Follow up appointment

Hey everyone! 

We had Nolan's follow up appointment on Wednesday. It wasn't so great. We were going to follow up on his blood pressure and oxygen saturations. His blood pressure was still high and oxygen sats as well. So disappointed! We had to do blood work to make sure his kidney function was good before we increased his blood pressure medicine. I despise blood work! It has to be done I completely understand that, but watching your baby be stuck just doesn't get easier! He isn't an easy stick so it ends up that Nolan cries, I cry, and brent gets all sweaty. We haven't been through six week shots yet but I'm sure that's just as bad! The good news is his lab work was fine so we increased the dose on his blood pressure medicine and lasix. The reason we needed to do this is most likely due to the fact that he gained so much weight. He gained almost a pound from Friday to Wednesday! He weighed ten pounds 2 ounces so that's really great. We will go back to Batson this Wednesday to follow up again. Please pray that his blood pressure and oxygen saturations are where they need to be. Nolan is definitely a champ so I think this follow up will be better! 

     Today is my 30th birthday! I've been joking about turning 30 with one of my best friends for the last 5 years! Truth is, it feels great. I feel like I'm right where I'm supposed to be and I'm thankful for my husband and my baby and our wonderful parents and all of our family. To celebrate, Brent took me to Lilos. It's one of our favorites and its where we celebrated our engagement/Brent's birthday a few years back. Last night was our first night out together since Nolan was born. It was so nice but we really missed him and didn't stay gone too long! When we got home he was in my moms lap acting like we never left! Ill post some pictures but Nolan cracks up. He is such a serious little fella. We get smiles but you have to catch him early or do some super sweet baby talk. Other than that he means business usually. Well, I've been a little long winded this time. Ill be sure to update on our follow up this Wednesday. Praying for a lower blood pressure and oxygen saturation. 

Joshua 1:9

Perfect end to our birthday date! My boys watching football 

This was the serious look I got when we got home 

I got a little smile though! 

Learning how to get his way really quick 

          He means business 

             Sweet sweet baby boy 

Nolan's post surgery follow up appointment

Hey everyone!

I don't have too much to update on so this post will be short and sweet! We took Nolan for his post-surgical follow up Friday morning. They said that he looks great! He really does look very good and of course as cute as he can be. I mentioned in the previous post that his oxygen saturation was not where we wanted it when we left the hospital. It is still not where we want it. The band on his pulmonary artery is right where it should be. They aren't quite sure why his oxygen levels are so high. His blood pressure is also elevated so we started on a blood pressure medicine twice a day. We will follow up with them next week to see if it is working. Great news is I don't believe he is in any pain anymore! I haven't had to give him any Tylenol today. I took him on his first stroll this afternoon. He loved it! it was a beautiful day to go up and down the driveway! Thank you for the prayers. I will update next week! 

Joshua 1:9 

Home and two months old!

Hey everyone! 

Great news! We are home and Nolan is 2 months old. We were discharged yesterday, which happened to be Brent's birthday. Nolan is doing really good. He is one tough cookie. They took his stitches out yesterday and he did not even whimper. The nurses were so impressed. He has his moments with pain but for the most part he is doing really well. Much better than many adults would! We are so thankful to be home with our baby again. We owe it all to God. Please keep us in your prayers as we take care of him at home. Also pray for good results at our follow up Friday. There was one concern with his oxygen saturation being higher post surgery than expected. Please pray that this works out on its own. Thank you all so much for your prayers, calls, and support! 

Joshua 1:9

      Can't believe he is 2 months! 

He loves his new swing from our good friend sarah! 

                Sweet happy boy!

 

Nolan got his own room!

Hey everyone! 

What a week! Thursday was the big day. God answered our prayers for sure. Nolan slept that morning until they put him to sleep. It was such a blessing because i didn't want to see him upset or scared. The surgeon said everything went perfectly. I can't describe the feeling of relief. Nolan did so good they were able to take him off of the ventilator early the next morning. He is so strong it's really impressive. He was still pretty much out of it all day yesterday. Today i was able to hold him! It was the best. I gave him his medicines and he took a bottle. He isn't too interested in eating just yet, but who is when they dont feel that great. He is still in some pain today which is so painful for me too. We are giving him pain  meds every 3 hours and it helps a lot. I'm sure by tomorrow he will feel more like himself! We just got discharged from the ICU and to his own room!!! Please continue to pray for his recovery! I'm so proud of him so far. The Lord is so good to us! 

Joshua 1:9 

  Before surgery in his tiny hospital gown!

   Feeding him and holding him the first time

         Getting to his own room! 

       Staring at mama in the elevator 

Surgery tomorrow

Hey everyone! 

We made it to Jackson. I've been very emotional today. I've been holding Nolan close. The surgery is in the morning. We have to be there between five and five thirty. They will take Nolan back around seven and get started around eight. Please say special prayers for us tonight and in the morning. September 12th 2010 Brent asked me to marry him. It was an awesome special day. September 12th 3 years later we will begin the repair of our baby's heart. It will be so special. We are thankful that this is possible. Thank you for the prayers and I will update as soon as I can. I'm doing this from my phone for the first time so we shall see

Joshua 1:9

We have a surgery date

Hey Everyone!
Nolan is six weeks old and sleeping four to five hours at night! He has been so much fun the past week and a half. He is so alert now. He loves to "talk" and smile at us. Seeing him smile so big is the best feeling ever. Lots and lots of baby talk going on at our house these days. We have had a fun-filled two weeks. Nolan has cheered for the bulldogs the past two weekends, dressed up for the dove hunt (his mom wouldn't let him really go ha ha), and been to a labor day party at his aunt Bren Bren's house. Precious memories  we will always cherish! We took Nolan to see his cardiologist on Friday and we knew that we would be getting a surgery date that day. His doctor decided that it was definitely time for the surgery. We knew this day would come we were just waiting on him to show us when he was ready. It is not an emergency at this time, we are doing the surgery now so that it doesn't become one. In the beginning we thought he would have surgery a week after birth and we thank the lord that he didn't need it right away. This time we have had to bond with him at home means more than anything to us. The surgery will be the first case on Thursday morning September 12th. We are as prepared as we can be for something like this. Everything has been explained to us several times. We trust the surgeon and his team. We know the Lord will be with them and Nolan. We have to stay positive and have faith. That is our only option. We have been informed that there is limited space in the waiting room so we will only have immediate family present. Please say special prayers for us this week and especially Thursday morning. During the surgery a band will be placed around his pulmonary artery to slow the blood flow to his lungs. The surgeon said that this is not a difficult surgery for him to perform which made us feel good. It is a major surgery because his chest will be opened. Nolan is very strong and very loved and he will do great! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! I will do my best to update everyone this Thursday.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; Do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

                                                             Talking with daddy

                                                     Dove hunt with daddy and brother

                                                               Laughing at mom

                                                              First state game

                                             Had to cheer way harder for the second game!!

                                             Six weeks old and so alert and fun to talk to