One Year Ago Today....

One year ago today, we got news that Landon was going to have a heart defect.  A major defect that would likely entail three surgeries.  Suffice to say, it was the hardest day of our lives.  All the worry and anxiety and and the feeling of complete helplessness.  We knew we would have to wrestle God with this for 20 weeks before he was even born.  Seems like a blessing to know beforehand, but having to agonize over it for months before he was born was daunting.

Landon has spent approximately 39 days in the hospital.  Been to numerous other doctors appointments.  Had two surgeries and a catheterization.  Consumed bottles of medicine.  Fought acid reflux when he was trying to recover.  Had RSV.  He has dealt with a couple of other colds along the way.  Was on oxygen for three months at home, which brought many other challenges along with it. 

But you wouldn't know that he has been through any of this if you met him for the first time today. 

The other day he was playing in his exer-saucer and we realized some obvious cognitive development.  There is a little toy on there that makes different sounds when you push it.  If you push the same button four times in a row it begins to play music.  Landon likes the music so much that he will push the button as fast as possible to get to the music.  When he gets there he stops and listens to the music.  I love that he takes time to stop and listen to the music.   

Seems like a small thing, but to us it is awesome because this quells one of our biggest fears.  That he won't cognitively develop normally.  Little things like this make a huge difference.

I am so grateful for everyone who have been in his life these past 7 1/2 months.  He wouldn't be doing so well without all of the love and affection poured on him.  He laughs so much.  He laughs more in one day than I do in a year. 

Landon sleeps through the night now.  No coincidence that this started briefly after removing the oxygen at night.  The cord is quite annoying to have shoved up your nose.  He is also starting to make consonant sounds.  Every day is different, but better than the previous. 

Praise God for the miraculous start to his life.  

Gary

P.S. The bolded sentences are on purpose.  Go back and read them one more time to realize how amazing this journey has been for us.

There is no place like home

Landon was discharged today and is sleeping on the sofa with mommy as I write this.

He is doing well obviously, but just because we are home doesn't mean all is back to normal.  We will be meticulously handling him due to the incision, cleaning the incision, adding meds to the daily process and helping Landon's body adjust to the new blood flow, which can take up to a month.  He can experience headaches due to the new flow as well.

No need to stress over the new challenges.  We have our little boy home again and mostly happy.  Praise God.

Gary