Blair's Blessings

Friday, September 23, 2011

{this moment}

~A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember~

Out of surgery!

He did great! Breathing on his own and in the CVICU. Now we just pray for a smooth recovery and good pain control. He should be into a regular room tomorrow and home by Monday!

He went in just after 7am with no tears except when he fought the syringe of sedation meds. Hopefully he will be done around lunchtime. Thanks for your prayers!!! (and yay for
Blogger app on my iPhone!)

His Big Day

Lord, I ask you to please guide all those caring for Steven Joseph today. Please allow for a smooth surgery and recovery for our precious boy. Please heal his heart and grant peace to ours. We ask you to be with all children who suffer, in particular all of those heart patients at TCH this week, those we've met, those who we will meet, and those whose conditions have warranted changes (or may warrant change) in our schedule.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!
St. Padre Pio, pray for us, and help us remember to "Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry!"

(I'll try to update here as I can tomorrow. We are looking at a 7:30 or 8am surgery time, although there is still a chance we could get bumped again due to a heart transplant patient. Thank you for your prayers!!!)

Kissing pictures of his best buddy J. J's family made him a sweet photo book. He wore a tie in the car, but took it off when we got to the mall, because he didn't want people to look at it! Too cute for words.

His Build A Bear outing this week!

Making a wish before he puts the heart in the bear!

Giving bear a shower and a brush

SJ and "Fisherman" Bear.

Our Silly Boy!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Change of Plans

The surgery has been postponed until Friday morning. There was a newborn baby who is very sick and needs to take Steven Joseph's slot tomorrow. We are forced to be patient and trust that God has it all orchestrated together. This will allow me to be with the girls at co-op and ballet tomorrow and hopefully allow for some good rest, two nights at home before the big day. And Friday is the memorial of St. Padre Pio!

We ask for continued prayers for trust, hope, and peace during these days. I also ask for prayers for the sick little baby and all hearts in urgent need of healing. I'm thankful that Steven is so healthy. Being at the hospital all day today reminds me of this. It also reminds me of how blessed we are to have such a wonderful hospital and staff that specializes in pediatric cardiac surgery here in town. They are amazing and it was a good day.

We had a wonderful celebration of Thomas' birthday with Steven's side of the family tonight. We love our boys and cherish each smile, each birthday, and each of their crazy antics! Thanks to all of you who have sent special messages, gifts, calls, and prayers our way.

Thomas' story

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THOMAS WILLIAM!

I've been planning to type this up for months and months. I had so many funny photos from my pregnancy with Thomas that I wanted to put here on the blog. Finally, I've been able to put them together over the past week to keep my mind busy and keep from worrying about his brother's big day. Today we celebrate our THOMAS!

Thomas' story started with a doctor visit and bloodwork adventure and some siblings who were quite confused at what exactly we were doing!

I think they figured it out when I parked here!

One of his first ultrasound pictures!

One of my first attempts at a belly pic!

And the doctor office adventures really begin!

growing belly pictured on my new iPhone and new Nikon that spring! I got some pretty good birthday and mother's day presents that year!

Cute baby on 4D ultrasound, giving us a thumbs-up Gig'em sign below!

A tired, pregnant mommy resting on July 4th at Grampatti's!

Thomas got to visit California in-utero!

It's a small world!

Back home for my weekly shots to keep baby in-place.

Can you find Steven Joseph in this picture???

Always fun times in the waiting room!

Ahhh. A day at the doctor without the kids!

Wrestling on the waiting room floor was a weekly occurrence.

But still some of the time it was just me and my baby belly at our appointments.

After the waiting room sagas, then we'd usually have another long period of waiting in the exam room. Keeping them entertained in there was quite a project!

But we were always so grateful to see the ultrasound tech Angie and get a peek at our sweet little one!

Who would hit the elevator buttons first? Always a race!

Growing belly pics continue...

All those hours waiting at Dr. R's office...He was an amazing doctor, but they have got to figure out a better scheduling plan!

Loved that parking space near LaMadeleine. This was probably my last solo adventure getting some lunch to eat before baby.

Very close....

Sitting at Dr. R's office once again. This time I had a hospital bracelet on since I had just spent some time over there concerned about being in labor. We did an ultrasound, and he did an exam and found that I WAS in labor!