Elijah and Family Update

In this case, I would say that no news is good news. I have been posting less and less in part because there just aren't that many updates anymore. And for that I am very grateful. Elijah is doing well. We had an appointment with his cardiologist on Monday and this was the first time in his life that we didn't need to have an echo. He had an xray and an EKG and obviously he was examined, and through it all he was a trooper. He is now satting between 97 and 98. His lungs look clear and his pulse is good. We were able to wean down on the lasix so that he only takes it once a day. We are hoping to be able to discontinue the Warfarin by the first of the year. He has put on some weight and may actually get onto the growth chart in the next couple of months. All in all he is making good progress.

Noah is also doing well. He likes his school and he has adapted to being without his brother. He loves art and is now taking swim lessons and art classes. It is so much fun to sit back and watch him. He is no longer my baby, he is a boy. I took him to a movie night at his new school and he walked in with such confidence that I was surprised. He talked to the other kids and navigated the place like he owned it. I only wish I had had that kind of confidence when I was 5 years old. We are very blessed to have two such amazing little boys.

Halloween Fun!

                                                                     Pumpkin Patch!

                                                                     Trick or Treat!

Elijah Update

It has been about 3 months since Elijah's Fontan. If you had seen him then, you would not even recognize him now. He is one happy dude. Although still on some pretty heavy meds, he is active and thriving. At his last doctor's appointment his pulse ox was 98% and he even had a cold. This is amazing for him. He is gaining a little weight and eating a ton. We have been swimming, gone to Disneyland, and rode the rides at Knotts Berry Farm. We are continuing to wean his meds and we hope to be off of most of them in the next three months. I have no doubt that we will continue to have our ups and downs when it comes to Elijah's health, but right we are in a great spot and we couldn't be happier.

Kindergarten

Noah is now in kindergarten!!! Where or where has the time gone? He is no longer a baby... no longer a toddler... he is now a boy. Wow.

Cardio Update

First let me say that Elijah is doing really, really well. Dr. Sklansky is watching him very closely but so far so good. He went for another cardio work up on Friday. His lungs continue to look clear even after going back to a full fat diet and weaning the Sildenafil. He has been getting bi-weekly xrays along with blood tests to measure his INR levels. He is on Warfarin, a very strong blood thinner, that must be monitored regularly. The plan at this point is to slowly continue to wean the medications over the next 6 months. He is still on three very potent diuretics. As of Friday, we are very, very slowing starting to wean one. Elijah has lost a substantial amount of weight and now wears 12-18 month clothing. We are trying to fatten him up and we continue to try to get him stronger.

As for his spirit, he has returned to the happy (and sometimes very demanding) three year old that we all know. Noah is much happier now that he has his brother back.  The two of them are the best of friends and he worst of enemies all at the same time. But no matter what, they want to be together.

I returned to work two weeks ago and Elijah went back to preschool. Noah attended a few days with him. Elijah is struggling with the transition to going to school without Noah. Noah will start kinder on Tuesday. Dion and I spent a large part of yesterday getting all of his school supplies and purchasing uniform shirts. I can't believe that my baby is going to "real" school. He is no longer a baby. I am so proud of him and at the same time, I would like time to stand still. It is moving way to fast. All of that to say, I am so very grateful to be here, in this moment, with my little family in tact. And not just in tact, but happy and thriving.

San Diego

Although we didn't have much of a summer, we decided to make the most of what we had! 

Having fun in Old Town. 

Legoland Fun

Making friends at the San Diego Zoo. 

Enjoying the Orange County Fair. 

Elijah got to feed a baby cow. 

Good old fashion fun in the pool. 

Finally Summer Fun!!!!

Brunch in Hermosa Beach. Cheers!

Checking out the ocean sites!

Love Auntie Lyndsey!

 

Travel Town never gets boring!

Riding the train!

Watching Noah at his swim lessons!