A week to remember

Hey Everyone! 

I have not blogged in quite some time. The app I was using was no longer functioning. I just now figured out a new one to be able to keep the same blog. Just in time for a special day. Today, 3 YEARS AGO, Nolan had his life saving corrective surgery. January 13, 2014. We were admitted on January 2nd. He had a heart cath on January 7th. Which led to a pulmonary hypertensive crisis and time in the PICU on the vent. He was positioned upside down in the bed with his legs elevated. Bless him. It was rough. But January 13th, we made the decision to do surgery. He was critical and very unstable. I kissed his head as brent and I watched them unhook him and then they asked us to step back. The anesthesiologist was practically on the bed with him. I will never forget her. She fought hard for him that day. I knew in my heart that couldn't possibly be my last kiss on that bald head. Hours and hours later, surrounded by family, the surgeon came out. It was 8 o'clock at night. He hugged us and congratulated us. Soon after that, that same sweet anesthesiologist rolled him through the PICU. She looked exhausted. I was able to kiss that bald head. The best kiss ever. That kiss count is probably well beyond the trillions now. I relive this week in history every year. I probably always will. I praise God for being there. I also look at my blog in disbelief that it was us. I look at Nolan and love him with all I have. We all do. He is so so very loved. We are still so thankful for all the prayers that were sent up on our behalf. He wouldn't be here without them. We asked and it was the Lord's will. Thank you. We pray for you too. It's the least we can do. 

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. James 5:16

We will do a little celebrating with La Cabana and going through the car wash! Nolan's favorites. He is doing very well. We go back to see our cardiologist in March. This is the longest we have been without seeing his doctor. He is doing great at Mothers Morning Out four days a week. He is growing and finally has somewhat of an appetite. Fingers crossed that I did not just ginx it! I will share pictures now. 

Thanks, 

Ashley 

Joshua 1:9

 

Nolan at MMO. He loves cars, trucks, planes, and boats. 

 

He gets super excited about the car wash. He is a goofy little guys sometimes. 

 

He was chase from paw patrol for Halloween. 

 

He loves these guys a whole bunch 

 

He enjoys playing with his friends 

 

He loves to watch Hudson play sports 

We had a wonderful Christmas 

 

 Pops and Nene took us on a family trip to Telluride Co to snow ski. Best Christmas gift ever!

 

He wanted to ride the one red Gondola all week. Super dad caught it for him ❤️

 

 

 

 

 

He and Hudson were the very best little travelers I've ever known. They were made for it ❤️

Nolan is 3!!!

Hey everyone, 

Nolan is 6 weeks out from surgery now. Honestly, he acts like it never happened. He is quick to show of his boo boo. Other than that, he is not in any pain and has resumed his normal activities. He can run without getting short of breath for the first time in his life! His new favorite game is chase. He gets faster everyday. We are so thankful for his progress. We give all thanks to God, our prayer warriors, and our awesome medical team at Batson. We went to see Dr. Shores a few weeks ago and she said he is just a rock star! He used up his sickly days early on in his life! We will go back to see her on the 8th to make sure everything is still great! 

Nolan turned 3 one week ago. He is growing up fast! We had a wonderful birthday party. He wanted a "Mississippi Steak" tailgate party. So we had a catfish fry and did just that! Most of his favorite people were able to attend. 

His party invitation. That is his Dak Prescott face. Ha ha I'm sure Dak would be proud of that! He loves to sport his #15 jersey and pretend he is Dak! 

Mista Brent and Hannah got Dan Mullen to sign a football for Nolan. So cool!

He said he got scared when everyone sang to him 😂

I wanted to share some of Nolans favorite things at 3 years old: 

He loves Hudson, Jack, and Reed Holman. They are the coolest to him. He likes to pretend to be them sometimes or pretend he is hanging out with them. 

He loves to also pretend that he is Luke Bryan and sing to us on the Fireplace. Uncle E got him an awesome guitar. It improves his performance a lot. 

He loves to go to Kroger and see "Mrs. Angelo" and get a balloon. He also loves to smell the bread aisle. 

Last week he got his arm stuck in the grocery cart steering wheel and we got soaked running around Kroger parking lot.  He never cried or whined just said "I am stuck!"

He loves to ride the ranger. He likes to go to Pops and Uncle Ben's farm to check on the airators and feed bens. Then he likes to head out to the bridge to throw rocks. We do this almost every afternoon. 

He loves his family. Spending days with his Nene. His weekend visits with Bebe and papaw. He loves all of his cousins and anytime we get to see them is a treat. 

He adores his uncle E! 

His newest love is hunting camp.

He says, "mom stop laughing you scare the animals!" 

Thank you so much for praying for our sweet boy and loving him like we do! 

We are keeping our Batson family in our prayers as Dr. Salazar moves to Boston. We are so sad to see him go. He has been a God send to us. For someone to have your trust at the very first encounter discussing operating on your child's heart, that is special. Dr. Salazar is the total package and his shoes will be hard to fill. We are praying for Dr. Salazar and his family as they leave Jackson and adjust to their new home. I can't imagine the amount of lives he is going to save. We wish him the very best! 

Joshua 1:9 

Here are a few more party pics 

He loves Meri Westin

I love this pic of our little Gilly!

Dabbing 

We ❤️ the reeds 

Cuties 

Jack and Hud 

He loves his bobo! 

We are on the road!

Hey everyone! 

We are beyond excited to let you all know that we are headed home!!!! We are so surprised! We did not expect to be home on day 6 after surgery, but we will sure take it! Nolan has been doing so well and he has been so sweet. He has gone with the flow and let everyone do what they needed to do to get him well. We couldn't be prouder of our tough little guy. Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Karen removed his staples and drains this morning and that was not fun for any of us. A few minutes later, Nolan was fine and loved both of them just as much as before that experience. That is God's mercy on all of us. We are so thankful for that. We are eternally grateful for each and every one of you at Batson. Honestly, Nolan did not show that much excitement about going home. He loves it there thanks to all of you who love on him. We will see you next week!

Thank you so much for all the prayers. This is all possible through our Lord. Thank you to all of our family and friends who have sent cards, gifts, and come to visit Nolan. We feel very loved. We are headed home to love on our boy and help him recover! 

Joshua 1:9

Nolan needed a minute to himself outside on Monday. 

Cruising the halls with his buddy, Ethan. 

He thought we were silly washing his hair like this. 

He needed a familiar snack like he has with Ms Pam at home 

Mr. Chris helped get him to drink yesterday. He was not wanting to eat or drink anything, but he did for Mr.Chris and later for daddy. 

Mrs. Melanie snapped this cute face 

Shopping the halls with Raphael

He loved playing with his Kimmie! She told him to get discharged because she was his only night nurse on the floor. He obviously listens to her. 

He likes to show off his bobo

Thanks Andi and Cooper for playing with Nolan while we did the discharge. 

We HAD to go to the Jackson before we could go home. So of course we took him by there ❤️

Leaps and Bounds

Hey Everyone, 

This is my third time to start writing this post. I have been very occupied and when Nolan is asleep I am asleep. Nolan is doing so great. We couldn't ask for better. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and a happy Father's Day. All the days have kind of run together to me. I will do my best to recap the last three days. 

Saturday was our last day in the PICU. Just 2 days out from surgery. So amazing. He was excited about his wagon ride. He did not want to get out of the bed to get in there though. He was very sore at that time.

Waiting to go to the floor. 

He was able to smile after the move 

The first night on the floor he did very well. Nolan slept very good. His heart rate was kind of all over the place. It still is when he sleeps. We are praying it resolves on its own. He also does not want to take any medicine by mouth. We have been able to work it out the best we can.  All of the nurses, doctors, and respiratory therapist have been so sweet to all of us. Nolan told his nurse yesterday, "thank you for my present (she didn't give him one 😂) and thank you for my Tylenol." He asks everyone that listens to his chest to listen to his back too. He wants very thorough assessments. This boy is something. 

Yesterday, we let Nolan get out of the bed. It has been on since then! I figured it would take more than 3 days before he could really walk. He does not want to stay in his room at all. We have been in the play room, walking the halls, watching the elevators, and outside! Isn't God's work amazing? Nolan is feeling better every hour. Here are some pictures from the last two days. 

Coloring in bed yesterday. We can't keep him in bed now. 

Getting out of bed the first time. Nolan did not suck his fingers the first two days after surgery. We thought he forgot about them. He found them!

He calls this strolling. He says he has to stroll 2 miles like nene does at home.

He can see "the Jackson" from the Windows by the playroom. ( the Cabot Lodge)

Playing hungry hungry hippos

Painting was fun ❤️

Making music. I wish I could share videos. He plays a violent version of old McDonald. 

We enjoyed the fresh air today. Nolan got to see a helicopter take off of the roof. 

We are back in the room watching Frozen again. I've never seen one movie this many times. Thank you so much for keeping us in your prayers. We are so thankful. We are not sure how much longer we will be in the hospital, but we are sure you can't keep a good man down. 

Joshua 1:9

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Psalm 105:1