Procedure Date Set

Brycen will have his procedure at Children's on Thursday, October 9. If all goes as planned he will be in ACH overnight and then sore and cranky for a few days after that.

Children's Check-Up #2

We had to go back to Children's today for Brycen's second check-up since his surgery. Unfortunately, we didn't get the news we were expecting today. The visit today included an echo (ultrasound) of Brycen's heart and it showed that there is recurrence of coarctation in his aorta.

What appears to be happening is that the patch that was put in during surgery is healing, but is forming too much scar tissue around the suture. The scar tissue is now causing blockage/narrowing in the aorta. This is a very common side effect from the type of surgery that Brycen had. For the problem to be fixed, Brycen will have to have a balloon procedure (we hoped for this the first time, remember) in which they will insert a long tube through his leg and that will go up to his heart. Once they find the narrow spot they will inflate the balloon and expand the area. The procedure will take about an hour and Brycen will be kept over night at the hospital for monitoring.

The good news out of this visit is that once again they caught the problem early. It is NOT life threatening at this time, but if let go, it would be. The scar tissue isn't an immediate threat to the blood flow, as was the PDA valve closing when the problem was first discovered. In fact, Dr. Fontenot wants to actually wait for another month before doing the procedure so that the patch can scar even more and become even stronger. That will also lessen the chance of having to repeat this procedure in the future.

Not the news we were wanting to hear, but we are so thankful the problem has been found again. We are so thankful for Dr. Fontenot and the staff at Children's, if not for them we wouldn't have this little guy.

We will keep you posted on the situation and let you know when they schedule the procedure. Brycen already can't wait to go back and kick butt again!!

Yum!

I like carrots!!

I can't wait until I can feed myself! I try now but it doesn't work very well.

3 Months Old

Brycen turned 3 months old last week. He is enjoying rice cereal, his "Hop 'N Pop," Chillin' in the bath, and of course Razorback football.

Put Your Dukes Up!!

Saturday was opening day of the 2008 football season. We decided instead of taking Brycen to the game, we would just take him to the tailgate party and then Christy would go home with him during the game. He did really well and had a good time.

Football season means we have to follow through with all of dad's crazy superstitions. Here we are Thursday night playing football on Playstation.

Here are all the guys that set up the tailgate spot each week. We started at 8am this week.

We had a superstar join our tailgate this week. Former Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor!! He helped Brycen learn to jab.

Enjoying our first of many tailgates.

Brycen hanging out under the tent with Jill.

PLAY BALL!!!

Tonight was Brycen's first time to attend a sporting event. Our friend Pat gave us tickets to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals baseball game. We had a blast at the ol' ball game, thanks Pat!

We got the night started right by taking his picture with Strike the mascot. (Strike is on the left, HA!)

The 7th inning stretch was one of the highlights. It won't be long and he'll know all the words.

However, he soon learned that he finds baseball about as exciting as his dad does. Only 8 more days til football!!!!

A Busy Week

Brycen is really growing! He has started sleeping 5 to 6 hours at night- YEA for mom and dad!! He has started going to Mrs. Maida's house and is really enjoying it.

Brycen is really enjoying looking at his books now. He will be ready for school in no time.













Mom couldn't figure out how to play my first Baby Einstein video on the playstation so I had to watch it on my dad's computer. I only liked it for about 10 minutes.















My first day of school at Mrs. Maida's house!!
































What an event!! As we tried to leave the house for a cookout Brycen went through 3 outfits. So he had to wear a bib for a while. (They were out of the saying "Chics dig scars." )