Cardi Dog

We had to put our dog, Cardi to sleep today. She has progressively gone down hill over the past several months. She start having seizures every hour and we just felt it was best for her. I know she is not in pain anymore and is up in Heaven with Pappy playing.

I got Cardi 12 years ago. She has been the best dog ever! Carter loved Cardi and she was amazing with him. I think some days Cardi did not care so much for Carter, but they had an understanding...Carter climbed all over Cardi and in return, Carter gave Cardi cheerios and goldfish. We will miss her...

Walk By Faith

I was sitting in bed last night listening to the Jeremy Camp song, "Walk By Faith." Wow! I feel like he stepped into my life and thought about us and others who have been in tough situations where you have to have total faith in God, because you have no idea what to expect from day to day.

Just think a week ago Natalie had heart surgery. I remember when our doctor game out and told us the surgery did not work and they were going to remove the BT Shunt, because if they left it in she would probably not make it through the night. God was totally with Larry and I at that moment, because in our minds Natalie was alive and going to be okay. Who cares if we have to move to Dallas for a while, our daughter is alive and whatever comes our way we can handle it with God, our family and our friends.

I wish I had taken a picture, but at the time it did not cross my mind for obvious reasons. They brought us to a hallway after surgery where we could see her as the surgical team brought her into the ICU. I remember looking down the empty hallway waiting for my baby girl. Then, it was like a team of Angels that turned the corner with her bed bringing her down the hallway. I can't tell you how overwhelming of an experience that is, to see this surgical team (Angels) walking on either side of your baby girl bringing her back to you. God is amazing!

Natalie is doing better every day. She just took 4oz! She also got her arterial line out and her feeding tube. She is like a new women! She is currently sitting in her Gigi's lap, happy as she can be. We are still waiting on a bed on the 8th floor, but that is okay. We love our nurses in ICU and do not mind waiting.

The Sweetest Big Brother Ever

Natalie is finally starting to eat better. She is now back up to around 3oz! They were going to move her to the 8th floor today, however there are no open beds, so we will be in ICU for another day at least...no worries.

Carter was so cute last night...he wanted me to lay down with him for bedtime, but I told him I had to go back to the hospital to be with Natalie. He gave me a big kiss and told me to give it Baby Natalie. What an awesome Big Brother!

Cuddling My Baby Girl

I got to hold Natalie today! She looked up at me with a big smile and I got to hug my little man as well...life is good.

Natalie got her central lines out today, so we are now able to hold her again. She is still not eating great. She is taking only about an ounce and half by bottle. We then give her another half ounce through the feeding tube.

Larry's parents brought Carter back to Dallas today. He was so cute and excited to see mommy and daddy. He asked where Natalie was...he was a cute big brother.

Feeding Tube

Natalie got a feeding tube this afternoon. She just wasn't able to eat the way they want her to. I use to think the feeding tube would be a bad deal, however I have a new light on it. Yes, the feeding tube means she is not eating very well, but with the tube, she is getting what she needs. We start trying to feed her by mouth first and what she doesn't take by mouth, then we put it in her feeding tube. Tomorrow we are going to start adding calories to her bottles by adding powder formula in with the breast milk. The goal is to put on the baby fat so she will be ready for the next surgery.

She also is going to get her central lines out tomorrow morning, so I can hold her again! I think she will start doing much better once she can cuddle with mommy again.

She will also be able to wear clothes again. The nurses up here are so funny about making sure the babies are all dressed up or have cute blankets they lay on. Natalie currently is sporting a blue bow. I could care less if she has a bow on, but the nurses do, so I let them have their fun with her. The staff here is incredible!

Hiccups Stink

Natalie got to eat last night. She did okay, but I think it will be a slow process. We tried again early this morning and she did not take it so well. The problem with heart babies, is they get tired very easily so they fall asleep during feedings. Personally I think when we can hold her to give her a bottle she will do much better...not sure when that will be though. If she ends up not eating very good again (which is common), then they will put a feeding tube in to help.

I did get to hold her for a few seconds yesterday when they moved her to a small bed. I am so ready to cuddle with my baby girl again.

She got the hiccups early this morning; it was the first time I heard a cry. I know it had to be painful with that incision. The look in her eyes was horrible. I hate not being able to do anything or even explain what happened to her. Bless her!

The plan for today is to get her to eat better or put the feeding tube in. Tomorrow she should get more of her lines and ivs out. Then either tomorrow or maybe the next day, we can move up to the 8th floor (this is the cardiac floor where we learn to take care of her wound, give her medicine and feed her if she has a feeding tube).

I have had several people ask about the heart transplant patient. She is doing good as far as I know. The nurses can't really tell you anything about our patients. However, she did get moved to the 8th floor, which is great news! Now, they said with most heart transplant patients move quickly from ICU to the 8th floor, but are on the 8th floor for a while.

We did get a place to live down here until her next surgery. Thank you to everyone who has been helping us figure that out.

Wide Awake

Natalie is wide awake today! She looks a bit mad, but who wouldn't be with all she has gone through. She did get her breathing tube out a few minutes ago. She looks so much better today, the swelling has gone down even more. She got her draining tube out and another line that was in her stomach.

The nurses are going to move her to a smaller bed here in a little while. Her room is freezing, so she is having a hard time staying warm. They will move her to a smaller bed with a heat warmer on it to help her stay warm.

We are on our way to getting better and out of ICU.