Two New Friends

Last weekend, we welcomed two new friends into our home...Red Gooey Fish and Blue Gooey Fish. Brody named them after a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Episode (Mickey Goes Fishing), which does not surprise me at all. Brody and Colby both LOVE Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! We watch it almost every morning while we are eating breakfast.

Brody's fish is Red Gooey Fish, and he absolutely loves to sit and watch him swim around. He is also very good about remembering to feed the fish. He is so funny talking to Red and Blue Gooey Fish. When we leave the house, he always stops to say, "Bye Red Gooey Fish...we'll be back later...take a good nap." Ha!!

Brody's Little Fishy Face

Colby likes to watch the fish, too, but we can't really let him get too close. After this picture below was taken, we quickly had to move both fish up to the counter. Colby thinks it's funny to dip his hand in the fish's water and splash. Poor Blue Gooey Fish!! Needless to say, Brody is taking care of both fish right now...at least until Colby gets a little older.

Our 200th Post

This is our 200th post!! When we started this blog 2 years ago, we had no idea just how great it would be for us. Not only has the blog been a great way to keep all of you up to date on Colby's health and our family, but it has also served as a great way for us to "cope." Writing about our experiences , especially the difficult ones, is actually pretty therapeutic. We truly appreciate all of you following our blog, praying for Colby, for Brody, and for our family. We also appreciate the comments that you leave us. Receiving a comment from a friend or family member always makes me smile!

I would love to tell you that after 2 years and 200 posts that dealing with Colby's heart defect is easy, but I don't think it will ever be easy. He will always have a heart defect, and that fact will always be in our minds. I have found myself "forgetting" at times, but then something always snaps me back into reality...him panting while playing, turning blue in the bathtub, him refusing to eat when I know he needs the calories, a stranger saying, 'wow, he's so tiny,' or seeing the scar on his little chest. These little reminders of his heart defect do get me down sometimes, but then he flashes me that little smile and lets me know that everything is going to be fine.

I found this poem on Maddie's blog. I thought I would share it with you all, because it really expresses all of the feelings and emotions that I have experienced over the last 2 years with our "heart baby."

"The Day I Became a Heart Mother"

One day my world came crashing down,

I'll never be the same.

They told me that my child was sick.

I thought, "am I to blame?"

I don't think I can handle this.

I am really not that strong.

It seemed my heart was breaking.

I have loved him for so long.

I will not give up on this child.

I will listen to your advice.

I will give my child any chance.

No matter what the price.

I will learn all that I need to help my child thrive.

I'll even use that feeding tube.

My child must survive.

Will he need a lot of therapy?

Will he gain the needed weight?

Please God, help me do this.

I will accept our fate.

When the monitors beep at night, it serves as my reminder.

How many parents would love that sound.

Tomorrow I will be kinder.

As another Angel earns his wings,

I run to my child's bed.

I watch him sleep for quite a while.

I bend down and kiss his head.

I cry for the parents whose hearts have been broken.

I look to You wondering why?

Oh Lord, I can't know Your ways...no matter how I try.

And yet, I trust You hold his life, and guide us through each day.

My mind says savor each moment he's here,

buy my heart begs, "Please let him stay!"

From pacing the surgical waiting room, to sitting by his bed.

From wishing for a good nights sleep, to learning every med.

From wondering, "will he be alright?" to watching him reach out his hands.

With every smile my heart just melts, despite life's harsh demands.

For all who see that faded line.

I look to them and smile.

You see my child is loved so much.

I would face ANY trial.

That scar I trace with my finger (it's the door to his beautiful heart).

God must have known how much I'd love him (just as He loved him from the start).

A heart mom is always a heart mom.

Now wise beyond her years.

For those who have angels in heaven,

Our hearts share in all of your tears.

Every day I will try and remember,

I was chosen for him (and no other).

I will always embrace that beautiful day...

When I became a "Heart Mother."

--Author Unknown

Cardiology Appointment

Colby had his 6 month post Glenn Operation follow-up appointment with the cardiologist on Tuesday afternoon. I was so nervous going into the appointment, but as the nurse was taking his vitals, I realized that I had no reason to be nervous! Colby is doing great...unbelievably great! His sats are in the low 80s, which is really good for him.

After Dr. Doyle examined him and confirmed that he is doing well, we discussed that dreaded topic of his next surgery. We originally thought that he would undergo the Fontan Operation this Fall. With him doing so well, though, Dr. Doyle feels we should wait and do it next Spring. This will give him another full year to continue growing and getting stronger. This is great news, but it is also kind of hard news for me. This surgery has become like a dark cloud lingering over my head, and now that dark cloud will linger for a few months longer. If waiting is best for Colby, though, that is what we will do.

Colby loves when the doctor or nurse listens to his heart. He studies every move they make. When Mary Beth (his nurse) was listening, he even grabbed it and placed it on his belly and chest for her.

Brody wanted Dr. Doyle to listen to his heart too, so he pulled up his shirt and waited patiently. Dr. Doyle is so sweet that he did take a minute to listen. Jason and I were very relieved when he said, "Everything sounds normal." Thank goodness! That would have been a surprise that we did not want!

I told Jason that we should plan our first Disney Trip for next Fall to celebrate the end of Colby's surgeries. I think the timing is perfect! Brody will have just turned 5, and Colby will have just turned 3. We will have lots to celebrate!

I love my silly boys!

A Visit from an Old Friend

Our dog Zoe has been on an extended vacation with Poppy (Jason's dad) since Colby's Cath Procedure in late July. We were away from home so much, and our sweet Zoe was not getting the attention that she deserved. Zoe absolutely loves it at his house, which makes Jason and I very happy! After all, Zoe was our first baby.

On Saturday afternoon, Poppy brought Zoe over to see us and play with the boys. Brody was so excited to see Zoe running towards him when he went outside to swing. Colby doesn't really remember Zoe, but he did seem to like watching her run and play. We all miss Zoe a lot, but we know that for right now, she is exactly where she needs to be. Thank you Poppy for bringing her over to see us, but more importantly, thank you Poppy for taking such great care of our baby girl!

Vanderbilt Baseball Game

On Tuesday night, Brody and Colby went to their first Baseball Game! Brody has been asking to do this for so long, but we just haven't been able to find the right time until now. The weather was perfect, and as an added treat for the boys, my dad (Gacky) joined us at the game.

Brody was so excited on the way to the stadium. He just couldn't stop smiling! He kept saying to Colby, "We get to go to a baseball game. How cool is that?!?" Colby would reply with, "Yeah!" These two always keep me entertained, especially in the car when they talk to each other.

Jason, Gacky, and I were very surprised by how well both boys did at the game. They really enjoyed themselves, and we made it through 6 complete innings. Besides the game and the music, I am sure that the hot dogs, M&Ms, peanuts, and suckers helped keep them happy!

Brody has already asked me several times when we could go back to a baseball game. He said that next time he wants somebody to hit the ball out so he can have a new baseball!

Our New Play Set

Jason surprised us all a couple of weeks ago by ordering a great play set for the boys. Brody and Colby LOVE to slide and swing, so this is absolutely perfect for them! The man came last Saturday morning to install it, and I think I heard, "mom, can I play on my playground yet?" about 100 times between 9:30 and 1:30, which is when the boys went down for their naps. When they got up, though, they were so happy to see a completely finished play set! We spent all of our time outside for the rest of the weekend and most of this week. They are having so much fun playing, and Jason and I are having so much fun watching them!

Trying out the swings

Enjoying a snack at the picnic table

Brody is trying to teach Colby how to climb the wall...maybe one day Colby!

They love hanging out in their clubhouse...

...and then sliding down!

Happy Boy!!

No More Synagis Shots!!

Last Friday, Colby received his last Synagis Shot for this year, and from what I understand, this should be his last Synagis shot ever! I don't think they give this shot to children older than 2. Colby will be so excited about this!!

Our little guy weighed in at 18 lb 9oz. It is not great, but it is at least up from the last time he was weighed. With any luck, Colby will reach 20 lb by his 2nd birthday in a few months! He may be little, but he is a tough little guy!

My Gym

If you have never heard of My Gym, it is a fitness center for kids. (http://www.my-gym.com/) They offer mommy and me classes for babies and toddlers and independent classes for preschool age and up. Brody started My Gym when he was 11 months old and took until I became very pregnant with Colby. We had not been back since then, but recently, we decided to try it again. Brody absolutely LOVED it when he was younger, and he LOVES it now!! He asks to go every single day! Colby is really enjoying it too. He loves being able to play with kids his own age and do all of the fun activities, and I love that this gives him a complete hour of extra "physical therapy." Everything they do is helping him get a little bit stronger and a little more confident with his walking. It doesn't get much better than this!

Easter 2010

Brody was so excited when he came downstairs and saw that the Easter Bunny had brought "surprises!" He said, "that yellow bag says my name, 'Brody'." He couldn't wait to open up that bag!

The boys loved everything that the Bunny brought, but they definitely each had a favorite surprise. Brody's favorite was between his new Yo-Yo and his Buzz Lightyear Bubble Gun, and Colby's favorite was between his big bouncey ball and his small Lightning McQueen soft ball.

After church, we went over to Granny Shug's house for lunch. Unfortunately, we had to leave before the Easter Egg Hunt, so we decided to have one at home after nap. Brody loved looking for the eggs in the back yard, and Colby just loved eating the Mini M&M's that were in one of the eggs he picked up.

We had a great Easter, and we are so thankful for our two amazing boys, our family, friends, and all that we have. It is all "Because He Lives!"

Brody's Easter Egg Hunt at School

On Thursday, Colby and I joined Brody at school for his class Easter Egg Hunt. It was a beautiful day, and the kids loved being outside looking for eggs. The Easter Bunny even made a surprise visit, which made Brody very happy.

It was great to spend some time with Brody and his class. I love seeing him interact with his friends and his teachers. I can only hope that he is always that well behaved when I am not around!!