Lincoln is Coming Home

The last couple of days have been full of progress and happiness for the family. We were glad to have Dad McDowell up for the weekend. Here he is holding Lincoln. Carter is still as cute as ever and loves to be held by his Dad (he likes his mom too, but Dad is best!)

As for an update -

Lincoln is coming home today and was circumcised (ouch!) today. Over the last week he was moved to an open crib, wore his first clothes (doesn't he look like an old fisherman?), and got his low jack placed on his leg so he couldn't be stolen. He is eating well and growing (gained 7 ounces in the last 6 days) and his cheeks are starting to fill out. He continues to be our little Rockstar.

Tatum is now over her infection, off all the ventilators and assisted oxygen and is now taking bottle feeds. She is so much happier. She was very cranky with the tubes down her throat - often inconsolable as she pulled and pulled on the but couldn't make them budge. On Tuesday we were able to hold her for the first time - precious moments. She is now in an open crib and in clothes as she is regulating her own body temperature as well. With how much progress she is making we are hoping she will be coming home in a couple of days.

Carter is also doing well. He is over at Children's Hospital and will have his surgery Wednesday morning. The plan is to repair his coarct, close his PDA, and place a band around his pulmonary artery to narrow it slightly. The goal of all that is to improve his blood flow, improve breathing and allow him to grow well for the next couple of months. Later, (anywhere from 2-6 months) he will have his VSD (he actually has 2 of them) closed and the pulmonary band removed when he will be bigger, making it safer for him to be placed on a bipass machine for the next surgery. We are confident in his doctors and expect it all to go well. Hopefully he won't be in the hospital too much longer.