Snakes and turtles and worms, Oh My!

Right as Rain

2009-09-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

After a short but stressful journey, Eli's surgery went well! As you can see, the next morning he was all smiles!

Getting ready for surgery

Sitting up the next morning, still in the ICU. He was eating Nilla wafers and drinking juice!

I'll just drive myself right outta here!

Eli had a transitional AV canal repair on Friday September 4th. We arrived before the sun was up at 6 am. At 7:15 they gave him some happy juice and took him to the OR at 7:30. A very nice anesthesiologist carried him back with his blankie. Surgery was over and we were talking to Dr. H at 11:00 am. We got to see him at 1200 in the cardiovascular intensive care unit. He was quite pitiful when we first laid eyes on him but the nurse had just given him morphine and it took a few minutes to kick in. While on sedation overnight he slept. By 4 or 5 am he was sitting up drinking juice and took a bite of a Nilla wafer. Amazing. We moved out of the ICU approximately 1200 to the stepdown unit. After a rough first night on the stepdown unit he had his dressing changed and chest tube removed br Dr. H. He was a lot more comfortable then. By Sunday night he was running the halls pushing his cozy coup and we headed home Monday morning. He was sent home on Lasix for 1 month but otherwise he is good to go. He does have a moderate amount of mitral valve regurgitation (a leaky mitral valve) which is not unusual. He should never have to have it replaced but may have to take medications years down the road. We will be following it closely from now on. We have an appointment with the cardiologist next week. We will keep you posted. Now, we are just trying to keep him from hurting himself because he is completely back to himeself, climbing and running. I will think of him next time I have a headcold and don't want to get out of bed! Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers!

Love,

The Halls

Waiting...

2009-08-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

Well 1 week till the big day. We are hanging in there. I spoke with the cardiologist today just to answer some of my questions like: Does Eli have a partial or full AV canal? (that would be the nurse in mommy coming out. I have scoured the internet trying to learn everything I can so there will be no surprises. I do not like surprises when it comes to my children. I already had the biggest one ever when we were given this diagnosis) Well, they said, I guess we call it kinda intermediate. Hmmmm. I guess that would explain why they were so surprised he was so healthy. The ventricular septal defect is very small although it is definately there. Question #2: Does he have pulmonary hypertension and if so will it be resolved with the surgery? Does he need a cath or a swan? They said any pulmonary hypertension would be fixed with the surgery so no need to do a cardiac cath. Well, let's keep praying for an uneventful outcome! Go Eli!

Update

2009-08-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

We finally schelduled surgery for September 4th. We will go to Children's Hospital on the 3rd and meet with the surgical team, get labs, an echo, EKG and a chest x-ray. Then we go home and try to sleep before surgery the next day. Eli is doing great. We are just trying to keep him healthy. Keep those prayers coming in!

Reunion time

2009-08-14T17:28:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

We had a fun filled weekend with the Hall clan! Many of the Hall's were able to come to St. Louis for a whirlwind family reunion for Butch's 50th birthday. Between golf, the Zoo, the boathouse and Lincoln's birthplace it was to say the least a very busy weekend. Thanks to Michelle and Dino for hosting a couple nights. Your newly remodeled basement got broken in for sure!

Broken hearts

2009-08-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

We got some startling news on Thursday. After hearing a new heart murmur approximately 2 weeks ago it was recommended we go to a cardiologist to get an Echo, just to make sure it is nothing. Well, that was not the case. We were shocked to learn, along with the cardiologist and pediatrician, that Eli has a congenital heart defect called Atrioventricular canal defect (aka AV canal). This is where there is a hole seperating the upper chambers of the heart (the atrium)and the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). Common holes are usually atrium to atrium (ASD) or ventricle to ventricle (VSD). This AV canal also include his valves. He has one large hole where there should be seperate mitral and tricuspid valves. Most babies are usually in heart failure by 3-4 months of age. Eli has a small amount of heart failure, his heart is slightly enlarged but nothing major. Nobody can believe he is as healthy as he is being almost 17 months old. Our only outward sign was his small size (0-5th percentile) and lack of eating which was attributed to our family's small size and pickiness. He has been small since birth so that was another reason we were not overly concerned about his weight. He was born at 5 pounds 15 ounces and is currently 20 pounds 2 ounces at 16 months old. His new murmur is attributed to some new failure of the valves due to the defect probably starting to take a toll. He will need open heart surgery to patch the holes and repair the large hole making in into 2 valves. At this time we are waiting to hear from the cardiothoracic surgeon. This surgery is not emergent but needs to be done sooner rather than later. He is at risk of going into full heart failure. He is a strong little guy as he has shown us thus far. He will make great strides after surgery. Keep Eli in your prayers!

Fun Times

2009-07-15T13:48:00.001-07:00

Isn't he a stud?!

Eli on 4th of July

We just got back after spending a very fun but very exhausting 8 days in Gulf Shores, Alabama. If you've never been to that part of the US you are missing out on the most beautiful white beaches. They are really doing well after being hit by several hurricanes over the last few years. Alister was fearless in the ocean, Eli on the otherhand stayed away from the ocean completely. Oh well, maybe next year. We had a baby pool on the beach with ocean water so he still got to play and cool off. We spent the week with Jeff's mom and dad and his sister and her family. All I have to say is being back in St. Louis is making me go through some major beach withdrawl!

Alister Turns 4!

2009-07-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Alister was a lucky boy this year. He got to have 2 birthday parties this year with family. One in St. Louis and the other in Gulf Shores. His favorite presents were a red digger for the backyard sand box that is really cool (I must say so myself) from mommy and daddy, a cash register from mimi and poppa that really scans items and Bendaroos (if you watch Noggin I'm sure you've seen the commercials) from Grammy and pops.

In gulf Shores (hence the non shirt wearing birthday boy!)

Uncle John and cousin Jacob

Mimi, Poppa, Jacob and Alister

Of course, a construction cake!

The red devil digger!

Summer fun!

2009-06-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

My wonderful neighbor invitied us to her brand new lake house last week. Between us we have a 6,4,2 and 1 year old. All BOYS! Needless to say it was so, so hot but they had a natural spring that was clear and refreshing. Then we swam in the lake. The lake is about 1 hour from St. Louis so it was not too far of a drive. The boys all had a great time!

Engineering

2009-06-24T11:11:00.000-07:00

My child is a genious. I know. Every mother says that. These are just a couple of Alister's Lego creations. Keep in mind he will only be turning 4 soon! And notice that they are all some sort of tractor/dump truck. He LOVES trucks and tractors of the construction variety.

Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer

2009-06-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

Wow, look at that ceiling!

Today was a new first for Alister. He got to see Dora Live! at the Fabulous St. Louis Fox Theatre with mommy and Mimi. The Fox Theatre is a grand theatre built in the 1920's, fashioned after Hindu Mosques of old India. It is quite awe inspiring! My pictures did not come out too well, it is much more beautiful in person.

The joy of food

2009-06-09T16:04:00.000-07:00

Well, Eli is finally eating food!! What? you ask, He just started eating food? Isn't he 15 months old? We have a very picky eater. I guess I will have to take the blame for this one. Jeff gets the blame for everything else, HaHaHa. Yes, in the last week he has started eating a lot of foods and loving it. Bon appetit!

Come on little fishies come and swim with me, swim to the bottom of the deep blue sea....

2009-06-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

Well, Alister has survived his first 2 days of swim lessons. It was no easy feat with air temps around 69 degrees and water cold enough to make your feet go numb. I thought it was going on the middle of June, where's the 90 degree temps???? This is his first time taking swimming lessons, so he has been a little cautious in trusting his swim instructor. He loves the water but can you blame him? I wouldn't want someone dipping my belly in the cold water! Unfortunately I don't think it is supposed to warm up much this week or next but kids are a little more resiliant.

2009-06-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

For those of you that were wondering, regarding the chess pictures, yes, my children are chess champions at the tender ages of 3 and 1.

Hmmm, I think my next move will be.......

Welcome Summer!

2009-06-04T11:46:00.000-07:00

Since the first official week of summer is coming to an end, I thought I would get you caught up on happenings around our crazy home!

Cousins in KC at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead.

The Renaissance Fair in Wentzville

Hanging with the frogs at the zoo

Cruisin'

Sandbox fun!

2009-06-03T10:39:00.000-07:00

OK, I swore over and over to my sister that I did not have time to blog, but what a great way to keep in touch with out of town family and friends! So, here I am. I know it will take me some time to get the swing of things so bear with me. I am sure I will make a lot of changes. I am a busy mom of 2 of the most beautiful boys in the world. I am a wife. I am an ICU nurse (part time) and soon to be grad student in the fall. We love to play outside, the sand box (hand-made by daddy) is a favorite. Thank goodness summer has arrived!