Oct. 24-Oct. 28 2011

 This week, Monday we went for a little family hike at a local park.  It was a beautiful fall day, a little chilly, but nice and sunny!  We bundled Scarlett up in her cozy pink bear coat, she was very warm and comfy, and slept most of the time.

 

     Tuesday I finally got my tattoo!  It took a while for me to decide what I wanted, but I finally drew up the heart pictured above.  The inspiration behind the heart is the "Awareness Ribbon" for CHD. The heart is colored half red and half blue to resemble the ribbon.

     The rest of the week has been fairly unexciting.  Today we started adding formula to Scarlett's milk so that she can get more calories and gain a good amount of weight before her December 13th surgery. 

Next Surgery Date

     Yesterday we found out that Scarlett's next surgery the "Bidirectional Glenn" will be done on December 13th.  All prayers are very much appreciated as we approach that date! 

Oct. 17- Oct 21, 2011

     As Daddy wrote, we went to CHOP on Monday to see a Cardiologist, Neurologist, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and a Speech Therapist.  Since we had such an exciting day Monday, Scarlett and I did not do too much throughout the week.  We stayed home and rested Tuesday through Thursday.  While we were home we did some reading and Scarlett has really taken to it!  She loves to read and seems to already have a preference on books.  Her favorite right now is "Llama Llama Red Pajama".  The other day I tried to start with a different book and she cried, but as soon as she saw me pick up Llama Llama all was right with the world again.  Since our little girl has taken such an interest in books, and we don't have an abundant collection here, we took our first trip to the library on Friday.  She seemed to really love the library and was very content looking around at all the books.  While we were there I noticed that there was going to be a story time for babies 0-24 months so Scarlett and I sat in to see what it was all about.  Again Scarlett seemed to love story time!  She was in awe watching all the bigger kids jump and dance to the music.  Also during the class the librarian handed out props such as bells and scarfs for the kids to jingle and wave around.  This too enchanted Scarlett.  About half way through though poor little Scarlett had had all she could take, I looked down and she was zonked out!  She was very sleepy the rest of the day!  I think it may have been a bit much for her first trip to the library, but I think we will be going back every week!  Although we may hold off on story times for a little while!

Scarlett's first major CHOP visit post operation 1.

Today Scarlett visited with the NCCP (Neuro Cardiac Care Program) at CHOP.  She was pretty cranky for her echo (cold gel while being held down), and it was a long day of visiting doctors and therapists, but all turned out well.  Her cardiologist was very pleased with the echo results, and all the therapists thought Scarlett was at or ABOVE the skill levels for her current age group.  Most relieving to Mom and Dad was the fact that the neurologist was very pleased also.  Scarlett's surgery #2 is tentatively planned for early December.  We love you honey!!  -Mom & Dad.

October 3, -October 9

     This week Scarlett and I were very busy with Doctor appointments.  Between the two of us we went to at least one Dr. a day.  This week Scarlett saw her cardiologist and then had an echo.  We got the echo done on Friday and have not heard the results yet, hopefully by Tuesday we will hear that everything looks good!  This weekend we had great family time.  On Saturday we went to the Susquehanna State Park for Scarlett's first outing to a park.  We put Scarlett in the Baby Bjorn and had a good time hiking!  Then Sunday we also took Scarlett to a nearby lake and walked around that as well.  Since there is a nice paved path around the lake we pushed Scarlett in her stroller.  She looked so tiny in her big stroller!  She loved strolling around the lake and looking at all the colorful leaves on the trees.  By the time we got to the end of the 2 mile walk she was just falling asleep. 

Sept 25 thru Oct. 2, 2011

     This week Scarlett turned 2 months old!  I can't believe it, time is going by so quickly!  She is starting to interact more.  She likes to talk  to Daddy, Mommy, her stuffed animals or just to herself!  I love to hear that adorable little voice!!!  This week she also had her first round of vaccines, which she did NOT like!  (of course)  She also had a couple other firsts this week.  She watched her first cartoon, Phineas and Ferb.  (That was a first for Mommy as well) I think I need to find some cartoons like the ones I used to watch when I was little, ie Bobby's World, Bonkers or Animaniacs!  We also watched Scarlett's first Disney movie.  Aladdin was on TV so Scarlett and I watched.  She was in a trance watching all the colors dance across the screen.