"Perry. Pillow. Paci. Night Night."

I am so glad to be reunited with my train set!

At Ayden's cardiology appointment on Thursday, his chest x-ray showed improvement! He no longer has the lung collapse, and there may/may not be (yeah, that fuzzy picture is such an exact science!) some slight effusion on the edges of his troublesome right lung. Dr. K decided to keep him on his current diuretic regiment, just as a a precaution. According to the scale, he had gained the weight back that he had lost. (We are a little doubtful of the amount, though we feel confident there was at least a gain. Way to go on the eating and drinking, Buddy!) His incision looks a little gruesome; apparently, it is healing differently than it did for the previous surgery, and that slow healing is keeping him from immersion (blah! no pool!). Long story short, Ayden was a rock star at the hospital, and he returned home with good report. Phew!

"Choo choo!"

Mama: "Pat your incision. Don't scratch."
Ayden: "But it itches, Mama!"

Ayden's first few days at home were somewhat trying. Mostly we dealt with a significant amount of whining, and there was some disruption to Ayden's naptime and evening slumber. (Poor Bryan had numerous requests for "Daddy.") Ayden obviously hated his itchy incision; brushing teeth became a horrendous nightmare; and his overall movement was a little rickety (i.e. he looked like an old man).

But he's recovered quickly. He is now using a toddler pillow in his toddler bed! He craves "cheese" puffs, french fries, and tomato "sauce." He only struggles to move when he is in the squat position. He talks nonstop, using every available vocabulary word and pointing out every person, place, and thing he knows. He is even smiling and laughing... so good to see!

Patting Daddy

Organizing (Yes, I am so like my mama.)

Helping Daddy

 

My first attempt to get in my "new" bed

Trying it out...

"Perry. Pillow. Paci."
(Ayden's necessities for a good sleep)

 

Honestly, we were expecting to still be in the hospital at this point. We are so blessed to have Ayden home and doing well. The house was noticeably and sadly quiet without him. Even Brogan missed his brother:

 

 

And a good brother (and son) he is!