On with a "New Year"

As you can imagine, the holidays in our house this year were full of excitement. Having Gavin with us made everything all the more special.  The season was full of so many firsts for the little guy.

Off to a great start!

Gavin started the New Year off with a fantastic set of dr's appointments.  January 6th, he met with his cardiologist. What can I say, other than it was sooooo uneventful!!!

Heat Week 2011

Come on! Lets go bowling!

We are hosting our 1st Annual bowling fundraiser during Heart Week 2011, raising funds for research and for the Congenital heart center at Mott Childrens hospital.

On thickener for a while longer...

Gavin's 3rd swallow study was Friday and he did wonderful with the cereal, pears and thickened formula. When the therapist gave him the regular constancy formula, little bugger aspirated. Oh well, he will remain on the simply thick for the next 2 months, it helps with his reflux anyway. Really, if that is all that he is experiencing right now, aspiration, I will take it. We are truly blessed with his surgery, recovery and good health.

I also met with his dietitian.  Being that he is still on the low end of the weight spectrum, he still needs the increased calorie formula but my question was how to increase the calories in his cereal and fruit or would it be enough without extra calories. The dietitian recommended we use cooking oil the fortify his foods. Heart healthy cooking oils of course, IE olive, canola and flax seed oil.  A tsp. of oil is 45 calories, so she said to start with a 1/2 tsp. in each cereal feeding, that will give him a great dose of Omega-3 and calories. I'm going with flax seed oil. The olive oil has to much of it's own taste and well, flax seed is just plain better for you than canola. She also suggested brown sugar for the sweeter foods, but for now I'm going to pass on the added sugars. If Gavin is anything like his father, he will have a highly developed sweet tooth ( look at how sweet mommy is) and doesn't need any help in that category.

Gavin is eating his solids like a champ! Overall, Friday's visits went well and we don't return to U of M until January.  He has his next pediatrician appointment this Friday. Although his weight is the major concern right now, at least he is gaining and other than that, just prepare him for more shots. :(

Just a Note

Healed for Eternity

 In our prior posts, you may have read about Gavin's roommate, Leah Anne.  She was perfectly healed and called to heaven, Sunday October 11th, just 3 days after we visited her and her mother at U of M.  She spent more than half of her life in the hospital.  Her parents gave her life when doctors wanted to end it before she was even born.  God knew Shane and Deb would give her life, maybe other wouldn't have. We are so saddened by the loss of her and for the hurt that her parents, siblings, Aunt Melba and family are going through. Shane, Deb, Hanna, Troy and Aunt Melba are in our thoughts and prayers constantly and will always be in our hearts.

Hello Fall!

Can you believe that Gavin will be 6 months on the 29th? Everyone tells us, it goes by fast and I would have to agree.