Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Friday, September 30, 2011

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Cardiologist Check-Up

Griffin had his 3 month check-up yesterday with his cardiologist. We received excellent news!! There is no leaking around his VSD patch, there are no obstructions under his aortic valve and there is no leakage within the valve that was worked on!! WooHoo! The doctor said he is doing great. He also was very pleased with Griffin's weight and development. We will go back in 6 months for a check-up then in one year for a new echo to be certain that everything still looks good. For now though we are on no restrictions and doing great! God is good!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

9 Month Check Up

Well Griffin had his 9 month check up last week! He is growing like a weed. He weighs 20 pounds and is 28 1/4 inches long. He is crawling everywhere and pulling up on everything. We have finally gotten him into a good routine for naps and bedtime. He is doing great! We should have a visit at Childrens' soon. His next visit is due in September. With school starting back I have been slacking on blogging. We were also gone the week before last for Trey's grandmas funeral. Then last week Trey worked 7 days straight. Needless to say he is a little cranky. :)

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

9 months old!

Griffin had his 9 month check up today! He weighs 20 pounds (75th percentile) and is 28 1/4 inches long (90th). He is doing great. The pediatrician said his heart sounded great and that he was meeting and exceeding his developmental milestones! He is such a big boy!!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Mini Not So Vacay Day 1

Griffin and I are on a mini not so vacay this week.  I decided that we needed to get out and do something so we loaded up and came to Little Rock with his Nana for the Arkansas Administrators Education Association Conference.  So far we have shopped at the North Little Rock Rhea Lana sell and eaten lunch at Jason's Deli.  That is where the story gets interesting.  Nana ordered a baked potato and it was in the middle of the table.  Some how stretch armstrong reached from his high chair to the middle of the table to get a hand full of the potatoe.  BAD IDEA.  I believe we saw some real tears.  It was HOT!  His little fat hand was covered in potatoe and hot cheese.  However, he didn't learn his lesson because not five minutes later he had a whole handful of banana pudding!  So he is just now down for his nap!  He usually has had two naps by now, but his routine is off so he was a little cranky. So hopefully his night will go better.  We are going to a fish fry with Nana and the rest of the AAEA convention.  I'm sure he will be flirting with everyone!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Dark Chocolate and Espresso Bean Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting


Today we had these cupcakes!  They were awesome!  Here was my recipe.

Cupcakes:
Devil's food cake mixed like the box says
Add one egg, box of chocolate pudding, and 1/2 cup chopped chocolate covered espresso beans.  Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full and bake according to the box.

Icing:
I used a canned icing for these and piped it on.  I also topped each one with a chocolate covered espresso bean.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Griffin is 8 months old!!

On Thursday Griffin was 8 months old!!!  It is hard to believe!  He is growing up so fast!!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing


So I have decided that I am going to start sharing recipes on my blog as well.  This week my recipe is Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing!!  I'm drooling just thinking about them. 

Cupcake:
1 Box Yellow cake mix (prepared how the box instructs)
2 very ripe bananas diced
2 handfuls of chocolate chips

Once the cake mix is mixed stir in the bananas and chocolate chips.  Fill cupcake liners 3/4 of the way full and bake until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.  Remove from oven and cool.

Icing:
5 Tbs Butter
1 Cup Creamy peanut butter
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup of heavy cream

Mix all ingredients together except the cream.  Once it is all combined add in cream and mix until smooth.  Once cupcakes have cooled ice them and enjoy!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Griffin's Pappy and Nana Susan have been in town visiting this weekend. Today we started our day at the farmer's market. Next we had breakfast at Susan's. Griffin went for a little swim and had an afternoon nap. After that we had a great dinner then did a little shopping. Griffin really likes cruising in the car and in the shopping cart. Here is a little snapshot of him from today. :) Tomorrow we are heading out to Eureka Springs with Nana and Aunt Deb.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Swimming

Griffin had his first swimming experience yesterday! He still can't get his incision wet so it was from the waist down swimming only! He sat on the step and kicked his feet for 10 minutes. He also like watching the big kids play. After about 30 minutes he was give out! He had a fun time and we are excited to take him on the 4th of July!!

Friday, June 24, 2011

ACH Check-UP

Today was Griffin's check up at ACH. He got a clean bill of health. The Dr said his x-rays were clear and that he sounded good. He also doesn't have to take any medicine any more which is good because it apparently tasted really bad. So our new orders are take it easy for at least another week. He can start swimming next weekend, and we return for a check up in 3 months to the Lowell clinic.

While we were in Little Rock I managed to talk Trey into going to Babies-r-Us. To make a long story short, we left with a new car seat, baby food and formula. I think I even managed to get some swim diapers on sale! We made a pretty good haul, and Griffin looks really comfortable in his new car seat. It's already installed you ask? Why yes!! Trey thought it was vital that he install it before we left ACH so Griffin could try it out on the way home. So I think that Trey likes babies r us!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Griffin is 7 months old today!! He is a big boy!!

First Post Op

Griffin had his first post-op doctors visit. Everything went really well. His incision has healed up nicely, and he has two scabs from his chest tubes. Today when they weighed him he had gained 1 pound since we left the hospital. His pediatrician was really pleased with how well he is doing. Trey and I leave on Thursday to go back to Little Rock. G has an appointment with Dr. K'Necht on Friday. Hopefully we will be able to start going to the regional clinic in Lowell after this visit.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Settling Back In

Well we have been working on getting back on our schedule. Griffin is sleeping better now. He gets a little sore at night. We have to be careful not to pick him up under his arms too much. He is rolling over again, but hasn't started his crawling yet. Yesterday he pushed up on all fours a few times, but never took off. We have been trying to get him to rest a few times during the day. All in all things are going well.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Home!!!

We are home and settled back in! Griffin's next appointment is June 21st with his pediatrician and on the 24th we have to take him back to the cardiologist.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Tuesday Morning

Griffin's doctor just came in to let us know that his echo and X-ray looked great. They are beginning the discharge process. Tonight we are going to stay in Little Rock so everyone can get a good nights rest and tomorrow we will start home!!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Monday

Well we have had a very busy day. Griffin slept really good last night. Today is taking all his medicines by mouth. He is eating well. Last night he started rolling over again. Today he has had a X-ray and an echo. The doctor was very positive when he came in. Everything is going great. Trey had to go home today. He has a drs appointment at the VA tomorrow.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Sunday Afternoon

Griffin is doing great. He is all settled in his new room. He ate a jar of applesauce. The ICU doctor came in and told us that Griffin is being released from the ICU. The floor doctors will now be in charge of his care. He also said that he might be discharged by Tuesday! God is good!!!

Sunday

Griffin had a great night. This morning he has been laughing and playing. He is only on Tylenol with codeine for pain. He is doing great. The drs are making their rounds so maybe we will get more good news soon !

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Saturday Night

Griffin has had a great day. He got his chest tubes and pacing wires out. The only IV he has left is his central line. They are only using it right now to draw blood for his lab work. He is doing good. He is eating and playing. He has started smiling at people too. Trey made me get out of the hospital today to go eat dinner. We are all doing good. Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and prayers.

Saturday

Griffin is doing great. He was moved to a different room last night. He got his chest tubes and pacing wires out today. I got to hold him today. He is doing great. Trey's dad and wife came down today. Kimber and Josh came too. We are all doing great. Thanks for the prayers.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Friday Night

Griffin has had a great day. He is eating well, and his oxygen levels have stayed up. He will not be able to eat after 4 in the morning because they are gojng to take his chest tubes out so they will have to give him some sedation in order to do that. Tonight be started getting a little agitated when his morphine wore off, but he was able to have a small dose to help him calm down. He is resting good now. I will update in the morning!

Friday Afternoon

Griffin is doing well. He is down to only iv fluid, morphine, and antibiotics. He has been eating like his normal self. They are trying to wean him off the morphine and get him on iv ibuprofen. He has been coughing some which is good for his lungs. For the last hour he has been kicking his feet up in the air like he normally does. He is continuing to make progress. They have taken him off his oxygen and have removed one of his IV lines.

Friday Morning

Griffin had a great night.  He rested well.  During the night they were able to take him off the ventilator.  This morning the doctors removed his catheter.  When I was in the room with him this morning he looked like he felt better.  He has good color and is resting well.  When I would talk to him he would open his eyes and look for me.

Griffin rolled over last night and nearly gave his nurse a heart attack.  When he flipped over all of his monitors went crazy and he was still on the vent so it was not a good thing.  Two nurses had to turn him over and get him settled again.  They have put some little restraints on his arms so that he can't roll over.  He is still able to move his arms.  He was sucking his thumb this morning. :)

They have weaned him off of some of the pain medicine.  He is now on antibiotics.  His cardiologist came by today and talked with me.  He is very pleased with how Griffin is doing.  He laughed when the nurse was telling him how Griffin rolled over.  He has seen him in action and was not suprised by it at all.

I will update later today.  For now all is well and calm.  If anyone tries to call and I don't answer, just leave a message.  My phone is not working well in the hospital.  It does get texts better.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

CVICU

Well Griffin is in the CVICU. He is doing great. They are weaning him off of his ventilator. His blood work is continuing to improve. The nurses are awesome. I will update in the morning about how the night goes. Hopefully they will get him off his vent tonight. Thank you for the continued prayers.

Update #3

Griffin is out of surgery. Everything is great. His post operative echo was good. We should be able to see him soon. The anesthesia person and surgeon should be in shortly to talk with us.

Update #2

We were just updated from the operating room. He is doing great. They are having the remove some extra muscle from his pulmonary valve. The next step is to close the hole in his heart with a gortex patch. He is on a bypass machine right now so that they can work on his heart. They are going to be updating us in about another hour.

Update #1

Well we have been at the hospital since 5:15. They took us back by 5:30. At 7:00 the anesthesia team came to get Griffin. They walked us up to the operating room. They are getting him hooked up to his IVs and all his extra garb. When they start the surgery they will come and tell us. I will update soon.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Pre-Op Day

They should call it, scare the crap out of you day, or information overload day!! We began our day at Children's at 8:15. Our day ended at 3:45. Griffin was a trooper through the EKG, needle sticks, x-rays and random people "examining" him. We heard, "do you have any questions?" about 20 times. No I didn't have any! My brain is still trying to process all the information you just shoved into it.

After we got back to our room Griffin took a little nap and then we had dinner at The Faded Rose. Yummy!! The whole gang was there! Mommy, Daddy, Nana, Papaw, Grandma Kathy, Auntie Barb and Uncle Kevin.

Now we get to try and sleep. Hahaha!! We have to be at the hospital at 5:30. They will take him back at 7:30 and Surgery should start at 8:30. I will keep you updated more tomorrow.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Thankful.....

We often say we are thankful for things or people in our lives. Today I was truly humbled and thankful for my co-workers, friends and family. I don't think that I could be making it each day without them. Today as I read the sweet words they had written to me about their well wishes for my little guy I felt surrounded by love. I gather my strength from these amazing people everyday, and it keeps me going each day. Words can never express mine or Trey's gratitude toward everything you all have done for us. Thank you so much.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

6 Month Pictures

Well today we did Griffin's 6 month pictures. He refused to take his afternoon nap so he was sooooo tired. We got some really great pics! We did some family pictures also. I want to give a big thank you to 5H Photography. We have had a crazy busy weekend. Mom and Dad closed on their house Friday. They have been moving their stuff in and getting all settled in. Griffin stayed the night with them last night for all of their first night in the new house. I'm beat. So I will update more later! :)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Now we wait..........

We got the call today...... Griffin's surgery will be on June 9th.  We have to be in Little Rock all day June 8th for pre-op stuff.  I have about 1 million questions to ask, but the very nice lady on the phone asked me to wait and get my information packet before I start asking my million questions.  So we have one month to come up with more questions and to wait.  I think that this wait will be the hardest part for me.  I wish we could just get it over with.

Over the past couple of days I have answered lots of questions about how Griffin is doing.  The craziest part of this whole situation is that he is fine.  If you did not know he had a heart condition you would never know.  He is growing normally.  He is also rolling over, sleeping at night, eating some baby food, and trying to army crawl.  He has also been trying to sit up independently.  He is doing great. :)

Friday, April 29, 2011

Sticks and stones.......

We all heard this growing up for when bullies were bothering us. I learned this week that words can hurt you deep in your soul and shake you off your game. For me those words were........malfunctioning valve.....large hole.......open heart surgery for your 5 month old. Those words hurt me to my core. My baby having a major surgery and being in the hospital for 2 weeks. I think the shock is still wearing off, but I have had my big cry and now I have rationalized the situation.

In my job I see all kinds of issues that kids have. My current frame of mind has me saying at least this can be fixed. He is so little that he will not remember and he will not be affected long term. ACH will be calling next week to schedule his surgery. I am also thankful that we have Children's. They have amazing staff and facilities.

I will keep the blog updated as we know more. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.