A Year Ago She Finally Came Home!

One year ago this week, my little Aislynn was released from Nationwide Children's Hospital after ten weeks of recovery from surgery just three days after being born. One of the worst things anyone's ever said to me is that after resuscitation, a blood transfusion, and scary labor complications my not even four pound daughter needed surgery on her intestines. There are no words to explain the gut wrenching feeling of a parent knowing their child is in trouble, if you've been there you know what I mean.

So many fears - will she make it through surgery? Will they find something else wrong? Will I ever get to take my baby home and hold her in my arms without needing a nurse to hand her to me and check vitals and wires and ahhhhhh! I wanted her to get the care and recovery she needed but I also knew that near the end of her stay, she needed to be home to heal. Home, the place of safety, security, love, acceptance, support, joy, laughter...all of those healing components that are basically impossible to recreate in a hospital environment.

Mommy and Aislynn packing up to come home! 8.4.2012

I'll never forget the nurse on duty that morning who pushed the doctors and surgeons to let Aislynn be released knowing she was going to a place that would help her heal and finally start her life! 

The lyrics to the song below were a constant reminder that only Christ Jesus was my way through this trial and because of him I have a beautiful, healthy, healed daughter. I pray that God uses her story to show others that he is not held back by death, disease, pain, sorrow, or persecution and he loves his children with a fierce and powerful love.

"My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus name

Christ alone; cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love
Through the storm, He is Lord
Lord of all"
-Cornerstone by Hillsong

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Best first baby food purée

I can't say enough about making my own baby food for Aislynn. Since the very beginning she has suffered from allergies and food sensitivities of all kinds so early on I learned to make sure I knew exactly what was going into her system. 

Here's the recipe for the first puree we tried with her and to this day she still loved it in a squeeze pouch with her shredded chicken or as a to go snack.

Apple Carrot Puree- Blend 1-2 apples with 3 carrots that have been steamed. For a quick steaming method, you can place the chopped and peeled fruits and veggies in a microwave-safe glass bowl with a little water, or use the steamer basket. We use this electric steamer contraption, which makes everything easy to steam at once in layers. Add enough water to thin it out. Apples and pears can also be boiled for 7-9 minutes until tender. Fill squeeze pouches and freeze or refrigerate.

I love using the infantino squeeze station system the best but there are plenty of pouch options out there. 

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