*there's Caroline's FIRST birthday!

May 21, 2014
I'm One

We celebrated Caroline turning one at Kentucky Lake on Memorial Day weekend. 

12 months of Caroline

Strawberry cake

I need this bow out of my hair

This is not related to her birthday but I thought it was cute.

*there's his ONE year old sister

Here is a video with pictures of her first year of life. Enjoy

*there's Congenital Heart Defect Awareness week 2014

I can't imagine that anyone would want to see this super detailed video unless you REALLY want to understand the details of heart defects. I'm saving it here in case Will or someone else in our family wants to see it in the future. Maybe he will write a paper on TOF someday for school. :)

http://vimeo.com/86454524

*there's pumpkin farm 2013

tractor driving

Why isn't this working??

Bliss

Burying himself

He would have stayed here all day I think.

I asked what his favorite thing was and he said "The slides!"

Tired

Mommy and 4 month old Caroline

*there's 3 month old Caroline

All photos by Sweet T Photography

*there's his annual check up

Will had a visit with his cardiologist Dr. Johns this week. It included an echo and EKG. He happily watched Toy Story during the echo and was such a big boy during the ekg. He was still as he could be and actually managed it a little better than getting his blood pressure checked. That one had to be done a second time and he got understandably tired of having his arm squeezed. He did protest so much about having the EKG stickers removed that we just left them on awhile. I don't remember them checking his sats. If they did the number must have been fine because he got a great report. The doctor said they can't see or hear anything new or concerning.

The 2 main recurrent points in these appointments are: energy levels and the health of his teeth. The doctor said Will's heart functions close enough to normal that he doesn't expect him to have trouble with his stamina and energy. On the other hand, the structure of the inside of his heart is still different enough that a gum infection could affect the lining of his heart differently and have a larger impact than a gum infection in a person with a typical heart. Will recently had his 2nd visit with the dentist and things look good in that department. Getting a 3 year old to cooperate with brushing his teeth is another story, but we're getting there. 

Our sculpture photo shoot was crowded this year! The bored guys at the valet stand just make this year's pictures special don't you think?

*there's a big brother

My lack of posts explained...

Meet Caroline! Born May 21st, 5lbs 12oz

It is hard to describe what adding her to our family has been like. Healing probably. My pregnancy was closely monitored and her birth was uneventful. Will loves her so much and has taken to his big brother role so well. 

Our other big news...

Will no longer has a feeding tube!!!! It had not been used in 10 months. With the help of Pediasure he has gained weight without tube feedings. 

Here we are right after having it taken out by the nurse on the general surgery office:

It has been a rough couple of days. Having his tube removed was upsetting to him. It was placed when he was 7 months old so i think to him it was a part of his body. The good news is that it appears to be healing quickly. Hopefully we can stop using a gauze dressing on it soon. The doctor said the healing process will continue over a long period of time. Years in fact. I am anxious to see how the scar will turn out. Pics to come...

*there's a quick catch up

So many things I am behind on posting about...his birthday, Christmas 2012, his graduation from Special Kids. He's even had some "firsts" like his first trip to the dentist and his first Dairy Queen ice cream. I will get to those posts this summer. At least I hope!

I am checking in today because tomorrow is Will's 3rd annual surgiversary! I was looking at his scar last night and thinking about how simple and small it is and how it can barely convey everything it symbolizes. His life is normal now (whatever that means) and he doesn't have a clue what he has survived.

I'm going to look for some heart shaped balloons to celebrate. You might remember that he used to have a fear of balloons but now they are one of his favorite ways to be entertained! He won't know or care what the occasion is, and that is perfectly fine. :)