Sunday, March 31, 2013
Photo session
Our friend Tyra is a wedding (and other things) photographer - and she generously volunteered to do a session with Grady before his surgery. Here she is in action - can't wait to see the results!
Happy Easter!
Grady's first Easter was pretty great. He kicked off the morning with a sharp outfit from the Egler family, shoes from the Hylands, and his first easter bunny!
We headed to church first thing. My mom and dad met us there, and Grady got lots of post-surgery attention and love. We had a lovely brunch with my parents afterward, and then headed to a great meal with friends from our community group. Todd and Danielle hosted everyone, and it was nice to catch up, as we've been a bit MIA the past two months. We love our little community!
We headed to church first thing. My mom and dad met us there, and Grady got lots of post-surgery attention and love. We had a lovely brunch with my parents afterward, and then headed to a great meal with friends from our community group. Todd and Danielle hosted everyone, and it was nice to catch up, as we've been a bit MIA the past two months. We love our little community!
Our preppy little guy
The happy family at Reunion!
Todd and Grady bonding.
Kerwin takes a turn cuddling!
Grady's Easter basket "treats." The Lindt bunny may have had a bite taken by mom and dad. The Peter Rabbit is from Grandma Cunningham and very special...take a closer look:
Grandma added stiches to his lip so he matched Grady perfectly! So thoughtful and what a great memory for the future. We'll always remember what he looked like for his first Easter!
Friday, March 29, 2013
Surgery Report
Grady had his first cleft lip surgery this week - this surgery is called a "lip adhesion," and his second surgery in July is the full "lip repair." Technically, he has what is called a complete cleft lip on the left side and an incomplete on the right.This surgery closed the gap on the left side of his face - lip and gum line - to make it more of just a notch like the right side.
This surgery is more structural and less complicated in many ways, so it was only about two hours long. Which was long enough for me! This summer's will be eight hours and is much more detailed and exhaustive. I'm glad we got this as a warm-up.
Our surgeon is Dr. John Mulliken, who happens to be one of the best in the world for cleft-related issues. Everyone refers to him as a"perfectionist." That sounds good to me! We are lucky to live just a mile from Children's Hospital Boston, where he works. People come from all over the world to have him operate on their kids...and we can walk there (and have)! Spending just a little time at Children's is enough to make you count your blessings. While we were so grateful for all the prayers and words of support we received over the past week or two, we are also very aware that most of the people in the hospital this week needed that support probably more than we do! Kids with lifelong disabilities and other serious conditions are everywhere. We feel lucky that Grady's issue is minor in comparison.
Anyway - there isn't much more to report - I spent a night with Grady in the hospital and sent Brett home for his first uninterrupted sleep in two months. He said he still woke up at 3 and 7 (normal feeding times). :) Grady started eating well fairly quickly, and this - along with having pain under control - is the main indicator they are ready to go home. So Grady got to come up a day early! We have a follow-up appt on Monday, but anticipate having at least some recovery to mange for 4-6 weeks. He'll likely keep the Logan Bow - the metal loop on his face - on for a few weeks to protect anything from hitting the wound/incision. He also has little guards on his arms to keep him from bending his elbows. We have to take out his arms a few times a day to keep them moving/exercising.
Here's hoping he continues to heal like a champ! We are looking forward to having him a slightly less delicate state.
This surgery is more structural and less complicated in many ways, so it was only about two hours long. Which was long enough for me! This summer's will be eight hours and is much more detailed and exhaustive. I'm glad we got this as a warm-up.
Our surgeon is Dr. John Mulliken, who happens to be one of the best in the world for cleft-related issues. Everyone refers to him as a"perfectionist." That sounds good to me! We are lucky to live just a mile from Children's Hospital Boston, where he works. People come from all over the world to have him operate on their kids...and we can walk there (and have)! Spending just a little time at Children's is enough to make you count your blessings. While we were so grateful for all the prayers and words of support we received over the past week or two, we are also very aware that most of the people in the hospital this week needed that support probably more than we do! Kids with lifelong disabilities and other serious conditions are everywhere. We feel lucky that Grady's issue is minor in comparison.
Anyway - there isn't much more to report - I spent a night with Grady in the hospital and sent Brett home for his first uninterrupted sleep in two months. He said he still woke up at 3 and 7 (normal feeding times). :) Grady started eating well fairly quickly, and this - along with having pain under control - is the main indicator they are ready to go home. So Grady got to come up a day early! We have a follow-up appt on Monday, but anticipate having at least some recovery to mange for 4-6 weeks. He'll likely keep the Logan Bow - the metal loop on his face - on for a few weeks to protect anything from hitting the wound/incision. He also has little guards on his arms to keep him from bending his elbows. We have to take out his arms a few times a day to keep them moving/exercising.
Here's hoping he continues to heal like a champ! We are looking forward to having him a slightly less delicate state.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Happiest baby on the block
Grady and I spent the day around town - mom/baby class, lunch date and visiting my colleagues at Cone. He slept through most of it, especially at Cone. But as soon as we got home - it was serious playtime. Are you kidding me with the cuteness?!
Friday, March 15, 2013
A week in the life
Walks with mom and dad, reading time with grandma, doctor visits, lunch and coffee dates with mom's friends, and working on tummy time with the new positions mom learned in mom/baby class!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
One month!
Grady had his one month "birthday" last weekend. Check out his progress below. The first shot is one month, the second is him at one week.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Visiting Friends
After Grady drove us to New Jersey (see the post below) - we spent a long weekend hanging out with the Nichols family and various family extensions. Everyone got a turn with Grady...that little man loves to cuddle!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)