Home and thankful

Chugging down some apple juice after surgery


Eating yogurt, holding onto the belly button, and...check out those chub thighs!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
We were released from prison, I mean the hospital, at 9:00 this morning. We slept in Elijah's room with him last night on the very small and uncomfortable pull-out couch thing, and none of us got much sleep. No surprise there. There are constantly people coming into the room, even when Dr. G gave specific instructions not to bother us through the night. The respiratory therapist who came in at 4:00 did a great job of waking Elijah (and us) up for the day!


Watching Veggie Tales this morning and cuddling with his favorite pillow. He woke up pretty puffy this morning. They had been pumping fluids into him all night, so he retained a little bit of that.


This was our Minneapolis skyline view from Elijah's room. Not bad for a hospital room!


He was intrigued by the stethoscope. He kept handing it to me because he liked it when I put them in my ears and listened to his chest.

We got home and all of us slept for THREE HOURS. That's not saying much for Dan and me, because we could sleep for three straight days if we had the time, but that is saying a lot for Elijah. He was and still is one tired little boy.

After our nap we went to Dan's parents' for Thanksgiving dinner. The food was fabulous, as it always is, and it was good to see family. Elijah just wasn't into it, though. He didn't really want to eat and we could tell he was still exhausted. At one point, he crawled over to his diaper bag, pulled out his blankie, put it on the floor and then snuggled up to it in the corner. We left shortly after that and he stayed awake for about 2 minutes in the car. I turned around to see this:



We put him to bed super duper early tonight. He needs it. He will get caught up within a few days and be back to his usual self.

I am so thankful that this cath is DONE. It always feels good to get over each hurdle. It was a bit of an emotional day for me today. Partially because I'm overly tired, but also because of what we just watched our little boy endure. Again. Hospital time is tough. It is a totally draining and emotional experience. Watching the emotional turmoil that our little man goes through is so super traumatic for us. It always takes me a while to calm down after a hospital stay.

Today, I am so thankful for my little boy's strength, and for Dr. Gremmels' compassion and knowledge and for my supportive and loving husband who is also an amazing father. I am thankful for the amazing hospital we have so close to us and for all of YOU who walk with us in this journey and love Elijah along with us. I am thankful for family and friends and everyone in our lives and everyone who prays for our strong, amazing son.

I hope you all had a great, thankful day! xoxoxo