Cardio Visit

After two months we finally got to see our favorite doctor again. He is wonderful and we love seeing him, I wish all pediatric specialist doctors could be as sincere and compassionate as him.(Today he actually took time and explained Lucas' eye condition to us, he is a cardiologist not an ophthalmologist, but that is just how cool he is). Lucas had another good check up. We are excited to say that in the last few weeks he had a bit of a growth spurt in the vertical direction. He is now 50th percentile for both weight and height. He is now standing tall at 26.5 inches! I wish they would measure hair length on the growth chart, because for that I am sure he would be off of the charts!!

Lucas' echo showed that his ventricular function is good, although he has some mild thickening of his left ventricle wall. Our cardiologist thinks this may be due to him still being hypertensive after the change in blood flow following the Glenn. When the heart has to work harder to pump blood against high pressure it gets bigger, just as any muscle does after a hard work out. He actually increased his Captopril dose a bit. We were hoping to start weaning him off of it, but we just want Lucas to have what is best for him.. and believe me we trust in our cardiologist. After all he has saved Lucas' life twice!! I asked about a twice a day ACE inhibitor but he said that Captopril was the best for small guys like our little man. Anyways, no hypertension here we are keeping it away.

His Lasix dose did get decreased to once per day. This was done to help with the sopping diapers in the middle of the night. Hopefully means a bit more sleep for us all.

I am back to work and loving seeing all of my work friends again. Although I have worked three shifts now and it isn't getting one bit easier to leave my buddy. He is such a momma's boy, and I love it. Although, now he is turning into a bit of a Grandpa's boy also, as my dad watches him for the few hours between me and Peter's work days. It makes me a bit sick to my stomach to leave him, but I am really enjoying being productive in other manners.

We are happy to have had another good cardiology visit. Lucas continues to amaze us. His next surgery (the Fontan) will be when he is approximately 15kg (30lb), usually between 2-3 years of age. We will enjoy every second until then, and hopefully it will be closer to the age of 3, but at this rate of growth we shall see. Thank you for all of your prayers for Lucas. He is so amazing and as I always ask him.. "How did we get so lucky to get you as our son?" He hasn't given me an answer yet :)

Six Months

This past Friday was Lucas' six month birthday. I can't believe it has really been six months. Six of the greatest months of our lives. I was looking back through pictures of the last six months and I was overcome with emotion. Lucas has been through so much in such a short time. The day Lucas was born seems surreal. He was born by emergency C-section, quickly life-flighted to Stanford. I was discharged just 18 hours after his birth to go an be with my son. Starting on that day, it has been a roller coaster. One that has been filled with highs and lows, but one that today we can look back on and be proud to have ridden. We know the ride isn't over yet, we just pray it always stays smooth and we are just thankful to have our wonderful, happy, and healthy baby home with us.

At six months Lucas is sitting up on his own for short stents, rolling over from tummy to back, and very close to rolling over the other direction. He wants so bad to be mobile, but hasn't quit mastered the upper body strength needed for that. Although when sitting, he turns and props his hands on the floor as if he is about to take off..soon enough buddy, we'll be chasing you around. He is climbing on us as if we were a jungle gym. He is laughing a lot, and smiles when he sees us, especially Peter after he comes home from work. Everything is still in his mouth, as the teething continues. He most certainly has me wrapped around his little finger, so much so that we no longer sleep at night. He has become so used to nursing himself to sleep, that now every time he stirs in the middle of the night it turns into a feeding session. We need to drastically change this habit because I need more than one consecutive hour at a time. My hair is going gray and I am getting permanent dark circles under my eyes.

We recently had an ophthalmology appointment for Lucas because his eyes intermittently cross. Everyone told us this is normal in babies, but this has persisted so I decided to take him in. I am very sad to say that it seems Lucas will need eye surgery. We go back in Jan to re-check and if things are the same we will schedule another surgery for him. The doctor makes it seem like no big deal, but to me any time under anesthesia and intubated is a big deal. I am not even sure what the name of his condition is as she didn't explain anything to me despite me asking several times. I am devastated by this news, I just feel like he has been through so much already. We will just pray that his eyes straighten on their own. But again, we will do what it takes to get whatever he needs. Poor little buddy.

This past weekend we went to the zoo with our Hearts of Hope support group. Although Lucas wasn't overly excited about the animals it was fun for Peter and I to visit with all of the other wonderful families. It was a really fun day for all of the kids and families.

Let's Eat

So far Lucas is a big fan of butternut squash and sweet potatoes, he would prefer to do without the oatmeal. Toes are always on the menu as well.

How did we get so lucky...

To get to call him ours?

Do any of you heart moms (or any moms)have any suggestions for fostering upper body strength. Lucas doesn't mind being on his tummy, but he is hesitant to push up. I imagine it is because all that his little chest has been through.

Well Baby Visit

Today was our first 'well baby checkup.' It is really nice going to the doctor just because it is time, rather than because there is a problem. Of course these visits do bring vaccinations. Although I hate the fact that Lucas has to get poked (I think it is more traumatic for the parents), I am glad one set is behind us. Today he had his two month shots, his first ones, because of his surgery schedule and recovery times they have been delayed to keep him fever free around his surgeries.

Todays Statistics
Weight 17.4lbs >50th percentile
Height 24 inches about 10th percentile
Head 43 cm >50th percentile

I told Lucas he has his mommy's problem, not enough height for the weight.. oh well :) We love our little chunky monkey he looks proportionate enough to us!

Quick Trip

Last weekend we got to make a quick trip to go to a beautiful wedding on the central coast. Although the drive is quite long with an infant, it is always worth it. The wedding was gorgeous and we are so happy for Charles and Erin! We finally got to introduce Lucas to many of our Cal Poly friends. Lucas doesn't know this yet, but that is where he will be attending college:).

Life has been great. The nights are continuing to get better, we still have intermittent sleepless nights, but that is to be expected I guess. Lucas has now learned to avoid being placed in places he doesn't want to be by mimicking a board. Oh yes, when he doesn't want to go in his car seat or in his bouncer chair to let me take a shower, he becomes stiff and even arches back at times to avoid being put down.. charming. He is beginning to laugh. The other day he let out a little chuckle, right after the laugh he looked alarmingly around like.. 'where did that come from' and burst in to tears, so cute!

We still don't have an appointment with our cardiologist on the books yet. We were given two months before we had to return. As nice as that is, I didn't realize how much I appreciated the reassurance I was getting from our doctor. I know going to the cardiologist once or twice a week as we were is not 'normal', but the reassurance that everything is going well is really nice. I love to hear the words 'everything looks good.' Lucas has not gone this long without an appointment since he was born, oddly enough it is an adjustment, a good one, but nonetheless an adjustment.