48 Hours

Forty-eight hours after heart surgery Tuesday morning, Henry's doctor gave him the "okay" to be discharged from the hospital. I knew our boy was tough, but I had no idea how tough (and he has the scar to prove it). Those two days weren't easy by any means, but Henry handled every poke and stick really well...way better than I did. David and I were there by his side almost the entire time, and we spent both nights in the hospital with him. Henry stayed in the PICU for one day and was moved to a progressive care room for one more day. It blows my mind that he was playing around, doing tummy time in the bed and smiling a day after heart surgery. I am so proud of him. The past couple of weeks have been a nightmare. Thank God our Henry is healthy and happy. It seems that the more life throws at you, the stronger you become. Henry won't remember this surgery when he's older. Heck, it's probably a distant memory to him by now. But we were there every step of the way. And I will remember. This whole process has made me a stronger person and a better mom.

Here is Henry in the PICU room. Poor buddy was hooked up to so many machines, had four IV lines and a drainage tube.

Here is Henry "relaxing" with David after a strong dose of morphine - right before the drainage tube was taken out.

Henry was back to his old ways of smiling and flirting with everyone in no time. All of the nurses loved our boy. Everyone had to stop in to see this "big patient," who "did not look like a heart patient."

After we moved out of PICU, Henry loved sitting in his bouncy chair. We watched Yo Gabba Gabba on repeat and played in bed.

Here's our room.

Henry sitting up and playing in bed

Henry taking a wagon ride around the floor

"Taste it coarctation of the aorta."