Some Important Days in February

February 1st is my oldest(Andrew) birthday.  He turned 15 this year.  I can still remember the day he was born.  Emergency cesarian after 38 hours of labor!  8lbs 2 ounces!

Andrew John Panczyk

Andrew is becoming a young man and I am very proud of him.  I can't believe that in only a few years he will be 18!

Jonathon loves his big brother and loves to sing and celebrate

February 5, 2008 is when Jonathon had Open Heart Surgery to repair 2 holes in his heart(ASD/VSD).  To think that my baby was not even 6 months old.  I thank god every day for protecting my angel!

So every year on February 5th we will celebrate with Jonathon for having a HAPPY MENDED HEART!  

Happy Heart Day Cake

Card and stickers came in the mail from Auntie Carol-Ann and family

Balloons with Cake

Daddy,Grandma Panczyk,Jonathon and Grandpa Panczyk

Enjoying his ice-cream!

And February 7th is mommy's birthday ~ Now I would rather just skip the whole birthday thing every year, but my boys love to bake cake and eat it of course, so once again mommy had a birthday and turned 41 this year!  Jonathon keeps me very young, because I do not feel like I am 41 even though some days I know I look much older!!!!

Small rolling pins so my little helper(Jonathon) can help me out

and for playing Play Doh

Now, don't we all just look thrilled!!!!

Kenny, Andrew, me and Jonathon

I also got a new pair of slippers from Kenny, a huge bag of M & M's from Andrew and Coca Cola(12 pk) from Jonathon.  I have been saving for a laptop and I am almost there.  That is my big birthday present, I just don't have it yet.

I spent my day relaxing at home with all my boys.

C E L E B R A T E ! ! C O M E O N ! !

It is officially HAPPY HEART DAY # 2 !!!

Some pictures are graphic ~ please be aware ~

Jonathon's Hospital

Getting my last hug before surgery

Right after surgery

Waiting to take some stitches out and then homebound!

One year later - Our First Happy Heart Day Celebration!

Getting ready for his party!

2 years later - Our Second Happy Heart Day Celebration!

Checking out his Happy Heart Day Balloon

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) - a hole in the septum between the upper left and upper right heart chambers. This causes mixing of the red and blue blood, thus overworking the right side of the heart. The three types of ASD's are Sinus Venosus, Ostium Primum and Ostium Secundum. Sometimes the ASD can be closed during a cardiac catheterization or surgery may be required. 

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) - a hole in the septum of the lower left and lower right heart chambers. This allows blue blood to mix with red blood, causing the heart to be overworked and possibly enlarged. A small hole may not need to be closed, a medium-sized hole may be closed during a cardiac catheterization and a larger hole may require surgery.

Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV) - a defect of the aortic valve that results in the formation of two leaflets or cusps instead of the normal three. Normally only the mitral valve (bicuspid valve) has two cusps (instead of three). The aortic valve is situated between the left atrium and left ventricle. About 1-2% of the population have bicuspid aortic valves, although the condition is nearly twice as common in males. It is more common than any other congenital cardiac anomaly. In many cases, the condition will cause no problems. However, especially later in life, a bicuspid aortic valve may become calcified, which may lead to varying degrees of severity of aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation, which will manifest as murmurs. If these become severe enough, they may require heart surgery. 

http://chdbabies.blogspot.com/2009/08/chds.html

 Jonathon had surgery February 5, 2008 for ASD/VSD repair.   He sees his Cardiologist once a year in August.  If everything looks good this year we may be moved up to seeing his Cardiologist once every 2 years!

His BAV is being monitored and always will.  We have no worries or concerns at this time.

To celebrate Jonathon's 2nd anniversary of HAPPY HEART DAY we are having a small party once again!  Tonight Grandpa and Grandma Panczyk, Mr. Randy, and big brothers and mommy and daddy are having a lasagna, garlic bread and salad dinner with special homemade punch to drink.  Afterwards we will celebrate with a Happy Heart Cake and Neapolitan Icecream(Jonathon's favorite) and lots of balloons!!

I am thoroughly amazed how far technology has come in life and I am very happy with the team of doctors and nurses that we have for Jonathon.  Thank you for choosing the medical field as your career and for saving so many lives. 


I love you Jonathon!  I am so proud of you!  Enjoy your special day!


Please check out the website listed below and help spread awareness ~ Thank you

http://tchin.org/aware

Aug 16th 1991 ~ Aug 16th 2009

Eighteen years......Wow.... For some odd reason I cannot believe it's been that long already. Doesn't feel like it... I still remember the day we got married like it was yesterday. I love my husband very much even though most days I would like to hit him upside the head with a baseball bat! (Polish Polish Polish)

This is how we spent our day celebrating our anniversary and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way!

We took the boys to the 2009 Annual Down Syndrome Support Group Picnic.

We met alot of wonderful people through out the day. Cathy with her 7yr. old daughter Molly.(Molly was so pretty). Taylanda and her husband(sorry I forgot his name) and their 8yr. old son Shane. He was so funny, really outgoing and great to watch in the pool. Cheri(who threw the party) and her 11 yr. old son Jacob. Jacob was very quiet, but also was great to watch in the pool. Shane and Jacob and Molly really love the water. I got to see my friend Jamie with her 2 1/2 yr. old son Bryson. We met Jamie and Bryson last summer and I love when we get the chance to see them and say hello. And a little girl who is 9. Her name is Gracie and her mom adopted her from Equador.(How awesome is that) I think pretty awesome! I didn't get her moms name though. Hopefully next time.

We were able to sit and talk about our upcoming Buddy Walk in October~which I am very excited about. This will be our first walk. We were able to hear stories about school; the dentist;when parents were first told of their child having DS. All in all it was a perfect day for a picnic, perfect day to meet some new friends and a perfect way to spend our Anniversary! Life is good.