Update on Gavin... 22 Months...

On August 13th Gavin turned 22 months, can't believe he will be TWO in TWO short months!!!

Gavin at 22 months:

*Vocabulary picking up: words added: "I know, I know" "Bowl", "Cup", "Refrigerator", "Computer", "I don't know", "Spoon", "Fork", "Please", "Prayer" and his all time favorite phrase: "I did it!"

*New favorite songs: "The Alphabet", "Oh Happy Day", "Sound of Music-Do, Re, Me"

*New found love besides Elmo- "CHOO-CHOO's" Everything is about trains!!! He also loves planes and screams "Plane" when he hears one in the sky.

*Foods have pretty much stayed the same, he loves his dairy! We have added smarties, potty training prize!

*That's right we have started potty training, we are at home all day, so we are trying to find things to do! He has made a good start though!! We ask him to go get a diaper out of his drawer and he comes back with underwear, he really likes his underwear!

I am working on an Elmo/Primary Colors themed 2nd birthday, I have never been a fan of "character themed" parties but I broke down and decided to do it... the kid is obsessed, how could I resist? However, it will not be a full out Elmo theme, I am adding my personal touch! BTW, this is just my personal opinion, please do not get offended if your child has all character themed parties! ;)

I thought I would share what is going on with Gavin's health:

Yesterday Gavin had an appointment with the cardiologist. During his heart cath they coiled off some vessels around his lungs and they think that Gavin's vessels around the lungs are not working properly. They are starting him on a medicine to dilate the blood vessels in hopes of decreasing the de-stating issues. The doctors are keeping an eye on the blood clot in his neck (via ultrasound). They also sent Gavin home yesterday with a halter monitor to observe his heart rhythms, rates, etc. during the day and while he sleeps. Hopefully we will learn more about what is going on with this test. The cardiologist told us yesterday that they feel that Gavin would struggle through the next surgery if we don't get these issues under control before surgery. So they have given us a tentative time frame of Spring of 09 for his 3rd open heart surgery. We go back to the cardiologist in October. Please continue to pray that these issues will be resolved very soon!

DON'T MISS THE POST BELOW, FULL OF PICTURES!!!

For Aunt Kiki...

Since you requested to see pictures of your nephew, I decided to make a blog dedicated to you... Gavin wants you to know that he is still the same little boy he was when you left for college. He also wants you to know that he misses you!

He still loves bath time...

He still LOVES to cheese it for the camera...

He still cries and gets upset when Daddy goes to work...

He still likes to throw temper tantrums...





He still loves to go outside and play ball...

He still loves to curl up with Dada and take naps...

He still loves his "by-you" but he is down to having it only at "night-night" time... he thinks he needs to go "night-night" a lot in order to get that thing in his mouth!!

He is still working on going potty in the toilet, he cries when we flush and say "bye-bye potty"...

Aunt Kiki, we miss you and hope you are having fun and studying hard while you are at school!

Oh, Gavin wants you to tell Kali he says "hi, and thanks for letting me take a nap in your room!"

We are Home!

It is 3:00pm and we just arrived home... Gavin is resting... Thank you for your prayers and we will keep you updated as we hear what the next step will be from Gavin's doctors. GOD IS GOOD!!!

Update on Gavin

Gavin is doing well this morning... currently watching Elmo and trying to take a nap. Ok, so let me try to explain what they did yesterday during the procedure... They did not have to do the balloon or stint so that is a great thing! They did find a blood clot on the right side of his neck, doctor said it was in a vein that goes down, so the clot could not travel to his brain... it could go to the lungs, however Dr. S is not concerned about that and he feels that it has been there for awhile and will dissolve over time with blood thinners. They will continue to watch it and if need be they will do another heart cath after his Fontan surgery to get rid of it. Secondly, there were some vessels that grew to his lungs that they had to coil (spring looking thing, that cuts off vessels) off. Otherwise Dr. S. feels that his blood flow is great and they will have a conference on Friday to discuss Surgery date. Gavin has been on antibiotics, had a chest xray this morning, we are still waiting on the results. He is supposed to have an EKG and and Echo cardiogram this afternoon. Other than that he is doing great! Will keep you all updated.... Thanks again for all of your prayers and well wishes, means a lot to us... sorry we haven't had the time to respond to each of you individually. But again, thanks for all you do!

Update 3: 8:19pm

We are in a room now...

Gavin is doing well, we will give you all the details later... just know that your prayers worked and Gavin is sleeping peacefully right now!

We appreciate all of your love and support!

Update 2: 4:48pm

Nurse just called, Gavin is doing OK, they are still looking and taking pictures.... will call us back with a new update

First Update: 2:58pm

Gavin just went back for the heart cath, later than scheduled.... Doctor said it should take 2 hours.... keep the prayers coming, will update as soon as we hear from the doctor.

Comparison...

"He is the spitting image of his father..... he looks just like his Daddy....... look at that lil' Adam Jr."..... Every where we go, every one we come in contact with, this is what I hear. Don't get me wrong, I love that Gavin looks like his Daddy, his Daddy is very handsome!!! However, I wanted to show that he looked a LITTLE bit like me when I was his age. One thing is for sure, we both had a TON of hair! Faith @ 12 months and Gavin @ 15 months....

Heart Cath

Gavin's cath is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5th @ 1pm.

People are always asking for specific things to pray for so here are the specifics: Gavin- his stats during the procedure...health between now and then, that he stays fever free and sick free! Dr. Sperazza (performing cath) and all medical staff that will be involved with Gavin on Tuesday. For Adam and myself- I don't usually ask for prayers for myself, but I have to admit how stressed I have been. I am not the nicest person when I am stressed (Adam and family can agree with that, it's ok, you all can agree :)) For our sanity, that we stay calm and trust in the Lord that everything will turn out perfectly! For our family who will travel with us to OKC. And lastly that if there is a problem with Gavin's heart that it will be fixable and they will be able to take care of it while doing the cath.

Thank you again for joining us in prayer for our son, we truly appreciate it!

So small....

"So Small"... a song by Carrie Underwood.... such a fitting song for Gavin and everything he has been through. We have always been big Carrie fans, especially since she is from Oklahoma. So every time "So Small" plays on the radio, Gavin starts singing along with Carrie....

I have posted the song, for those who have not heard it and I posted Gavin's short version, don't you just love his little facial expressions!!!! Btw, he can really hit those high notes!!!

Home Again...

Picture: 7.19.08, Isn't he a cutie?!?

Wednesday Gavin was admitted to the hospital and put in ICU because he was in respiratory distress and had some swelling again. He was on oxygen through out the night and completely weened off by Thursday morning. Once he was stable, we were sent to OKC (Gavin originally had an appt. scheduled with them on Thursday) for a look over w/ the cardiologists. So it has been decided that Gavin will have a heart cath sometime next week. He is running a fever and has been since Wed. so they have to wait for him to be fever free. He is much more active/talkative now, so we are thrilled about that!!! We should get a call today to schedule a definite cath date. Will keep you updated and we appreciate your prayers!!!

In Loving Memory...

Today, we will attend our first funeral for a baby who has the same condition as Gavin. We have become close to the parents and spent some time with them. It has been great having someone close by to support and to get support from. They are such a great family and Emma was a beautiful baby girl...

My heart is broken right now, I just do not understand. Emma and Gavin were supposed to grow up together and be the best of buds. In their short lives they had so much in common. However, I know that Emma is in heaven now... away from pain, away from suffering. I am sure Jesus rocks her to sleep at night and I am sure she has many heart angels in heaven to play with during the day... Emma, we love you and we will miss you. Gavin sends his kisses and hugs to you. You will forever be in our hearts...

21 Months!

One Month Ago... Gavin at 20 Months

Today Gavin is 21 months...


His list of favorites are pretty much the same, we have added some:



Favorite Foods:

*LEMONS, I can't believe I didn't put this on his 19 month post, because he is pretty much obsessed with Lemons. I can't stop and get a Tea anywhere with out him shouting "Lemoneee, Lemoneee!" He eats the whole thing, rind and all!

*Cereal, his new favorite is to eat cereal with milk, by him self... it can become quite a mess, but he loves it!

*Ice Cream Cones, if you get ice cream with a cone, he will just eat the cone!

*All kinds of sauces, dips: ketchup, ranch, honey mustard, salsa, cheese dip... he is always dipping food in dips if they are available!


New Favorite Words:

*I did it!!!

*1-2 Jump (he likes to say this while going down the stairs, or jumping in the pool)

*By-you (means he wants his pacifier, I think he is saying Bite You)

*Big Bird

*Choo-Choo (Train)



Favorite Songs:

*If your Happy and You Know It

*This Little Light of Mine

*Elmo's Song

*The Alphabet



Gavin is a happy little 21 month old... we are so proud of all of his accomplishments and what a BIG boy he has grown to be. We love you Gavin!!!

We are Home!!!

Gavin is doing much better... long story short, Gavin got a virus/rash, dehydrated and had a seizure. They are keeping a close eye on his heart and the plan is for Gavin to have a heart cath in September. Again, thanks for the prayers, phone calls, emails, and hospital visits... we have such GREAT friends and family! Here are some pictures of Gavin while in the hospital... he is still so cute... even when he is sick!In the playroom at the hospital, trying to pass time by playing an all time favorite-Nertz

WILD HAIR... Gavin after his EEG

Update on Gavin...

Most of you know, Gavin was admitted to the hospital yesterday. The doctors have/are running tests on Gavin. Gavin was sedated for an angiogram this afternoon. He is still sleeping off the sedation, his stats are good. Please keep Gavin in your prayers, along with the medical staff.

Updated Prayer List...

Please note that I have added two babies to the prayer list, Baby Brecken and Baby Bailey.

I came across Baby Brecken's site from some of my fellow blogger friend's. Baby Brecken has not made her arrival yet. She was diagnosed in-utero. This was a post from Brecken's site:

The doctor said:

1. That her kidneys are weird looking and always will be but they will function just fine.
2. That something is wrong with them and they will start to fail. Not sure what, but for sure wrong.
3. That she has polycystic kidney disease (yea, try to say that fast). He talked a lot about this one and I feel sure this is what he feels it is.

Baby Brecken's family has been through a lot in the past 2 years. They had another child, Baby Janey who passed away shortly after birth. Even though we have never met this family, I feel connected to them in a certain way. I know the up's and down's of finding out your un-born child has a fatal disease. Please keep them in your prayers!


Baby Bailey is in our Mended Little Hearts support group. Her mother and I have become very good friends. Yesterday, we were going to have lunch together when I received a phone call from Jenny (Bailey's mom) letting me know that they were headed to the hospital for Bailey's open heart surgery on Friday. They have made it safely to their destination and they are preparing for surgery tomorrow. Please keep Bailey, Jenny and Brandon in your prayers. Also keep their family in your prayers as they travel back and forth.

Thank you for being such great prayer warriors!!!

Summer Fun...

We just got back from our annual Family Florida Vacation!!! I will post a blog about what we did and lots of pictures soon!



I wanted to share a little video montage of what Gavin has been up to this summer, so far... Gavin has enjoyed spending some quality time with his cousins, go to the zoo, paint pictures, play in the sprinkler, take a tour of the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory and a trip to the Safari Sanctuary.... ENJOY!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

BUSY equals Lack of Posting....

So after numerous phone calls/emails, I have decided I better update before I get threats...



I feel like we have been going non-stop around here...


LOTS to catch up on! Gavin turned 19 months on May 13th... which means he is almost 20 months!!! I can't believe it!!!


Gavin's favorite foods at 19 months:



*Black Olives
*Tomatoes
*Bananas
*Turkey, Cheese, Pickle Sandwich with WHEAT bread!
*CHEESE, any kinds!!
*Pizza
*Chicken Nuggets
*Grilled Chicken
*Any kinds of pasta w/ marinara and stuffed cheese (ie, lasagna, manicotti, ravioli), however, he does NOT like Mac N Cheese, strange I know
*Any kinds of cereal
*Yogurt
*Waffles
*Grapes
*Raisins
*Every kind of dried fruit
*PICKLES and more PICKLES!!!
*M&M's
*Cookies


He goes back and fourth on foods, but for the most part when he is hungry, he will eat!


Favorite words:

*Bubbles
*Mine
*No
*Der or Der go (There you go)
*Dada
*Mama
*Mimi
*Nana
*KiKi
*Car
*More
*Dinkkk (drink)
*Milk
*Cookie
*Doooce (Juice)
*Thanks
*Yellow
*W
*Purple
*Pimple
*Mole
*Credit Card (he was playing in Adam's wallet and we were telling him what everything was, so he started saying Credit Card, I know not good!)
*M&M's
*No duh


Slowly, he is starting to put two words together...


Favorite animal sounds:


*Monkey along w/ the facial expressions
*Cow
*Dog
*Cat
*Bee
*Duck
*Snake
*Horse


Favorite things to do:


*Swim, play in the sprinkler
*Play w/ bubbles
*Be outside!
*Go to the park
*Read books
*Play w/ his cousins!
*Scream in public places, especially if he hears another child doing it, which has resulted in leaving full grocery carts and restaurants
*Pick his nose w/ both fingers, we laugh at him so he thinks he should keep doing it, he just walks around w/ both fingers up his nose
*Flex his muscles and grunt
*Give kisses, hugs and squeezes (squeezes are very tight hugs around the neck)


Gavin,


We can't believe what a BIG boy you are becoming. You are FULL of personality!!! We love you very much and enjoy each and every day with you!!


Love,

Mama and Dada

(Picture taken by Betsy G. http://www.gregoryphotography.blogspot.com/ our favorite photographer! Gavin in his heart walk shirt...)

Almost a month ago, Gavin was taken by ambulance to the hospital, a long story, and very scary but he is doing GREAT now... so let's just focus on that.... I wanted to post some pictures of him while he was admitted, because they are too cute! The kid has had the stethoscope used on him many times that he knows how to do it himself!

Even though he is stuck in the "cage", he is one happy boy!

MORE pictures to come soon, I PROMISE!!!

Samson aka "Sammy"...

Sammy is having his Fontan today. PLEASE keep Sammy, the doctors, nurses, staff and his family in your thoughts an prayers. About a year from now we will be in the same spot as them, and I can only imagine what they are feeling. Again, please keep them in your prayers!

Mother's Day...

Mother's Day weekend, the 3 of us headed to Texas to have a family trip.

Gavin took this picture of his Daddy driving, pretty good photographer!!

Gavin relaxing in his car seat...

We stayed with my Aunt and Uncle and had a very relaxing weekend. We took Gavin to some fun places to eat, Purple Cow and Babes. He loved the "choo-choo" and the purple milkshake at Purple Cow, and he loved the chicken and dancing/singing at Babes (he was quite the dancer himself). Our plan was to take him to the Fort Worth Zoo, however it was pretty hot on Saturday and Gavin was getting red every time we took him outside. Saturday we went to IKEA, first time there, one word-OVERWHELMING. That night we headed to Half Shells, we were craving seafood! Adam had his first raw oysters-gag. I don't think he liked them....

This picture cracks me up! He looks like he is going to get sick!

His first oyster, he covered it in Tabasco sauce!

On Sunday, when it was cooler, we joined my Grandpa and took Gavin to a nice area with water fountains and parks (same water fountain that we took him to last year). He loved the fountains!

Purple Cow Lunch on Mother's Day...
Sunday was a great day! Adam and my Uncle went to a cafe downtown and brought us back breakfast, I also got to sleep in! Gavin gave me a sweet card with his hand print on it, he also got me a gift certificate for a massage-can't wait!!


Will post a 19 month post soon!