Bliss

Weighing in at 8lb 12.5oz and a little under 21" here are more pictures of Quinn our tiny little man. Everyone who has met him so far has commented on how much smaller he looks in real life as compared to his pictures. Quinn is an all or nothing kind of little boy. He is either crying or smiling, sleeping or wanting to be interacting with everything. I think I'm going to be in really good shape when he becomes a toddler. He gets the hiccups daily (at least). I find this interesting as he only had the hiccups once when I was pregnant with him. I guess he's just making up for it. He continues to mesmerize me. I think he's just the most amazing thing I've ever seen.



I still catch myself looking down at him from time to time wondering how I got so lucky. I love him so much and I'm so grateful to have him in my life. He's such a wonderful happy little boy. He loves to smile at strangers (when he doesn't have gas) and he really loves looking at people wearing glasses. He's so observant.



Needless to say these last three weeks have been bliss. Of course I'm still so anxious about going back to a hospital. Every time he coughs or sneezes I wonder if he's getting sick. However, I have to say I am soo lucky. Because of how Quinn started off life we have a lot of help. We have a nurse that comes to the house twice a week. If I ever have any medical questions I can call them anytime night or day, just like the pediatrician. The nice thing about them is, they will come to me, even on the weekend. All of you mom's can appreciate how incredible a thing that is. It brings me such peace of mind to know they are there.



We also have early intervention coming to the house to catch Quinn up on motor skills. They give me homework to do with him. Right now we are working on neck control and him reaching for things to his mid line instead of just to his sides. They are also wonderful enough to come to the home. I have to admit, sometimes I use them as my adult conversation for the day.



And finally, I have actual news. Some time in the second or third full week of March Quinn is going back to Boston. We are going for the first of the routine maintenance procedures for his heart. It sounds very simple. They don't even cut him back open. They will put a catheter up through a vein in his leg to the heart. Once in the pulmonary artery of the heart they will inflate a balloon and run it up and down to widen the artery. This will relieve some of the pressure in his heart so the heart doesn't have to work so hard and help improve his blood circulation. We will definitely keep you posted on when this will happen and let you know how it goes. Thank you again for following along with our story and for all of your support. Talk to you all soon.

Pictures

More photos of the good times.

I thank those that kindly commend Steph and I for our strength as parents. But personally, I can't take any credit for the way Quinn drudged his way through the first several weeks of his life. At his age, all I could do was hope and pray that he pulled through all the constant misery. I never imagined I would ever learn a new level of toughness from my infant son. It will be weird the first time I have to teach him not to be a quitter at something.

So while I won't necessarily pat myself on the back for Quinn's perseverance in his struggles, I always love reading the comment section on this blog. They have been great for me and Steph. And when Quinn's old enough, he'll appreciate them too.

Surgeries? What surgeries?

As the days are busy coming and going, Quinn is busy gaining weight, getting stronger, and being a little goomba. He makes being a dad lots of fun.


I use to look at him in the hospital and wonder about all the massive scars he would have to carry around. Especially the one that ran from his neck to his stomach. From the looks of it now, I'm not so sure he'll have any scars whatsoever. Unless he takes after the Marshall boys and makes himself some new ones over the years. I certainly prefer he didn't.



I remember the effort it took to suppress all the fear over the past few months. The waiting and the unpredictability of it all. In the end it has put me at a loss for words. I'm just enjoying being a dad. I gotta thank you Quinn for coming through the way you have.

Peaceful

Eating, sleeping and everything in between. It's pretty much how I'd imagined it would be for him. He keeps Steph and I busy, but at the same time very amused.

Quinn the snoozer



Quinn the diaper filler


Quinn the spell caster

He gets weighed twice a week by the visiting nurse. He's currently at eight pounds and gaining.

Life is better for him. Now that Steph and I are in a parent routine, time is flying.

Back at the pad

Yesterday Steph and I took Quinn back home. The last couple of weeks at the hospital have given Steph and I more things to add to the list of experiences we'll never forget. But it's over, and Quinn has already forgotten everything. Now he can get some uninterrupted sleep, and no pain will be inflicted on him. He's eating well, and gaining weight. Life is good, and we're on to happy ending, part two.