We're still here....

It's been awhile since our last post, and a lot has happened since. I'll upload some pictures, but I can't write too much since I'm doing this from my phone...
Stella had a great Christmas with lots of presents to open, and now we have toys all over the place!
In November we went to disneyland with some of the family and Stella thought she was in heaven! She's a big fan of mickey mouse and the rest of the clan. Sara and I really enjoyed watching Stella have a blast, she loved it.
After disney, we all went on a cruise leaving from long beach CA to Catalina island, then to mexico. I personally would go back in a second! We ate so much it's not even funny. Stella loved every minute of it, she only had one tantrum, not bad. She is such a good girl, all she wants is to have fun, laugh, play with her favorite toys, and give lots of loves....we couldn't ask for a better kid.
Health wise she doing great, she got sick a couple of times with a cold and a light cough. Sara and I wish we had 1/10 of her energy, she's wild.
We would love to take her at primary's so she can see some of her favorite nurses to show herself off. Earl? Let us know when you work, and we'll swing by and say hi!

I'll post more pictures when I get home, don't have many on my phone at the moment.

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A few Pictures...

Some family pictures we had taken a few weeks ago. Stella wasn't very cooperative for the most part, but we were still able to get some good ones after all.

Stella's next cardiology appointment for an Echo will be on August 30th. Please keep your fingers crossed that everything is still looking good for at least a couple more years.

She's only 2, but you can already see the sweetness in her eyes.

Man she's cute!

Isn't she just beautiful?

Myself and my beautiful wife! I can't believe almost 10 years...

Stella is 2!!!!!!!!

Our little Monkey Stella is now 2 years old!!! We can't believe all this time has already passed since she was born. It's definitely true when people say "Before you know it....". It's been a crazy ride, but we wouldn't change a thing!
We celebrated Stella's birthday with a small party on the day, and then we had an official party where everybody showed up and brought some very nice presents where she had a blast unwrapping. She got - a bubble maker, books (which she loves), double easel, little fishing game, toy cell phone, basketball (that she takes everywhere), etc.
Stella is very smart! Probably a little advanced for her age. She can count to fifteen, she has a HUGE vocabulary - as well as putting 3-4 words together. She has very good fine motor coordination, a little clumsy on her feet at times (Mommy says she gets that from her Dad), but it doesn't stop her from getting right back up, shaking it off, and start running again!
About three weeks ago Sara and I bought a house! It's in bountiful, and it couldn't be more perfect for us. We have great views of the lake and Antelope Island, along with beautiful sunsets. We're not officially moved in yet because we want to get all the painting done and possibly re stain the original hardwood floors. It has a very nice fenced in back yard which eventually will have Stella's new jungle gym. In the evening we can sit out on the patio, with a light breeze, and hear the birds singing. That's it! No traffic or freeway noise! Just like Sara and I like it.

I believe around September - October we have our next cardiology appointment for Stella. At this time we're not too worried about it because she's doing so well....but I guess you never know.

- Sorry for the poor quality on the pictures, I could not find the battery charger for the good camera :) -

Our new home!



Patio (Nice and green now)



Stella going down the slide at the park



Playing in the sand



At Layton's Hill Mall



Childrens place



At the park (New purse and sunglasses)



At Home Depot



At RC Willey hugging the big mean bear



Stella hanging out



My Beautiful girls!



Ice cream cake from baskin' Robins



Opening presents



More presents

Sporting her new girl accessories

At Macy's, dancing in the mirror

Welcome 2010!

Well, here we are, a new year with new adventures. We sure hope 2010 brings good things to everyone out there...especially us. Stella had a great time on Christmas, she got some really cool presents from Santa and had a fun time playing with her cousins and entertaining everyone with her new song "YAA-TEE-TEE, YAA-TEE-TEE". She was able to get everyone involved whether they liked it or not - very addicting song. I know that once Stella grows up, we'll miss all the fun and cute things that she does right now.
She is a very smart little girl, she's highly observant, she loves to read books, and seems to learn a new word everyday. Sara and I have to constantly chase her everywhere, I think she's trying to break us down to where we'll do anything she wants. She definitely has me wrapped around her little pinkie finger. I love her to death.

Stella is no longer naive about the Dr.'s office and what happens there. She is now well aware of the fact that when we lay her down on the exam bed, pain will most likely soon follow. She starts to frantically look around as to look for an escape route, when she fails to locate one, she starts to scream bloody murder all the way until we put her clothes back on and leave. It's heart breaking, but it's for her best.

I think that covers most of it for now, we hope everyone out there had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Stella shopping - Very funny!

Stella the Entertainer - "YAA-TEE-TEE"

Reading a book on her new Tinkerbell chair

Climbing up the slide on her new Kangaroo climber

On top of the world!



Stella on her horse, making a funny face and holding a hair brush

Finally an update!

Finally an update! We know, it's been awhile....seems life has a way of keeping you busy though.
Things have been pretty good lately (cross our fingers), Stella has been walking/Running now for a little over a month and she likes to get into EVERYTHING! We can't turn around one second, and she's either getting into her dirty clothes and spreading them out all over the place or chasing Girl (our dog) around the house harassing her. Stella loves to pretend to talk on the Cell phone, she walks around with it by her ear jabbering away and laughing like she's really carrying on a conversation with someone, it's the funniest thing ever!
Healthwise she's doing great, we are a little worried about this freaking H1N1 virus going around, but hopefully we'll be able to get her vaccinated soon. In my opinion it's just ridiculous how there' re having these mass vaccinations going on, like we're really going to stand outside in the cold for hours with Stella, around possibly sick people. The next thing will be her RVS shots starting in early November, and that should be it for awhile.
A few weeks ago we went to the IHH's Birthday party in Santaquin to a place called Southridge Red Barn (if I remember correctly), there, Stella was able to go and pick her own pumpkin from the patch. She was a little grumpy because of the weather being cold, but we had fun anyway.
It's just amazing how much she has grown, she's a little toddler now. Now we shop for 2T's and soon 3T's! Crazy! Stella is getting funnier and crazier by the day, she has the most amazing personality I've ever seen in a kid.
We sure hope everyone is doing well out there, and hope that your little ones stay clear of nasty viruses that are going around.
We've posted some pictures of Stella's trip to the patch, along with some pumpkin carving shots.

Mommy and Stella browsing the pumpkins



Stella with her blackberry

Mommy and Stella cleaning out the pumpkin



The artist



Stella and Girl in their costumes



She looks so big now



Stella dragging the hamper around the house while spreading clothes

Long time no post

It has been forever since we lasted posted. Yesterday was exactly a year since Stella had heart surgery. It seems like only yesterday we were waiting in the surgery waiting room petrified with fear. Each passing minute seemed like an eternity. She was in surgery for over six hours when Dr. Hawkins came out to tell us how things went. What an amazing man! He gave us the chance to take our baby home and be a family. We decided to celebrate the one year milestone with a shopping spree at Toys R Us. It was so fun to see Stella excited about all the toys around her. It was a great way for Stella, Stefano and I to honor all the trials which we have overcome this past year.

Stella is now crawling and she absolutely loves it! She chases Girl (our dog) around and pulls her tail. She can pull herself up on things and walks if we hold her hands. She is starting to jabber like crazy and it is so funny. We have no idea what she is saying but it is cute as can be.

Stella loves her veggies!

Mommy and Stella at Trolley Square fountain



Finally facing forward in the car!



Stella and Daddy on a walk



Best Buddies



Stella's new wheels!

There is not much more to report. Next month Stella will have a sedated echo to check out her heart. The thought of putting her out again really stresses us out. She will be fine though, because she is one tough little girl! We hope everyone is having a great summer and we will post again when there is something to write about.
Love, Sara, Stefano, and Stella

1 Year old!!!

Wow!!! We can't believe it! Stella is already a year old!
Time really flies, and we are truly grateful that we get to have Stella here with us. At times though we still wonder...why us? Why were we the ones chosen to have a heart kid? I think it's the very first question that every heart parent ask themselves when they first get the news. Next comes the moment of panic and despair, followed by fear of the unknown. Later tears...still trying to make some sort of sense out of all this....and finally, sweet acceptance. The fight begins.
As Sara and I sit here and watch our little Stella bounce around in her swing, throwing her hands in the air dancing, laughing, looking at us and smiling with that sweet little face...that's when it all makes sense.That's when we know we were the lucky ones.
Sorry about the rambling...couldn't help it.
Stella had an awesome birthday party! We decorated everything in pink princess theme. There were tons of balloons everywhere. Mommy had a custom cake made for her, half chocolate and half vanilla. Aunts, Uncles, and cousins showed up for the event, even Great-Grandma and her sister were able to make it. Stella knew it was a very special day for her and everyone else. She was also very exited with her new toys, all 1+years!
Well...I think that wraps it up for now. Soon we'll have an update with her 1 year check-up.

First taste of cake

Admiring her new toy

Cousin Lindsey playing

Staring at the Monkey

Grandma from Italy sent her a Children's book

Stella and the Pignata