Myanna is 9...how much she has grown.
Huge family cruise...
Adopted is what you were, Not who you are.
Myannas Heart Totes
Donations to INOVA Children's and around the world from Myannas Heart Totes continued all year until the COVID19 unfortunately made us stop due to possible spreading of germs through the mail.
Still doing a little modeling now and then, and Myanna flew her first kite and had so much fun!
This year Myanna met more generous people to help her collect toys and gather donations to keep MyannasHeart a success and bring smiles to children with congenital heart defects. Her church and Glory Days grill are also very helpful with collecting donations and the annual Christmas tree at Glory Days. We are so overwhelmed by the kindness of others who want to contribute to Myanna's non profit. Thank you Mettle Republic and Barbera Foundation!
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Myanna had a great summer after completing the second grade, in which she went on a cruise ship all the way to Canada with her many family members to celebrate her Nanny and PapPap's 60th wedding anniversary. She had such a wonderful time visiting new states and Canada was so very beautiful. She also had vacations to the beach and New York.
When the school year started, she was very happy to be with her friends again. She has had a pretty good 3rd grade year, thus far, with learning new things at school. She was struggling a bit more in Math and Reading than previously, but school gets harder as you get older. We were making plans for next year when the Coronavirus came into our area and schools had to be shut down. So began our learning from home curriculum and realizing that Myanna actually is able to learn quite well as long as it is taught to her one on one. As we were approaching her 9th birthday, Mommy started teaching from home and in just a month there were many positives happening. Myanna turned 9 yesterday and even though the virus has made us stay home and not have a big party with family and friends, we were able to decorate and had lovely gifts and cards sent from friends and family. We started the day with bacon and cinnamon rolls, her favorite...and then opened all her gifts. Some items we opened while on video and others we opened with social distancing. She even had a few friends from school send her cards, drawings, gifts and notes. We went for a nature walk and enjoyed hanging out together. In the evening we had pizza and watched the new Trolls movie. She loved it!! She said it was a wonderful birthday. Thank you everyone who helped bring a smile to my little girl's face. Birthday Video
Myanna is 9...9 years ago today, in the afternoon, I was contacted by Myanna's birth mom because she thought she might be in labor. Turned out she was, and we were 15 hours away. We drove all night to get by her side just 16 hours after Myanna was born. There she was so tiny at 3lbs 5ozs. She had some growing to do and medical issues from her undetected heart defects needed resolved before we could bring her home.
Since then, we focus on the positive as much as possible. We tell her to try, not give up, and some things just take a little longer than other things to learn. As Myanna is 9, these are the new things for this year... She's a terrific bike rider and climber. She loves to dig and find rare or unique rocks. She is learning her multiplications, now from home. She loves art and music. Playing her piano and recorder are her favorites. She likes to make up her own songs. She enjoys painting everyday and never runs out of ideas to paint. Her imagination is limitless. She likes to skateboard and gets her first board for her birthday! She's kind and loves to be everyone's friend. Grilled cheese has taken over I think as her new favorite food. Nine years: In those years we have had some Amazing birthday parties, moments and memories. Mickey Mouse, Bubble Guppies, Cinderella, Frozen, My Little Pony, Trolls, Gemstones and Rocks and Vampirina. And always... Pizza I remember her first birthday when she sobbed after touching the icing on her cake, and her third birthday when she had her first cake smash with blue icing all over herself. This year was going to be Awesome. Harry Potter. I was planning on brooms, a sorting hat, a wizard. This year, we are Thankful, we are Blessed, We are safe. We Thank God everyday for bringing Myanna into our family and showering us with her Amazing love, joy and life. We are so thankful Amanda is here to celebrate with us and spend time with Myanna every day. We decorated and we have the day planned with fun activities and her favorite foods. We aren't going to allow her to focus on the negatives and will make it an incredible day for her. |
Disney on IceUsually every year, Mommy takes her girls to see Disney on Ice. But, this year Amanda couldn't make it with her schedule and so Aunt Denise and Annie joined us in the fun! My little Woody from Toy Story and Annie was Belle.
ChristmasChristmas is always the best holiday when Myanna's sister and brother come home. Time spend on those days are priceless and mean the world to us all.
Heart Warriors videoIn February, Amanda and Mommy created a Heart Warriors video for Heart Month. Thank you for all who contributed to this project, I think it turned out very nice and showed just a fraction of the heart superheroes around the world.
We were able to go in the fall to Cox Farms with the family and enjoy a great day. We have a great time there thanks to the Reynold's group who sends us complimentary tickets and provides lunch for us. A lovely real estate group to use if you are selling or buying a home. They really take care of you and your family.
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First Airplane RideIn June Myanna flew to Florida to see her big sister, with mommy. They enjoyed a whole week of fun activities from going to the beach to the aquarium and even climbing a huge rope jungle gym. All to have these two together so they could do faces like this...priceless.
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Losing TeethMyanna at the age of 9 (actually by 81/2) has lost 12 teeth!! She has no fear when it comes to pulling them out! Thank goodness some have grown back in and she's only missing 4 right now. Unfortunately those might not grow in until she is 11 or 12 years old.
While in Florida, Myanna also met little MJ who is a heart warrior like she is. She got to spend a couple outings with his family and we really enjoyed meeting another little heart superhero.
Medical updateMyanna is doing much better with her asthma now that she is on a daily routine of an inhaler. Her urology appt went well and they don't have to see her for another year. Her pulmonologist is pleased with her as well. At her cardiologist, they did find a residual murmur that they will keep and eye on, but they aren't worried about. Her dental appts are moved to 6 months instead of 2-3 because they are just watching her teeth now and finally were able to put fluoride on without any distress. She is over 50 " tall and up until the virus and the stay at home order, she was over 50 pounds...but lately she has drifted down a few pounds. Guess she really needs the extra fats from fast foods and restaurants.
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