Thad's Cardiologist check up

Thad had his cardiologist check up today.  It has been one year since our last visit.  Even though we only go once a year now it is torture to get him to lay still for the echo.  He is VERY dramatic and always makes a big production out of it!  He managed to stay still for a bit but kept asking "are you done yet?"

After the echo is the EKG, that is another dramatic event.  It was a little better this time because he counted the stickers as she was putting them on.  He also liked helping her take them off.  

This picture says it all! He dislikes the blood pressure the most.  He doesn't like to lay down on the table.  When she was taking the blood pressure and squeezing his leg he says to her "hey, not so tight. You are going to break my leg!" That was probably the funniest thing I heard today. He was so serious when he said it too.

After all of that he was fine.  We waited anxiously for Dr. Brames to come in and give us the results!

He likes Dr. Brames.  He is never afraid of him and lets him listen to his heart.  

The good news is not much has changed with Thad's heart function in the past year.  Dr. Brames saw a little narrowing in his aortic arch where they repaired his coarctation.  That is to be expected and at this point nothing will have to be done to correct it.  His mitral valve is a little leaky but still doing the job.  Dr. Brames predicts sometime throughout Thad's life he will have to have his mitral valve replaced.  Right now he rates it a 5.  When it gets to a 15 is when he will have to have the valve replaced.  I'm praying for years and years down the road for that! All in all, Thad is doing great! No big changes and we go back in one year.  I'm glad we are on the yearly schedule.  I don't know if I can take the 2-3 year checkups just yet.

We always have to get a picture of the two of them.  Dr. Brames has been through everything with us.  He was our cardiologist with Emma and has followed all three kids.  We are lucky to have him as Thad's cardiologist.

And we always have to get a "cheesy" smile picture!

We are so thankful for how well Thad is doing.  He is such a blessing!

Oliver's 1st Plane Ride

Oliver got to take his first plane trip last weekend.  I was very nervous and not looking forward to it but once again he proved me wrong and was so GOOD! I am the co-coordinator for our local Mended Little Hearts of Colorado Springs group.  They have a national conference every year where all the coordinators for MLH groups around the U.S. get together and share ideas.  It was a busy weekend filled with meetings and networking but I am so glad I was able to go.  We got some great new ideas to bring back to our group.  

One of the flight attendants in the airport gave Ollie this cute little frog animal.

Getting ready to board the plane! We went to Dallas so it was a quick hour and a half flight.  He loved looking out the window and the air blower that was coming from the ceiling.  I packed way to much in my carry on because I wasn't sure what I would all need to entertain him.  All he needed was a sippy cup and a few snacks! He fell asleep right after we landed in Dallas and slept while we maneuvered through the airport.  

Since I was attending meetings throughout the weekend we had to hire a nanny in Dallas to look after Ollie.  It was great, she came to our hotel and stayed with him in the room.  We had the same nanny all 3 days.  I was a little worried since he has never been with anyone else but again he did just fine.  He cried a bit when I left but calmed down once I was out of sight.  He was so worn out that he slept all night the first night we were there.  That was nice!

 Checking out the view from our hotel room.

I had some help on the trip which made it much easier.  Mary, my co-coordinator went to the conference as well.  

I love this picture of him looking out the window.  I wonder what he was thinking!

He had a busy weekend too and fell asleep right before we landed.  He was a tired boy when we got home and slept the whole night again. (I could get used to that!)

It was a great trip and even better for Oliver's first time flying.  I was a little worried Thad would be jealous that Oliver got to fly before him.  We made sure we brought Thad back lots of souvenirs! 

The world of Thad

Thad recently played indoor soccer through the Y.  I think he had a better time last year playing when it was outdoors.  This time he just wanted to stand on the court and watch the ball go by him!  I wasn't able to go to the game that had the team pictures so I had no idea what to expect with his pictures.  Here is his soccer picture.  I can't stop laughing when I see this picture.  What a NUT! It doesn't even look like him.  It looks like his hair is like a helmet and that crazy little cute smile he's giving is so darn sweet.  Every time I need a good laugh I look at this picture!

Showing off his soccer medal.

Last week was Thad's last day of Preschool.  He went two days a week for a few hours.  I am really glad we put him in preschool this year.  He has learned a lot and it gave him a chance to meet and play with other kids.  Next year he will go to Pre-K five days a week for half days.  I'm glad we have the summer to relax and hang out!

Thad and Ms. Gloria.  Thad loves Ms. Gloria, every day on the way to school he would ask if she would be there.  One day she was gone and it was almost a melt down at school! I have all summer to prepare him that she won't be his teacher next year!

Preschool class of 2012!

The preschool class had the option of getting their handprints.  I really wanted one of both the boys so she was able to put Oliver's and Thad's handprints on the tile.  It turned out really good! It will be a nice keepsake.

We went to a rock star birthday party for one of Thad's friends.  He made a cute little rock star.  I found a jean jacket and cut the sleeves off and put AC/DC on the back and made his shirt.  We found some green hair spray and gave him a little mohawk.  He picked out a few tattoos and he was set!

Love this face!

Cool dude.

Thad has been such a big help and is a such a great big brother.  Being 4 is sooooo much better than age 3! We don't have as many meltdowns and he listens to what we say.  I like that he can talk to me and have a conversation and understands what is happening.  He is still a very sensitive boy and I'm okay with that! 

Zoo Day

I love having a membership to the zoo.  In the summer we go at least 2-3 times a month.  Now that I am home full time I think more visits to the zoo will be happening.  We went last weekend with Chloe and her family.  Chloe and Thad went to daycare together and Heather, Chloe's mom and Adam used to work together at the Y.  

Thad and Chloe have such a good time together.  They are a little ornery when they are around each other but it's all in good fun.  

Thad loves riding the carousel and now Ollie does too.  He had a smile on his face once the horse started going.  He wasn't sure what to think of it by the end :)

We always have to stop and look at Emma's rock.  It was nice to get a picture with Oliver in it too.

The grizzly bears were very active that day.  In the past when we have gone they haven't ever been this close to the window.  I am so glad we got these pictures! I thought Thad would be scared of him that close but he loved it!

Oliver liked it too.  He kept yelling at the bear.  Who knows what he was saying to him but he gave that bear an earful.

I love this picture! He liked looking at all the fish.  

We were walking by the hippo's as they were giving a little presentation about them.  They were eating fruit and got a new barrel to play with in the water.

It was very HOT that day.  I of course didn't put any sunscreen on and my upper back and shoulders got burnt. 

Oliver 11 Months

In one month we will have a one year old (tear tear).  This little guy is so special.  He is such a sweet little boy.  He loves playing outside.  We went to the park and he loved the slide and the tunnel he could crawl through.

He still loves to eat everything in site.  He was eating spaghetti in this picture. He has started throwing his food off his tray when he's done.  He thinks it's funny but his momma doesn't because I have to clean it up every meal.

Ollie has really started using his voice.  When he wants something he lets you know.  He is into balls right now and every time he see's a ball, he points his finger and yells.  I'm sure he knows what he is saying and just wants us to get his ball.  He loves playing catch and rolling the ball to us. 

He is getting braver at standing on his own.  He thinks it's funny when he plops down on his bottom.  It's a good thing he has extra cushion with his cloth diapers :)

He is still a Momma's boy and I'm okay with that.  He gets to take his first plane ride in 2 weeks.  I am going to the National Convention for Mended Little Hearts in Dallas and taking him with me.  It might be a little crazy but since I'm still nursing it just makes it easier (I think).  I'm sure I'll have a few interesting stories for that blog post.  I hope we sit by someone who likes babies!!