Glad to be home! But why does it take so long to get discharged from the hospital? When the docs did their rounds, they told us we could leave if Josh did well with breakfast (no throwing up). That was 7:30 a.m. We didn't get out of there until nearly 1 p.m. And supposedly all we were waiting for was someone in pharmacy to talk to us about the meds (he didn't tell us anything we didn't know) and give us our discharge orders (which took about 5 minutes).

At least we only had a 20 minute drive home, but it would have been much nicer to get out of there around 9 a.m. That seems reasonable to me.

Today Josh is doing really well. He has some pain, but we're managing that with Motrin--and occasionally tylenol w/codeine. He is much happier at home.

Like they say, amazing the difference a day makes. Or in this case, 7 hours. JJ is feeling lots better. Now he won't stop eating! He's awake very early and interested in playing computer games. Since he's managed to eat up all the food I stashed in the room overnight, I'm off in search of more.

Poor JJ! He's having a tough time with nauseousness following his surgery. Hoping to get some food in him before the night's over. At this rate we won't be going home bright and early in the a.m. :(. Keep fingers crossed that tummy issues clear up soon!

Just hanging out here

Still hanging out at the hospital. JJ is a bit nauseated and not able to eat yet. I hope this passes soon. Despite the nausea, he's doing well. Doc says the surgery was textbook, and it seems like the only problems are those caused by the anesthesia, so no big deal there. Time will remedy all this.

I'm so proud of JJ, he was so brave today and continues to be! He's a trooper!

today's tummy tuck day!

Today's the day that JJ gets his feeding tube opening closed. Luckily it's a fairly quick surgery--should take only about an hour. But they'll still have to put him under general anesthesia and intubate him for a respirator. So we're nervous.

But we're also so glad we got to this point. When he got his feeding tube at 8 weeks old, we had no idea when and if we'd ever be able to get it out. The tube came out last summer, but the hole didn't completely heal up on its own. Today—more than seven years later—closes the chapter on that part of his hypoplastic left heart story! Yeah!

Tummy tuck

JJ is getting a tummy tuck this week.

Or maybe we say he's getting his belly piercing undone?

Either way, it's a big week. After 7 years, we're taking him in to have the opening (fistula is the official word) from his G-tube closed. For good. Wow, for so many years I was afraid to even imagine this ever happening.

But it's been a year since his g-tube button was taken out (ok, it actually fell out during a summer field trip last year, not exactly planned). And it had been about a year before that since we'd last used it. But his stomach didn't exactly seal off the opening completely as expected. So now nice Dr. Lund will be doing the short surgical procedure to close it off.

Wow. Just like so much in JJ's life, we can't believe we've gotten him to this point. He's handled four heart surgeries, multiple cardiac caths, plus assorted other tests, scans, pokes and more--all in his short life. This is a good step. Of course he's terrified because he doesn't really remember all those other things. And I think he feels like that button and this opening are as much a part of him as his thumb.

But in just a few days, that extra belly button as we call it will be gone. A small step. But really a huge leap for him. He's gone from hardly eating to consuming handfuls of Oreos in a single sitting. Of course, he's still small--around 37 pounds and 42 inches. But every inch and pound is so well earned.

So Wednesday when you're going about your day, give a minute to sending good thoughts and prayers our way that all goes well during the surgery. He'll still be intubated and under anesthesia, so anything could happen. But with luck and God's will, he'll zoom right through and we'll be outta there on Thursday--minus that spare belly button.

Mid-summer?

Can't believe we're nearing the July 4 weekend. When I was young, it always seemed like that was the halfway point of summer.

Now, since the kids don't even get out of school until mid-June, it seems like the summer has barely begun yet. It feels like we need to shift our summer fun into high gear or miss out on so much.

Of course, we have much left to do--swimming (if the weather ever cooperates), a Madison Mallards baseball game, grilling out, picnics, park time with friends.

And of course, this weekend--fireworks and sparklers. Kids can't wait to get to Grandma M's house and hang out in the city pool down the road from her.

JoJo's baseball season wrapped up--a little earlier than expected. The team finished the season in third place, but lost in the season-ending tournament to the 6th place team. Not a big deal because he had a great time this season. And we actually ended up with an entire Sunday with no plans.

JJ finished soccer and started his baseball season. His first game was last week. He did great and it was so fun to watch him out there. Who'd guess that he had such a rough start to life.

Remember what you used to do in the summer? Ours was a neighborhood of activity. Biking, baseball, hide-and-seek, statue. All games we played with all the kids in the neighborhood--mostly boys! Summer was great and seemed to last way longer than the three months it really was. And the whole time school seemed to be so far away. Then, suddenly we were shopping for school supplies and clothes. My goal is to hold off the school shopping until the final weeks. We'll see if we can cram a ton of fun in before that!

My first

Well, you gotta start somewhere. Here's my first official post on my blog. Not sure what to talk about. It's been another one of those days. Day 56 since my job was officially eliminated. Right now, no job on the horizon. I'm just one of thousands in this situation all around the country. Anyone reading need a writer/editor/PR person/Web content manager???

But at least today I had fun meeting with friends and former co-workers--Amy, Kelly and Vicky. It was a good lunch and nice to reconnect with them again. I miss seeing grown-ups during the day. And the kids aren't much for conversation when they return from school. I think something must happen to their brains on the school-bus ride home. Maybe someone should investigate.

It's another night of single-momhood for me. Hubby is in Nashville for work this week. I'm thinking we'll all be glad when he returns.