Home and Doing well

I completely didn't think that we would be home on Wednesday.  Before going into surgery we were planning on her coming home Thursday or Friday.  I even had a substitute job for Wednesday.  So, I spent the night with Marsi in the CICU on Monday night.  Tuesday morning she was transferred to CSU (children's surgical unit).  Endrit and I were both able to spend the night there with her Tuesday night.  On Tuesday we knew that it was possible that we would go home the next day but thought that it would be later in the day so I just went off to work.  I wasn't at work for 30 minutes when I get a text from Endrit saying that Marsi was ready to be released and they were just waiting for me!!!  I honestly couldn't believe it!  Luckily, I was working at a school and in a class that they told me to just leave.  I got there quickly and we were on our way home right at noon on Wednesday.

Marsi was so happy to be home.  She wanted to be her old self and roll around and do push ups.  I tried to stop her, but she wasn't stopping.  I knew she would be really sore, but she really wanted to play.  I let her.  She got SO sad!  It was no where near time to give her any more Tylenol (which she had been on since 12 hours post surgery).  Endrit and I decided one dose of ibprofen wouldn't hurt and would help her with the pain.  She learned to play slowly and pace herself after that.  Such a smart girl!  Nights are still rough.  We decided that daddy is sleeping on the couch while Marsi sleeps in bed with mom since that was the only way that we were able to get her to nap this afternoon...mommy needed a nap and Marsi was having separation anxiety, so we napped together.  We will see how tonight goes.

Today was the day that the surgeon told us to take off Marsi's bandage.  Since I am trying to document everything with her, I took this picture of the incision site.  You can also see the place where they inserted the chest tube on the front.

Here are the chest x-rays that show the little titanium clip that she will forever have in her chest.

Dexter was so happy to get his baby back.  He missed her.

She was just barely released from the hospital and was so happy.  It was cute to see her so happy.

Marsi missed her kitty too.  Dexter is such a good sport when Marsi gets a hold of him.  This time she found his tail and was having fun yanking on it.

She is such a trooper.  She ate solids again today for the first time since Sunday.  She loved it.  She is able to play in her jumper again.  It is fun to see her return to her normal self and even seem to be happier than before.

Heart Surgery Pictures

Marsi had to be at Primary at 6 am.  She was given a little physical and changed into the cutest little scrubs.

We got to the pre-surgery waiting room where mommy and Marsi had some snuggles and a nap before the surgeon and anesthesiologist came to talk to us right before surgery.

This is the first thing that I saw when we were allowed into her post op recovery room in CICU (cardiac ICU) where she stayed overnight.

It was so sad to see her hooked up to so many tubes.  She was such a champ that first night.

Grandma and Grandpa Smith, since they couldn't be there, sent a wonderful gift for Marsi.  She loves the balloon!  She thinks it is the coolest toy ever!  

So many monitors.  I think it is fun that the oxygen monitor shines completely through her thumb and around it.

She also had IVs in both feet.  She still has them in today but they aren't hooked to anything.  They are there for just in case.

This morning she woke up with big smiles.  She won the hearts of every single nurse in the CICU.  They were sad when we were transferred to the regular floor and out of the CICU.

We finally were able to snuggle together.  I think we both liked the snuggle time.

This is the incision point from the surgery.  I wanted to take a picture of it just to show where it is to people.

All in all Marsi (and mom and dad) are doing well.  She is playing and smiling right now.  She is actually playing with her flow by oxygen mask.  I find that kind of funny.  She is happy, so who am I to judge what constitutes a "toy" in the mind of a child?  We could go home tomorrow but if not, it is a 99.9% chance we would go home Thursday at the latest.  All is well here.

Marsi's Surgery/Glasses

First off, we have the surgery for Marsi scheduled.  Crazy enough, it is in 2 days!!!  She is the first surgery scheduled for Monday morning.  We go into the hospital for pre-op on Sunday morning. We will be in the hospital with Marsi for her surgery at 6 am. It is a bit surreal, but I am glad that we are getting the surgery done so soon.  Our baby will be healthy so soon!

Another thing that happened today, I got my 3 new pairs of glasses!  I am so glad that I got them.  I of course have the time to get used to the new prescription, but I think that won't take too long.  So, here they are!  

red pair with transition lenses

black and red polarized sunglasses

green pair with transition lenses

Sleepy Time

Marsi is funny.  Since she has a play jumper we actually have to take her out of it when she is tired, but she loves to go to sleep by herself.  We just have to give her the binkie, lay her down and she does the rest.  It is funny to look at her playing one minute and the next time I look at her she is sleeping like a rock on the floor hanging onto whatever toy she was playing with or halfway rolled over.

She is just a sweetie.  I am a very lucky mom.

Drama Queen

Mommy, it has been a hard day.  I am going to go to sleep weather you want me to or not!

Missing my Parents

This is kind of a poor me post.  I really do feel bad for my parents.  We thought that Endrit would get a job sooner than he has.  We thought that when we moved, we would be passing through my parents place so they could see Marsi.  Well, it didn't happen and it has been months since my parents have seen me or Marsi.  Marsi is getting so big and doing so many things.  I feel bad when I call my mom and tell her of one more thing that Marsi accomplishes because she can't see it.  

It also has been a little bit hard because Marsi is now having heart problems.  We go in for a sedated Echo tomorrow and then schedule surgery.  My mom was with us through her entire other hospitalization so it is sad that they can't be here to support us through this one as well.  We have Endrit's parents, but that is different.  They see Marsi at least every week.  

I guess I am just a little sad right now.  I hope that Marsi and I will be able to go and visit my parent's soon. 

St. Patrick's Day...Peas

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Marsi...the perfect example of Irish...redhead in green.

Marsi is so happy to be in the big girl eating chair!!

This was her very first taste of peas...she didn't know about this stuff.

Yeah...this is better than I thought.  yummy green face.