I am so very ashamed of myself for not updating for so long! We have been crazy busy but that is still no excuse! Ethan is doing really well. He is up on his hands and knees and scoots backwards! We call it getting stuck in reverse. He can also prop himself up on one hand when he is sitting up so we are now very mobile and I have to finish baby proofing. His tooth count is up to five. To bottom middles, one bottom on his left, and the two top teeth that are just to the sides of the middle front teeth. The top looks like a vampire and the bottom looks like a chipmunk, so we jokingly say that we should have named him Edward Alvin...
His three month check up was on March 2nd and Dr. Altman said he is looking really good. She loves that he is mobile and so active. He truly is a miracle as far as she is concerned because he has done this on his own. No physical therapy or intervention. Most heart babies are developmentally delayed in motor skills because their bodies are weak from lack of circulation/movement during hospitalizations. Not Mr. Ethan...
We were also able to wean off of his last dose of Lasix. This was given to him as a diuretic after surgery. His lungs are clear and sounding good! His next appointment is may 18th. We will have a sedated echocardiogram that day so that should be fun! *dripping sarcasm* 1-2 weeks before that echo we are to take him off of his enalapril so they can tell during the scan wether or not we will be able to wean the enalapril long term. Our fingers are crossed that we will be able to. That will take us down to two medications that he will be on long term. Aspirin is his lifelong med...;0(...and he will be on amoxil twice a day until he is five to help his body fight off infections since he doesn't have a spleen.
I've had a lot of reflection time in the past few weeks. We've hit some year anniversaries that have made me stop and think and be so grateful for the blessings we have received this year. feb 28th was the year anniversary of finding out Ethan had a heart problem. The day was fairly hard. As much as I wish Ethan hadn't been born with health issues, I can't help but be grateful for the fact that I have learned so much in the past year. I have met many wonderful people that share their strength freely as they are going through similar situations. I have watched friend's watch their children lose their CHD battle and still smile at pictures and memories of them. Their strength is amazing. I've also learned that I too am strong. I too can smile at difficult memories. Heavenly Father has strengthened me, my children, and my family. I feel as if we have been through a refiner's fire in the past year. And I am grateful for it...
