nervous. Plus I had that feeling, you know the feeling, the feeling that mother's get in their very soul that something is not quite right. I wish I hadn't had that feeling--and more than anything I wish that feeling hadn't proved true.
The doctor was amazing. The nurses were excellent. The facilities were gorgeous. From the moment I walked into the heart center I was at peace--total peace. I love our team at UC Davis and I was very nervous that I would not feel the same way about the doctors at Stanford, but I immediately felt like this was the right place for our family. I honestly believe that we were accepted at Stanford because Heavenly Father knew it was the place Evie could get the best care, and I felt that ever stronger when we stepped into that beautiful heart center.
The next few hours were filled with test after test. Evie slept through his echo (which was over an hour long) and cooed quietly through his EKG. For a baby that loves to be held all day long, this in and of itself was a miracle! But before the echo was over I knew something was wrong. The technician nervously excused herself to speak with the doctor, and then came back to get some more images. They NEVER tell you what's going on, but I ALWAYS ask and try to get something out of them. They did more testing on that sweet boy, and then put us in a room to wait for the doctor.
I could feel it in my soul. Still. Something wasn't right.
And I was right. The doctor came in the room to tell me that the echo had shown that Everett's aortic arch had not grown and was significantly hindering the passage of blood to the rest of the body, causing his blood pressure to be out of control. They also noticed that his coarctation in his aorta (that was repaired in the first surgery) was re-narrowing. His VSD (the hole in his heart) had not closed, and they noticed in this echo that his mitral valve is measuring small (perhaps from the VSD). As he went through everything that was wrong I knew what he would say next. And he did. Surgery.
He met with the team of cardiologists and surgeons at Stanford the Wednesday before Christmas and got back to me the same day. After looking at Evie's case it was a unanimous decision that he would indeed need open-heart surgery to repair his heart. A few days later it was scheduled. January 18th. Evie's second surgery. Open-heart surgery. January 18th.
We went into Christmas weekend with gratitude that Everett was able to share his first Christmas with us at home, and with respect for the new adventures and trials that 2012 will bring. This Christmas was more emotional and real than any Christmas has ever been. Every time I heard the nativity story, and read about the babe in the manger, I couldn't help but look at my own little boy and feel deep gratitude and love. I also thought a lot about Mary this year--her fears and hopes and dreams for her beautiful little boy--and related with her in a very special way. Christmas was magical and amazing. It absolutely couldn't have been better.
We knew Evie would need more surgeries in the future in order to live a long and full life and so we are grateful that these options are available. Of course I would be lying if I said I wasn't ridiculously anxious, a little bit heart-sick at the thought of my baby having another major surgery and nervous about how our family, especially Talmage, will cope with this disruption of our norm. But, we have seen God's hand in our life time and time again, and I am confident that this will be no different. He knows us and loves us. He will help us through this.
With January 18th approaching quickly, I ask that you please include Everett, the surgeons and our family in your prayers. I know that Heavenly Father hears them.
Just a few things I loved and want to remember. It was a great party. And that drink on the right is off the hook--orange juice and lemonade with almond extract. Yummy yummy.
An uber talented photographer, 
Talmage meant business when he saw Santa at our ward's Christmas party. "I want trains for Christmas," he told the jolly old man. When Santa did not acknowledge his words, Talmage repeated it again. "I want trains for Christmas. Thomas and James and Percy." People were calling for T to look at the camera, they wanted him to smile, but he wanted assurance from the man in charge, who once again did not give Talmage his desired response. I'm actually suprised T didn't take him by the cheeks with both hands like he sometimes does to me. Instead, he looked him square in the face (and luckily this time Santa looked back) and repeated his request for the third time. This time Santa repeated his words, "Oh, you want trains for Christmas, do you? Thomas? And Percy? And James? OK," he said while smiling into Talmage's sweet, confident, innocent face.
And with that OK from Santa, Talmage gave the camera the biggest, cheesiest, truly happiest smile I've ever seen in my life. The moment (both actually) were priceless and I'm so glad they were captured so perfectly. All I'm saying is Santa better deliver. ;)
Our church put on a creche exhibit and it was incredible. They had over 400 nativities flown in from museums and donors all over the world on display, there were choirs and musicians softly singing their testimony of the Savior, they had an amazing children's room with a marionette show about the birth of Jesus, and so much more. Every last detail was considered and it was just gorgeous.
Last week we had another family date night, this time to a Stanford Women's Volleyball game. It was actually a NCAA Championship game...and we got in for free...and the attendance was awful...and T mostly loved seeing the band and the dancing tree, but what's new...and we didn't get to stay for the whole game, again, what's new...and we still had a BLAST and love living up this Stanford experience!
Mr. Talmage LOVES friends. He is constantly talking about playing with friends, sharing with friends, going to the park with friends, eating with friends, etc. Pretty much anything and everything he has to/wants to/is supposed to do during the day ends up having "with friends" attached to the end of it. It's a good thing T does have such awesome friends.
Seriously BFF. T talks about Franklin all day long, and has even started calling him Frankie Frank. They play together everyday and we LOVE that they are our neighbors.
Of course Daddy is still number one. We had to bring something to the law school and Jim and T ended up eating cheetos and jumping in leaf piles...who says there is no fall in California? It's marvelous!
The boys.
The best picture Jim has ever taken. How cute are they?
PS--I'm hoping to send Christmas cards this year, but I will definitely need some addresses. If you'd like a card, please leave your address (or email me the addy at wigginton dot heather at gmail dot com). 
