We are getting ready for our new baby to be born! He will be here next week and we are all so excited we can't stand it. The boys tell me everyday they want him to be born today and I agree with them every time! Myles got glasses yesterday and he looks so handsome. He said something about he'll have to take his glasses off so people would recognize him since he looks so different with them on. :) Love him so much! Please pray that he will be responsible with them and keep them safe from getting lost or broken. Also pray that no one teases him about them so his confidence stays up and he doesn't start to have a negative attitude about wearing them. So far he has been great about it and was excited. Both of the boys are playing soccer and baseball right now. We have practice three nights a week and games on the Saturdays that they are here. That is at least until the baseball games start and then we'll have games three nights a week and on Saturdays. Whew! It's busy, but so great to see them doing stuff they love and making new friends. Last night at Damon's practice he kept saying he was tired and sweaty, but he hung in there. He was playing short stop and a ball was hit past him to the outfield and one of the coaches was out there so he got it and three it to Damon and he caught it in his glove. At this age, that's a big deal and everyone cheered! He was so proud of himself! I'm sure everyone thinks their child is amazing, but I couldn't help just marveling at him while I watched him play. I was thinking back to when he was born and how tiny and fragile he was. I read so much about how many problems kids with HLHS can have and realized that he might not ever get to play any sports. And now he is doing it! He just amazes me everyday. I realize that there might be a time when he isn't able to keep up with other kids his age in sports as he gets older, but for now he is doing great. I used to think that kindergarten would take a lifetime to get to and now we're only a few short months away from it. These milestones are significant in any child's life but for him and all he's been through, I just praise God that He has brought Damon this far and he is thriving! He is so faithful! I pray that you are all doing well and are having a good spring! We will update when our baby boy comes! Love you all and thanks for checking in on my little man. Talk to you soon. Sarah P.S. One thing I'm going to put on my to do list this summer is redesigning this blog. So watch for that!

Please pray for Damon. He woke up in the night with a sore throat, then woke about an hour later throwing up. Has been throwing up ever since. He can't keep anything down except small sips of water. He has a fever and is just very very uncomfortable. He also had a pain in his left shin that I believe was just growing pains but it made him cry for about an hour. Myles has an appointment with the dr tomorrow so I'm going to take them both and have Damon checked out. Thanks for the prayers.

Sarah

We are loving the weather around here, no more coats. At least for this week. It is Missouri so you never know.

Last week Damon had an appointment with Dr Tong and everything went great! He is growing and doing really well. His heart looked good and all his numbers were consistent with what we've seen the last several times. Dr Tong doesn't need to see us again for 6 months! I remember when we used to see him once a month; it seems like such a long time ago. I'm so grateful that he is living such a normal life and is able to just be a little boy.

Our baby is due in 8 weeks and the boys talk about him all the time. They ask questions and we wonder what he will look like and stuff like that. Tonight they were asking me about when they were born and who was cuter. Nice try! I said they were both the same cute, just in different ways. I was telling them about what happened right after each of them were born and I told Damon how he had to go in a plastic box to the NICU. He asked why and I said because of your heart, because it is special. "Why?" he asked. "Because that's how God made you," I said. "Why did He made me that way?" I told him that we would have to ask God that when we get to heaven. I have wondered that so many times. I've cried over it. I still wonder sometimes but hindsight makes it clear that it really doesn't matter. I wouldn't change anything about my boy (except the crying in the morning when he doesn't like the shirt I've picked out for him to wear to school.) I could never love him more.

Talk to you all later,

Sarah

February is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness month! Yay!
Some things to be aware of:
-Congenital means present at birth.
-CHD is the most common birth defect of all.
-Each year 25,000 babies are born with a heart defect. That is about 1 in every 115-150 births.
-Many people are born with a CHD and never even know it, or don't find out until years later.
-In most cases, the cause of CHD is unknown and has no genetic link. Sometimes certain defects are genetic, and other times taking certain medications during pregnancy can cause heart defects.
-Babies are required to have a hearing test before they can leave the hospital after birth, but no tests are done to ensure the health of their hearts. :(
-Most people who have a CHD look just like you and me, you would never be able to tell there is even anything wrong.
-Anyone born with a CHD is sure to bring joy to your life and a smile to your face.

Look up Congenital Heart Defects this month and learn more about them. Chances are you may know someone who has one. If you are reading this blog you do!

Take care everybody! We love you with all our heart! Even if it is only a half. Talk to you soon.

Sarah

Um, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Sorry we are late on that one, it's just been a little busy around here. We are unloading mass quantities of stuff from our house to make room for the boys' baby brother who will be arriving in May. We are moving rooms around and getting organized.

Myles is doing so great in school, his teachers love having him in class and he is bringing home good grades on his papers everyday. He began taking a medicine for ADHD at the beginning of December and he is adapting to it really well. Please pray that his appetite stays consistent and he keeps his weight up.

Damon had his 5 year check up and he is growing so much. He is still skinny for his age, but has really put on a lot of weight since his last surgery and has grown way taller in the last year. We have been working hard at getting both of the boys to eat everything on their plate at meal times and it seems like his appetite has increased. Sometimes he even out-eats Myles! He is still in pre-school and is excited and ready to go to kindergarten. He has learned to tie his shoes too! (But still needs help sometimes.) He is becoming such a kind-hearted little boy. I love to watch him and see what he is interested in and good at. He loves to color and draw and is very much still a drummer.

We hope you are having a good start to 2012. Life is not without it's challenges, but we are filled up to be emptied again. And when we are empty vessels we can be filled up with the love of God and that love can spill out and run over.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Damon felt much better today. He still has the rash some but he didn't have a fever today. Since he's been on the antibiotics since Sunday he gets to go back to school tomorrow. Please keep him in your prayers so that he completely recovers. We appreciate them so much!

Sarah

Damon has scarlet fever. It sounds horrible, like its a 1920's disease but it's basically just strep throat with a rash. He still has a fever and the rash is all over. He stayed on the couch all day Sunday and today and rested. He hasn't eaten very much and keeps saying his stomach hurts. I think his stomach hurts because he hasn't eaten much of anything since Saturday night. Tonight he got a nose bleed and it scared him pretty bad. I don't think that is related to the sickness though.

Please, please, please pray for my boy. His little face is so red from the fever and he just isn't himself. Pray that his heart and lungs will be protected and his sats will stay stable.

Sarah

He spiked a fever tonight and as we were putting him to bed I saw that he has a rash on his stomach and back. Please pray that he will be healed of whatever this is quickly. Thanks and we hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Today my boy turns 5. It seems unreal that this day is really here. I look at the big boy he is now and it's hard to remember that tiny blue baby he used to be. Don't get me wrong, I still remember everything about all of it but God's grace has allowed me to only think on those things occasionally. I have asked why countless times and it really doesn't matter anymore. Maybe I'll find out and maybe not. Or maybe why is simply for God to show His faithfulness to me and my children. I know that I will never stop praising Him for it and my prayer is that Damon will grow up to do the same; to tell everyone of his special half-hearted life and how God was faithful.

Damon you bring a smile to everyone's face. You make us laugh and bring joy (and frustration) to our lives everyday. God has given you a very special heart in so many ways and I'm thankful to be a part of your life. The peanut, Myles, Zach and I love you so much! We are so excited to watch you continue to grow and learn this year and for many more to come. Happy Birthday buddy!!!

Damon had a great appointment with Dr Tong today. His heart looked good, no leaky valves and his aorta was still fine where it has been narrow and ballooned before. His sats were 85 which is just fine for him. He has gained two pounds and grown 3 cm since his last appointment in June. He had another boring appointment, in Dr Tong's words and that's just what we like to have. Keep the prayers coming!!! Talk to you all later.

Sarah