Jed is Drug Free

Apparently, I haven't really used the blog like I thought I would but maybe someday I will.

Jed is drug free. He was weened from his last heart medicine last week.
He had his 6 month appointment with Dr. Lacina, his Cardiologist. Overall, Jed is doing well.

There is some back flow in his repaired pulmonary valve. Which I understand to mean that some oxygenated blood is flowing back into his heart. Not enough to be worried about at this point but they will continue to watch it over the next year.

He will need to have a pulmonary in 3 to 15 years. I am all about him having it sooner than later so he won't remember so much but we will do what needs to be done when the time comes.

He is starting to show some signs that he is a "heart baby." He starts to breath fast when he gets too excited. It only lasts a minute or two and at first I thought it was a normal baby thing. But I have sinse learned that it is his heart trying to keep up with him.

Overall, Jed is a normal, happy teething cutie who loves to play and snuggle. He is not walking yet because he is convinced that crawling will get him there fastest.

He loves his babysitter, Jessie Carr. And we are hoping I find a full time job soon so I can stop worrying so much about money and Jed can play with kids his own age 2 days a week. I have found a couple of day care providers that I think Jed would love. Jessie is currently watching Jed on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will take him one more day if I find full time work.

We are blessed and I need to be more grateful for the blessings we have been given. I am so proud of our little family and the life we have together is so very important to me.

We are spending a lot of time praying for our other heart baby friends Samantha P. ease and Henry Doyle. Both babies were born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and have to undergo 3 surgeries to correct their hearts. Both babies are doing well and we continue to pray for their good health and the continual research that goes into Congenital Heart Defects at MOTT and around the work.

Lots of Love,

J3

Amazing

I have been at this Mom thing about a year now and wonder, "am I a good Mom?" Lots of people share opinions, and tips on Motherhood. Some I take to heart and store the advice for future reference.
Advice I like is the recommendation to take Jed out on lots of adventures and don't be afraid of new places and things.And always giving myself the "out" clause gives me the strength to throw on that backpacked baby and go.
Experiencing his first sled ride was amazing. The look on his face was spiritually uplifting. Jed's face lit up with joy, Hs cheeks turn bright red. His nose glows like Rudolf. His neon blue eyes widen, and blink, just as a slow smile creeps over his face. 6 teeth shine out at me. Amazing, motherhood. Simply amazing.
Advice I hate, or maybe it is comments I hate, are from the Moms that make motherhood sound like such a burden. "Oh, you want him to never walk, once he walks it is over." What's over? The backaches? Trips to the Chiropractor?
I want him to grow, because every step he takes, literally and figuratively, is Amazing. Sometimes I wish I had the grace to keep my mouth shut. I think I do when the negative, bitter Mom shares and tries to commiserate. hopefully I at least have the grace to change the subject. I think I fail at that though, because I am so overjoyed to be Jed's mom, that I annoy people.
I am okay with that.

Happy New Year.