Upcoming birthday!

Charlene - posted on 06/26/2009

i also cant believe how fast there first years gone by and how fast they growing. i have booked a far sized room for his party and we going to make our own food and some party bags. i cant wait to see his little face light up.

Rosanna - posted on 06/18/2009

I can’t believe some doctors today!!! I’d love to see the doctor’s face if he met your son today!!

I thought I had planned, read every book, and attended any class I could to prepare myself for this child. I knew our pregnancy would be up and down because of my health issues, but I thought once our baby arrived things would be smooth sailing! I am learning as I fumble through Motherhood that you are never really ready and surprises lie around each corner.

I had envisioned this beautiful natural labor and when our babe popped out they would lay the little one up on my chest, just like on the TLC show, “a baby story”! HAHAHAHA!!! Yeah, not what happened at all! After 21 hours of laboring, we were able to start pushing… mid way through 2 hours of pushing they noticed the fluids weren’t looking right… usually this stuff is seen when your water breaks, for some reason ours didn’t show anything at that point… then Eric was a forceps delivery, he was rushed out of the room to awaiting CHOP doctors, after that evaluation we got to hold him for 5 minutes before they rushed him to a special care nursery. It was very surreal sitting in a delivery room that in the matter of 10 minutes went from having its lights turned down low feeling like an oasis for birthing to a bright fluorescent white walled cold space and you’re there alone without your baby. We didn’t get to hold Eric again till he was nearly 24 hours old and I got to nurse him for the first time at 26 hours. I was very envious of the other Mom’s that got to take their little ones back to their rooms… our little guy spent his time in the special care nursery behind closed doors hooked up to IV fluids, oxygen and monitors. Our families didn’t get to hold him till he was about 8 days old. I thought once we got over that first unexpected hospitalization, we would be in the clear… I had no idea how much a small baby could turn your world upside down. The scariest moment was after Eric’s surgery. The surgical team and nurses said babies respond to the smell of their mothers so soon after surgery we were in the recovery room encouraging him to wake up, I can still hear that cry he had… because of the breathing tube they used during surgery he had a very scratch hoarse cry. Since he was so young he didn’t come out of anesthesia well. While I was holding him his upper lip area turn blue; he got super limp, and his heart monitor started to alarm. It was like I was watching him die. Doctors and nurses rushed in and I just prayed… call it coincidence, call it a miracle... whatever… all I know is I finished my quick prayer and said Amen and Eric took a huge breath! That experience is forever ingrained in me, and has caused so many inner and outward changes in my life. Through each issue we have walked through we know the good Lord was right there with us, and when we couldn’t hold our baby He sent some angels down to do that for us. I can totally relate to your feelings that you have when you see other parents just brushing their little ones off or when they take them for granted… my biggest peeve… seeing an expecting mother light up a cigarette!

Like I said, no matter how prepared I think I am, I always try to remember this… expect the unexpected! Right now, we are running into food sensitivities. We just went to the pediatrician on Tuesday and are now being referred out to a pediatric GI specialist. Thankfully food allergies are a bit easier to deal with today then say 15 years ago. There are LOTS of products to try!!! It is a bit daunting in the beginning, but we are all adjusting. It doesn’t matter; I know I’d climb, swim, and walk to the ends of the earth to find food for him.

And Shannon, you are NOT crazy!!! I have been talking about Eric’s first birthday now for the past 3 months! I am honored to be his Mommy!! CELEBRATE your child and their life! Our children are gifts!

Rosanna - posted on 06/17/2009

Ladies thank you so much for all your responses... I've been a little tied up lately with my son... you know how it goes! LOL!!! But I'll be getting back to you tomorrow... I am curious, does anyone have a little one with food allergies/sensitivities? How are you handling it, any advice??

Shannon - posted on 06/17/2009

Wow... Kayla and Rosanna.. I don't know if I could have handled all that you two went through... I had some major issues with mine, but atleast once he was born he was okay. I almsot lost Jacksona couple times due to my lack of cervix.. I had cervical cancer removed twice prior to getting pregnant with him , so carrying him was not easy. On top of that the placenta tore away from the wall of my uterus three times... I had level II ultra sounds every week for about two months(up till I hit 33 weeks), and NST's every three days for the last 2 months... all in all, he turned out great. A large 9.11 at birth and 22.5 inches in length, and he was only a week early... so thank you to Yale for keeping so on top of things!! He does have an ear problem, his canals did not form properly, so he has constant ear infections.. tubes will nothelp, and could actually cause him to go deaf.
Anywho... he LOVES Thomas the Tank Engine, so we are going that route.... I already started buying stuff and my friends think I am crazy since his birthday isn't until Aug 26th... but I want to celebrate that he made it to his whole life!

Kayla - posted on 06/17/2009

Quoting Rosanna:

My prayers are with you guys!!!!!!!!!!!! That is A LOT to go through! Your son sounds like my little man, a true fighter! No matter what, they aren’t gonna let a little surgery stop them from loving life! God Bless Him!!! :)

I tease when I say… before Eric was born, I was terrified of infants. They seemed so fragile… but when you are holding your babe that is hours old… monitors beeping, tubes and IV lines here and there… that fear is QUICKLY wiped away!

Yup, pyloric stenosis is an issue with the stomach… his tummy wasn’t emptying into his small intestines. Years ago, if Eric were to have this problem… he basically would have been diagnosed as being unable to thrive and his outcome would have been grim! Thank the Lord for medical advancements!!!! I remember vividly the day we were discharged from CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) … dear hubby and I were cleaned up, packed, in the elevator and pulling out of their parking garage in less than 10 minutes! We were so happy and relieved to be going home!

I thank God everyday for each and every trial, tribulation and blessing He has given us. It has created an unbreakable bond between all of us and renewed my faith to just trust in Him. For that I am grateful!

I was due 08-04-08… early on in my pregnancy my Dad said wouldn’t that be cool if you delivered on the 8th… well, that is how it went! Eric’s was born 08-08-08!!!! HAHAHAAH!!!!

Did you know before your son was born about his condition?

So sorry it took so long to get back to you. My computer has been acting a bit crazy these days!!  I was scared of babies too! And I was terrified of him the first time I held him at 2 weeks old! I'm over that fear now thank God!! Like your son, if mine had been born 15-20 years ago, he would have been sent home to pass. HLHS babies only live like 3 days if they don't have medication and surgery within a week or so! It's amazing what doctors can do anymore!! Babies like ours make us realize so much about the world...or it did me! I see people taking their children for granted daily and it drives me insane...I want to whip out pictures and say check this out and see why you shouldn't take yours for granted! 

We knew about his heart before I had him. I went in at 20 weeks to have my routine ultrasound and then was sent to a bigger facility for a level 2 ultrasound for "low fluid". My doctor told me not to worry that I was probably just dehydrated. So, I wasn't expecting anything to be wrong that day and it was a huge smack in the face when the doctor came in and said what we have here is a serious heart defect. He then put me in a conference room, handed me papers from the early 1980's and told me that I should have an abortion because the baby's chances are slim to none. The man had the nerve to call me the next day to ask if I wanted to terminate my pregnancy. I had to see a pediatric cardiologist monthly, have a level 2 ultrasound monthly, and still see my regular OB. I am so glad I didn't listen to the first doctors advice...my Oliver is perfect! You can't tell there's anything wrong with him unless he has on a lower cut shirt or has his shirt off completely!!

Does your son have any problems now?

Kayla - posted on 06/17/2009

Quoting Rosanna:

My prayers are with you guys!!!!!!!!!!!! That is A LOT to go through! Your son sounds like my little man, a true fighter! No matter what, they aren’t gonna let a little surgery stop them from loving life! God Bless Him!!! :)

I tease when I say… before Eric was born, I was terrified of infants. They seemed so fragile… but when you are holding your babe that is hours old… monitors beeping, tubes and IV lines here and there… that fear is QUICKLY wiped away!

Yup, pyloric stenosis is an issue with the stomach… his tummy wasn’t emptying into his small intestines. Years ago, if Eric were to have this problem… he basically would have been diagnosed as being unable to thrive and his outcome would have been grim! Thank the Lord for medical advancements!!!! I remember vividly the day we were discharged from CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) … dear hubby and I were cleaned up, packed, in the elevator and pulling out of their parking garage in less than 10 minutes! We were so happy and relieved to be going home!

I thank God everyday for each and every trial, tribulation and blessing He has given us. It has created an unbreakable bond between all of us and renewed my faith to just trust in Him. For that I am grateful!

I was due 08-04-08… early on in my pregnancy my Dad said wouldn’t that be cool if you delivered on the 8th… well, that is how it went! Eric’s was born 08-08-08!!!! HAHAHAAH!!!!

Did you know before your son was born about his condition?

So sorry it took so long to get back to you. My computer has been acting a bit crazy these days!!  I was scared of babies too! And I was terrified of him the first time I held him at 2 weeks old! I'm over that fear now thank God!! Like your son, if mine had been born 15-20 years ago, he would have been sent home to pass. HLHS babies only live like 3 days if they don't have medication and surgery within a week or so! It's amazing what doctors can do anymore!! Babies like ours make us realize so much about the world...or it did me! I see people taking their children for granted daily and it drives me insane...I want to whip out pictures and say check this out and see why you shouldn't take yours for granted! 

We knew about his heart before I had him. I went in at 20 weeks to have my routine ultrasound and then was sent to a bigger facility for a level 2 ultrasound for "low fluid". My doctor told me not to worry that I was probably just dehydrated. So, I wasn't expecting anything to be wrong that day and it was a huge smack in the face when the doctor came in and said what we have here is a serious heart defect. He then put me in a conference room, handed me papers from the early 1980's and told me that I should have an abortion because the baby's chances are slim to none. The man had the nerve to call me the next day to ask if I wanted to terminate my pregnancy. I had to see a pediatric cardiologist monthly, have a level 2 ultrasound monthly, and still see my regular OB. I am so glad I didn't listen to the first doctors advice...my Oliver is perfect! You can't tell there's anything wrong with him unless he has on a lower cut shirt or has his shirt off completely!!

Does your son have any problems now?

Laura - posted on 06/14/2009

I have already ordered all of the party supplies!!!lol Got 8 or 10 presents already. I am on it now.. I can't wait. I will prolly bust out crying.

Keri - posted on 06/13/2009

I can't believe that it has already been 10 months since we all had our bundles of joy. My daughter was actually due in September, but decided that she wanted to be the oldest (biological) grandchild for my family. She was born at 35 weeks and we were in NICU for 8 days just for observation. We have been in and out of the hospital ever since then. At least once a month except for 4 months of her young life!!

I am actually getting excited about her upcoming birthday party for many reasons: the first rough year is over, people who haven't seen her in awhile get to see how much she has grown, and she gets to meet her Aunt/Godmother for the 1st time!! I am not sure what theme we are going with though. Down to two: princess (everything pink and sparkly) or 1 (everything pink with the #1).

Rosanna - posted on 06/12/2009

My prayers are with you guys!!!!!!!!!!!! That is A LOT to go through! Your son sounds like my little man, a true fighter! No matter what, they aren’t gonna let a little surgery stop them from loving life! God Bless Him!!! :)



I tease when I say… before Eric was born, I was terrified of infants. They seemed so fragile… but when you are holding your babe that is hours old… monitors beeping, tubes and IV lines here and there… that fear is QUICKLY wiped away!



Yup, pyloric stenosis is an issue with the stomach… his tummy wasn’t emptying into his small intestines. Years ago, if Eric were to have this problem… he basically would have been diagnosed as being unable to thrive and his outcome would have been grim! Thank the Lord for medical advancements!!!! I remember vividly the day we were discharged from CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) … dear hubby and I were cleaned up, packed, in the elevator and pulling out of their parking garage in less than 10 minutes! We were so happy and relieved to be going home!



I thank God everyday for each and every trial, tribulation and blessing He has given us. It has created an unbreakable bond between all of us and renewed my faith to just trust in Him. For that I am grateful!



I was due 08-04-08… early on in my pregnancy my Dad said wouldn’t that be cool if you delivered on the 8th… well, that is how it went! Eric’s was born 08-08-08!!!! HAHAHAAH!!!!



Did you know before your son was born about his condition?

Kayla - posted on 06/12/2009

Quoting Rosanna:

When I think of singing Happy Birthday... I picture his little face with his goober smile and the glow of the candles reflecting on his sweet cheeks!! This little boy ROCKED my world and motherhood has opened my eyes for the first time!!!

We had a lot of bumps in the road... pneumonia at birth, surgery before he was 25 days old to correct pyloric stenosis, food allergies, asthma... the beginning seemed like never ending hospital stay after hospital stay. Like you, I AM SO HAPPY FOR A HEALTHY BABE!!!!!! I think all of the emotion from the past year is settling in... my first child and he is one already! I hear ya on going all out!! We are doing a mix of Peter Pan and Pirates!!! I CANNOT WAIT!

Best of luck with your party planning!

Pyloric Stenosis..that's something to do with the stomach right? Our son has HLHS "Half of a Heart" and had open heart surgery at 4 days old. He also had a stomach surgery to fix his reflux. He had his second open heart surgery at 6 months old and he's going to have another anytime between a year and a half and 3 years old. We were in the NICU for 7 1/2 weeks and it flew by pretty fast looking back, but while we were there it seemed to be ages!

I'm super excited to be planning a first birthday party, and when I tell people around where Iive that we're actually having a party for him they look at me like I'm nuts!! I love birthday parties no matter what age, and themed parties are my favorites!! I wish you luck with your sons party!! What day is his birthday...our's is 8/14/08

Rosanna - posted on 06/11/2009

When I think of singing Happy Birthday... I picture his little face with his goober smile and the glow of the candles reflecting on his sweet cheeks!! This little boy ROCKED my world and motherhood has opened my eyes for the first time!!!



We had a lot of bumps in the road... pneumonia at birth, surgery before he was 25 days old to correct pyloric stenosis, food allergies, asthma... the beginning seemed like never ending hospital stay after hospital stay. Like you, I AM SO HAPPY FOR A HEALTHY BABE!!!!!! I think all of the emotion from the past year is settling in... my first child and he is one already! I hear ya on going all out!! We are doing a mix of Peter Pan and Pirates!!! I CANNOT WAIT!



Best of luck with your party planning!

Kayla - posted on 06/11/2009

Hey!! No lump here! LOL...I'm just thankful we made it thru this first year! My son is in great health overall...just heart issues, and I'm still sane =)! We're going all out and doing a jungle safari theme for his party! I'm so excited!

Kayla - posted on 06/11/2009

Hey!! No lump here! LOL...I'm just thankful we made it thru this first year! My son is in great health overall...just heart issues, and I'm still sane =)! We're going all out and doing a jungle safari theme for his party! I'm so excited!

Kayla - posted on 06/11/2009

Hey!! No lump here! LOL...I'm just thankful we made it thru this first year! My son is in great health overall...just heart issues, and I'm still sane =)! We're going all out and doing a jungle safari theme for his party! I'm so excited!