Run for Children's Seattle

One year ago, our little Mya was in Children's Hospital, and we were unsure of her actual recovery after 2 cardiac arrests and 2 open heart surgeries. Praise God, we have a very healthy girl today, a true little miracle. During this critical time, we were blessed with amazing care at Children's Hospital, which also helped us through the most difficult time I've lived through. How do you say "thank you" for literally help saving your child's life... twice? We decided that the least we can do would be to give back. Last weekend we participated in the Run for Children's, to help raise money for uncompensated care at the Seattle location. We had a great time! Our team, Mya and the Heartbeats, had 20 people walking and running for our cause. On top of that, we had some amazing financial support, and our team came in 6th out of 65 teams in our financial contributions. Thank you to all of you who helped our team! We were thrilled to be able to give such a wonderful amount!

My sister, Angela & her kids drove across the state to participate in our event. She did a great job and finished really strong for a first time runner! Great job Ang!

The sweetest little smile...

Family Visits

The past few weeks have been filled with fun and visits from family members. We enjoyed time at the park and the beach- we have even more fun to come next week!

Thanks Aunt Brit & Uncle Mark for the cool piggy bank birthday gift!

Aunt Brittany, Hatley & Uncle Mark enjoying a first ride in the swing!

Mya had fun picking up shells with Grandma & Grandpa. Who knew we'd be wearing long sleeves in early august!

Another Answered Prayer

Today was a cardiology check up. This is the first one we've had in 4 months, our longest time away from Children's Hospital since Mya was born. We had some apprehensions about returning this time... as they are questioning another heart catheterization test to see the true blood flow through her little coronary artery. While this is an out patient procedure, it doesn't come without risk and fearful thoughts for us. They would have to put Mya under, and put a tube down her throat. Not my favorite thing to do, since last time they tried that she went into cardiac arrest. However, with all odds on our side and after lots of prayers, we went in today and have WONDERFUL NEWS!!! She did such a great job with her echocardiogram (ultra sound of her heart), that they could see a good amount of movement, and don't think that the heart cath test will be necessary! Praise God!!! I am so thankful, we don't have to return for 6 more months. HOORAY! While my heart was rejoicing as we drove out of the parking lot, I couldn't help thinking of all the families who are sitting in that hospital today, wondering if their child is ever going to leave. We've been there. It is a chilling feeling, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. The simple act of my daughter walking out of the hospital today chatting and singing is an amazing miracle and we're thankful for every single day we get to spend together! God is good.

This is Mya having her blood pressure done today by our favorite nurse, Jenny. While we'll miss seeing her, it's great to not have to go back for awhile!!!

Happy #2 Mya!

Mya has had a action packed 2 weeks of family and friends visiting and celebrating her 2nd birthday, and more importantly- her one year anniversary from heart surgery. We had a big celebration with many friends and family, it was wonderful! It was a Zoo party... lots of wild things around, for sure!

We decided to open gifts with just our family on her official birthday. Mommy took the day off, and we spent the morning at the zoo, having a wonderful time just the two girls. Funny how at two... gifts are already boring!

Post party clean up with her new jewlery and tutu- thanks everyone! She loves all of her gifts!

Working on identifying letters in the tub...

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Help Our Family Give Back! To register for the race or get more information, got to: http://www.runforchildrens.org/Home.html To donate to Children's, visit our fundraising page go to: http://www.firstgiving.com/julietiegs

We are Family!

We just returned from a great 4th of July weekend on the east side of the state. We were able to spend the weekend with my whole family, the first time we've all been together in possibly 1.5-2 years. So, to commemorate the event, we invested in some flag tees for everyone...super cheesy, but it totally worked for my family. It was fun to hang out together at Suz and Jake's wonderful home. Times included a baby shower for our new little niece (not to mention meeting her for the first time!), hang out family time, a "mean" game of wiffle ball, and some great fireworks to top off the event. We had a pooped out little toddler at the end of each day, but she had a wonderful time with hanging out and playing with all of her cousins.

Our super pitcher

Mya and Grandpa time

Allison, Sadie & Mya with the newly created flag cake

Our little Patriotic Girl

Mya holding her newest little cousin, Hatley

Brittany's Baby Shower

Rock-N-Roll 1/2 Marathon

Today was our race. After 5ish months of training, we were both able to accomplish personal goals in our 2nd 1/2 marathon event. We woke up at 4:00am to meet up with 17,600 other people to run 13.1 miles. The other 4,100 crazies doubled that distance and finished the full marathon. We were able to enjoy the time with several other close friends- they all did great! We started off in Tukwila where I thought we'd be stuck dodging thousands of people, but they did a great job organizing the start line and we didn't have much of a problem being held up by others. We ran along Lake Washington Blvd... several houses are for sale- I'd recommend the location if anyone can afford it! There were local bands about every 2 miles throughout and lots of cheerleading teams and other family/friends cheering their loved ones on. It was very encouraging! We finished at Qwest Stadium in Seattle and were welcomed by thousands of people cheering all the finishers. Several of our friends were there to greet us as well, it sure was a great moment to cross that finish line- a personal accomplishment that I'd recommend to anyone! If I can do it, you can too!

Our running friends; Rob Bourriague, Julie, Bryan Cox and Rob

After the race, we all joined our families for breakfast/brunch it was wonderful to reconnect with our little sweetie. Two of my co-workers also completed the race, we have been training together on our lunch hours. Great job Russ & Shelly!

A few more "firsts"...

Mya has had several dry days in the past week. We are in full swing potty training and she's doing great! We had a few accidents, and is still afraid of sitting on a public toilet, but she's well on her way to be potty trained during the day by her 2nd birthday. I think it's harder on us to remember to put her on the potty! She's been pretty excited to wear big girl underpants, for the first time. Last weekend Mya got her first hair cut... she's such a big girl! I forgot to bring the camera, so I ended up with a few shots from my phone. She did a great job. She looks so grown up with a little trim! Thanks to Jessica for reminding me to keep a few of her first trimmed locks! Mya has been our personal trainer lately. Today I ran to her daycare to pick her up. On the way home she said, Go, Mommy, Go! We are set for our 1/2 Marathon in a week and a half. I've enjoyed the training, but it'll be nice to have a bit more time back on our weekends!

More fun with Trent

Family Time

We have had a great 3 day weekend hosting the Hollings at our house. Mya had a great time playing with Trent, here is a taste of the fun they had! We enjoyed one day at the zoo, the kids sure had a great time.

running and running and running...

Today Rob & I ran the Beat the Bridge 8K race in Seattle, and we were both pleasantly surprised with our final results! Good news for all the training we've been doing! Now we just have to run 2.5 times the distance... 1/2 Marathon, here we come! We are loving the amazing weather we've had. Yesterday we decided to hit the beach to enjoy the sunshine while we still have it. Mya had a wonderful time, between the boats, planes, shells and birds/ducks, I think we found toddler heaven! Once we got home, she took a 3.5 hour (usually 2) nap after all of the fun!

I had a nice Mother's Day weekend, we went to a local nursery and got lots of plants and worked on our yard for the day. I got a sweet little card and rose from Mya... including her hand print! Nothing could have been sweeter!

Cardiology Update

Friday was our first visit to the Cardiologist in 3 months. We were pleasantly surprised with wonderful news of Mya's improved heart function. For the first time in her life, her heart is operating at the low end of "normal!" We are so thankful for the news, we were thinking that she'd have to be put on a blood pressure medication if there weren't any positive changes. After a routine echocardigram last week, they've decided that no additional meds are needed! It's now been 8 months since her surgeries, and has been granted a 4 month break from Children's Hospital, the longest time away since her birth. We are so incredibly thankful for her positive improvement. God is good! We have really enjoyed the change of seasons, with all the fresh fruit! Between strawberries, blueberries and watermelon, Mya is a real fruit lover! She's also talking up a storm, with very sweet little pronunciations of the words she knows. We are challenged daily with the "new" words, it's a job to uncover what she's saying. Once we figure it out, she gets really excited, "Yeah!" It's fun to be the translator of this amazing little mind... she continues to surprise us with how much she understands. Such a little sweetie. She also prays with us, one of my favorites! The focused time is limited, but the attempt is definitely there!

Mya enjoyed a recent visit with Grandpa and Grandma Tiegs