Coming Up On Six Months...

Almost six months ago my little baby had open heart surgery. I used to worry some, about how his scar would look as he got older. And for a while it was looking kind of puffy and not so great but now as he approaches his six month mark to having a repaired heart, a heart that had to be repaired in order for him to live basically...

I don't think it looks so bad.

It's his battle wound. Such a strong little boy. And we are forever thankful for this repaired heart.

No More Scooping and "We'll see you in a year"...

Yes, that's what I was told after Bennett's echocardiogram today!! His cardiologist said the leaking in his mitral valve was now mild, not mild to moderate and everything looked really good. However, (don't ya just hate that word sometimes??) he said that Bennett has a bicuspid aortic valve- excuse me, a what?? Are you kidding me?? He said that this happens to about 1% of the population and people can live with it just as it is but if leaking gets much worse heart surgery would need to be done. Bennett's aortic valve is not leaking at all-praise God! Let's hope and pray it stays that way!

So after googling the heck out of it, {you knew I was going to do that, right? That's what us moms do best} the bottom line that I found was: Average lifespan is similar to that of those without the anomaly. Okay, that made me feel much better. But seriously, could we not have things happen to us that only happens in 1% of the population??? I think this was the case with Ainsley's diagnosis when she was born-ahhh!

Well, I always ask the cardiologist when he's done with Bennett: "Are you pleased with what you saw today and how he's doing?" and he said "Yes, very pleased" I then asked him if I should worry about this bicuspid thing and he said "NO!" He said to treat him like any other baby, no more scooping him up (we can now hold him under the arms) and no more lasix! And then "we'll see you in a year"- that was good to hear. So if he's not concerned then I'm going to try not to be...I stress the word try. I'll leave you with my cutie wearing his cute owl outfit (not sure if these are pj's, I guess technically they are because they have feet but who cares, they're cute);)

Still lovin' that thumb

Getting close to rolling over to his tummy!

I just love this little guy!

See You Later Alligator!

That's right....we're going home TODAY!! Bennett is our little hero. He has now officially joined the countless other little babies that have endured open heart surgery and is truly a different baby. I have never seen him smile and coo and eat as much as he has today! I think he knows he's going home not to mention he has a repaired heart! He had a good night last night, his lungs are clearing up and his O2 sats have been much better. They did a final echo and there is mild leaking of a valve on his left side which is considered normal after this type of surgery. All in all they are pleased and feel he is fine to go home!

Mike and I have been very pleased with The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. I would highly recommend it to anyone, heaven forbid they had to bring their child here. The staff is wonderful, the doctors are top notch and the hospital itself is just really nice. We are very thankful for all of Bennett's doctors and nurses here at CHOP for taking such good care of him!!

But as much as we loved CHOP, we truly hope that we won't see them later!!;) Once again, thank you soooo much for all of your prayers!! Now we are heading home and looking forward to seeing our girls!!!