A Good Day

Holden's appointments with his cardiologist and pulmonologist went well today. Both doctors felt Holden looked the best they've ever seen him. Everyone agreed that he should have the reflux and hernia surgery later this month. So we'll head back to Egleston on Monday the 20th. We'll say our prayers that the procedures are a success and that Holden has an "infection free" speedy recovery. We are very hopeful that having the reflux surgery will greatly improve Holden's quality of life- and enable him to go back to drinking from baby bottles again.

Laura and Chad, Holden's Godparents, gave him the adorable stuffed Lion (that we named Leroy)that you see in the pictures. Holden is giving Leroy some sugar (kisses) in one of the photos and having a full conversation with his pal in the other. It is hysterical to watch Holden when he gets frustrated - manhandle Leroy, almost like he is wrestlimg him to the ground and pins him down.

We'll post again soon. Hugs and Kisses to our friends and family.

It's the little things that matter

If ever there was a wake up call in life - this has been it for me. I can honestly say I am enjoying every moment with Holden. It is amazing how big the little things now seem. I love our play time (he loves his new exer-saucer), naps and evening walks. He is reaching for everything. I think it is so sweet, when he gently runs his fingers through my hair. But, I am sure it is just a matter of time before he'll be yanking my hair out!!

He is doing better with car rides and we went to visit Daddy at work last week. It was great for our BLP family to finally meet our little guy!




Saturdays are full of SEC Football in our house and Holden is learning to root for both LSU and UF. I am not sure what we'll do when our teams play on 10/11. I guess whomever wakes up first will dress the little monkey.

Holden has an appointment with both his cardiologist and pulmonologist on Thursday. We'll post Thurs or Fri and let you know how things go.

I know I sound like a broken record, but thank you for all of your prayers and acts of kindness. We continue to feel the strength from everyone's prayers and we know God is watching over Holden.

My "Mommy" perspective is that Holden is doing very well and we are seeing improvements post PDA surgery. His breathing has greatly improved. We are continuing to wean him down on his oxygen. His color is better. And overall, he seems more comfortable - which probably explains why we see more smiles! He does, however, continue to struggle with his reflux. Unfortunately, this means another surgery for the little monkey, but we are hopeful that this will enable him to turn the corner and really start to grow and heal. Holden has an appointment with his cardiologist next week where they will do another echocardiogram. Hopefully it will show improvement on the inside that matches what we are seeing on the outside. If so, Holden will return to Egleston on 10/20 for the reflux and hernia surgeries.

During our last hospital visit, we made the decision to have Holden baptized. Although we were hoping to share this event with family and friends, it was something we felt important to do prior to his surgery. And while we hope to still celebrate it with you in the future, I wanted to at least mention it now. The picture is from that special day with Father Young, Holden and I (Daddy took the picture). We asked my cousin Laura and her husband Chad to be Holden's Godparents. We are thrilled they said yes! Although we are not yet able to take Holden to Church, we look forward to the day we can introduce him to our St. John Neumann family.

Enjoying the normal things

It has been great to have a low key "normal" week at home with Holden. The little monkey had his 6-month check up with his pediatrician and an appointment with his GI doctor this week. Both appointments went well and the doctors think Holden looks better than ever. We have a consultation with a surgeon next week to discuss his reflux and hernia surgery. Assuming things continue to go well, we will likely schedule the procedure for sometime in October. Although I hate that Holden will have to endure another surgery and hospital stay, we are very hopeful that this will provide the relief he needs, so he can get back to feeding by bottle and soon move to more solids.
Speaking of solids, Holden is loving to taste the variety of solid fruit baby food that Mommy has been offering him. At this point, he is probably wearing more than he is actually swallowing, but he seems to like it!

We continue to deal with the teething (extra drool, fussiness, etc.), but no signs of a tooth yet!

The little guy has enjoyed visits with Grandma Rosanne and then Grandpa Dave this week. And Grandma Deda is coming down from North Carolina this weekend. Lots of "loving" for the little monkey!!

Holden's Theme Song

For those of you that used to watch the sitcom Ally McBeal, you'll remember that Ally, the main character, always came up with a theme song appropriate for that point in her life. Well currently Holden's theme song is "Three Birds" by Bob Marley. He loves the song and when we play it he is full of smiles and taps his feet. The lyrics are as follows:

Dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)

Back when I was pregnant and first learned that my amniotic fluid was extremely low, I sat on the deck in our back yard and told God that I knew our baby was in his hands. I asked him to speak to me or give me a sign that things would be okay. For the first time in my life, I felt as if I heard God speaking (really singing) to me. Ironically, it was this song. A song I had not thought about since the days of Spring Break during college. And it seems anytime I begin to get discouraged, I hear the song. Sometimes in my head, sometimes on the radio or TV and one time a stranger came into the room humming it. Since that night, I've played "Three Birds" for Holden almost every day. It is our daily reminder to enjoy the simple things that God brings into our lives and a reminder that ultimately, everything is going to be okay. I know some may think I am in denial. I say I am in "Belief".

So in addition to lots of prayer, Reece and I plan to send Holden's medical records to several of the top children's hospitals in the nation. We are getting the names of some doctors that specialize in pulmonary hypertension and/or pulmonary vein stenosis. Although we have great confidence in the cardiologists at Egleston, it can't hurt anything to get a couple second opinions.

In the meantime, the little monkey is doing well at home. He seems to be teething. And while he is quite the fuss pot lately, it is great that it is due to normal baby stuff. We have a couple of doctor appointments scheduled for the next couple of weeks and other than that are finally getting back into a daily routine. Assuming all continues to go well, we will likely be back at Egleston in the next 4 to 6 weeks so Holden can have his reflux and hernia surgery.

Holden seems to be growing daily at home. He is just over 12 lbs and over 24" long. He is outgrowing his clothes in length, way before filling them out. Mommy dropped and broke her camera, so it may be a couple of days before I can post new pictures! Love to everyone...

Love,
Christine

Home Again

We were finally able to bring Holden home again on Tuesday evening. It just felt so right to have him back at home with Mommy, Daddy and Alex. Alex (our dog) was thrilled to see the little Monkey and even slept at the base of the crib that night. Holden seems to sense he is where he belongs and has slept comfortably through the night since we've been home.

Although our 6 weeks at Egelston had their ups and downs, we made many friends and feel that Holden received excellent care from most of the doctors and nurses. The plan for now is to just love the little guy, pray for him to be healed and enjoy every single day. We will get back into our own routine and get him healthy and growing again! If all goes well, we hope to return in the next month or two so Holden can have the surgery for his reflux and hernia.

We are continually amazed at the outpouring of love and prayer from all of you - for our sweet baby boy. Maybe the reason God sent us on this journey was to remind us to love one another and to cherish every single day we have here on earth. I think of this every time I look into Holden's beautiful blue eyes.

I've attached a couple of photos taken during our last couple of days at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. We'll post again soon...

Holden giggling during his first ride in a little red wagon.

Holden loved looking at the mobile that Miss Callie from the hospital brought him to enjoy.