California McMillans

While observing Scott jump off a play structure at the park over and over again HOW HE BECAME SUCH A DARE-DEVIL....ONE WORD RESPONSE....his DAD! I still don't know if it is a good thing. Half the time I try to engage myself in a conversation so I don't panic. Scott loves it. If he could be thrown, flipped, slide at a velocity that in my opinion is crazy for a 2 year-old he would be the first to insist. I guess this is the life of being a mom to boys, right?? I look at videos of Danny growing up and am amazed he is still around. His friends were off doing jumps on skis, in dirt, on bikes or off roofs that I never would have dare tried. Is this the difference between a girl and a boy. Did I just have over-protective parents. Possibly Utah Boy vs. California Girl? Who knows. And now Tyler starts in on the fun and seemed to enjoy it as well. I guess Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he sent our boys to our family with their adrenaline seeking dad.

Somehow I like pictures of my son way more than pictures of lions, giraffes and monkeys, even though I am always entertained with the monkeys. We went to the San Francisco Zoo, but I think for now I prefer Oakland. It is smaller, more relaxed and closer. Can you tell that Scott's favorite part was the petting zoo. He also liked the steam train ride, monkeys, and giraffes.

The season has begun for summer swim lessons. If anyone is interested in or knows someone who is looking for swim lessons please pass on my information. Thanks and enjoy the summer!! I began coaching 9 years ago at the recreational level and currently coach the Walnut Creek Aquabears United States Swim Team (www.Aquabears.org). I grew up in Walnut Creek, was a nationally ranked swimmer and collegiate record holder for BYU. I specialize in private lessons and customize each lesson to meet your child’s specific needs. I provide instruction in Walnut Creek or in the privacy of your own pool. Beginning Lessons Learning to swim helps children gain self-esteem, independence and motor skills. I use a gentle approach to help teach your child to love the water. I help children learn water safety skills, breathing techniques, floating and the four basic strokes. Advanced Stroke Technique Attention to stroke technique is important for an advanced swimmer to improve efficiency in the water. Pri

I feel so attached to HLHS families. These children bless our lives in innumerable ways. Beautiful Kynslee Lamb lost her fight to HLHS on Tuesday. Please keep her family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Tylers cardiology appt went well. His sats were 93 which are good for him. His tricuspid valve has minor leakage which is also good. The best news is that the concern for aorta coarc and PA stenosis don't seem significant enough at this point to intevene. Dr. Azakie told us there was no stenosis when he went into operate, but tests came back stating otherwise. Unless the cardiac cath surgeon decides otherwise, we will probably be surgery free for now. All I need to do now is get on the ball and get labs done to check his liver counts, which I think will come back alright since he has good color. Overall, they are very pleased with how he is doing. He continues to gain weight although he's still very small. Little by little. He is responding so much more, looking around, laughing and smiling which is so fun to see. Amazing he is the same Tyler from 4 months ago that was crying and in so much pain with his liver. WE are soooo grateful he is feeling better.. We're still waiti

Tyler loves the water. It is such good therapy for him to kick and use his tiny muscles. Scott loves playing with his brother. He wishes and wants him to do everything that he does. I treasure these moments with my two boys. Nothing compares to see you older son love your younger son so much. We are so blessed! Cherished memories. I love this time in my life. I want to push a pause button and be at this stage forever. Your children adore and love you with all their heart. It makes me want to bottle up this time in my life, as a young mom with my two sons, newly married (going on 4 years...I can't believe it!) and having so much time with my entire family. I love Scotts simple smile. It is one of delight and happiness. This is the perfect pool for us. A hot tub that is 96 degrees with my three boys in it. Danny is debating whether to go back to 6 days of work again, which he was at before Tyler's surgery and part of us thinks that his work schedule/family time balance is per

Scott contemplating if he wants to swim or not. He decided he did. When it was time to get out he... He wanted to do one more lap. It was cute how he says one more and puts up his finger. warming up on the hot concrete. I used to love lying on the concrete as a kid.

Tyler. Our little miracle. Ok. I am starting to steal pictures of other peoples babies because they are so cute and so strong and I want to share them with the world. This is baby Joshua who is the same age as Tyler and underwent his Norwood and Glenn around the same time. He is doing so well and it just fills my heart with happiness. I love this little guy so much and am so proud of him. I miss him and Allison but glad that he and Tyler are home. And little Gracie continues to improve each day. Her parents thought that she wasn't going to make it about a week ago and look at her now. She truly is a miracle recovering from the Norwood each day. These kids made it through one of the most difficult open heart surgeries. I think their eyes all do such a great job showing their strength and love. They are heroes.

Tyler still has to concentrate when he sits. Little by little! We are so proud of our little man and love him and Scott so much.

My sister-in-law has a link to us on her blog that actually goes to the wrong Danny & Heidi. Makes you wonder how many couples out there share you & your spouses name. Well, I can't tell you how popular our "couple" name is, but this is how popular our names are. Daniel McMillan HowManyOfMe.com There are 238 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name? Scott McMillan HowManyOfMe.com There are 133 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name? Tyler McMillan HowManyOfMe.com There are 22 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name? Heidi McMillan HowManyOfMe.com There are 21 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name? There are 133,682 people in the U.S. with the first name Heidi. Statistically the 442nd most popular first name. There are 48,612 people in the U.S. with the last name Mcmillan. Statistically the 716th most popular last name. Look how special I was when I as single... There are 1,732 peo

Every 6 months we have the opportunity to listen to the leaders of our church in general conference . I LOVE this time to listen to talks that lift, inspire and make me reflect upon my life. Susan W. Tanner gave a talk, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord, which I LOVED. This is a time in my life that I feel SO blessed. I feel I have so much to delight in and give thanks for. This inspired me to share a few of the things I delight in. I delight in knowing that families are eternal. I delight in my family. I have a wonderful husband who is so loyal and loves his family. I have two children who bring joy and meaning to my life everyday. I am blessed with a great family. I delight in the Lord. Prayer, faith and hope bring peace and happiness to my life. I delight in Tyler's special heart. He has blessed my family more than I could describe. He has taught us the gift of each day. His heart has connected me with families, doctors and children who are my heroes. I delight in be

Sorry I forgot to post the answer until now. Ben & Anonymous Win...Scott was enthralled with watching people fly at iFly . It was a very cool experience and we'll have to go back in a year when Scott is three and able to fly. He was very happy watching, however, wanted nothing to do with flying or us while in our hot pink and hot purple suits. I think my hubby looked hot flying in his purple suit. They adjust the force of wind depending on size and ability and you get in the flying position and up, down and around you go. Our teacher, the guy in the green, helped with hand signals and repositioning when needed.

Scott decided to join Tyler in the single stroller today... He is really into kisses these days. I guess Tyler is into keeping his eyes open during kisses. My two boys.

This is what I do. Coach swimming. If these pictures don't explain why I love my job, here are a few reasons. I work outdoors, love my kids & co-workers, see kids having fun and reaching goals, laugh everyday because of hysterical things said by 8-13 year olds, it allows me to be a stay-at-home mom, work in sweats in the winter and swim suit in the summer. My 9-10 girls relay. Todd taking good care of Tyler. Russell with the 13-14 girls relay. Julia & Journey. 9-10 boys relay. The kids swam great. It was fun seeing Nichole, a BYU teammate, with her UT team. It was also fun seeing Tylers ICU cardiologist, Dr. Fineman, whose daughter swims for Marin. He was so nice to us while at UCSF and it was fun for him to see Tyler doing so well.