Nearly half way over but thought I’d put some effort into CDH Awareness. I’ve been a little lame this year; after our big start (billboard, radio, newspaper, magazine, and finally full-feature magazine article), I’ve done just about nothing this year to educate anyone on Audrey’s birth defect. Sure I’ve shared her story to a handful of people who didn’t know it, but nothing else. Haven’t signed up for the March of Dimes walk again either. I’m not sure what my deal is. What I do know though is that 3 years ago on this day, the first 2 boys I "knew" with the defect were here and fighting, Jackson was a week old, and Drew was 4 days old. 5 days later sweet Avery would arrive and a month after that, came Sofia. Audrey was last but somewhere in there we "met" Jessica too and her darling Parker would come just 3 days after Audrey. Six women brought together by this crazy defect. We emailed, blogged, called, stood by each other through cyberspace and now, 3 years later only 3 babies are here. I miss Drew, Avery, and Parker. I’m sad we didn’t beat the odds, our six were supposed to be the ones. Babies keep dying from Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. You can read about them over and over and over, it sucks. I wish I had direction on what I’m supposed to do, I just haven’t felt called to anything specific. Some of my friends are doing great things, I’ll continue to support them. To all the amazing people I’ve met in the CDH world, thanks for all you’ve given us during our journey. To all the parents of babies lost to this defect, my heart aches for you. I promise they will never be forgotten. Hopefully someday CDH will be a defect of the past.
For now, here’s my favorite CDH Warrior…
You’ve come a long way, baby! 
Jenn – haven\’t been here in ages and every time I do – I get a dose of funny stuff, reality and the amazing journey you all have taken – especially AJ.; Reading this entry – I remember, so remember this time almost 3 years ago. Oh how it can still hurt my heart, yet seeing AJ\’s picture here – she is a fighter and a sweet baby girl.Love you all! Have fun in Austin and SA!Mo
It\’s amazing – 3 years have passed so quickly!Isn\’t it amazing how circumstances can truly bring people together??I\’m still amazed…..Audrey is looking great – Darby was looking at her photo online and said, "Mom – is that Audrey?" I said, "YES IT IS!!"She remembers all the CDH kiddos and Angels……I talk to her about them all the time!
Awww…I just went and read the magazine article!! It\’s fabulous!My favorite part was: For Nate, the revelation came a bit later, in the form of a promising chest X-ray. “I don’t remember the exact day, maybe it was May 18 or 19, but I was home with a sinus infection and he called to give me an update. All of a sudden, he wasn’t there — he was sobbing, ‘Jennifer, she’s going to live.’”Not only is it so amazing and great to hear about a dad\’s reaction (we all know how emotional us ladies can be!) – but that is true, raw emotion….and it\’s wonderful.Plus – May 19th was my birthday….so YAY!
So today 3 years ago we were diagnosed. I promised myself I wasn\’t going to cry. I\’ve been thinking about you all morning long (don\’t know why) but you\’ve been on my mind so I decided I would take a break from work and check out the blog. Well, I broke my promise because I am crying. How could anyone not after reading this post? You\’ve always had a way with words, Jenn. Always. This post is no different. I wish that our story, Drew\’s and Avery\’s had been different. I wish that all 6 of our kiddos were meeting every year for a reunion but I know that God had a different plan. I\’m glad that CDH brought you and Audrey into my life. I will forever be grateful for the friendships I\’ve developed because of damn CDH. You rock, Jenn. Don\’t ever forget that!!! Thanks for always remembering my sweet little Parker!!!
I don\’t post much on the internet but I have kept up with your blog now for 3 years. I don\’t know if you remember me, Gina, and I had Maria about 2 months after Audrey. I wish I would have posted more because I follow all the blogs that you mentioned because Maria was in that time also. All the people you mentioned helped me through that period of time and especially you because you took the time to email me with what to expect. Maria now sits with me and looks at your pictures and asked me who is that baby, and I explain that she has the same scar as her! I can\’t believe its been 3 years already but I thought I would thank you for your blog and everyone\’s CDH blog, you are helping more than you know. Gina RedfootMaria Redfoot 7/25/03
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