Scottish Rite

Natalie had a follow up appointment today at Scottish Rite for her feet; they thought she might have club feet when she was first born.

Her feet are looking better, but we still have some stretching to do a few times a day. I remember when we first went to Scottish Rite back in August. They told us they wanted to her for a follow up in 10 weeks. I thought 10 weeks sounds so far away...wow, time sure does fly.

They are going to monitor her for scoliosis as well. She is showing a few possible signs, because she huntches over a little. Now this could be, because she is just now starting to strengthen her neck muscles. Children's also has an xray that is showing a slight curve of her spine. There is also a possiblity of her developing scoliosis over time. The doctor said it is common for heart patients to develop scoliosis.

For now, Natalie is looking great! We go back in 2 months for another follow up appointment.

No More Feeding Tube

We finally took Natalie's feeding tube out Monday. Dr. Zellers told us Friday if she did good by the bottle for several days we could take it out. She had been pulling at the tube again and we were either going to have to remove it or re-tape it, which is a nightmare. We choose to remove it and she has done awesome!

Natalie finally had her 2 month well check up today...it is only a month late. According to their scale (every scale is different) she is 9lbs 12oz! She did great, but we did hurt her feelings when she got her shots.

Tomorrow we go back to Scottish Rite for a follow up appointment on her feet.

Boo at the Zoo

Natalie had her appointment with Dr. Zellers today. She is now 9lbs 11oz! She is slowly gaining weight. We are not sure when they will do the Glenn Shunt still, the doctors just want her to gain more weight for now.

A friend of mine that lives down here, Bre and I took Carter to the Fort Worth Zoo tonight for Boo at the Zoo. Boo at the Zoo is where kids can trick or treat at different stations around the zoo, carnival games and a pumpkin patch.

Carter was not so sure about everything at first, the costumes were overwhelming to him. We did learn he does not like clowns at all...I don't blame him.

He did not understand the concept of standing behind the line when tossing the bean bag into the ghost's mouth. He kept trying to walk all the way up to it and put it in; he just wanted it to go in so bad. He had a ball!

We put a few pictures from our adventure at the zoo. I added a few pictures of the pumpkin patch, because some of these pumpkins were amazing. Carter loved the spiderman themed one.

Thanks Bre for coming with us!

Psalm 16:8

Natalie is doing great! She has started taking more by bottle the last few days. She is so much more alert and has started trying to talk to the fan (something about babies and fans).

We have clinic tomorrow and an appointment with her doctor, so I will update more tomorrow night if not Saturday.

"I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken" (Psalm 16:8). In the Hebrew, to "set the Lord before you" is to make him the point towards which you consistently direct your eyes and thoughts. When you do this, he is at your "right hand," constantly close to you.

"He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken" (Psalm 62:2)

Little Miss Grabby

Lets just say Natalie's motor skills are improving daily. She has managed to pull her feeding tube out twice. I had to learn to insert the feeding tube before I left the hospital, but I honestly was hoping to never have to do it again. Now I have done it twice and am hoping to not have to do it again. I think I taped it down pretty good this time, so we will see what happens.

Natalie is taking her bottle a little bit better, so that is good news. We still have a ways to go, but better is good. She is not really gaining weight, but not losing it either. She has not thrown up her feeding since Monday night, so I am hoping we are on good path now. We have a check up next Friday with Dr. Zeller's.

Carter had a small fight with the playground on Thursday and the playground won, so he now has a busted chin. The Fire Department came to Carter's school on Thursday and he had a blast.

He has been a great Big Brother, very concerned about his Baby Natalie. He lets us know when she cries that we need to put her pacificer back in.

Weekend Update

Natalie has been a little cranky these past few days. I am not sure if it the fact we are on our final doses of methadone, which we have been trying to wean her off for a few weeks now or what. She sleeps a lot and when she is not asleep she likes to be held...spoiled.

Carter is back with us from his week with Gran and Papa. He looked at Natalie for a bit and then has just ignored since. He did try to get in my lap a minute ago with the boppy and lay like a baby. We asked if he was a baby and he cried like one for a minute and then laughed...what are we in for.

Overall things are okay. Please pray for Natalie to start taking her bottle better so we can get the feeding tube out sooner.

9lbs 10oz

Natalie had a check up today for post surgery. She is now 9lbs 10oz! She is just getting bigger everyday. She is doing great for the most part. We are still working on taking the bottle versus the feeding tube. She now takes at least 20cc each time and some feedings she will do more, but normally she hits a wall after 20 cc and won't take anymore.

43 Days Later

43 Days Later, but we are finally out of the hospital! We got the okay at 9am, however did not actually leave until 4pm. We had to wait on Home Healthcare and Pharmacy before we could leave.

Natalie is doing great so far. Believe it or not, but she actually took her entire bottle by mouth tonight...she has not done this in over 3 weeks. I am hoping she continues on this good path, but who knows.

Thank you all for your constant prayers and support. We are so blessed!

Natalie at 11 Weeks and Fall Fun for Carter

Natalie's tummy trouble is much better today. She has been a sleepy girl and slept a lot. Here are a few pictures of her at 11 weeks old...time flies.

Larry's parents were in town this past weekend and took Carter to a fall Farmer's Market. I have put a few photos they took of him there and at the park.

Tummy Trouble

Natalie is having a bit of tummy trouble the last few days. The doctors upped her calorie intake, which in return has caused her to get a bit constipated. We plan on fixing that problem this weekend with some medicine.

I also put her NG tube in again last night. Yeah, I am done with that! Now, I just hope she does not pull it out while we are home, but I do know how to put it back in if necessary.

Yes, I am saying this but pray I do not jinks myself...We are shooting for leaving the hospital first of next week! I am so excited to get her out of here for a few months at least. Now, we will be back weekly for check-ups and clinic, but hey a few hours once a week is fine.

NG Tube Insertion

To be able to leave the hospital with Natalie, we have to learn her medications and how to feed her via NG (Nasogastric) Tube (feeding tube). She gets tired during her feeds, so we give her what she will take by mouth and put the rest in her NG Tube.

Since she will be leaving the hospital with the NG Tube, I had to learn how to insert it into her nose. I just decided the best way to do it was to dive in and go for it. I practiced a few times on a fake baby and then did it Natalie...successful!

Since I have accomplished that, the doctors are preparing us to leave the hospital first of next week, hopefully. Can you believe after 6 weeks in the hospital we might be leaving?