There's No Place Like Home!

We are home! Alex and Isaac joined us today, too!

I'm Counting Chickens

I know you aren't supposed to count your chickens before they hatch, but I am. The estimated departure time is by 2 p.m. (which means about 5 p.m.). My bags are in the car.

I've never seen Oliver looking so great! He is cooing at the whimsical mobile above his bed.

Oliver's friends Grace and Harrison need prayer. Grace was Oliver's first love in the I.C.U. and continues to have some issues with her heart and possibly brain. Her mom is exhausted. It's tough to live at the hospital for months and months.

Harrison had the same surgery as Oliver. He was sent home yesterday, but had to come back because of severe vomiting and diarrhea. Please pray for a speedy recovery and that Oliver doesn't get his bug!

99 Balloons

This afternoon Oliver and I switched channels from the Food Network to Oprah. She featured a video titled "99 Balloons" about a little boy who was Oliver's age. He had Trisomy 18 (Oliver has Trisomy 21). The video looked like a bit of our life and touched my heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th6Njr-qkq0

Oliver is doing well this afternoon, but he still needs a whiff of oxygen to maintain the right level.

Day 12

The surgeon stopped by and gave Oliver's health two thumbs up. Today the stitches come out, and if everything is stable, we could go home tomorrow.

I will only believe the news when we have officially been discharged!

Thanks Minter Creek Elementary!

Oliver would like to give a shout out to Mrs. Kobasa's 4th grade class! We just read all 26 of your letters to him. Thanks for sharing all of the fun things Oliver will get to do as he gets bigger: losing a tooth, starting Kindergarten, going down a slide, and smearing birthday cake on his face. He was sleeping, so he couldn't look at your impressive artwork. Don't worry, we'll show him later. Thanks also for the fantastic green dog and the Christmas ornament. You made Oliver's day!

Bat Boy

Oliver informed me that he wanted to be the "Dark Knight" for Halloween. He complained that his banana costume is humiliating and too "girly". I told him that if he gets out of here by Friday, I'd see what I could do. In the meantime he is sporting his seasonal socks and pumpkin hat from Aunt Rachel.

We are weaning him off oxygen. So far so good. His incision is better, and overall he looks spectacular. The doctors want to make sure his lungs are clear and dry before we can go. They are monitoring this through daily x-rays.

I am thrilled to report that not only did I get a window bed, we have our own room!

See you, I.C.U!

Oliver is going to the surgical recovery floor! I am pleased with the news, because we are closer to getting out of the hospital. The downside, of course, is that I had to pack my bags this morning, so I can live full-time at the hospital.

I'm praying for the following things:
1) A short stay.
2) A bed by the window.
3) A great roommate. Before being sent back to the I.C.U. Oliver and I shared a room with 2-year old Ainsley and her mom. Mom and I connected and stayed up late chatting about everything. I felt like I was back in college. Good conversation passes the time faster.