Baby Athena Blair

My two good friends Aaron Blair and Michelle Vincent had a baby girl on December 27, 2009.A few weeks earlier she was taken to the hospital in labor 12 weeks early. Michelle was put on bed rest until the baby was able to come out, the doctor told her she could come up to the white mountains for Christmas since her other 2 kids were with their dad and she had no family down in the valley. 2 days after Christmas she was again rushed to Banner Good Samaritan with contractions at 3-5 minutes apart and severe bleeding. As soon as they made it to the hospital they did the normal exam except for the fact she was bleeding/hemorrhaging that they could not check her cervix. A couple hours later they were finally able to get her to her ultrasound and during the trip down the hall she started having unbearable pain and pressure so they check her and she was 9 centimeters, they rush her back to labor and delivery just into for her to push. Michelle pushed Athena out and as soon as Athena, like not even a second later, her placenta came out. It looked like brown rotten hamburger meat, they were able to finally diagnose Michelle after the fact with Placental Abrupt ion, any longer and Athena and Michelle would of died. Athena weighed 3 pounds and 12 ounces, big for being 9 weeks early. Athena didn't show any problems until 5 day old. Her breathing was labored, her heart beat was sometimes dropping and elevated. Athena had a infection in her lower intestine that caused her to not be able to hold her blood platelet levels at the level they need so she had to have 5 blood platelet transfusions. Also, they didn't know why she wasn't able to keep the levels up so they did a spinal tap. The spinal tap was unsuccessful due to Athena being so little and there wasn't enough pressure on her spine to get any fluid. The doctors tried again a few days later and again were unsuccessful due to the same fact of just being so tiny. Thankfully the antibiotics started to work so she didn't need another one. Athena started doing really good and the doctors started planning her release when a few days before her release Athena started having breathing spells where she would stop and start again a few seconds later. It seemed to always happen every 2 to 3 days. The doctors started a method where she could go home in 5 days but every time she would stop breathing they would start the 5 days all over again. This breathing spell was called Acute Apnea. Athena was able to go home 3 weeks later when she was 7 weeks old and 4 pounds, she had to go home with Oxygen and a pulse oxcimeter and a sleep apnea machine to monitor her breathing. She has now been home for a month and weighs 10 pounds.


Athena Blair. 3pounds, 12ounces


Athena and Daddy

Athena and Aunt Kelli

Aunt Kelli, Uncle Brandon and Athena

Me, Michelle and Athena

Tony trying to get in the crib
to see Athena

Pretty in Pink


Sleeping Beauty

Renovations

So as some of you know all us Starkes, Yarn and Crandell kids started remodeling Jackie's house last November. We made the two bedrooms up stairs into one big room with a walk in closet so that way Jackie could use her room down stairs as a office/craft room or what ever it may be. We gutted the up stairs completely, new insulation and drywall and electric, etc. Well here it is a year later and the room is still not completed. Everyone has been very busy this past year and trying to work as much as possible with the economy being so crapy. So, the goal is to have everything completed and all of Jackie's stuff moved into her new room by Thanksgiving. Brandi painted a while ago but the paint got all scratched up so this weekend Brandi touched up as much as she could before she had to leave back to Taylor for Jaimin's T-ball game and Brandon, Brian and Mike did some drywall on the new stairs that were completely taken down and rebuilt due to the old stairs being so freakin steep, you even had to walk up and down them sideways because they were little bitty steps. I don't have any pictures of what the bedroom looks like so far, but I do have some of the stairs. The new stairs look so much better then the old ones and Brandon is getting ready to do the texture so that way Brandi can come in and paint them. Brandi is definetely the painter in the family, she does an awesome job. So here are some pictures.

SWEET AZURE

First I would like to say Happy Birthday to my nephew Brian James Yarn who just turned 9 today. Brian has always been so cute, loving and very smart. I love you Brian.

Today as you all know, my sister in-law Azure has been with Heavenly Father for 2 years now, WOW is she LUCKY. I would LOVE to see Azure again but I know it will be a while before I do. Brandon and I were at Mike and Brandi's last night and I went to get some water out of the fridge and I saw a flashback of one of Azures last weeks on earth. Their fridge is really cool, it tells you how much water is being dispensed in ounces. Well anyways, Brandon, Brian, Azure and Mike decided they were going to have a water drinking contest to see who could drink more and after they were done they were all throwing up, they were so sick. That was in Setember of 2007 when we were helping Mike and Brandi move in. I know its a weird memory but it is a good one. Brandon says he remembers the day before Azure passed away when they were at the Home Center, Azure was chasing Brandon around the parking lot with little Eric in her arms because Brandon said to Brian,'' Oh NO!!! our wife is here, RUN.'' Brandon said it was so funny. I have so many memories of Azure as we all do. I remember seeing Azure and Baby Eric at the Heber Country Store getting a Dr Peper 3 days before Azure passed and I was playing with Eric, Azure was telling me that she wished I was having the girl I had always wanted but it was ok because for some reason Heavenly Father wanted me to have a little boy. Azure always looked at things in such a positive way and she was always so inspirational. Azure always had a way of calming me down when I hated everyone. I love Azure. I remember the drive to Flagstaff with Mike, Brandi, Brandon and Jackie and we were all talking and joking like it was no big deal and Azure was going to be fine, we said,' Great, leave it up to Azure, now were all going to have to take turns taking care of her and Eric.'' It wasn't a bad thing, I think we were just trying to calm our nerves and think positive like Azure always told us to do. I remember Brandon talking to Brian saying that Eric was fine and was getting ready to be released from the hosital and Brandon asked Brian why Azure was deverted to Winslow hospital, We all knew it was bad when Brandon went numb and dropped the phone and started crying. Brian had told Brandon that they tried everything they could to keep her alive but they could no longer try. At that very moment we were all shocked, numb, sad and wondering why would Heavenly Father want to take Her from us, her baby and most of all her husband. We were all really heart broken but it didn't kick in until we made it to the hosital and the nightmare became a reality. We would all give anything to have Azure back with us even if it meant taking care of her for a while, but at least we have her. I know Azure is in a better place and that she is watching over us trying to keep us safe. I can't wait until I get to see her again, see her beautiful big smile, her long hair and her porclin skin. Im happy that we have the memories of Azure, that is better then not having her at all. We love you Azure. You will ALWAYS be missed but NEVER forgotten.

FAMILY

I love my husband, he is the best. On October 5th Brandon took me out to dinner at Licanos. We had a sitter for the kids but we felt that it has been a while since we have been out as a family so, we took the kids. Brandon and I have realized that OUR LOVE is worth fighting for and we don't want to ever take any days together for granted . The night Brandon took the kids and I out he was actually in the Valley meeting with his boss in the day time, and on his way home he stopped and got me a gift. Later that evening we went to ShowLow and ate dinner at Licanos, it was so yummy, after we ate we went to Walmart because it was too late to go see a movie. We got the boys each a pair of pants and some little house hold items. The biggest item that was purchasd that evening was a Wedding Ring for Brandon, he looks nice with a ring on his finger. I love my Family so much and I hate that the short term seperation happened but you can't take but what is done, but in the time we were apart it was totally a learning experience. Heavenly Father has a plan and appearently his plan for us was for us to have some time apart. We have both learned so much and now we can move on with what we have learned and apply it to make our family better, healthier and stronger.

Life was Crazy

Well life has been crazy, hectec, scary, deressing, you name it, it has been. Brandon and I have been together almost 9 years this coming March 3rd, we have been married almost 8 years this December 8th. Brandon and I had alot of problems in our marriage recently and we seperated because of it. Were not perfect and we are both at fault for what happened. We have realized that we do love each other and that this relationship is worth fighting for we were just to blind and scared and hurt to see that and to except it. Brandon and I are talking and working things out because we truly love each other and want a life together as husband and wife. I am so happy and blessed to be back with my other half. Brandon has found Heavenly Father and wants to except him into his life, Brandon has a pretty strong testimony at this point that put me to my knees. Brandon says he has been prayin alot the past few days and he loves the feeling of the spirit and the strenght he gains when he does pray and I am so proud of him. I thought it was so cute and I started balling when he asked me if I would go to church with him. I am so blessed to have Brandon and my 3 wonderful little boys back in my life. I LOVE YOU BABE!!!

Whats up with the bad Heart's

So, to start this update out, when Casey was 1 we had to take him to a heart specialist in Flagstaff and he was diagnosed with a hole in the heart between the two upper chambers. When your born, you are born with 2 upper chambers and 2 lower chambers. Casey has all 4 chambers but the 2 upper has an extra opening and usually this hole that Casey has is supposed to close its self by the time he was 4. The hole is where the chamber doesn't shut all the way allowing more blood than normal and faster than normal to travel to the heart. The doctor described it as a flap that moves back and forth allowing the blood to flow in and out. This defect is known as atrial septal defect (ASD). The condition is present from birth (congenital). Smaller atrial septal defects may close on their own during infancy or early childhood.

Large and long-standing atrial septal defects can damage your heart and lungs. An adult who has had an undetected atrial septal defect for decades may have a shortened life span from heart failure or high blood pressure in the lungs. Surgery is usually necessary to repair atrial septal defects to prevent complications.

Casey's defect was the smaller ASD and is not supposed to be too dangerous. I took Casey to the doctors a couple weeks ago and the doctor could still hear that the hole is infact still there and it shouldn't be. The Doc said no need to worry but he should still be paid close attention to. Heart problems run very highly on my dads side of the family, and only seems to affect the males. When you listen to Casey's heart you can hear the extra blood flowing, it is really cool to listen to, it sounds like an extra beat. Jared, my 4 year old was diagnosed with an abnormal heart rythem at 2 days old, he was actually still in the hispital. His bpm was only 77 which was not too much higher than my bpm, as all us moms know, new borns heart beats are supposed to be in the 100's for the first couple of years. Jared also went to the doctors when I took Casey and he still has the abnormal heart rythem and it is still only like 75 beats per minute. Jared will out grow this, but not untill he is an adult. This abnormality is not dangerous at all as long as it stays where it is and does not lower. Anthany, my 19 month old, so far does not have any heart problems like his brothers and the likley hood of him forming any now are very slim. All I have to say is thanks to the Dieterich's genitic heart problems that my 2 older boys have inherited...lol

What a CRAZY life

Where do I even begin? My mom, the strongest person I know has had many problem with her breast for the past 3 years. My mother is supposed to get mamograms done every 6 months do to the complications she has had. Every time she gets one done it always comes back with some kind of mass, Dr Greco, her doctor was always able to tell the same day it was done that there was nothing to be worried about, they were just non cancerious tissue. 1 year ago my mom had a bio done just to play safe and everything came back fine, the doc's decided she could wait 8 months in stead of 6 months for her next mamogram. My mom went in earlier this week to get another one done and everything did not come back fine. My moms mass was back and much larger, the doctors have reason to believe that it is cancer. ( Dr. Greco says it is suspecious) SO, my mom is going in for surgry on August 12th to take samples of this mass that they seem to beleve could be cancer. The doctors say not to worry yet because it could turn out to be nothing. The good thing about this unfortunate event is that if it is cancer then they caught it early. Please, Please, Please keep my mom in your prayers, I will update you all as soon as I am updated... Thanks