Parenting Changes

The other night, Iain was whimpering (I won't call it crying, because he wasn't screaming or anything!) and he didn't want to settle down for the night.  Tim and I were in bed, vegging while watching "The Office" reruns.  I nestled Iain into my arms and with new-found warmth he quickly fell asleep.  I mentioned to Tim that I NEVER would have done this with the girls. Let them fall asleep in OUR BED?   Keep in mind, this wasn't the FIRST time I've done this with Iain! Tim laughed in agreement.

It's amazing to me how differently I'm parenting Iain already!  It's not out of guilt or fear.  I'm just making different choices!

But, I have to say that I'm loving it!  I'm taking more time to just sit and enjoy him.  I don't typically let him "cry it out".  I check on him constantly when he's sleeping.  I allow him to fall asleep in my arms on a regular basis.

I'm also preparing my dear husband and children, that when we come back from Iain's open heart surgery, you can bet I'm going to do nothing but hold and comfort him!!!

I think it helps that he's an easy baby.  Even though I let him sleep in my arms, he still sleeps in his bassinet, crib or bouncy seat.  He's pretty easy to please.

I may pay the consequences later, he may no longer be an easy baby by then.  He may be set in his ways, ways that will not be convenient to THIS Mommy.  The housework can wait, because I'm really enjoying coddling my little boy!

A friend sent this to me today...and it's really a great reminder for me!  It belongs on my fridge, where I can see it everyday!

9/20/12 Cardiologist Appointment

Life is busy, as usual with a newborn in the house!  Sorry that I haven't updated you in two weeks!

Today was a GREAT Cardiologist appointment!  His Oxygen Saturation was 98%!  2% higher than it was at our last visit.  I'm very excited, because I had been afraid we were trending down!

They did an Echo again today (5th one since birth!).  Everything is looking about the same as last time, so the Propranol is working!  We are so thankful for this God given medication!!!

Dr. Consevege said today that the plan is to go about 3 more weeks, then schedule the surgery.  So, we are now looking at about the end of October or beginning of November for surgery.  He'd like to do it before it become an emergency situation.  So far, Iain's doing so well!

Here's a few pictures, he is now 8 weeks old, 11 lbs. 3 oz. and 23 inches long!

More Visitors from Iain's First Days

We are so thankful for our friends that were able to come meet little Iain in his first few days!  Here are some pictures I was able to grab!

 Amber, she's a pro since she has two younger siblings!

 Caila, being her silly self! 

 Jim - a dear friend who has helped us walk through our marriage!

Kim - Jim's better half & and friend that walks with us as we go through our life!

The Cotton Kids!  Ima, Summer (the little Mama holding Iain), Jessie and Joy!  

Thanks friends for visiting us!!  Sorry that I didn't get EVERYONE's pictures!

Update at 5 weeks old

This week Iain had a family Dr. Well Visit.  He is doing great.  His clogged eye ducts are getting better, & his weight was in the 45 percentile .  He is growing well! 
He will soon be scheduled for a follow up hearing test as he failed the newborn test by just 10% in his right ear.

Today was his cardiologist appointment.  His O2 saturation was 99% again.  The Dr. doubled his dosage of Propranolol.  He said we are still on track for surgery about 4 or 5 weeks from now. 

We head back to see Dr. Consevage in 10 days.

Thank you for your faithful prayers!!

Changes are Starting

Thursday was another cardiologist appointment for Iain.  His oxygen saturation was great again, 99.

However, his Echo Cardiogram wasn't so great. 

Here is my limited understanding of what is occurring.

Iain's Pulmonary Valve is growing narrower as muscle tissue builds up.  It is causing a "tightening" of the Pulmonary Valve.  This does two things.

1.  It restricts blood flow to the lungs, resulting in low oxygen running through Iain's body.  We will most likely begin to see Iain's Oxygen Saturation begin to decline.  

2.  The tightening of the Pulmonary Valve also can cause the blood flowing between the left and right chambers to change.  For example, the blood could flow more quickly from the left, into the right.  This most likely would cause a "blue spell".   From what I understand, we will know when a blue spell occurs. There is no questioning it as it's quite obvious.  He gave us a few tips about how to respond and then we will be heading right to Hershey Med for surgery.

The goal was to get Iain close to 6 months before having open heart surgery.  Now, Dr. Consavage said he hopes to get Iain to 2 months of age before needing surgery.  Iain is now 4 weeks old.

He started Iain on Propranolol, which is a beta blocker.  My understanding is that it will not reverse the muscle build up that has already occurred, but that it will help to slow further muscle build up or "tightening".  He is starting on a very low dose, which will be changed as he continues to gain weight.  He's currently gaining about 40 grams a day.  At his appointment on Thursday, he weighed 9 lbs. 4 oz.  So, just about 2 lbs over birth weight!

If the medication works really well, there is a chance that surgery could be pushed off till 4 months, but Dr. Consavage isn't real positive about that.  So, the goal right now, is to get Iain to 2 months of age.  And we will go from there.

Please pray for us as we were not anticipating this to start so quickly.  I certainly wasn't prepared for this news at this appointment.  I was alone, so this information is coming from my understanding of what the Dr. said to me, without having Tim's ears to help filter and understand.  Open heart surgery on such a little body is so hard to fathom and difficult to swallow.  BUT, we are thankful for God's provision in great Cardiologists and Surgeons so close to home.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Iain.  Our prayer is for his safety & health above all else!