Stephen's Heart

Warning...this post is a little random because my thoughts are not collected due to lack of sleep 

and minor exhaustion =0)

Each day we are one step closer to going home.  Today they did Stephen's hearing test and he passed with flying colors.  Tomorrow should be a busy day.  He will have his carseat test at some point.  They literally make him sit in it for the length of our drive home, so one hour, to make sure his oxygen levels can remain in his normal range.  We are also having his monitor that we will be going home with delivered and sometime tomorrow will be trained on how to use it.  In the morning he will be having another chest ex-ray and some labs done, praying they all come back normal, and we will be setting up some future appointments, coordinating home care, etc.  We know the end is near.  If things remain the same we should be home very soon...praise God!!!
In preparation I have begun writing all of my thank you notes for each of his surgeons, doctors, nurses, etc.  So far I have written 31 cards!  This place is full of so many wonderful people who probably don't get thanked enough for what they do.  Joe and I truly appreciate everyone of them =0)
I just have to say Stephen is not your average "cardiac baby".  The doctors almost don't know what to make of him.  Almost all cardiac babies have feeding issues in which Stephen has had none.  Last night they randomly wrote for his milk to be fortified because they assumed he would need the extra calories.  Considering this kids weight gain I questioned it.  He was born at 8lbs, 2 ounces and by April 22nd was only 7lbs 5 ounces.  He was able to eat before his surgery on the 26th and then was food-less until the 29th.  He is now 9lbs 11 ounce!!!  He gained over 2 pounds in 19 days!  That is more than most "mornal" babies.  The doctor was so shocked that he wasn't convinced it was "good weight" and was worried he was just swelling or had too much edema. Turns out he is just a chunker munker and one heck of an eater...his milk will not be getting fortified =0)
Today marks 2 weeks since his surgery.  It is amazing to think how far he has come in such a short amount of time.  God has been so good and so faithful.  We are already seeing him use Stephen's life to bless so many others.  Some stories that have been shard with us bring me to tears.  My prayer is that more people except Christ as a result of his special heart.  Sometimes it takes suffering for us to realize our need for Christ.  This verse is my prayer for Stephen.  I pray that God will bless him and use his life to make his love known.

‎"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us-

so that your ways may be known on earth, 

your salvation among all nations" 

Psalm 67:1-2

Check out the cheeks!!!

Play time in his crib