I think a little more routine and slice of "normal" life enters our world each day! This past weekend Blaise ventured out to his first restaurant Fernando's in Blair with mom and dad. He looked around and took it all in just staring in amazement. The waitress commented on how good he was! We went to church on Saturday night as a family. Blaise was babysat in Treynor on Tuesday by Grandma Donna and I snuck into Ak-Sar-Ben to help a bit on Tuesday night before the rodeo next weekend. Blaise is on the tail-end of his Amoxicillin for his cold and cough which seems to be improving. Just a little cough now and then.
His development is going really good. He can roll over to his back from his stomach all of the time now. We have to put him on his stomach as he hasn't quite figure out how to roll there, but he is getting so very close. He rolls to his sides to reach for toys, it will probably only be a matter of time. He sits really well with assistance, but not on his own quite yet. We are heading back to Treynor this weekend so I can help set up for River City Rodeo, and then back to Oakland Monday- Wednesday. Thurs- Sun we will be in Omaha helping at the rodeo and staying at the Hilton. Blaise and I will be shuffling around quite a bit as Grandmas take turn babysitting and I come back to Oakland to work during the day. Wish us all luck. I'm super leery and nervous about having Blaise in a hotel room and getting sick. Asking everyone for extra prayers that this does not happen and that the weekends ahead go smoothly.
We are slowly trying to wean Blaise of the thickener used in his bottles as the FDA has put out some warnings against it. It's a slow process, but we are hoping he is back to regular bottles in the next two weeks or so.
We are still trying to think of a Halloween costume- any ideas!?!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Five Months Old!
Well, it's been pretty busy around here! Last Friday Blaise had his first cardiology follow up appointment at Children's since we left. He saw Dr. Danford and had rave reviews! In fact, when we were leaving Dr. Danford's exact words were "I"m just tickled with how well he is doing!" WOW! What an awesome thing! He said he thought all of the doctors made the right decision back in July when deciding to go forward with the Glenn Surgery. He has recovered better than we could imagine. He has absolutely no restrictions right now. His blood pressure was excellent, they were happy with his weight and growth, and his SAT level was 89! A normal human's is usually 100 and they consider 90 "normal" so heck, Blaise is right there!!!! God is so great! We were told to wean him off his Lasix and by the end of the week will be completely off all medications for his heart. UNBELIEVABLE!
After our appointment, we swung over to the 5th floor to see some of our favorite nurses! We were glad to see them and they all thought Blaise looked great and had grown up! From there, we stopped by the Ak-Sar-Ben Office to help out a bit then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa Sudmann's for the night.
Blaise got to go see the combine for the first time and was fully dressed in his John Deere onseie, coveralls and socks!! Aunt Jenna came back later that night too. On Saturday Blaise, Mom, Grandma and Aunt Jenna went on a big time shopping spree, as Blaise had NO winter/fall clothes. We all went to Starbucks, TJ Max, Charming Charlies, Target, Old Navy and Carters and Freddy's for lunch! Talk about a busy day for a little boy who hasn't gotten to do much!
Starting the middle of last week I started noticing a little cough that Blaise had. I thought maybe he was teething and choking on all of the extra saliva in this mouth and throat. Well, it continued to get worse, so yesterday I took him to the pediatrician since we have been told so often that getting sick can mean very bad things. As I thought, it was just a cold but she did put him on amoxicilan. He hates it! :) Any tricks to give babies medicine? We have three we give every day- and he is getting worse about taking them! Prayers for this cold and cough to clear up soon!
He has really taken off on eating! He does just under 5 oz every three hours. We can let him sleep at night if he chooses and the other night he slept from 9 p.m.- 5:45 am. I think it might have been because he didn't feel good. He is still doing fortified Nutramigin formula thickened to nectar consistency with Simply Thick. Last Friday the scale at Dr. Danfords had him at 13 lbs 4 ounces and yesterday at the pediatrician he was 13 lbs 11 ounces. He has pushed himself up to the 5% in weight and 25% in length now!! He absolutely loves rice cereal!!! He gets it once or twice a day and can't get enough! He loves to try and feed himself and also holds onto his bottle now- I don't think it will be long before he is doing it himself.
Developmentally, we are still just a tad behind most normal babies. But, with two heart surgeries before age 4 months and a month in the hospital I think he is doing pretty darn god. He holds his head up really good when we are holding him, does pretty good in his bumbo chair. I've been working with him non-stop on tummy time which he HATES and trying to roll from side to side and over. I've seen noticeable progress this week, so just will keep working on it.
He has started loosing all of that dark hair he has. He is getting pretty patchy and we laugh that he looks like an old man. It is definitely coming back in lighter colored so either blonde or a reddish-blonde.
Tonight we will be taking 5 month pictures of him! How in the world is the sweet precious baby 5 months old?!?!
His favorite thing in the entire world is being outside. It's truly amazing. He is absolutely memorized, obsessed and fascinated with being outside. We better get some pretty warm clothes so we can go out this winter!
Four Generations of Farmers!
At my cardiology check up! I don't have to go back for THREE months!!
Aunt Jenna was feeding me rice cereal!
Aunt Jenna won the battle of the teams this week! Go State!
WOW! What is this shopping thing?! Too much fun!
LOVE outside- getting my bottle after lunch!
After our appointment, we swung over to the 5th floor to see some of our favorite nurses! We were glad to see them and they all thought Blaise looked great and had grown up! From there, we stopped by the Ak-Sar-Ben Office to help out a bit then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa Sudmann's for the night.
Blaise got to go see the combine for the first time and was fully dressed in his John Deere onseie, coveralls and socks!! Aunt Jenna came back later that night too. On Saturday Blaise, Mom, Grandma and Aunt Jenna went on a big time shopping spree, as Blaise had NO winter/fall clothes. We all went to Starbucks, TJ Max, Charming Charlies, Target, Old Navy and Carters and Freddy's for lunch! Talk about a busy day for a little boy who hasn't gotten to do much!
Starting the middle of last week I started noticing a little cough that Blaise had. I thought maybe he was teething and choking on all of the extra saliva in this mouth and throat. Well, it continued to get worse, so yesterday I took him to the pediatrician since we have been told so often that getting sick can mean very bad things. As I thought, it was just a cold but she did put him on amoxicilan. He hates it! :) Any tricks to give babies medicine? We have three we give every day- and he is getting worse about taking them! Prayers for this cold and cough to clear up soon!
He has really taken off on eating! He does just under 5 oz every three hours. We can let him sleep at night if he chooses and the other night he slept from 9 p.m.- 5:45 am. I think it might have been because he didn't feel good. He is still doing fortified Nutramigin formula thickened to nectar consistency with Simply Thick. Last Friday the scale at Dr. Danfords had him at 13 lbs 4 ounces and yesterday at the pediatrician he was 13 lbs 11 ounces. He has pushed himself up to the 5% in weight and 25% in length now!! He absolutely loves rice cereal!!! He gets it once or twice a day and can't get enough! He loves to try and feed himself and also holds onto his bottle now- I don't think it will be long before he is doing it himself.
Developmentally, we are still just a tad behind most normal babies. But, with two heart surgeries before age 4 months and a month in the hospital I think he is doing pretty darn god. He holds his head up really good when we are holding him, does pretty good in his bumbo chair. I've been working with him non-stop on tummy time which he HATES and trying to roll from side to side and over. I've seen noticeable progress this week, so just will keep working on it.
He has started loosing all of that dark hair he has. He is getting pretty patchy and we laugh that he looks like an old man. It is definitely coming back in lighter colored so either blonde or a reddish-blonde.
Tonight we will be taking 5 month pictures of him! How in the world is the sweet precious baby 5 months old?!?!
His favorite thing in the entire world is being outside. It's truly amazing. He is absolutely memorized, obsessed and fascinated with being outside. We better get some pretty warm clothes so we can go out this winter!
Dad and I have a new game!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Welcomed to the Church
What an awesome weekend we had! Blaise was formally welcomed into our church on Sunday! Blaise was lucky enough to actually be baptized in the hospital by Father Paul, the same night that he was born. We had talked before and wanted Blaise to be baptized as soon as possible, and Fr. Paul was generous enough to come down at about 8 p.m. that night to do the baptism. We always knew, however, that we wanted to do a formal ceremony at the church since Mike and I were the only two present when he was originally baptized.
With our lives starting to become a bit more normal, Blaise getting clearance to go places like church, we decided to have his baptism this weekend.
So, on Sunday our families all got together and Blaise was formally welcomed into the Catholic church. Blaise is God's baby, and each day it seems like there are great lessons and explanations to why God chose this path for the three of us. What a great testimate to his strength and healing powers, the power of prayer and more that Blaise is now almost 5 months old and a member of our church! There were many times since January that we weren't sure if this day would ever be possible.
Grandpa Craig and Uncle Adam came up on Thurs, Fri and Sat and along with Dad and Grandpa Stew built a new deck on the front of our house and stained the old deck.
Blaise got to meet Uncle Garrett, Aunt Kari and his cousins Ashlinn, Cooper and Parker for this first time. Both Great-Grandpa's were able to make the trip and be here for the special day.
Blaise's godparents are Uncle Adam, Uncle Garrett, Uncle Tyler and Aunt Jenna. Blaise was very good during church and slept in Dad's arms through it all.
He has started to eat better over the weekend. He was up to 140 cc's every three hours. For us, that is HUGE! He almost seems like a different baby and we could actually feel some of the stress of the last 6 months starting to slide away this weekend. Mike left this afternoon for a week on the road, and of course the little stinker was back down to 110 for the last two feedings for mom. I know he has it in him to do more though!
Thanks for your prayers! And thanks for joining us on our journey through this blog!
With our lives starting to become a bit more normal, Blaise getting clearance to go places like church, we decided to have his baptism this weekend.
So, on Sunday our families all got together and Blaise was formally welcomed into the Catholic church. Blaise is God's baby, and each day it seems like there are great lessons and explanations to why God chose this path for the three of us. What a great testimate to his strength and healing powers, the power of prayer and more that Blaise is now almost 5 months old and a member of our church! There were many times since January that we weren't sure if this day would ever be possible.
Grandpa Craig and Uncle Adam came up on Thurs, Fri and Sat and along with Dad and Grandpa Stew built a new deck on the front of our house and stained the old deck.
Blaise got to meet Uncle Garrett, Aunt Kari and his cousins Ashlinn, Cooper and Parker for this first time. Both Great-Grandpa's were able to make the trip and be here for the special day.
Blaise's godparents are Uncle Adam, Uncle Garrett, Uncle Tyler and Aunt Jenna. Blaise was very good during church and slept in Dad's arms through it all.
He has started to eat better over the weekend. He was up to 140 cc's every three hours. For us, that is HUGE! He almost seems like a different baby and we could actually feel some of the stress of the last 6 months starting to slide away this weekend. Mike left this afternoon for a week on the road, and of course the little stinker was back down to 110 for the last two feedings for mom. I know he has it in him to do more though!
Thanks for your prayers! And thanks for joining us on our journey through this blog!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Pictures
Sunday, August 26, 2012
A week of 1st's
This week I had many firsts in my life, I have so many I don't know where to begin. Well I guess I will start with mom thought I was starting to be a big boy and that maybe rice cereal would be good for me. I do like it but I think I get more on the outside of my face than I do in my mouth. Boy I sure do smile alot for mom so she just keeps feeding it to me and does these weird noises such as an airplane, train and many that to me don't make sense, hence the reason I just smile and coo makes her feel good!!!
Another big first for me was going out to eat for dad's birthday, we won't mention how young he is! Mom, Dad, Grandpa Grandma and I went out to eat at No Wake Bar and Grill. It's a little joint across the road from Summit Lake. I was having so much fun that I fell asleep on the way there, Dad says " He sleeps just like his mother does when she gets in a vehicle." I don't know what that means I'm just a baby. It was a good time from what I can recall. There were many people that wanted to look at me and not my dad after all it was his day not mine. Sorry dad.
My last and final first that I can recall for the weekend was that Mom, Dad and I went to church this morning as a family. Mom was sure worried on how I would behave so I took a nap on the way there to fool them that I would behave. Once I got into the church I woke up and was the perfect little angel that was according to my parents, I didn't even make one peep the whole time. Mom and Dad must of thought something was wrong with me, but I was just being quiet as a church mouse!
I know that I will have many more first to come and I can't wait!
In other news Mom has taken a job here in Oakland she will be a teller at the bank, that will be a big adjustment in my life. I would like to thank everyone that has prayed for me over the past 4 months, it has been greatly appreciated.
Love
Blaise Hartwell
P.S. I have pictures to upload but I'm not sure on how to download them, so mom will have to do that for me this week.
typed by Michael for Blaise
Another big first for me was going out to eat for dad's birthday, we won't mention how young he is! Mom, Dad, Grandpa Grandma and I went out to eat at No Wake Bar and Grill. It's a little joint across the road from Summit Lake. I was having so much fun that I fell asleep on the way there, Dad says " He sleeps just like his mother does when she gets in a vehicle." I don't know what that means I'm just a baby. It was a good time from what I can recall. There were many people that wanted to look at me and not my dad after all it was his day not mine. Sorry dad.
My last and final first that I can recall for the weekend was that Mom, Dad and I went to church this morning as a family. Mom was sure worried on how I would behave so I took a nap on the way there to fool them that I would behave. Once I got into the church I woke up and was the perfect little angel that was according to my parents, I didn't even make one peep the whole time. Mom and Dad must of thought something was wrong with me, but I was just being quiet as a church mouse!
I know that I will have many more first to come and I can't wait!
In other news Mom has taken a job here in Oakland she will be a teller at the bank, that will be a big adjustment in my life. I would like to thank everyone that has prayed for me over the past 4 months, it has been greatly appreciated.
Love
Blaise Hartwell
P.S. I have pictures to upload but I'm not sure on how to download them, so mom will have to do that for me this week.
typed by Michael for Blaise
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Sleep?!
Blaise's appointment on Monday at his pediatrician Dr. Groppe went very well. He weighed in at 12 lbs 9 ounces, which was not a huge increase from when he left the hospital. She agreed his increase from hospital discharge to Monday was not ideal, but when she looked back at his overall weight gain from our early July appointment to Monday, he was right on track. And that's even with a heart surgery thrown in there! His is keeping right on "his" growth curve. Basically his is still in the 3% of what a normal baby his age should weigh. She did not think we needed to put the feeding tube in at this point.
This morning, Blaise went to work with me for a few hours, then we went to our first follow up appointment with Dr. Hammel and his PA Carmen. They both thought his heart looked very good post surgery, and so did his xray. They also both agreed to not put the feeding tube in, but to do weekly weight checks. If his weight drastically decreases or he stops eating, then we will put it in. His saturation levels were at 83. I thought they might be a tad higher, but this sounds pretty good to me! As of now, he more or less has no restrictions on anything!
They also informed us that we can let Blaise tell us when he is hungry! But, we can't go longer than 4 hours during the day without giving him a bottle. At night, though we can go ahead and let him sleep through the night if he chooses!! WOW!
Otherwise, we have no further appointments with Dr. Hammel until we near his third stage surgery in two years. We will just continue follow-up with Cardiologist. Let's hope it stays this way!!
We have a feeding team appointment Monday at Childrens, Cardiologist appointment at Childrens the 31st, and a GI appointment at Childrens in September. Gotta love that place!
Blaise wants everyone to know GOD IS GREAT!
This morning, Blaise went to work with me for a few hours, then we went to our first follow up appointment with Dr. Hammel and his PA Carmen. They both thought his heart looked very good post surgery, and so did his xray. They also both agreed to not put the feeding tube in, but to do weekly weight checks. If his weight drastically decreases or he stops eating, then we will put it in. His saturation levels were at 83. I thought they might be a tad higher, but this sounds pretty good to me! As of now, he more or less has no restrictions on anything!
They also informed us that we can let Blaise tell us when he is hungry! But, we can't go longer than 4 hours during the day without giving him a bottle. At night, though we can go ahead and let him sleep through the night if he chooses!! WOW!
Otherwise, we have no further appointments with Dr. Hammel until we near his third stage surgery in two years. We will just continue follow-up with Cardiologist. Let's hope it stays this way!!
We have a feeding team appointment Monday at Childrens, Cardiologist appointment at Childrens the 31st, and a GI appointment at Childrens in September. Gotta love that place!
Blaise wants everyone to know GOD IS GREAT!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
One Year Later
One year ago today, Michael and my life changed for ever. We had spent the weekend with my parents and Jenna and Mitch at the Iowa State Fair. I had a pretty good idea that I might be pregnant, but on the way home Mike and I stopped in Blair at Walgreens and bought a pregnancy test. We got home Sunday afternoon and found out that we were in fact pregnant! Wow- how our lives have changed in a year. More than we could even imaged that day.
Blaise is doing really good. He is the BEST baby! Such a sweet angel, who loves to play now. He has learned to love his bouncy seat, and his car seat. He's even taken a ride in his swing. I love that I can now set him down in his bouncy in the kitchen and actually get stuff done! Usually when I perform my "song and dance" routine when feeding him, he does pretty good.
Tomorrow we have a pediatrician appointment in Fremont. I'm very anxious to see how much weight Blaise has gained since coming home a week ago. On Tuesday, we go back for our first follow up appointment with Dr. Hammel at Children's. We pray this appointment goes well and Dr. Hammel is very pleased with how things are going.
Mike is getting very busy with work, so I have a feeling it's gonna be Blaise and I quite a bit of the time now. He just left today and will be back on Wednesday night.
Thanks for all your prayers. We are feeling much more settled in our new routine.
Aunt Jenna and Uncle Mitch the morning after their wedding.
Man it feels GOOD to be home!
First time in my bouncy seat- it's great!!
I was 4 months old on the 12 of August!! The same day I came home from the hospital.
Look!!! No more car bed! I can ride in a regular car seat now!!! WAHOO!
Must have been partying at night at the hospital. Didn't want to go to bed for mom! A good video
Looking pretty stylish!
I'm wearing the Iowa State Fair shirt grandma and grandpa Sudmann got me.
The nurses and Grandma and Grandpa Hartwell had me dressed in my tux onesie that Uncle Mitch bought. I was ready to go as the ring bearer on wedding day!
Blaise is doing really good. He is the BEST baby! Such a sweet angel, who loves to play now. He has learned to love his bouncy seat, and his car seat. He's even taken a ride in his swing. I love that I can now set him down in his bouncy in the kitchen and actually get stuff done! Usually when I perform my "song and dance" routine when feeding him, he does pretty good.
Tomorrow we have a pediatrician appointment in Fremont. I'm very anxious to see how much weight Blaise has gained since coming home a week ago. On Tuesday, we go back for our first follow up appointment with Dr. Hammel at Children's. We pray this appointment goes well and Dr. Hammel is very pleased with how things are going.
Mike is getting very busy with work, so I have a feeling it's gonna be Blaise and I quite a bit of the time now. He just left today and will be back on Wednesday night.
Thanks for all your prayers. We are feeling much more settled in our new routine.
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