Carrying on Carrington's Courage

There are few times in our lives that we are so blessed it can leave us almost speechless. Our family has experienced this type of blessing from so many people we will never get to meet this side of Heaven. We also feel that our little Carrington has a purpose given to her from God and that is something we cannot ignore. Our family is not "special", we just were chosen by God to grow through birth and adoption. Our Carrington is safe, she is growing and experiencing life the way a child should but our hearts, as well as the hearts of other families, just cannot let this story of courage stop. Soon, we hope to be revealing how we plan to continue to keep this flame of courage burning bright for all the children who are still waiting for their chance to experience life, for love, and for family.

Laughter

It is said that laughter is the best medicine and I truly believe that to be so. My day started out not so hot with one of my children deciding to smear something all over herself and bedding (it was so gross)! Then I thought I heard a noise coming from my room so I went in to check on Carrington and she just started to laugh. Yes, LAUGH!! I asked her is she called me in here on purpose and again another laugh came from that precious mouth. Of course I could not find the iPod to take a pic since the camera is still out of commission. But, tonight I think I was able to catch a bit of her laughter on video. Her personality is totally beginning to shine through more and more each day.

As she sat on my lap I wondered if Carrington ever laughed or even heard laughter. How many of those little ones still left at her orphanage have never known what it is to laugh or even had a reason to laugh. I will not base my "success" as a mom on what my children achieve but rather on did they have a chance to live, laugh, and love. That does not take tons of money, big fancy houses, or even designer goods. All it takes is a family who is willing to answer God's call to love the orphans of this world. Funny how those things used to be determining factors for me but no longer will I let them rule my life. Instead I just want to relish the laughs of my children. Now here we are getting ready for bed and when I told her it was time to go night night she laughed. I do believe we have a spirited young princess on our hands.

Every day since this blog was created by Sarah, Carrington's story has continued to reach people world wide and leave an impact. For each person the impact is different as we are all different but the one constant for us all is the life that was saved. Carrington's Courage updated you each day on her progress and status and now that she is home we hope not only to continue to share with the world this precious little miracle but we hope that Carrington's Courage will make even more of an impact for other children. We simply cannot ignore the plan God has put in motion through Carrington, and so it is the hope and desire of many to turn this story into one that not only celebrates the life and love given to Carrington but to also reach the many other little flowers just waiting for their turn to blossom into one of God's most beautiful creations.

I Love Being Home!

Hello Everyone! It's me Princess Carrington and I am at home. Mommy and my biggest sister Madelaine took me home just in time for Easter. Can I just tell you how happy I am to be at home?! The day I left all of my special friends on 5th floor north at Cook Children's Hospital they had special presents for me and were giving me lots of well wishes and hugs. I love them so much!
Thank you to everyone who prayed for me while I was getting all better. Mommy would read me all the comments that you all left on the blog as well as the prayers that were left by all of my friends who came to stay with me at night. In my whole life I have never known what it meant to be important nor what it felt like to be loved but all that changed the day my mommy and daddy came to get me and bring me home. So many of you I may not meet this side of heaven but I am so loved and that was the medicine I needed. The medicine God knew I needed. Mommy has told me just how very special I am and that God has a special purpose for me in this life. Thank you for loving me, praying for me, sending me special notes and even for all the wonderful presents! This was a special time for my Mommy and I to just get to know each other and now I don't really like her to be very far away from me:)
Since I have been home things sure have been busy and noisy! You see I have 6 siblings at home so there is always something going on. Mommy tried to put me in the pack 'n play in her and Daddy's room but I reminded her that I like to sleep in the swing thank you very much!! We did not go to church for Easter as Mommy and Daddy want me to heal a bit more before going to meet everyone but the Easter bunny came to our house:) He left me a cute basker with a bunny and some baby food for the day I get to try eating it. One day it was breezy outside and Mommy let me sit in my bouncy seat and let the wind blow through my hair. WOW! I sure do love the feel of the wind through my hair and the sunshine on my face. Where has this awesome creation of God's been all my life?! So now each day Mommy and I walk outside together for a quick moment so I can see the flowers and trees and hear the birds. Did I tell you my Mommy was so nervous about me coming home she had to mow the lawn and plant flowers so everything would be just right when I came home? Well, don't tell her but all I really wanted was to sleep next to her and drift off to sleep all to my Daddy snoring. I am eating real good with my Gbutton and starting to sleep better so I can grow. Today I met my pediatrician, Dr Tomberlin, and I just love her! She is going to take great care of me just like she does my siblings. I now weigh a whole 14lbs and 11 oz. and I am 30 inches long. Yea, I am growing! Oh, my big sister Reagan, well she has decided that she is my personal bodyguard and does not let anyone come near me. She likes to brush my pretty hair that is just growing and growing and she holds toys for me to see. Even Ethan asks me a lot of questions. I wonder if he understands my answers? Guess who I have wrapped around my tiny little fingers? I will give you a hint...he is my hero and has a heart as big as a giant. It's my Daddy! But, shhhhhh don't tell him I know I have him wrapped around like that even though he is the only one who can get me to smile as big as Texas when he carries me around in his big, safe arms. I love my family and am so very thankful God took care of me until they could come get me. Even though I am home safe and sound with my family please do not stop praying for my friends who are still waiting for their Mommy and Daddy to come get them. Prayers are so powerful, I know, so keep praying because God hears you! I love you all!!



I just love eating and sleeping in my swing at home. My brothers and sisters sure did wear me out with all of their excitement when I came home.

Look how fun this thing is! I sure am having fun sitting upright and playing.

Mommy played some great music on the radio so I just thought I would sing along with it.

HOME!!!

The princess arrived home this afternoon! Shelly left me a message in tears just so thrilled to finally be able to have Carrington home and her and to have her whole family united! Here are some pictures of Carrington's big day! I think she looks pretty darn excited to be leaving to join her family at home finally!!

Carrington got all dolled up (including this sweater made by Heather) to make her grand entrance into the Burman house!

I know the Burmans are forever grateful for your prayers, cards, letters, comments, notes, friendship, donations, and support!

Shelly and I aren't sure what the future holds for this blog but she knows you all would just die if you didn't get occasional updates on the princess, so I can unofficially promise that you will get some :)  (along with some serious advocating on Carrington's behalf so that others don't end up in the condition she was in upon her entry to the U.S.).

Carrington is lucky. I know you're thinking what the heck is that woman talking about lucky? When I say that, I mean, she is lucky that she had two parents who answered God's call to save her life. She wasn't their first plan, or even second, but when they heard God calling, after briefly saying, "are you crazy?", they simply obeyed and jumped in with both feet.  The happy pictures you see on this blog today would not be here had they not simply said "Yes, God."  The Burman's are not heroes, they are a family who has decided to fully surrender to God's plan. They are a family who puts themselves and their desires last.  That is very rare in this instant gratification/self fulfilling world we live in today. They are an example that others should follow.

Sadly there are way too many other orphans who never see the other side of the coin. They waste away and starve to death without ever knowing the love of a family...they die alone a slow and painful death because nobody stepped up to the plate and answered God's call. God commands us to take care of orphans and like I've said before, that looks different for all of us, but more of us need to step out on faith and listen to the call to adopt. So don't let Carrington's story fizzle out of your mind. How could it after you've seen the pictures and heard the story? Every day make a conscious effort to take that piece of Carrington's story with you out into the world and make a difference.

Signing off for now.....

Guess Who....

Guess who is going home tomorrow???!!! You got it...Miss Carrington will be joining the rest of her family at her HOME sometime tomorrow if all goes as planned!! AND she is just shy of 15 pounds!! Woohoo!!

This little girl has already touched so many hearts and will continue to with her story of perseverance, faith, hope, and love! God is good!

14.7 Pounds!

On her way to becoming a beautiful butterfly!

Carrington is doing great! Her path has finally taken a turn for the better and she is really on her way to becoming the child God has always intended for her to become! She is taking feeds of 150 MLs every four hours (except for 8 hours overnight she is on 45MLs/hour)!! Wowza! I remember when her feeds started at 5MLs/hour because she was so malnoursihed and she could hardly tolerate that! Her teeth have stopped bleeding but Shelly says she has been clicking her tongue around looking for the missing teeth! Ha!

Carrington is feeling so good she decided to sing a little song :)

Oh, and she is up to 14.7 pounds. That is a 3.7 pound weight gain in a month!

Surgery Today

Carrington is out of surgery and recovering. The fundo and g-button went as planned but her teeth were another story :( They were only able to save two teeth, but not the two they had planned to save. Every single one of her teeth were abscessed :( Can you imagine the pain that would cause? They were able to save two molars (on top-one on each side) in hopes of keeping her jaw from collapsing (which is what would happen if they pulled every single one). It is very important Carrington had these teeth removed as it is definitely a strong possibility that teeth so badly infected like this may cause endocarditis and other life threatening situations. Shelly said that her mouth is still bleeding a lot so pray that the bleeding will stop. Shelly was told to plan on Carrington being in the hospital at least until Wednesday, and I'm sure that all depends on her her feeds go, if her reflux is greatly improved from surgery, and if her bleeding in her mouth is under control.

I will update more as I hear from Shelly...for now keep the prayers coming!

PROGRESS! And some adorable photos and VIDEO!

Carrington is doing FABULOUS!!! Shelly reports that she has been so silly with laughing, talking, and now making this little noise like panting. Her surgery has been moved to Thursday AM so that's one extra day to pray!! Thanks a bunch to all the volunteers who stayed with Carrington...what a blessing! Carrington is now weighing in at 14.1 pounds! That is a solid 3 pound gain in less than a month! Just look at these before and after pictures of sweet girl's belly and just try to tell me you don't believe in miracles...from the brinks of death this angel was brought back:

March 15:

Today!

I guess we all know where that 3 pounds went! Don't worry sweet girl, my pounds go to the same place....only difference is that I don't need any extra pounds there!!! If you didn't believe in miracles before, you absolutely have to after seeing those two comparison pictures!

"My new shirt says it all: FREE to be me! Sending kisses to everyone who has prayed for me. I AM free so look out world for Princess Carrington Burman!"

Look at her hair growing!!! She is absolutely gorgeous!!

Here is the princess with her big brother Ethan. He looks like the best brother ever and I bet he is!

Carrington was sent four books featuring kids with DS and she and Shelly read them every day. Look how studious she looks while her Mama is goofing off taking silly pictures of the two of them!

I have a feeling she is going to take after her big sister being a book worm!

Look at what I can do!!

Surgery Scheduled *Edited

Carrington's surgery has been scheduled for Wednesday! She will be having most of her teeth extracted, getting a g-button, and a Fundo. She is hanging out around 13.7 pounds so she did lose a little of that huge 10 ounce weight gain as the doctors suspected she would. Shelly reports that her personality is growing by leaps and bounds and she is quite the little character!

Start praying hard for Carrington's doctors and family and for her health and recovery!!

P.S. Still looking for two friends who would be willing to stay with Carrington Monday and Tuesday nights :) Please email me if you're interested (spbasile at hotmail dot com).

14 Pounds!! And a Kiss from Carrington!

(This is the life!)

(mmmuuuuuuaaaahhhh!)

So Miss Carrington has gained 10 ounces overnight, taking her to right around 14 pounds!!!! The doctors don't really think that much of a weight gain is possible so they're not getting excited until she is weighed again tomorrow. They are curious to see if she will maintain this weight gain or if it was a fluke.  I say anything is possible with all these prayers!! The doctors were pumping her full with mega feeds in preparation for the PH probe to measure her reflux so that could be a reason for the huge weight gain in a 24 hour period! You can see in the picture below the princess is wearing "no-no's" on her arms to keep her from pulling the PH probe out...however this little fighter managed to get those things off!!! She is feeling well enough to be naughty and I love it! The princess got to spend the day with her Momma...what a way for Shelly to spend her 29th birthday! Hehe. Carrington has had a great day, smiling and talking away and just so happy!

The results of the PH probe confirmed that Carrington will need a Fundo. They are still waiting the results of the celiac's disease bloodwork, but Hep A, B, and C have all come back negative!

If you live around the DFW area and would be willing to spend a night with the princess on Sunday, please email me :) (spbasile at hotmail dot com).

P.S. I know the background on the blog is wacky and am hoping it will be fixed soon. If not I may be calling on some of you blogger design people to help :)

Health Update

Shelly had hoped to get the news of a surgery date yesterday or today but so far she has not been given a date, but the doctors have started a couple tests to prepare for surgery. Shelly is hoping Surgery will be early next week.  The doctors noticed an indentation on Carrington's chest which they believe is just an enlarged blood vessel but they wanted to look further into that before they scheduled surgery.  The doctors were doing a PH probe to measure the amount of reflux over a 24 hour period from yesterday into today and I have not yet heard if Shelly got the results of that yet. Carrington did not gain any weight yesterday or today so keep praying for more weight gain! She is up to 40 cc's/hour for her feeds....now if you remember she started under 5 cc's/hour and her body could barely handle that! So this is a huge improvement and a step in the right direction. Shelly said she has still been having some reflux with the increased feeds. Carrington also had a hearing test done and it was perfect! She also had test for celiacs as well as a couple other GI procedures done. Shelly says they will find out the results of those tests late tomorrow.  In the area of teeth...the situation is pretty bad.  As I updated the other day, Carrington will have all her teeth except the bottom two front teeth pulled. It's not that these teeth are even in great shape but the surgeon is worried if he pulls all of them including these two that Carrington's jaw could collapse, so I guess those two are staying in hopes that they will be enough to keep Carrington's jaw from collapsing. 

Shelly says Carrington is entertaining everyone on the floor and even received an international package from Switzerland! I wonder who that could be....I'm thinking it's my friend Christina....When Shelly told me the box had chocolates I just new it had to be you Christina!! The nurses came in calling "international mail call...." way too funny! This girl is seriously saving other children!! She is moving in so many hearts and stories are starting to trickle in about how Carrington's story has changed hearts. Rumor has it her story alone has convinced some hearts to step forward and decide to adopt one of these precious children!  Shelly says so many people told her and Brian that they couldn't save ALL the children. About that statement, Shelly has to say,  "at first we were offended but guess what??  They were right it is not us saving the other children, God is and He chose Carrington to be an integral part of His plan." That just gives me goosebumps!!

Look at these cute leg warmers made by Brandi! (they were made from a pair of socks...how cool!)

The Burmans have had so many awesome friends and strangers step forward to offer support in so many ways. It is amazing to see so many people coming together for this beautiful family and for this beautiful princess!

TWO AND A HALF

Carrington gained a few ounces a couple days in a row and now she is hovering around 13 and a half pounds! So that is 2 and a half pounds gained in 2 and a half weeks! Shelly has noticed that Carrington is really starting to feel comfortable and increasing eye contact and trust! One of the wonderful ladies (Brandi) who is staying with Carrington for a few nights said in just a week's time how Carrington has changed so much! Praise God! Carrington is holding her head up for longer periods of time and even pushing herself up with her hands when on her belly!  Shelly waited all day to hear about a surgery date but has still not heard anything and is hoping to hear very soon! The doctor who will be working on Carrington's teeth said he can only save her bottom two front teeth and the rest are so bad they will all have to be pulled :( Poor sweet girl! Now what you all want to see....more pictures!!

"I got another pretty outfit! and look at the booties Sarah B. made for me. I am a styling chick!" (and they certainly weren't from THIS Sarah B....I can barely sew a button...so to the other Sarah B....great job, they're adorable!

Beautiful Carrington

Look at this sweetness!

"Look at my new outfit I got from a friend in MD. I am wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a new hairband."

Just to put Carrington's size into perspective....those pants are 6-9 months and the shirt is 12 months...and they both look like she has some room to grow into them! Grow little flower, grow!

So many wonderful friends sending gifts to Miss Carrington....

(an 18 gallon tote filled with goodies for The Burmans!(

Carrington is holding steady at right around 13 pounds still. She didn't tolerate her oral feeding today but hopefully in time she will! She seems to be refluxing less than she was but is still refluxing at times. Shelly is hoping to know on Monday when surgery will be scheduled!