*Le Sigh*

So, since we've last come together, a few small things have happened.
We found out the name of the cardiologist who will be seeing us on April 4th for another u/s, formal diagnosis, and plan of action. Turns out, this guy is like, THE BEST there is and really knows his stuff. Not to mention, he's also the cardiologist that Adam's uncle sees once a year for his annuals. That is GOOD news! He also has a team of surgeons that he uses from the U of M that I can only assume are top notch also. Adam and I are really excited to get to meet this guy, find out who he turns us to, and see what the plan is. There is so much up in the air, it would be REALLY nice to get something more solid or at least in writing.
Besides that, we have gotten a HUGE outpouring of support. I can't even begin to tell you what this means to me. We have people I have never met praying for our family. We have people in the family and even just friends stepping out of the woodwork and offering all sorts of things. Babysitting, sitting with us while we are in the Cities for surgery/delivery, a place to crash, you name it. OMG I'm SO touched with how many people are even just offering words of comfort. You really don't know how this effects me. I'm tearing up right now just thinking about all the kind souls out there. I knew I had a huge family of people we could lean on, but its been amazing what we have gotten.
I've even extended to my mom the desire for her to be out here for the birth/surgery if at all possible, since we know pretty much when the baby will be born. For anyone who missed it, I am not allowed to go into labor on my own this time, we have to schedule it and hopefully I will avoid a C section! We believe we are aiming for between 37 and 39 weeks. My mom has told me that my step dad REALLY wants to come up here sometime during the summer, but they hadn't talked about dates. Giving them an idea of when we would REALLY like them to be here and about how long, they now have something that they can look forward to and hopefully plan on. Pray that all goes well with this idea and that their travel (they want to drive) goes smoothly.
Adam and I have since stopped the spontaneous bursting into tears. I think we really stopped getting misty eyed about it daily after the 3rd day (the day we announced it formally, I believe). While its touching that people still worry and tend to burst into tears from time to time, we believe that the time for tears is past (or just ahead, who knows), and its time to start putting plans into place. After all, tears can only do so much and they rarely help the situation.
We have done more research and believe we know about what level the baby's heart defect is, what can be done, and what to expect post op. We just have to get this all straight with the drs before we get our hearts set one way or another. BUT! Our research has given us A LOT of hope. Most children with this defect (Downs or not) go on to live happy, healthy, long lives. Some do need surgery later on also for various problems, but its rarely something serious. Also, we have learned that the time line for needing surgery is anywhere from birth to about 18 months, depending on what needs to be done and the degree of surgery they do. All in all, our situation could be MUCH worse and we are thankful that it seems to be a lesser deal. No, I'm not down playing the seriousness, but I'm trying to be thankful that instead of the baby's heart having NO endocardial cushion, there is something there, its not as serious as it could be, and there is something to build off of, rather than having to start from scratch. Its still a big deal, but its getting to be more understandable.
Baby is moving around SO much lately, and you can kinda feel it on the outside. Adam gets a giddy look on his face when he feels it and is always telling the baby "We love you! Keep growing and show us just how strong you are." Its super touching. Anthony even gets in on the loving baby action by kissing my belly. We even have some photos on facebook of Anthony asleep, cuddling my belly. He's been such a good kid lately.
Last, but most certainly not least, there's my lil man, Anthony. What a spit fire that kid is! We have been super lucky to get some really nice weather up here (mid 50s today!) and he's been able to get out more, play outside the house, and go places. He's enjoying it SO much, he comes home just EXHAUSTED. Adam even has me bringing Anthony with me when I go into work rather than him coming home. Adam likes showing off his kid a bit and we both find it HILARIOUS when Anthony starts pushing one of the smaller grey carts around the store. He crashes into things all the time, of course, but its so funny to see this little 2 1/2 foot ball of energy pushing this big cart around the store. He loves it, and he likes it even more when no one tries to help him. He's also walking SO well in shoes with a more stiff sole. This is good because it should help with his balance and all. He just loves getting out and we love that it helps him sleep like a rock at night. 3 nights and counting of sleeping through the night. I don't know if I dare count tonight since the people upstairs are being loud and waking him, but I'll take it when I don't have to keep going in there to get him back down.
No progress on the potty training yet. I haven't really tried either, though. I have time and I still have to finish the book, but Anthony loves sitting on his potty and watching tv or reading a book. I think its a good thing that he's so comfortable with it, we shouldn't have much issue. Now, finding over night diapers in his size? That's a battle I can't seem to win. NO WHERE in town sells any size smaller than a 4. My kid has been in a size 3 diaper since about 7 or 8 months. A size 4 would be HUGE on him since he has no butt for it to hold on to! Oh well, that battle, we'll fight another day. Thanks Diapers.com!
He's also talking more and more. We think he's starting "Bye Bye" (Buh Buh) and he even waves. But when he waves, he's waving his fingers on his lips. But he does it when he's trying to wave byebye, so it works for us. He does say a few other things, but I haven't been able to catch him saying it enough or been able to decipher it. This kid is seriously always on the run, so its hard to sit him down and see what he wants to say. He's also caused some SERIOUS owies to himself lately. He ran into a wall corner (he usually carries his ball when he runs into this corner and goes FLYING back when he collides, but this time, no ball, all skull) and about split his head open. His forehead is a lovely shade of green and brown right now from the healing bruise. He's also given himself ANOTHER bloody nose, this time we think he was running in the entry way and tripped on a shoe (his favorite toy, I swear) and hit both his upper and lower lip and nostril all on the left side. His lower lip got it the worst though and this bloody mark has since peeled off. Then he went rolling off the couch more than a few times one day (I swear, he's going to be a stunt man) and caused a mark next to his eye. For a few days, he looked like he belonged to the "Baby Fight Club". I promise, we don't beat him up. He's just that wound up always that he's always tripping, falling, and doing something that results in a boo boo. Thank God he doesn't whine and cry over every little thing.
I've also started reading "Happiest Toddler on the Block" We LOVED "Happiest Baby on the Block", so we thought we would see what the toddler book would offer. I haven't gotten very far, but I can already identify what kind of kid we have. We have the overly sensitive but easily over stimulated kind that you have to treat with kitten gloves to avoid total meltdowns, even when you are giving him what he wants. Take tonight for example. Anthony decided he was done with dinner so he took a bunch of food in each hand and threw it up in the air. Most landed back on his tray, but a few pieces went flying onto the floor. Adam and I both said "Anthony, NO!" and Adam told him "Naughty!" and shook his finger at the lil man. O.M.G. Anthony pulled the MOST heartbreaking look out of his bag of tricks. He started breathing heavily, the lower lip quivered hard core, and his eyes started to tear up. Adam and I looked at each other and about started crying ourselves. We knew he was tired and ready for bed, so we decided to avoid the tantrum at all costs and consoled the lil dude. This kid knows just what kind of things he can do to get your heart strings, I swear. But, we did avoid the melt down and he went to bed somewhat easily. Just a good example of how some kids you can scold with no reaction while others just take that tone of voice or something like it and they lose it. But "Happiest Toddler" promises to be a good read. If you have a kid between the ages of 9 months and 4 years, this book is supposed to be for us. I'll keep you posted on how it helps us out with tantrums, naughty behavior, and keeping this lil man from getting too wild.
I can't really think of anything else right now, so I'll end here. I'll update when I hear more, more happens, or if I get really bored.
Oh, before I log off, I just want to address something. I won't be posting photos of the kids on here AT ALL. Until I can make absolute sure that no freakish perv gets a hold of them, I won't be putting up photos on blogger. Facebook, yes, but not here. If you want to see photos, either head over to facebook or let me know and I'll see if I can email a few. Just a step I'm taking to keep the kids safe. I've heard of too many other moms having their photos pirated for over seas ads or being used in some sick way. Please respect this choice.
Hope all is well in your home!