Updates

We saw Dr. Shah today and I feel much better about the process. He explained things to me and made me feel more comfortable and optimistic about everything. Gabe HATES the doctor's office and wouldn't allow them to get his blood pressure, listen to his heart, or complete the echo. He turns into a bear at a doctor's office. Unfortunately, he will be in many in the future. We have a tentative schedule set up for him. He will have an angiogram on July 29 and hopefully surgery on August 5. There is a chance that he may have to have another surgery before the big one to put in a shunt. That would push the heart repair back a bit. We won't know until after Dr. Shah completes the angiogram. I am just really pleased with the office and how they have explained things to me and treated us. I feel very comfortable with them and I am anxious to get Gabe better. They said that we should be able to expect him to not be blue (under nails and periodically around his eyes and mouth) and he won't get so winded. They also said that his activity level will increase and I am not sure how to handle that one. This kid, and for anyone who has seen him, is the most active kid I have been around. I better start buying Wheaties.

Now that we have some dates, in true Calliss form, we are planning some celebrations. The support for Gabe has been unreal. One of the nurses yesterday came into the room and said, "Oh this is the boy we have been reading about." Another nurse, on our way out saw him and said, "This is the boy we have been praying for." I have never even met these women before. It is incredible to see how people have rallied around this little guy. We would like to give people the change to meet our little angel. We will have a "Meet Gabe" open house at my mom's house on August 1. Please feel free to stop by and meet our little man and have some fun. We plan to start around 1:00 and we will keep the party going as long as he lets us. My parents live in Washington at 1712 Kingsbury Road. We will have some brats and hot dogs cooking if you are hungry. We will make sure to have games and water toys set up in the yard for kids to play. We would love to give people the opportunity to see him now, because he will likely be hunkered down for awhile after surgery. This is a time to celebrate that fact that he is finally here and he is going to get the treatment he needs to continue to amaze us for a long, long time.

This blog experience has been amazing. I have heard from people I haven't talked to in years through this. I think Gabe has touched many people's lives already and I really want everyone to get to meet him before we start the surgery process.

If that doesn't work for you, we are planning his baptism the following day at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral. I haven't set it up yet, but it will most likely be after the 10:30 mass on August 2. I will have that dated locked down and posted this week.

We just want to show him off to the world, as we are the proudest parents. We look forward to seeing you all and having a good time!