Heart clinic

The trip to children's heart clinic went great. Savannah had an EKG and an echo of her heart done. The EKG (electrical graph) of her heart looked good. The echo of heart heart showed pretty good news too. Her PFO (opening) between the 2 atria was closed up:) The other concern was her coronary arteries. Originally, they thought that both her coronary arteries came off the left side, instead of one on each. It turns out the left is normal as expected, and the right is still abnormal, but does NOT come off the left side. It actually comes out a completely different place from where they first thought. It has a higher than normal origin. He said it is considered abnormal, but that it should remain insignificant, meaning it should not affect her. He gave us the clear for her to be in activities etc as if she has a normal heart ("with a twist" as he put it:) She did great during all the tests. She got scared when we went in the ultrasound/echo room, but they popped in a Dora movie - she held my hand and did great. So brave:)

Savannah

Tomorrow we head to the heart clinic for Savannah's follow-up. I can't believe it's been almost 2 years since our last appt there. They should be doing an echo (ultrasound) of her heart to get a good look at her coronary arteries. As far as we know they both come off the same side, instead of one off each side. It is hopefully a normal variant but NICU follow-up and cardio want to get a better look. Last time they viewed it was in the NICU and her heart was only the size of a coin. They wanted to wait until age 3 for the next echo so that she is able to lay still. Wish us luck!

We will also be meeting up with one of Savannah's primary nurses from special care. We are excited to see her:)

Home from surgery

Bella's surgery went great! She was a model patient:) She did not cry once, not even after waking from the anesthesia, such a contrast to when Isaac got his. We are home now and she is sleeping. They gave her a narcotic for pain, so she's a little drowsy. We actually haven't heard a peep out of her since she came out of surgery. The 45 minute ride home was nice and quiet (doesn't happen much in our car!).
Ready to head to Children's

Let's get this show on the road. Waiting at Children's

Getting my surgery gear on

Hey! Don't take a picture of me now!

Blowing kisses...

Waking from surgery

Trying a drink

On my way home!

Bella's surgery tomorrow

Bella is having surgery tomorrow (Monday) to have ear tubes put in. She has had 5 infections since October alone, and fluid in her ears since before that. It is definitely affecting her hearing, and her early childhood teacher put her in speech therapy last fall. Hopefully with the tubes she will hear better, start talking, and maybe sleep at night (ok, maybe I'm pushing it). It should be a minor procedure but she will be put under for it- this is always a little scary for the parent of a preemie with respiratory distress a not so distant memory. It is scheduled for 1:30 pm and she cannot eat anything from after dinner tonight until then. Yuck. Poor kid. It will be interesting trying to feed the other two kids tomorrow with her around. She loves to eat. I will be sure to update after we get home tomorrow evening.
(picture above is of her in her converted toddler bed last month- yes she climbed out of the crib!)

February 12 - Happy 3rd birthday Savannah Mae!

Happy 3rd birthday to our big girl! You have come so far and we are so proud of you!