Joe Campbell Service Day-- Thanks, Ladies!

Twice a year the students at Brentwood Academy reach out to the Nashville community in various service capacities-- playing with children in day cares, aiding teachers in elementary schools, cheering those in the nursing homes, assisting charitable and nonprofit organizations, etc. Never would I have dreamed that a group would come to serve me. But they did.

A group of 8th grade girls wanted to encourage my family by writing us letters, giving us flowers, and providing us with dinner. On Wednesday, they drove to our home to extend God's love. Their visit reminded me of God's faithfulness, and I am yet again humbled and grateful.

Girls, you have such precious hearts, and you have given us eternal blessings. Thank you.

Mama's Boy

Ayden is really a Daddy's Boy, but when it comes to being consoled, Ayden has begun to nestle into my chest. Before his Glenn procedure, Ayden had gotten to the point where he didn't really like to be held; instead, he wanted to be sitting up like the rest of us. Once Ayden had surgery, he started to find retreat in Mommy's arms. I have mixed emotions about his new habit. I love holding my little boy, but I want him to feel secure in the comfort of his home. We don't wear yellow isolation robes; we haven't come to take blood pressures and temperatures; no one wakes him up at 5AM to do x-rays or draw labs.

Dr. Kavanaugh reminded me at his cardiac clinic appointment last week that it may take weeks for our little boy to recover from hospital life. His restless nights appear to have gotten better, but he is still crying/gagging over coughs, spitting up at the morning feed, experiencing stranger anxiety, getting upset when sedatives are due, refusing to suck on a bottle... all things that take time to overcome. In the meantime (or anytime he wants), I will cradle Ayden close.

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Ayden went to the pediatrician this morning. They say he weighs 14 lbs. 14 oz. (10th percentile) and measures 25 1/2 inches (50th-65th percentile). (He is in a size 2 diaper!) He got his second round of immunizations and passed his hearing test. His pediatrician, Dr. Hood, says he is doing exceptionally well. She believes removing medications will help Ayden feel more like himself. (Four of the remaining ten medications will drop off by November 9th, and one more will be decreased.)

Dr. Kavanugh and Dr. Bichell agree that Ayden does not need to return to Vanderbilt this week for a followup surgical visit. They do not wish to expose him to the hospital.

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Ayden had a visitor this morning... He already loves Aunt Lisey.

That Eating Thing

You have read about updates on Ayden's heart and lungs, but we haven't commented much on how he doing with getting rid of that feeding tube. Ayden appears to have no oral aversions, which is a major plus. He sucks on his pacifier, chews on his toys, and tastes food. However, Ayden was intubated for so long that he is basically starting over with his feeding. He chews on a bottle and tastes the formula, but it has become increasingly difficult to get him to suck on the bottle. The times I have been able to get Ayden to do so have been when I have tricked him by getting him to suck on his pacifier and then making the quick change to the bottle; he doesn't appreciate my deviousness and has since learned not to fall for my antics. In addition to working with the bottle, we have been given permission to allow Ayden tastes of solid food. He doesn't quite know what to do with it and acts a little whiny, even if we allow him to play in his food. So... we wait on Ayden to decide and hope he does so sometime soon; the feeding tube was never meant to be a permanent solution.

Max, Alex, and Ayden-- Oh, my!

Phil, Elise, Max, and Alex went to get their flu shots weeks ago in anticipation of spending time with (and protecting) our "new" family of three. After months of separation, yesterday was the day we got to enjoy each other's company. (Sorry, Phil, you were in L.A.! We missed you!)

Ayden, Bryan, and I got out of the house and went to meet the Glasser family at the zoo! I think the three of us were a tad bit overwhelmed by the exposure to a new (and open) environment: I lathered Ayden in so much sunscreen that he was pasty-looking; Bryan held him high and away during most of the walk through the zoo; Ayden was highly bewildered, smiling the most when Max and Alex monkeyed around him playing "Where's Ayden?" and peek-a-boo.

Most of the animals are difficult for an infant to observe. The one Ayden seemed most fascinated with was the flamingo.

Max, Alex, and Elise, thanks for hanging out with us at the zoo! We are so grateful for your friendship and have missed you!

The Man in Black

I was a tad bit worried that yesterday's clinic visit would turn into a readmission to the hospital... or at the very least be torturous to Ayden and to everyone else that could hear his screaming from x-rays, blood pressures, and needle sticks. I was wrong on all accounts.

First of all, Sandy completed Ayden's vitals, and during the many attempts at getting a believable blood pressure, Ayden did little more than squirm a few times. He was far too interested in the bubbles that Sandy was blowing! Sandy is always so gentle and kind and never does anything too hastily, so Ayden feels very comfortable in her care. Ayden weighed 6.55 kilos (slightly down from Tuesday's weight), and his height was 25.25 inches (longer than before the Glenn procedure).

Secondly, he did NOT have to have an x-ray or get blood drawn. I suppose that because he was breathing comfortably, had good air movement in his lungs, had good pulses and good perfusion, demonstrated excellent capillary refill, and gave them good sats, no one felt the need to upset our little guy.

Thirdly, Dr. Kavanaugh had nothing but good information to tell us. Ayden's ECHO revealed better heart wall motion and less valve leakage. She can now describe Ayden's wall motion as "mildly depressed," rather than moderately so. She gave us a diuretic wean schedule and took off one of the eleven medications. Her goal is to have Ayden on only three medications, Aspirin, Analapril, and Digoxin, which are all heart-related.

Ayden was super well-behaved during the entire clinic visit, and he was visited by many individuals who had taken care of Ayden over the past 5+ months of this life (Dr. Exil, Dr. Markham, Michelle, Jason, etc.). All and all, for yesterday being a clinic day, it was a good one!

On Monday, Ayden has a hospital discharge & second round of immunizations appointment at the pediatrician. On Friday, he meets with Dr. Bichell for a surgical followup. The following week he goes to clinic for a blood draw. The week after that he visits Dr. Kavanaugh. Once all establish that Ayden is indeed doing well, Ayden will not have scheduled appointments with doctors for months. How fabulous is that?!?!