cardiology check-up

Maddie's 6 month Fontan follow-up was Monday in Seattle. She had a full work up at the hospital and everything looks great! Dr. Chun was very pleased with her echo, he was able to see her PA's and the Fontan site, thanks to clear pictures and a very cooperative little girl. It's usually difficult getting clear shots of her PA's, due to the scar tissue from past surgeries. Her fenestration (hole created in the conduit) is still there and she seems to be very dependent on that so no hurry on getting it closed anytime soon. Dr. Chun feels like we should address it though in the next year, in which she'll need to have another heart catheterization in order to close it. Her 02 sats were 85-88% which is where he believes they have leveled out at. We had hoped she'd end up more in the 90's but with her anatomy and likelihood of forming collateral vessels, her sats are on the low side for a post-Fontan kid. Fortunately, it doesn't seem to bother her a bit and since she's as high as she's ever been oxygen wise, her body is loving it! Maddie has had more activity, color and just overall better health since her surgery so we'll take the upper 80's and not complain :) She weighed 39 lbs. and was 40 inches in height--yes, she's grown a bunch since her surgery too. I can't believe she's in the 80th percentile for growth! Miss Maddie doesn't need to be seen again for 6 months, unless something comes up. When I stop and think of all she's been through this year, it's truly amazing and reminds me of how remarkable that little heart of hers is.

this little turkey...

likes to sleep all day and wake up every 2-3 hours at night. Yes, we're still on that newborn-type schedule. I don't know if you can predict "personality" at 1 month old, but this guy knows what he wants, when he wants it. There is no "talking him out of it" and he can be impatient and fussy or super sweet and cuddly!

We had a really relaxing Thanksgiving at Grandma and Papa's...enjoying family, good visits and of course, lots of food!
these 3 cousins have become quite the trio--they are much louder than I ever remember the little boys. They sure know how to have some fun! And, no, we did not coordinate their outfits, turned out so cute though!
Our cutie pie Sam was one month old last week!
And big sister was 6 months post-op from her Fontan surgery on Thanksgiving day. So, so grateful that a half-year later, we're here. I'm thankful for this...and so much more.

Sweet little Sam

I'm in love with this baby. I love breathing him in, love listening to all of his sweet little sighs and grunts, and I've loved being able to breastfeed again. He has the cutest little toes & stubby boy fingers, and when he's awake and being talked to, his eyes get extremely big and alert, as if he's taking in every word that I say. But what I've enjoyed most is catching tiny glimpses of each of our children through Sam...ways that they resemble one another, reminiscing about when Jace, Caden or Maddie were newborns. It's like re-living that time again but getting to share in it with them now.

Watching the boys & Maddie with Sam has brought us many smiles. "Our baby is loved" is an understatement and I'm thankful that his older siblings feel this way about their baby brother, even if it's a bit "aggressive" at times! Can you guess who gets lectured on being more "easy, gentle, soft" with the baby? As I was giving Miss Maddie a quick reminder one day about not picking Sam up, she looked up at the ceiling, hands thrown up in the air, and through a frustrated sigh said, "Why can't you just be nice?" Yes, I've been a bit short with her on this subject...

Sweet little Samuel is a blessing. And he fits the meaning of his name--"Heard God; asked of God." We are so grateful for our healthy baby, for the joy he's brought to each of us, and the Lord certainly heard our prayers.

October recap

October came and went...too quickly! At the beginning of the month, I thought I had 1 month to go until baby's arrival, but by the end of the month, we had a 10 day old baby boy! We had soccer games for the boys, scouts, ballet, teaching preschool twice a week, weekly doctor's appts, as well as finishing apple harvest. It was a crazy month to say the least...

Jace played on the Royal Dynamites this fall...great group of boys and they really learned so much! They were a fun team to watch. Jace was awarded "Most Improved" at the end of the season. (photos by Dorsing Designs)

Cade was a goal making maniac on his Kindergarten team...

and it's fun having your cousin on your team too.

Mom and I went on a little get-away to Portland for the Women of Faith Conference, which was inspiring & wonderful just spending time with her. Here were are at Multanomah Falls.

We went to the Pumpkin Patch 3 times in one week between preschool fieldtrips & taking our kids...

Maddie at the Super Sister's Pumpkin Patch

Carving our pumpkins...Miss Maddie played in the goop, she was baking "cookies" for us while Jace really got into carving his skull & crossbones pumpkin

I loved seeing many of my sweet preschool kiddos & mom's as they came by to trick-or-treat...here's a couple of Maddie's pals as fellow Disney Princesses

Jace as Tennessee Titans Matt Hasselback, Caden as a Dragonoid, and Maddie as Cinderella ...where's Sam, oops forgot to grab him for the photo!

Oh, here's our little punkin'! He's hiding under his pumpkin hat and not happy about wearing it either. Nany knitted him this hat and my friend Lisa gave him this cute outfit, he was festive & so adorable.

We went trick-or-treating on our farm/preschool bus...worked great for the kids getting in and out. Cousin Kaylee joined us too. Cade and I came down with Strep Throat following this fun evening...good times. We're on the mend now thanks to amoxicillin :) Happy Halloween!