The way you smile...

Can you resist this smile? This was her 2nd birthday...1 1/2 years after her Open Heart Surgery.

This picture makes me smile every time I look at it.

Miracles

I am a mother of a child with a heart defect & I have witnessed miracles. I have stood in awe watching her tiny heart beating in her chest. I have gazed into the eyes of children & have seen many souls wise beyond their years. While each of these miracles has made me a better person they have also brought me to my knees. Help our CHD Family spread awareness for all our CHD warriors & angels

Wear Red Friday Feb 4th.

Taken from facebook.


How many people do we know, love, and support with Congenital Heart Disease??Most of you know that I will be having Open Heart Surgery in a week and a half. I am asking you to help spread awareness for Congenital Heart Defects ...February is Heart Month. Spread awareness for Congenital Heart Defects in February. I am asking you to keep that in mind and keep those that you know with CHD in your thoughts and prayers ♥...
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4th is NATIONAL WEAR RED DAYAll across the country, people have been wearing red to show their support for Go Red For Women and to help raise awareness of heart disease ... February 4th is dedicated to supporting and spreading awareness for heart disease in women. Not only would I like you all to wear Red on this day to support women with heart disease ... but wear red for anyone that you know, whether it be male or female, friend or family member, child or adult.I would love to see everyone involved in spreading CHD awareness on National Wear Red Day ♥If you know someone with CHD or you are just wanting to support the MILLIONS of people with CHD ... please wear RED!!Did you know???According to the American Heart Association, about 40,000 babies are born each year with some type of congenital heart defect.Whether it's a red earring, flower, bracelet, shirt, shoes, headband, necklace, painted nails, etc ... your support by wearing RED on the 4th will mean so much!!If you are going to wear RED on the 4th ... I am asking you a favor. Send me your picture with you wearing your red and the name of the person you are supporting with CHD (if you know someone personally) ... I will then take all the pictures that I receive and post them on my blog, along with the names of those that we love with CHD ♥Those of you that haven't seen my blog ... go to: ashleydrurymylife.blogspot.com to learn more!Seeing all of the names and pictures, I think, will REALLY have an impact on people.
Email your pictures to ashleyadrury@gmail.comThank you!Your support means so much!!See More

I love my daughter!!

CHD stands for Congenital Heart Defects. It also stands for open-heart surgeries, needles, tubes, wires, hospital stays, numerous doctor appointments & medications for life. You can't tell when a child has a Congenital Heart Defect, their clothes cover up their scars, covering the truth. My child has a CHD & she will always be my hero. Please join me during the month of February in spreading CHD awareness!

It's Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month!

♥ Some may say Torie was born with a "Broken Heart". I disagree, she was born with a "Special Heart". Her heart is bigger, stronger, and has 100 times more love than most...February is CHD awareness month, re-post if you love a CHD warrior/angel ♥ We love you Torie ♥

a favorite meal

since I have been at home, I have been getting more creative with our meals. But one of our old favorites is still a current favorite. It is a simple meal too. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and lightly spray cookie sheet with a non stick spray. I use thin chicken breasts or chicken tenders. Place your chicken on the cookie sheet and sprinkle with basil, oregano, parsley and cilantro to taste.
Now, quarter potatoes (i use 2-3 depending on size) and put in large mixing bowl. add Dijon style mustard, olive oil, green onions, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper. again, this is to taste because some will like a lot or just a little of these ingredients. Mix these with your potatoes. Place the potatoes on the cookie sheet with your chicken.
Place in oven for 15 minutes. Turn your chicken and potatoes. Cook another 10-15 minutes. The thickness of your chicken will determine how long it will take to cook, but check every 10 -15 minutes so you don't dry out your chicken. Your potatoes may finished cooking first, IF your chicken is thick.
I usually steam some veggies or make mac & cheese to go with this.
Even Torie likes this meal!

working from home

I having been working from home since Carly was born. I have to admit, I love my job and helping patients BUT working from home has been so nice. I am thankful that I have a job I can do from home, a boss who is willing to let me work from home as long as I keep everything done.
Being a working at home mom has been good for our meals too. Lol. It has given me time to plan our meals and make sure Torie eats well-she is still such a picky eater sometimes. I have also had more time for those typical house hold chores..fun fun. No, really, it has been nice.
The girls (i love saying that!) are doing very well. Carly is a great sleeper. She sleeps most of the night, usually only waking up 1 time. She is calm and layed back. Torie has been home several days due to snow, and she has enjoyed being a big sister. She loves picking our Carly's sleepers and socks. And she is on top of it if Carly even whimpers-she'll run over there telling Carly "it's okay, it's okay baby Carly". These days are definitely some of the best days of our lives!

Baby Carly!

so I cant not post her birth story right?!? So I worked a normal day and then picked up Torie from preschool. She and I went to the karate studio so she could take class. I joked with several people that day about when the baby would be born. Torie played after class for a bit and we finally made it home a bit before 8pm. I got Torie cleaned up and into bed so I could check out some couponing web sites. I am really getting into clipping coupons and saving money. I talked to Paul when the studio closed and asked him to go to Subway. I really wanted a cold cut trio-which I never wanted until recently. Within 20 minutes I began having contractions. I knew they were probably the real thing because they were 1-3 minutes apart and intense. I actually had a contraction timer app downloaded to my droid and used it all the way to the hospital. After taking Torie to Aunt Kim's, we made our trip to the hospital in Tullahoma. It was 11 pm when we got there. Dr Good told the nurse to give me some Demerol and let me tell you-Paul has a very funny video of me. That medicine was something else, lol. I eventually got my epidural and was very thankful,after not having it with Torie. Dr Good was in surgery when I was ready to push, so I had to wait. Paul got a call on his cell about an hr later from Dr Good, telling Paul to say push! Now, you have know the background story-during 1 of Dr Good's karate classes his cell rang and Paul answered it saying "PUSH!" as a joke. It's been a long standing joke between the two. Dr Good was actually at my door when he called Paul. Those two are something else. My delivery was easy, it only took 3 contractions before our beautiful little girl was born. She weighed 6.4 lbs and was 20 inches and PINK. Since I was only 36 weeks, the ped is keeping an eye on her weight, but I will tell ya, the little girl is eating more at this point than Torie was!
Carly has the best big sister ever! Torie is very hands on, and wants to do everything for Carly. We have to keep a close eye on Torie because she will quickly scoop up Carly if we step out of the room. The good thing is that Torie has been watching us closely and knows how to pick her up and hold her. But I admit, it makes me nervous!
Torie has enjoyed the snow, playing with Paul in it for about an hour yesterday. They made a huge snowman and had a snowball fight. Torie was sad when they came inside.
I am enjoying this time with my family. It's so nice to be home and not have to worry about setting the alarm clock every night. I wish I could stay here!! But alas, I cannot. I will have to return to work soon.