2nd and 3rd day home

Just so you know, I've started several blog posts, been distracted away (can you believe it?! The nerve of that sweet baby! Haha), returned to complete the update, only to discover it has been lost! So, I will bravely begin another posting. Understand, it is likely to be rather scatterbrained.

Being home is fantastic! Missing Mark is awful. I am so proud of him. At the end of this week, he will have completed his last and most demanding semester of graduate school. He has revised the definition of busy over the course of the past two years. He has worked full time, while pursuing graduate study in counseling, seeing counseling clients and groups at night, and working remaining nights at the clay studio. Elliott and I are so very proud of him! We can't wait to see him again! Next time we see him, he will be a master! Go Mark!

My parents have been so incredibly helpful. I don't know how single moms do it. They must have a secret for how they shower, since the ones that I know don't seem to smell! Do share your wisdom!

It's official, we can put the car seat in the Jeep, but it is impossible to get it out without dumping the precious cargo in the process. Luckily, my dad has graciously offered the use of his car until we can sort out a new vehicle.

Elliott is truly flourishing. He finishes his feeds in record time, I can scarcely believe he is the same kiddo that was struggling to eat 5 cc PO feeds just a week ago! He is becoming increasingly engaged with his surroundings, which is so much fun to watch!

Here are some pics:

We were greeted by these awesome balloons from Aunt Melissa, Uncle Wes, Sarah, Roger, Sidney, Molly, and Callie!





And then, we were surprised with these gorgeous flowers from Aunt Pat! They smell so lovely.

















In case you are wondering, the transition to cloth diapering has been rather seamless. Since Elliott is still on a nightly dose of lasix, we are using disposables after his nighttime dosage until we can build up our diaper supply.

So awesome to see Elliott in the turtle onesie I "made" (or bought and ironed on the felt turtle) for him, paired with giraffe's owl diaper! Looks like my logic was correct (if the owl diaper fits giraffe, it will fit E)











Nice to see Elliott in his own crib!











I love sleeping on my mommy!






And now for the fashion show.

























































































- Posted using BlogPress from
my iPhone

Location:Klein Oaks,Spring,United States

1st day at home

Today has been just splendid! So happy spending time at home with little E, Mark, and my parents. Elliott is such a joy. He is so expressive, even as he slumbers. Awake, he investigates his world, turning his head to locate sound, extending his arms and legs to test limits. He has such wisdom behind his sometimes blue, sometimes, green, sometimes hazel, and presently dark gray eyes.

Thank you all for your unending support throughout our 5 week and 3 day hospital stay. I am certain we could not have held as strong without each of you holding us up.

Elliott has just begun his journey. I wish I could say that he is cured, but our hearts just don't heal that way. Our hope is that he will continue to heal to the surgeon's liking. Our hope is that he will grow his right ventricle and tricuspid valve, not that the arteries have been switched and the aortic arch has been redesigned. Our hope is that his oxygen saturations will continue to climb into the very high 90s. Our hope is that he will be just like any other little boy (except that he is ours and won't be wearing basketball shorts to dinner - just for you, Lauren, Amanda, and Justin).

We will continue living in Houston, to keep Elliott a stone's throw from TCH. We begin our outpatient experience with clinic appointments next week!

Pics soon to be added!




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Mamaroo!

Check me out, snoozing in my mamaroo!



We don't need approval now!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Home at last!

Elliott is checking out the awesome balloons from his Aunt Melissa, Uncle Wes, and cousins Sarah, Roger, Sidney, Molly, and Callie!





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Spotted: Elliott Mallory leaving the TCH campus

We made it out of the hospital!


Elevator ride!





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Goodnight, Moon

Tonight was the last night I had to leave my son in the NICU. I warned the nurse that I would likely call every few hours to check on him. Here are a few pics:








































Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

One more night!

They will round on Elliott 1st tomorrow and if all is good, they will write discharge orders! Should be home before noon tomorrow!

Mommy and daddy's combined swaddling efforts with a blanket mommy made.














- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Today was a good day!

Today was a good day. Elliott ate breast milk like a champ! He even seemed a bit hungry after feeding at the breast and taking his full bottle! We had understood that the plan was supposed to be for him to feed ad lib (feed as much and as frequently as he cues). However, the neonatologist, as has been typical, changed her mind without a compelling reason. Hoping we are still on track to secede from the unit Thursday, I decided to let the issue go.

Cardiology rounds featured Dr. P again today. After much discussion, research, and despite heartbreak over Dr. R's move to CHOP, we decided to invite Dr. P to be little E's cardiologist. he accepted. Woo hoo! Elliott's exam went well. It seems he is healing very well. Elliott also had another ECHO, and we will talk with cardiology about it tomorrow. The nurse reported that the tech said it looked good.

What else? He had his newborn hearing screening. Since he was in NICU, they did ABRs, instead of the usual OAEs. He passed!

He received his hep b vaccine and started on a multivitamin. I tasted it after seeing him scowl. So gross. It also smells awful. Ick.

No word on mammaroo approval process. Red tape is wrapping it up. I bet we get approval as we walk out on Thursday! We are paying it forward for future TCH mammaroo families. That's right! We are revolutionaries.

I sorta love you guys.


I'm pretty content in daddy's arms.


And another thing, when are we busting out of here?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone