March 19, 2009

According to Dr. Tong, Blaze's cardiologist, everything's great! Blaze has gained 9 ounces in the past couple of weeks, which is wonderful! He's not gaining too much too fast, but he is rapidly gaining. Hoo-ray! His lungs are clear, so we can stop giving him one of the medicines. Blaze truly is doing well, and we are incredibly excited! AND Blaze has been "cleared" to go to his cousin Audrey's birthday party this weekend!!!! So, we're Jeff City bound tomorrow evening.

It is such an odd feeling. Last year we were thrown into this shock and turmoil, knowing that our son had a heart problem and faced such an uncertain future. We have been so cautious with him, careful to protect him from sickness and illness, and we were right to do so. Because of it, we haven't gotten to see our families as much, our friends as often and every day events like going to the store had to be scheduled around who could stay home with Blaze. And now...we've been given a green light to go back into the world. I cannot tell you how freeing that is! What an incredible blessing. It is going to take some getting used to! HA!

Blaze is beginning to sleep all night, so some of that "lighter feeling" might be us actually starting to feel somewhat rested. He has some nights that are harder than others, but more this week have been good than bad. After 8 months of sleep deprivation, we still have a lot of catching up to do, but it is getting better, thankfully!

Blaze is becoming a social bug, starting with the party in Jeff City this weekend. It's the first birthday party he's gotten to attend. Blaze is getting to spend time with Chris Stanley on Monday (Melissa's going to court that day for her traffic accident-please pray for her), has a Parents as Teachers evaluation on Tuesday, will get to spend time with Miss Karen on Thursday (while Mom has a meeting that night) and Grandma Cathy comes on Friday!!! That's a big week for a little guy!

Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement. We love hearing from you.

Joy