It's the holiday season

I haven't been posting lately because we've been really enjoying just experiencing life with Cataleya. She's doing GREAT!! We survived out first post trach/vent virus without any hospital visits. 

Thanksgiving went well. Cataleya looks like she's enjoying her food in the picture, but really she was just laughing at us trying to get her to open her mouth. She is drinking water from a sippy cup, though! Progress...

Cataleya got her first two teeth in November. She's got the top two now as well and thinks she's hot stuff.

She kind of is hot stuff. she sits by herself now!!

Cataleya was not impressed with Santa at all, which made for some fun pictures. She was all smiles while waiting in line for him though.

In adoption news, we had our court investigation. I was worried because my husband lost his job at the beginning of this month. While our savings and unemployment benefits will keep us afloat financially, the idea of a social worker coming in when no one is working made me sweat. Our attorney told us not to be concerned and the social worker asked some questions about our financial plans, but did not indicate there was reason for worry. The investigation was basically what we did for our homestudy and, like many aspects  of this process, I found it redundant and unreasonably costly.

We are still waiting for subsidy to be applied for. Dear Sir from the agency of disappointment sent me an email complaining about how hard it is to apply for it. So we can't finalize until all that gets done. March maybe?

I tried to get the Pulmonary Dr to allow Cat to start taking some time off her vent everyday. He said no, but we go to vent clinic at the end of the month to adjust her settings and hopefully work toward less breath support from the machine and more independent breaths from Cat.

Surgery is still planned for April. It's getting too close for comfort and I'm getting antsy. She's so much stronger now than just a few months ago. I really think she'll do great.

This was Cataleya's first ever gift on Christmas Eve. Her brother painted a sun-catcher for her. I love her reaction!

We had the whole family over for Christmas Day and Cataleya was totally spoiled. It was awesome. I can't believe that last Christmas I existed without her. It's seems impossible to me now. We've been so blessed this year.

Next week Cat turns one. We have a big celebration planned. There is much to celebrate. We have a beautiful daughter who is strong and happy. There is not a day where I forget she's a miracle.