Four months old and three months post-op

Things have been incredibly busy over here.  Last week, I started a new job, Ripley started daycare, and Madison had hand foot mouth disease.  We all have been going through a lot of changes and transitions.  

Ripley has grown so quickly, quicker than many would expect.  He currently weighs around 15 lbs.  He is hitting all the developmental milestones that are expected of his age.  We are just starting to "sleep train" him, based on his pediatrician's recommendation and also her assessment that he should be able to go more than two hours at night without nursing.  That has been a struggle, but we are working on it.  When he was 12 weeks, 6 days old, he finally grew out of his nursing struggles and things on that front have gotten much better...now he wants to spend more time nursing, ha.

Ripley had his three month post-op cardiology visit today.  He is doing well!  His pulmonary arteries are measuring about 7-8 mm, which is a little on the smaller side, but not too concerning.  There is mild pulmonary valve stenosis (21 mmHg) and mild leakage at the valve level.  Dr. Li said that this is nothing abnormal, but should be assessed periodically to see the progress.  He did indicate that the leakage being at the valve instead of also under the valve is a good thing for now.  Ripley also does not need to take an iron supplement anymore.  This is great because he hated the taste of it.  

He suggested that the issues he will keep monitoring the most are leakage, tightness of the pulmonary valve, and how the pulmonary artery branches are growing.  I appreciate that Dr. Li gives us good information so we know what the different outcomes that can happen are.  It does remind me that Ripley is never "fixed" and that he will need continuous follow-up to see how things are looking.  There is always the possibility Ripley will need further intervention, whether by open heart surgery or catheter, but we hope that this doesn't happen.  

Dr. Li told us that Ripley is not one of the Tetralogy of Fallot patients that he frequently worries about, which is promising.  That means Ripley only keeps us up at night, haha.  At this point, we are able to wait for six months until his next cardiology follow-up.  This means, we will just have pediatric well baby checks in the interim.  He also can essentially be treated like a normal baby in terms of flu/cold season.  To us, this still means we prefer that visitors have had the flu shot and make sure that they are healthy.  I have been very vigilant about letting others know that getting vaccinated is important for the health of our baby who cannot yet get his own flu shot.  

At the end of our appointment, we gifted Dr. Li a bottle of Colby Red wine.  I can't remember if I've mentioned this wine on the blog, but it's a red wine blend that actually is made by a friend's family who are vintners.  The son in the family, Colby, has a CHD and received two back to back open heart surgeries.  He asked his winemaker father to create a wine that would give proceeds back to heart charities.  So far, over $750,000 has been donated to heart charities.  This is a wine we enjoy having at home and giving to others both because my husband likes it and because of the mission that aligns with our own.

Earlier this year, we worried about whether our son would be able to enjoy the holidays with us or whether we would be in the hospital.  It is such a blessing to have him at home and to be together as a family.  He has already met Santa and we are ready for Christmas.  My tip for fragile babies visiting Santa is to find out Santa's visiting hours and arrive shortly before his shift begins.  That way, Santa won't have handled many other kids before your own and you won't be waiting in line with too many potentially sick kids.  

2017 has been such an intense stressful year, but we have remained tired yet thankful.  We look forward to and hope for a promising 2017 as we navigate through our adventures of a preschooler, a (soon to be) mobile infant, and two working parents.

Other fun updates:
Yesterday, we got a sweet surprise in the mail: a cape emblazoned with an "R" from Capes 4 Heroes.  His cape was sponsored by World Wings.  It is a baby sized cape that he can use. :)  We are so grateful for the little things that people /organizations are so generous with.

Last week, I hosted an Usborne Books online book party to benefit UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital.  Through the book purchases made by my friends, I was able to get $240 rewards of free books that will be donated to the Child Life Department in Ripley's honor!