Holding steady

Today we unhooked Alivia from her heart monitor and spent some time outside. The hospital has this terrific rooftop garden with benches, a swing, fountains, etc. It did us all some good, and she's now taking a nice long nap (after eating a nice big helping of milk). The photo above is of her enjoying some much-needed time in the sunshine.

We have settled into our new room and are now simply waiting to see how Alivia does as the IV meds slowly leave her system, which typically takes 10 days. Sooooo.....we are staying put until Monday probably. As long as she keeps doing well, we can definitely tolerate the delay in getting home. We by no means want to leave until it's clear she's ready!

Andrew and I have been busy printing and signing papers while Alivia naps. We officially sell our current home and purchase our new one on Friday. Our family has been so wonderful by boxing up our stuff, prepping the new house by cleaning/mowing, and, most importantly, keeping Tyler happy. It's a strange feeling to know that I won't be stepping into our house another time before we move.

Alivia started an additional medication today that also will help her heart function better. They have to increase the dosage over four weeks, so we'll be making weekly trips back here once we are home, and then they'll monitor her for another four weeks once the new med is fully settled into her system. We'll also get connected with a pediatric heart doc in Springfield who has ties to this hospital.

She is still doing well, but the booger won't gain weight. She's SO active and happy that we are afraid she's burning off the precious calories she takes in, so we have begun to fortify her milk and are being pretty diligent today in making sure she takes bigger bottles at one time. I pray we see the scale go UP tomorrow morning.

As always, thanks for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers. We are blessed to have so many caring friends and family in our lives.