The Time Has Come

kristendave.com

Oh, where to start...it's been quite awhile since I've updated you guys about Davis.  Since I last posted, we moved (twice).  Moving AND taking care of a baby is a LOT of work.  But we are finally getting settled in our beautiful new home outside of Chattanooga in Soddy Daisy.  It's on over an acre right by the lake, close to shopping and restaurants, and twenty minutes to downtown...you can't beat it.  And Davis loves it - he has a big room and continues to be mesmerized looking at everything in the house - he really enjoys being outside on the covered deck, taking in the scenery and listening to the neighbor's farm animals.

Davis is 6 months old!!!  Wow, time flies.  He is just a little doll; we are enjoying him more than words can express.  He is eating fruits and vegetables now - he could live on a diet of vegetables if I let him, he LOVES them.  He rolls over in all directions - all the way across the room if we turn our heads.  And he is getting really strong through the neck and shoulders, spending lots of time holding up his head.  We want him to do this as much as possible now because in less than two weeks, he won't be able to have tummy time for awhile.

Davis's heart surgery to repair his AV Canal is Friday, September 7th (read this post to find out more about his condition).  We expect to stay in the hospital approximately ten days.  The surgery itself will take a good part of the day.  We will have to take special precautions several weeks after the surgery as Davis heals, including being unable to leave the house for a few weeks and keeping germs outside the house as much as possible in order to prevent illness and infection.  Family will be able to visit Davis in intensive care, assuming there are no major complications.  Visitation rules will be less strict once he moves to the regular pediatric floor.

You may be wondering how we are coping with all this.  I will admit that as surgery day gets closer, I get a bit more nervous and restless.  I try not to worry too much because I know I'll be doing plenty of worrying in the hospital.  I'm trying to take it day by day and focus fully on the present, which includes being able to care for and enjoy my sweet, precious, happy baby.  Every day with him feeling well and loving his life is a gift.  Matt, on the other hand, isn't a worrier...anyone who knows him will testify he has a naturally easygoing personality; while I have to try not to worry, that comes easily for Matt.  So all in all, I guess you can say we are doing well at the moment.  We've known before our baby even had a name that he would require surgery; we are just ready to get this behind us and have our special boy healthy and home.

I will be updating the blog regularly before, during, and after the surgery and hospital stay.  Become a member on the site, sign up for emails, or add me as a friend on facebook to keep up with Davis.  Davis will be able to receive mail and e-cards, which I think is totally cool - you can go to the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital website, enter his room number, and send him an e-card.  The hospital then prints it out and volunteers deliver it to his room.  As soon as we have a room number, I will post mailing and e-card instructions.

I want to thank everyone for all your thoughts, prayers, and concern for Davis Matt, and me.  I also want to apologize to anyone that I may have neglected or pushed aside as my son's surgery is getting closer - my thoughts are 100% with Davis, and I am not as quick to remember or participate in special events in other people's lives right now.  I am sure I will behave similarly the next couple months, so I apologize in advance for that!  I just hope you understand and realize that if you are a family member or friend in my life, you are important to me!

I will leave you with two quotes, which are really more for me but I want to share them.  I drink a lot of tea (helps me keep my sanity), and these inspirational quotes were on today's Yogi tea bags.  Also, I would love to hear from any of you throughout this journey any words of inspiration from yourself, a quote, or scripture (you can post as a comment) that you think would provide us some comfort in the following days and weeks.

"When you are in tune with the unknown, the known is peaceful."

"Live for something higher, bigger, and better than you."