Team Hoyt

There are a few things I've learned in the last 3 years.

1. It takes a very special person to care for a special needs child!
2. Life is precious!
3. A bond between a parent and a child is the strongest bond there can be!

Please take 6 minutes out of your day to watch this video. If this is not one of the most inspirational videos you've ever seen, than I don't know what is.

Mute our website music below, turn up your volume, and pull out the tissues!

Team Hoyt

Racing History
229 Triathlons, 20 Duathlons, 66 Marathons, 8 (18.6) Milers, 84 Half Marathons, and many more!

"Top Secret"

What a big day today....and yesterday! I'll tell you about yesterday later, and today first. We started our day off by putting Macy in her favorite t-shirt! She was so excited to wear it to school!





I packed up all my things, including these adorable cupcakes, and headed to work!





When Macy got to school, she did her unveiling of her "top secret" favorite tee.






When I got to work, I did the unveiling of my "top secret" peanut!




Yes, Macy is going to be a big sister!!!! She is so excited!!! We had our first official appointment yesterday. Due to my pregnancy history with Macy, they took me back to get an official heartbeat. It wasn't just a heartbeat I saw and heard....it was our cute little peanut just hangin' out! We couldn't be more excited to meet our new arrival around December 5th!

Healthy Babies! Healthy Babies!

Today was a magnificent day! Jeremy, Macy and I, along with 21 other family and friends, marched for babies! And boy did we march.....you should've seen the streak of blue "Macy's Miracle Marchers" shirts marching down the streets of downtown Indy. The opening ceremony was one of the tear jerkers...I just can't help but look down at my beautiful little girl, and think about what a true miracle she is!

Before the opening ceremony, March of Dimes passes out colored beads. The blue beads are for all parents, the red beads are for parents of babies born with birth defects, the silver beads are for premature births, the gold beads are for families who have lost a child, and the green beads are for future parents. It is just amazing to look at others and learn a part of their story just by the color of their beads!

Here are some pictures of our wonderful day!

Macy and Olivia...Aren't they too cute!


Jeremy and Macy shakin' it to the music.


Our family! Jeremy and I are sporting our blue, silver, and red beads!


Look at all that blue!


All the kids (Macy, Liam, and Olivia)...okay, maybe not the big one, Jon. Well, maybe his wife would say different!


DID YOU KNOW?????
Indiana's Pre-tern birth rate is 13.5%, which places us in the overall U.S rank of 37th. Our overall grade: F!

More than 3,000 types of birth defects have been identified. Birth defects are found in 2.3% of all newborn infants. This rate then raises to 10% by age five. Almost 20% of deaths in newborns are caused by birth defects.


We wanted to give a thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all of our friends and family who came out today and marched for such an amazing cause! We also wanted to thank everyone who donated to this cause. It means so much to our family!!!!! One day, all babies will be born healthy!

Help Give All Babies A Healthy Start!

Hi! It’s Kristen! As you know, I’m walking to support March of Dimes March for Babies on Sunday.

There is no better sound in the world than the cry of a healthy baby and no better time to be a part of the effort.

March for Babies takes place this weekend!

Sign up (by clicking on the logo on the side bar) today and help give all babies a healthy start with a donation to March for Babies.



Together we’ll see the day when all babies are born healthy, full term and with the sunny prospect of celebrating a first birthday!

Nothing Says Spring Break Like......

15 Years Ago...Spring Break, Las Vegas, NV
*Gotta love the bob haircut and bangs....my brother is going to kill me for posting this pic!


Yesterday...Spring Break, Gatlinburg, TN
*Gotta love the silly little grin, and the hair in her face!


You may ask, "What on earth do these two pictures have in common?" By the time I am finished with this post, you will see what an eerie similarity these two trips (which took place 15 years apart) have in common.

15 Years Ago, Las Vegas

After a long day of sightseeing in the rental van, and having lunch at Hard Rock Cafe, I (along with my parents) returned to the hotel.

Yesterday, Gatlinburg

After a long ride of sightseeing in Gatlinburg's Ober sky tram, we decided to stop at the top of the mountain for more fun before heading to Hard Rock Cafe for dinner.

15 Years Ago, Las Vegas

I started to feel a little nauseous upon arriving back at the hotel. Thankfully, my parents dropped me off at the front door before parking the rental van.

Yesterday, Gatlinburg

Macy started feeling a litle nauseous upon arriving at the top of the mountain. Unknown to me and Jeremy, we toted Macy around in her stroller for more sightseeing and fun.

15 Years Ago, Las Vegas

Heading into the casino, walking in a high traffic area, I decided there was no better time than that moment to lose my lunch. Right there...in front of everyone! Not wanting to get vomit all over that beautiful MGM Grand Hotel floor, I decided to open my coat, aim my mouth inside, and let it rip!

Yesterday, Gatlinburg

Heading toward the Black Bear Habitat, walking through the gateway, Macy decided there was no better time than that moment to lose her lunch. Right there....in front of everyone. Not caring where it went, she projective vomited. Most of it landed on the floor in front of her. But since Macy is very skilled at vomiting, she managed to still get a good amount between her two shirts!

15 Years Ago, Las Vegas

Deciding the room was too far away, I headed straight to the restroom, leaving a trail of you know what as I ran at top speed!

Yesterday, Gatlinburg

Deciding too many people had to walk through that gateway, we borrowed some papertowels from the ticket counter, and quick-cleaned the floor. Then we took off at top speed heading for the nearest restroom, leaving a trail of pediasure-stink smell!

15 Years Ago, Las Vegas

While my mother and brother frantically searched for me through the hotel, I washed and washed and washed and washed, and dried and dried and dried and dried, in the casino restroom. Ohhh did I stink!

Yesterday, Gatlinburg

While I took the stroller into the ladies restroom (which lacked any soap, but had a drier), Jeremy took Macy into the mens restroom (which lacked a drier, but had soap). We washed and washed and washed and washed and washed, and dried and dried and dried and dried, in the mountain-top restrooms. Ohhh did we all stink!

15 Years Ago, Las Vegas

With stink on my clothes, stink on my hands, and stink surrounding me, I headed to the elevator, where I proceeded to ride floor after floor with people surrounding me, wondering what in the world that horrid smell was, and what on earth I had all over my clothes. I was mortified!

Yesterday, Gatlinburg

With stink on Macy's clothes, Jeremy and my hands, and stink surrounding the stroller, we headed through the bear exhibit (not wanting to miss out), and then back to the tram. We proceeded to ride all the way down the mountain with people surrounding us. Fortunately I think we got things cleaned up enough, and cornered ourselves away from everyone else (remember, I've had practice at this sort of thing), that no one even noticed the stink surrounding us. I still couldn't help but be completely paranoid!

Nothing says vacation like a little motion sickness!!!!

Stay tuned this week for more pictures from our trip to Gatlinburg!

Other than our vomit fest, we had a great trip!

3 Updates!!!

I really would spare you 3 updates, but the cardiology and dental appointments seem so very important.......and I can't forget Easter! So here goes!

Cardiology

Our cardiology appointment went great! Macy did a great job being a brave little girl, and we got a great report. Dr. Ebenroth, who by the way was GREAT, said Macy's heart looked good, and that we didn't need to come back for 1 year! We have never had a doctor tell us to come back in a year! Yay! He did say that realistically, Macy will be having another surgery or more. He said that her pulmonary valve will continue to need replaced. She currently has a valve made with some of her own tissue and a gortex-like material. It will eventually give out, and will need to be replaced with an animal valve. Animal valves only last for a certain amount of time also. So we are looking at more heart caths, and open heart surgeries, we just hope it's not for a while!



Dentist

Well, today was Macy's first dentist appointment. I wasn't sure how she would react! I think I was more nervous than her! When the dentist came in, he said, "Well, she looks healthy, and like she has no medical problems." I thought, "Is he seriously talking about Macy? Didn't he see the numerous medications listed, and all the YESs I checked under MEDICAL HISTORY? Did he see her extensive list of surgeries? Doesn't he see the hole in her neck....the one I usually cover with a bandaid (just to spare some stares), that she ripped off in the waiting area?" He then said, "She doesn't have anything wrong with her lungs or heart?" That is when I stopped him and filled him in on my special little girl! She sat and listened, proudly wearing all the scars to prove it.

When he slowly lowered the chair so that he could take a look, she had a mini freakout, and then calmed down when we both promised her stickers afterward. He checked out all her teeth with his mirror, brushed them, and painted some flouride on them. She sat and took it like the big girl she is! I was so proud of her! He said everything looked good, but that he is worried about what the pediasure could do to her teeth, since she drinks so much of it. He gave us some ideas to help with that.

Here are a few pics!





Easter

We had a great Easter weekend! It started off with an Easter egg hunt in our neighborhood. It was so fun to get out and meet some of the neighbors that we haven't met yet. Macy had a blast!



On Sunday morning, Macy was very excited to see that the Easter Bunny had visited. He left Macy a basket filled with lots of springtime activities and some candy (which Mommy and Daddy tend to eat). He also hid 11 eggs around the house...Daddy broke one. Crack!!!





Then we got dressed and headed to Great-Grandpa's for some good food and great company. Macy loved all of the attention....it's not like she doesn't get enough at home.....so I guess she loved the "extra" attention. She had another easter egg hunt, and loved running around the yard searching for all of the eggs. We had a blast!





In a couple days, we are off to Gatlinburg for some relaxation and fun! Please pray for a safe trip there and back!

Look How Far We've Come!

I have been really bad about putting off our photo albums. The last time I put one together was July. All the pictures we've taken since July are either still on my camera, or sitting in the closet. Since I am on vacation, I thought there was no better time than now to get some more photo albums put together. As I was sorting through all of them in the guest room closet, so was Macy. She was just having a ball looking at all the pictures of herself. She kept saying things like, "look at me!", "I'm a mess", "that's silly". It was so cute! So being that it is almost Easter, I thought I would share some photos from our past Easters.

Macy's First Easter



Believe it or not, she was 2 1/2 months old.....and still not the size of a newborn!



Macy's Second Easter
We celebrated 1 week early because......



....this is how we spent Easter. This was Macy's surgery to repair her airway.



Macy's Third Easter
All dressed up, no where to go. We stayed at home due to some family members having some cold bugs.



Our little angel!


Please send some prayers our way for a great report during our cardiology appointment tomorrow. Pray for me as I get to experience telling Macy's story to a brand new doctor (cardiologist).

Mr. and Mrs. Wishard

We want to send out a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Jeremy's sister and new bother-in-law, Jessica and Nate. They were married yesterday, April 6th, in North Carolina. We are so happy for them!

Saying The Vows


The Ring Ceremony


You May Kiss The Bride!



Mr. and Mrs. Wishard



The Rings


Nate will be leaving in a few days for Afghanistan. He will be gone for 12 long months. Please pray for him and his new wife, while he is away. Jessica and Nate will be having a wedding celebration with family and friends in August 2010, soon after Nate returns home. Congratulations!!!! Welcome to the family Nate!

Margaritaville

Yipee!!!! I am offically on vacation for 2 weeks! We will be leaving for Gatlinburg, TN on April 16th for our first official family vacation. Until then, we are having a "stay"cation for the next week and 1/2. I don't mind having a relaxing "stay"cation at home, but I would rather be here:



Next week we will be heading to Riley for an echo. I can't remember how long it has been since our last one. I am nervous! Please pray for a great report! On Monday, April 13th, Macy is heading to the dentist at Riley. This will be her first dentist appointment. We aren't sure how she'll react to it, although she absolutely loves to brush her teeth at home. It's kind of tricky taking a heart kiddo to the dentist. We chose to take her to Riley because they handle special kids like Macy more often, and she has to be on antibiotics before her appointment. It needs to be administered 1 hour prior to the appointment. It is just a one dose thing. Weird!

I will update after our appointments on here, and on her caringbridge site. Here is another plea for some more donations for our March of Dimes walk. We are marching for an amazing cause...HEALTHY BABIES!!! No more needs to be said. Click on the link, on the side bar, if you feel it in your heart to donate to this wonderful cause!

I will leave you with a cute pic of my little angel. Can anyone guess what Macy has on her face? P.S. It's not milk!

My Ballerina Strikes Again!

My little ballerina strikes again!!! Although, she refuses to move and grove to "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy". She prefers to rock out to rock-n-roll or disco, like:

"She's a maniac, maniac on the floor
And she's dancing like she's never danced before
She's a maniac, maniac on the floor
And she's dancing like she's never danced before"



"Oh, no not I, I will survive,
Oh as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live, I've got all my love to give
And I, l will survive, I will survive....Hey, hey"



"You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen"



And then she also loves hip-hop, like:

"All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it"



What am I going to do with her???????