The Hands

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Gavin update...

We went to the pulmonary doc yesterday, pediatrician today and we have PT tomorrow. Gavin's lungs sound great! They took him off the meds he was on for his lungs (some diuretics) and they are happy with his development. He weighed 13 lb 4 oz. This is not a hugs weight gain but he is full of rolls and has grown to 25 inches long so they were very happy. They feel like the underdeveloped lungs might lead to slow weight gain for a while but he is happy, healthy and thriving. We all know he LOVES to eat! The pediatrician said his social development is at a 7 month level (he smiles, laughs, coos and says dada), His fine motor is about 5 months and his gross motor is 4 1/2 months. So thats where the PT comes in. We are doing babies can't wait once a week with a PT who comes to our house and works so well with our schedule. It is really nice. One less appointment to have to drag everyone to! He is making huge strides with muscle strength, rolling and reaching for toys. We are working on getting him to sit and push up on his knees when on his tummy. We finally started his vaccines today. Other than the synergis he got during RSV season we have put off vaccines since the NICU so he could have a chance to build his own immune system. That being said, the PED and I decided today it was time. So we did pnumoccal (being the most important with all the pulmonary issues) and HIB. He doesn't seem to be cranky or running a fever so thats great!

Tonight Ethan decided he is spending the night with Grana (for the first time). We will see how that works....I have a feeling I will be seeing him by 9 : )

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Back to the NICU...just to say hey

Today we were able to go back to the NICU and take Gavin to see the doctors and nurses who worked so hard to save his life. Dr. Marino was there and was the first to swoop him up in her arms. She was overjoyed to see how great he looked! We were able to tell them so much good news and that felt great. As I was surrounded by all the NICU rooms, facing room 4 where we spent Gavin's critical days, and listening to the alarms I was reminded of the many days we didn't think he would make it to tomorrow. I never thought in those days I would be standing there, 8 months later, holding a healthy baby boy! They were elated to see no wires, no oxygen, no G tube and to see all the happy social smiles that demonstrate his neurological development. It was so great to see them all. For months they were our life, our saving grace, our family. I owe so much to them, they truly poured their hearts out to our family and showed how much passion they have for what they do. It was great to see the nurses that had him in the early days. One nurse was remembering the day Gavin opened his eyes for the very first time.... one of the best days for us! God is so amazing and has continued to show us what great plans he has for this little boy. It is so great to know that we are able to share with the world how great Gods love is!

God is good!

Monday, July 5, 2010

random pics of Gavin from the hospital

ICU trip... 2/12/2010

In the hospital 3-24-2010 (before surgery)

VBS- June 2010

My blog is not in order because it takes forever to get the pics uploaded.

Ethan went to VBS for the first time the week of June 21st. Rather than sending him to our home church (Northstar) we sent him to the church where he will attend pre-k. I was hoping it would be a good introduction to a new school and it was! He had a blast! It was a western theme and he got to wear a cowboy hat everyday. He learned scripture and principals, did crafts daily and made new friends. On the Thursday they did family night and he was in a little program of singing. It was so cute! they sang and did little hand motions. I love those kid of things! After the performance they had dinner and a petting zoo and pony rides. It was so neat. They all got to ride ponys, even Aiden, and pet so many animals. They had so much fun and Ethan is really growing in his knowledge and faith in the Lord.

Happy fourth of july

Happy Independence Day! We had a wonderful time celebrating the 4th. On the 3rd we drove out to a fellow firefighters house in Athens and had a great time with friends! The kids got to fish in the lake, ride horses, ride 4 wheelers and run around like crazy. Ethan enjoyed fishing and riding the horse and well as chasing around their 130 lb dog. At one point in time he had his arm around the giant dog and a tea cup chihuahua in the other! That boy sure loves animals. Ethan and Aiden got to ride the 4 wheeler (with daddy), which was a ton of fun until Ethan touched his ankle to the hot engine. I then had to run him down to the lake and stick his foot in the water. Always a little drama with boys around. At dark the firefighters all shot off beautiful, big fireworks (purchased out of state : ) ) off the dock. The kids LOVED it! It was a lot of fun. On the 4th we went to my moms and Grana cooked a good southern home cooking lunch (YUM!) and we swam and lets the kids play. Then went to dinner at Grammy's to meet some of her friends. Of course grandfather made homemade ice cream, which he does every year. He made coffee ice cream with caramel sauce, so good! I need to diet now just from my weekend intake of calories! Grandfather and Aunt Katie took the big boys outside and did some firecrakers with them. They really enjoyed it this year! Then we came home and puts the kids down and Ben and I rented a movie. Perfect ending to the weekend!

This morning I woke up and was sitting at the computer to find smoke coming from my yard. When I went out on the back deck I realized that our neighbors had cought our yard on fire with fireworks last night and the embers were still burning. Nice! So of course Ben is at work and I had to drag the hose over and put out the fire in my pajamas at 8 am. Never a dull moment ! Now we have a burnt place in our mulch. Lovely.

I little update on Gavin: He is rolling EVERYWHERE! Both ways and all over the place. He can get across the room so fast! Too funny. I started calling him rolly polly. He has 2 doc appts this moth. Pulmonology and the pediatrician. I hope that they will see a good weight gain and have positive things to say! He has PT 4 times this months as well. We are seeing great improvements from the PT. I think he will be sitting up soon, he is trying! He is taking 8-9 oz at a time in the bottle now (we are still mixing high calorie formula and cereal with his breastmilk) and he takes baby food twice a day. He is a good eater, sleeping through the night and taking 2 naps a day, I just hope he is gaining weight!

Friday, July 2, 2010

For Gavin...

I wrote this poem when Gavin was a few days old. Since I am using our blog like a family scrapbook, I decided to put it in here.

As I love you through the glass I watch your tiny finger sweep across your face,
I watch you turn your glance toward mine and pray I might catch your gaze.
You fight to merely breathe, and I to hold back tears.
I long so bad to hold you, touch your face, calm your fears.

As I love you through the glass I watch your heartbeat dance across the screen,
These monitors have become my world, when I close my eyes they're all I see.
The breaths you breathe are not your own, as they try to keep you alive.
My heart aches, I pray you win the battle. I long to see your eyes.

I sit and stare in wonder, wishing I could make time pass.
I end up on my knees in prayer, as I love you through the glass.
I reach in and touch you, silently you rest.
I try so hard to walk away, I pray this day won't be your last.

I struggle home, but do not sleep. For my soul is still with you.
I feel torn apart and helpless; there is nothing I can do.
Your picture frame is all I have of you to see.
I sit in what should be your room and hold you close to me.

As I love you through the glass I know the ending doesn't matter,
Because Gavin Jacob Hand you have changed my life forever.