Baby Maverick

This blog was created to keep family and friends updated on what's going on with the pregnancy, birth, and surgical plan for Maverick. We'll also be able to keep everyone updated during his surgery and recovery and hopefully be able to show you some cute pictures of him, Maddie, Carter and Chloe along the way.

This was the original intent; however, when we started this blog we had no idea the twists and turns our lives would take. Our sweet baby Maverick was born September 12, 2008 with Transposition of the Great Arteries, ASD, and VSD. We expected to have a baby boy to bring home three to four weeks after his surgery. He had numerous complications after his arterial switch and fought through many that would have taken the life from an adult. He passed away February 24, 2009 - without ever coming home.

This blog is now a place I share my feelings, work through the grief, remember Maverick, and try to make sense out of our life without him. I hope in doing so I am giving a name and a face to babies everywhere born with congenital heart defects.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

"Here..."

We miss you sweet boy.
Over the past few weeks I've wanted to blog to let everyone know how the event went and what all has been going on in our lives, but I haven't. No excuses, just an apology, sorry. "Here..." where did that title come from? One day a few weeks ago Greg asked me if we could move anywhere, where would I want to live? "Here..." I said. Why here, do you ask? I'll list a few of the reasons I can think of off the top of my head on this eve of the day Mav passed away. In the past several weeks...

We had a spectacular memorial event for our sweet Mav. Local businesses donated items for a silent auction, friends made baked goodies, tons of people joined us, and we met our goal of raising $3,000 for the Children's Heart Foundation... And 44 units of blood were donated. Thank you, thank you.

We met many new friends that day who have been following our journey via the blog. We are truly surrounded by a community of amazing, caring people. Thank you for your encouragement. We enjoyed meeting each of you.
We've received cards from friends and a person we've never met in the past few days. Thank you for your prayers and for remembering. That means so much to us.

Our local newspaper and magazine covered the event and helped raise awareness for CHDs.

A sweet lady from our church (also whom we've never met) came to our door this evening. She had gone to the cemetery right before they removed the flowers from Mav's grave after the funeral and collected the ribbons from the flowers. She made them into a ribbon blanket and brought it to us today. We can place it on his grave every year. This just blew us away that someone could be so thoughtful. She also shared that she had lost her son when he was 42. He had a CHD.

Everyday I get to see the thoughtful people in our community who helped us during Mav's life and who have helped us get through this past year. Our dear friends who have supported us beyond measure, our church who has truly shown us the love of God through this dark valley, the wonderful people at Grove School who have helped our kids so much with their kindness and compassion. Here, we are close to them. We are also close to many of our family members who have been there every step of the way. Here is home.

Tomorrow will be a difficult day. The past several days have been difficult. One year ago tonight Greg and I were spending our last night with Maverick. About this time I crawled up into the crib in the PICU to snuggle up and sleep with my sweet baby boy for the first and last time. I wish things could have been different. We miss him so much. Thank you to all of you - those close in proximity and those close in heart - for being here with us, we appreciate your prayers. Love you all - jc


Godspeed, Little Man.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

100 balloons, 100 CHD warriors gone too soon

As you probably know, we are planning on having a balloon release to wrap up the day's events for "Art for the Heart." Originally, I had my blinders on and was just thinking of Maverick... Ask any parent who has lost a child what is most important to them and they'll tell you - it's that their child is not forgotten. Then I started thinking... The stories of so many others have touched my heart this year. So many others heard the earth-shattering words, "Your baby has a heart defect." So many others had their babies whisked away shortly after birth to a world of alarms, wires, and tubes. A world so different than the dreams we had for them. Dreams of snuggling them on our shoulders, smelling that wonderful baby smell and feeling their breath on our necks as they drifted off to sleep. So many others had to hand their children off with a last kiss and, "I love you," not knowing what the outcome of such a risky surgery would be. So many others prayed and prayed and prayed as they waited to hear the next update from the operating room. So many others watched, helplessly, as their precious child fought for each minute, each hour, each day - just wishing we could take their place. So many others held the tiny bodies of their little ones as they took their last breath here on this earth. So many others planned funerals and picked out tiny caskets and cemetery lots. So many others hurt, and miss, and cry. For all these other parents, in memory of all our fighters, we will have a balloon release. I have ordered one hundred red, heart-shaped balloons to release. If you have a CHD angel, and would like their name attached to one of our balloons, please post their name, birth date, and angel date to this post. If you are able, we would love to have your support for our fundraiser for the Children's Heart Foundation, however, there is no donation required. I will be adding a button to the side of our blog if you are interested in donating. It's quick and easy and no amount is too small. Together, we can have an impact on the cruel and awful reality of congenital heart defects.