Half Birthday!

            A 10 pound 7 ounce baby....
                                                            "...WHAT?"

                                
       That is what I enthusiastically shouted at Retta's last cardiology appointment soon after placing her up on the scale. The nurse stated..."10 pounds 7 ounces!"  And I began to argue that there must be a mistake. She couldn't have possibly gained a whole pound in little over a week.  I begged the nurse to let us weigh Retta in the nude (to get a true weight) and she looked at me like I was crazy.  So I insisted that we at least take off her diaper (which was wet).  The scale only went down an ounce (10 lb 6oz).  The nurse then replied, "I don't think her dress weighs that much...10lbs 6 oz it is."

      Little did the nurse know that Retta had been saving up her poop for the big day - which I swear gave her at least another 2 ounces. (She promptly relieved herself as soon as we got home). But we'll take the weight however we can get it!

      So Last Thursday we met with Dr. Kupferschmid, the pediatric heart surgeon who will be performing Retta's surgery. It was a lengthy visit which enabled us to spend a good amount of time asking questions. Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18th at 7:30 am. I will take Retta up to the hospital the Monday prior for pre-op lab work and to familiarize ourselves with where we are  to arrive at 5:00 am morning of the surgery. The actual procedure will take around 6 hours, including anesthesia. We hope Retta's stay in the PICU will only have to be a couple of days as only one parent is allowed to accompany her there at night.  As soon as she is transitioned to an intermediate care floor both Szymon & I will be able stay overnight...in one foldout chair.

     We received specific instructions for how to bathe, feed, prep, etc Retta leading up to the surgery. But other than that - everything is a go...unless she should catch a bug! We'll see Dr. Tardy (Pediatrician) this coming Tuesday for Retta's 6 month check up. He has been in touch with us by phone over the last two months (since he saw Retta at her 4 month check-up).  How many doctors do know do that?  The surgeon asked that we hold off on Retta's 6 month immunizations this appointment (which was fine.with.me) as it is so close to the surgery and could interfere with base line lab work.

     Dr. Melhoan (Retta's cardiologist) told us that if we are praying people (WHICH WE ARE)...start praying! And if we need specifics to pray for...pray that Dr. Kupferschmid is having a really good day - day of surgery!

    Retta continues to surprose us each day! Just when I think she is not going to do anything new until after her surgery..she does something new.  Just within the past few days she has started grabbing at her feet (something we have been practicing in therapy). She turns into a PARTY ANIMAL around 10:30 every night and wants to stay up dancing until 1:00 am. She is all smiles when at home in her own environment and a bit more reserved when with a large group of people. We have started feeding Retta rice cereal a few times a day just for exposure. She will track the spoon and open her mouth like a little bird; then spits most of it out . We will really start solids after the surgery.

    So here is Miss Retta on April 6th
(6 months old and 10+ pounds)
all ready for FIESTA!

"Little Stinker"