Alex's Defects

We have been searching for pictures, diagrams, anything to show Alex's defects. Truth is, we can't find any. They don't seem to have a website that has all of his defects in one. Just goes to show you that he really does have a complicated heart (as if you wondered!). This new link that we have put on is the closest thing we can find. It essentially is correct, except doesn't show his tricuspid atresia. So in the pictures where it points to a tricuspid valve, his isn't there. If you follow through the images it will show you how it will be treated. Oh, and for those of you who we haven't told, his next surgery (glenn and damus procedure) is scheduled for November 4th. So, if you don't have anything to be happy about on election day, we do..... one more surgery down!!

Pretty cool Picture!

We like this picture so much we thought we'd make it bigger just to see the fancy fisherman!

Much Needed Outing!

Finally, we got to spend Saturday up in the Uintas. We went to Lily Lake for about 10minutes,until Alex decided he didn't like it there. We weren't sure if it was the wind or the alititude, but since it was our first outing we decided to play it safe and head to lower ground. We spent the rest of the afternoon fishing the Provo River around Soapstone area. It didn't take Sam long to hook on to a fish at the lake. He had a "lunker" on in about 5 minutes of fishing.

That smile made it all worth it. When was the last time you saw a smile that big for a 3 in. fish? Cute boy!

Alex did pretty good for the trip. Although by the afternoon he needed a nap, so Mom hung out in the car with him while Dad and Sam headed up the river for some more fishing.

Sam has also decided now that he is ready to trade in his fishing pole for a fly rod. It does Dad (and Mom) proud, but are we ready to start this expensive habit at four years old?

Gary said it's a good thing women are good at multitasking (as if my casting skills needed challenged). It was a whole new experience casting, rocking and bouncing all at the same time, but hey we had a great time!

Gary and Sam had a great time too. Sam was determined to cross the river, and it's a good thing Dad was there to help him. The water was a lot stronger than he expected. You know you can't believe Mom and Dad when they say that, you have to find out for yourself. Sam enjoys all the "boy time" that they get to spend together.

We were so happy to get out for the day together. We truly understand what we've been told so many times before- "find joy in your posterity". We have two wonderful and sweet little boys and we are so greatful for them!

Dinosaur Park

Sam, Alex, Mom and Grandma Bon-bon got to spend the day at the Dinosaur Park in Ogden. Grandma had never been there before so Sam was really excited to take her and show her all the dinos.

One good looking cowboy!

I forgot to include this picture in the previous post. I figured you would all get a kick out of what Sam chose to wear. Mom told him it was too hot for pants that day at the fair, so this is what we got!

Fair Time!

Sam and I got to spend a few days at the Davis County Fair this last week. As far as I'm concerned, it was just a fair, but Sam had a great time. He got to spend time "milking the cows",


visiting the petting zoo,


can't forget the pony rides,



and of course, the cotton candy and snowcones. What fair is complete without those?


Alex got to join in on the fun too, although he didn't get to do as much fun stuff as Sam did!

Fun Run/Walk

We just wanted to put a little plug in for this fun run/walk that is taking place. It is a fundraiser for a support group that we belong to. The group is full of wonderful people who have all been blessed, like we have, with children that have CHD's (congenital heart defects). The group provides emotional support through discussions on the webpage, visits in the hospital and care bags for each new family. It provides a place for us to vent the frustrations and concerns that go along with having a heart baby. It is comforting to us to know that so many others have been through what we are going through, and they're surviving! Although we don't see everyone regularly, and some we have never met, we have made many friends through the website. We've become somewhat of a "family", dealing with the good news and the sad that each person is going through. Those who know us well are aware of how much we appreciate this group.
The money that is raised will go solely to our group and will be used for things like: putting care bags together, the cost of keeping the website running, flowers for new moms and unfortunately funerals, keepsake Christmas ornaments for angel heart babies. They are also trying to raise enough money to pay for a 2 day camp next year for all of the heart kiddos and their families. That way they can all get together with kids who are just like them!
Any money donated can be used as a tax write off for those who want to do that. By signing up for this you will receive a t-shirt with the IHH logo on it as well. If you are not interested in walking/running, the group is always willing to accept donations. The walk is a mile long, and I hear is pretty flat. If you click on the Intermountain Healing Hearts link (located on the right side of this page) and scroll down, there is a link to the fun run/walk, and that can give you the sign up sheet and more info.
So a short post ended up not being one! I just wanted to let everyone know how much we appreciate this support group and that's why I took the time to post this. We want to raise awareness that CHD's are not uncommon. We have been blessed with a VERY supportive family and wonderful friends, but there are so many who are not as fortunate, and that is why this group is so important!

Echocardiogram

Today was a good day. I took Alex in for his echocardiogram (ultrasound of his heart), and the cardiologist was very happy. Alex weighed in at 12 lbs 5 oz. He had his clothes on so that throws it a little, but he is definately gaining weight. The doc said that everything looked great on his chest x-ray and echo, so he doesn't want to see us back until Oct. 6th!!! If he becomes symptomatic or has any other problems then we will go back sooner.
So, on his next appt. they will sedate him to get a full echo and an MRI of his heart to check his pulmonary arteries. This is all in preparation for the next surgery, which he said we will tenatively plan for 6 months of age :( . We knew it was coming but it's still hard to think about it! We are so pleased that he has done so well this far.
The doc has given us permission to take Alex to higher altitudes which sounds great to us! For any of you that know us, you can imagine what torture it's been to not have been camping or fishing all summer! We plan on trying to do some things to get the boys and us out before summer is over.
We are so very blessed! Our Heavenly Father has poured out his blessings upon our little family. We have such beautiful little boys that are straight from heaven! We have been taught so much from our children about the love that our Heavenly Father has for us and hope that each of you can feel of our Father's love for you. God can and does work miracles. We have witnessed that in our lives. Thank you to all of you for your continued prayers in our behalf. We want each of you to know that God and our Savior live! They are very aware of each of us and our needs. We find such strength in our faith. We are here to fulfill his purposes and to learn each day. Thank you for the love that you have shown to our family in our time of need. We will keep living each day enjoying each other, and hope that you will do the same in your families.

Do you think they're related?
Alex is in the red B-ball shirt and Sam is in the green shirt. We think they're pretty cute!

Day on the Farm

Sam, Alex and I went to Wheeler Farm for a few hours in the morning before it got too hot. Alex slept the whole time, except for the 30 seconds it took me to snap the picture of him. Sam wasn't too sure about getting close to the animals while they're making noises. He thought it was pretty cool though. He loved the wagon ride, which was really pretty pointless. They take you out through the trees and that was about it. We saw two donkeys on the ride, and other than that it was just trees and shrubs. Sam loved it though and so it made it worth the $3 to go. It's so fun to see his eyes light up and dimples pop out!