Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Ups and Downs

We’ve learned throughout this whole process that with every up there is a down.

The upside is that he has now completely been removed from oxygen and is now breathing on his own! Now you can see his cute little face!



The downside is that his chest incision might be infected and if so, then there is a possibility that he might have to go back to the O.R.

Other than that, he is doing well and they have changed his status in his room to a yellow light!

Jacob is really excited about this.

Monday, November 29, 2010

1 Month Milestone

Jacob celebrated his 1 month milestone by moving out of the critical care unit! They recommend that someone stay with him since he will be in his own room. Given I will be able to nurse him now, I will be staying with him until he is discharged....yay! His room number. Yes - they spelled his last name wrong.

He is looking so good. It is incredible how well he looks.

It was really cute. They had this sign up in his room.

I can’t believe he’ll be able to go home in a few days!

We were also able to bring the other kids to see him tonight. They were really excited and can’t wait to bring him home too.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

On the Move Again

Jacob has been doing so well. He was removed from the CPAP and is now breathing with a little assistance. He was moved out of critical care tonight! Our prayers are being heard.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Moving

Jacob was moved back to the other critical care room today. Overall he has been doing really well.

There are a few issues however - he developed a blood clot in his right femoral vein as a result from the BAS procedure he underwent; he is being put on blood thinners for this. When they tried removing him from the breathing tube yesterday he was having some difficulty. They found out that his left lung collapsed as a result of his operation and he has now been put on something called CPAP or VPAP. It’s basically a face mask with oxygen. We’ll see how he does with this over the next day. He’s also been put on a diuretic to remove any excess fluids from his body.

I haven’t been able to nurse him yet. He’s been fed through a feeding tube. They said I might me able to in a few days.

He’s doing amazing and we continue to pray.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Overnight

Last night was a very hard night for me. It was the first night I slept at home without Jacob next to me. I cried long and hard and hyperventillated for about half and hour straight. I just want my baby back home. We all miss him. Things don`t feel right without him.

Although I had a hard night, Jacob`s nurse said he had a good night and he`ll most likely be moved back to the first critical care room he was in when he was first admitted by tomorrow.

He`s been on a breathing tube since he was admitted. They tried removing it today but he was having some difficulty - which is pretty common. So he had to be put in the `box` which essentially is a box put over his head so that his oxygen levels stay saturated.

I also got to hold him today, so that was really exciting. It was hard holding him with all the wires and tubes but still felt good nonetheless.

He`s a fighter and we continue to pray.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

24 hours

The next 24 hours are critical. So far he has been doing well in recovery. He`s had little swelling and only a slight fever.

We`ve been sleeping in the O.R. waiting room the past 2 nights. Given he is under constant supervision we`ve decided that we should sleep at home tonight and check on the other kids. This has also been very hard on them wondering what has happened to their little brother.

Please continue to pray for him.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Operating Room

We had thought Jacob would have surgery closer to the end of the week however an opening became available in the O.R. so Jacob was able to get into surgery today. The five hour operation went well and he has been moved to the post-operation recovery room in the critical care unit.

They had warned us that when we saw him after surgery that he would look really bad. He has NUMEROUS tubes going in and out of him. At least 4 or 5 in his tiny nose alone. There was not much swelling so they were able to close his chest.

Our poor little baby....he's so brave.

We all continue to pray.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Our Personal Nightmare

Today Jacob was diagnosed with a heart condition known as Transposition of the Great Arteries (see http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/HeartConditions/Transposition-of-the-Great-Arteries-TGA.aspx?articleID=6907&categoryID=HC-nh2-04s for a good description). A rather routine (or so we thought) trip to a cardiologist quickly turned into an ambulance ride to Sick Kids hospital that afternoon. Jacob immediately underwent an emergency BAS procedure (Balloon Atrial Septostomy which is also mentioned in the link above) in order to save his life. This was only a temporary measure and he will need to undergo an operation to correct his TGA condtion. We expect he will have the surgery in the next couple days. Please pray for him.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Cinderella Claire

This is the theme of the moment...Claire loves everything Cinderella. My mom bought her this nightgown and we cannot get it off her. She wants to wear it over everything!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

My Shadow

The jealously is starting to set in....some might say Claire is being a little clingy. What do you think?

Yes, try giving the baby a bath with your toddler stuck to your hip!

Jacob didn't seem to notice.

Check out the post-bath hair. It's a little afro!

Awe...I love my mommy!

What a cutie pie!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

My ABCs

Today Claire came home with pony tails in her hair!


She won't let me do her hair but she let her teacher at daycare. Go figure. She loves to sing. She sat in front of the fridge and sang her ABCs over and over and over....


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Out with the Kids

Being home on mat leave will be fun, fun, fun. Today I took the 2 little ones to the indoor playground. Claire was on her best behaviour and enjoyed herself.

Jacob was also very good. He spent most of the time snoozing in the carrier or sitting in his car seat.


Being out with both of them wasn't that bad!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Bath Time Fun

With 2 little ones, we need to divide and conquer. I gave Jacob a sponge bath.

While Daddy gave Claire a bath.

It will be great when we can put them both in the tub together. Here they are posing now that they are all clean!

Jacob was not too enthusiastic about this.

At Home - Day 4

I will watch over and protect you baby Jacob!

I love being a big sister!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

At Home - Day 3

If he is not sleeping, he is eating....although in this picture he looks as though he is doing both! He's got a little milk moustache if you can see it. Got milk anyone?

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

At Home - Day 2

Jacob relaxing on our bed...this is cozy he thinks.

Wherever Jacob is, Claire is not too far behind. She is always with her stool, ready to show Jacob the ropes!

Here Claire is explaining this is where we watch t.v...in Mommy & Daddy's room (already starting bad habits with her little brother). Jacob has quickly picked up how much Claire talks and he is mimicking her behind her back! Let the sibling rivarly begin!

Claire thinks Jacob is silly!

She just loves him. Here's a kiss!

Monday, November 1, 2010

At Home - Day 1

All I do is sleep...

I am so tiny in my bed.