Our Soldier, Our Hero, Hunter's Daddy

Hunter's Daddy, Christopher is now a U.S. Army Soldier.  On Monday, April 9th, he was sworn in at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Command) in Indianapolis.

Such a proud but emotional moment for the family!

The swearing in ceremony was witnessed by Mommy, (Carissa), Hunter, Aunt Mandy, Uncle Christopher and myself.

On Sunday, March 31 there was a small open house for Chris at my house. Family and friends came by to wish him well and share their pride in his decision to become a soldier. Family members in attendance were Nanny (great grandmother) Ruth Mitchell, Grandparents Gigi and Papaw, (Margaret & Robert Mitchell), Carissa, his wife, Hunter, his sister Mandy and her fiance, Chris Mershon, his great Aunt Corrine & great Uncle Charles Matlock, cousin Denise Smith, great Aunt Nancy Dorrel, father in law, Mark Collins, mother in law, Diana Cavaletto, grandmother in law, Marjorie Collins. Good friends that also were here to help celebrate were Jeff Vest, Jerry & Laura Vest, John & Carol Herr, and Chris's longtime high school friend, Andrew (Andy Drew) Young.

On April 5th, Chris was promoted to Private First Class at the East Indy Recruitment Station by Sergeant First Class Foster. Carissa, Hunter and myself were able to attend this small presentation. 

Hunter's physical therapist, Leeann, brought a plate of very appropriate cookies for the family to enjoy!

After the processing at MEPS, the family went to the airport to see Chris off to Ft. Benning, GA to begin his Army journey.

We are so very proud of you Christopher, Daddy!

Our Soldier, Our Hero!   HOOAH!!

Here Comes Hunter Cottontail...

Sunday, April 8

Hunter's first Easter, and he makes the cutest little bunny, don't you think?!

Easter dinner was enjoyed by all the family, GiGi and Papaw, Aunt Mandy & Uncle Christopher, Nanny (great grandma), Mommy, Daddy & Hunter and Grandma.  We had a ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, asparagus, rolls, fresh veggies and dip, pickles and two yummy desserts, strawberry pie and chocolate chip sensation.  We also had a new version of Peeps!

After dinner, Hunter got his Easter goodies from Aunt Mandy and Uncle Christopher, GiGi & Papaw and his bucket from Grandma. Aunt Mandy & Chris got him a "Muddy Paws and the Birthday Party" book and some yummy Strawberry Apple Snackers, and GiGi & Papaw gave him a cute little summer outfit, and his bucket was full of all kinds of "big"little boy things.

He seemed excited to show GiGi his new snacks! :)

Taking a picture with Daddy...


Also with Aunt Mandy and Daddy,,

Spending Easter with the family was really nice, but was also bittersweet. Did you happen to notice Daddy's shirt? It was bittersweet because this will be the last family get-together he will be at for a while, the next morning he will be starting his new career as a soldier in the United States Army.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH MY....and more!!

On March 16, Hunter was 10 months old.  To celebrate the occasion Mommy, Daddy and Hunter went to the Indianapolis Zoo with Rebecca and her sons, Simon and Samuel.  It was a very sunny, warm , hot day at the Zoo!

Hunter sporting his shades!

They saw polar bears...

Mommy and Hunter in front of the Polar Bear display

There were meerkats...several little Timones!

And lizards...

TIGERS....

Hunter watching the bear play in the water

Chillaxin the Hunter way! :)

A baby giraffe

There were rhinos

BIG KITTY!!

Hunter really enjoyed watching the sea lions swimming through the under water windows! Such a big, cute smile!!

A trip to the zoo is not complete without treats!

Hunter chose the stuffed elephant as his souvenir to take home with him.

And of course, ICE CREAM is a must on a hot day at the ZOO!!

 A great way to celebrate 10 months old!

A Visit to the Muncie Children's Museum

Hunter, Mommy and Daddy visited the Muncie Children's Museum with Mommy's friend, Rebecca and her two sons, Simon and Samuel in early March.

The Muncie Children's Museum is located at 515 S. High St. Muncie, Indiana.  Admission is $6.00, ages 1-100.

They all had lots of fun at the museum.  Check out all the things they did!

Hunter and Mommy playing with the big pinwheel

They saw a turtle, one of Daddy's favorites!

Mommy and Hunter played in the water....

Daddy and Hunter played on the tractor

 Hunter looks like a farmer in his overalls

They saw a bird...

 They saw a chinchilla...

They even went fishing!

Hunter went down a slide....

And he really wasn't too happy about it! :)

But Ronald McDonald was okay...

All in all, fun was had at the museum by everyone!

The museum is well worth the visit with small children and the price is right!  

Sleepless Study?

Mommy had concerns about Hunter not sleeping soundly and seeming to not breath properly when he was asleep.  Because the blood flow in an HLHS child is not like that of a healthy, full heart, child proper oxygen levels are always a concern and especially so during sleep, when the body normally slows down all processes. The lack of oxygen circulating due to lowered respirations is a concern, as well as one or two pauses in breathing or very shallow breathing, known as apnea. Hunter's cardiologist ordered a sleep study for Hunter.

It was quite an interesting procedure! He was such a trooper while they were sticking electrodes and connecting wires all over his little body.

He didn't seem to mind at all. He played with all the wires,the paper packages and watched a little cartoons in the process....

He didn't even really mind when they starting wrapping his head to keep him from pulling the electrodes off of his head, which by the way were put on with some really gooey stuff.

But the last straw was when they tried to put in a nasal canula when he was still awake, needless to say the happy, little trooper was NO MORE!! He ended up wearing himself out from crying. :(

 Unfortnuately, he did not stay asleep for very long. The poor little guy was still so upset. Because Hunter wasn't sleeping well, neither did Mommy. It was a VERY long night!  Apparently, he slept long enough for them to at least record what was needed and the results were good.  He does have mild apnea,but it is not bad enough to warrant anything further to be done at this time.

 YEAH, all good news!!

Mommy and Hunter went home the next morning and took a long nap! :)

If you suspect your little one is having any sleep disorders, please contact your doctor and discuss if tests are needed.  Apnea can be fatal, don't delay, contact your doctor! For additional information click this link  Peyton Manning Children's Hospital Sleep Disorders

February- A Month of Hearts

We all know that February is the month for lovers, but did you know that February is also American Heart Month? Or that the first Friday of the month is National Wear Red Day?  Or that February 7-14 is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week?

Hunter participated on Friday, February 3, National Wear Red Day by sporting his good looking red shirt!

Grandma launched her March for Babies campaign at work, during Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week.  All associates received a flyer entitled DID YOU KNOW?? and a red heart sucker for Valentine's Day.  Hunter's Mommy, Carissa, is heading up team "Hunter's Heart" for the March For Babies walk in downtown Indy, May 12.  We are campaigning for donations and walkers to join us to walk on behalf of Hunter to bring awareness to CHDs and to help all future babies to have a healthy start. 

If you would like more information on March For Babies, would like to walk with us, or make a donation, please click this link March For Babies to my personal goal page.  You can also, click on the March of Dimes banner to the right of this post to participate or donate. If you would like to make a donation, other than by credit card, please send me an email at dadal419@aol.com or leave a message in the comment section below.

Why am I walking? Because no one should have to endure hearing that their child has a heart defect. Will you help?

First Steps

First Steps is a state funded system of local interagency councils to assist infants and children that are experiencing developmental delays due to extended hospital stays or disabilities. As with adults, extended hospital stays can require some rehabilitation, First Steps is there to assist the little guys and gals.

Hunter has had weekly visits from First Steps for several months. Although, he has not been very far behind an infant that has not had any hospitilization, there have been many benefits from their visits.  Not only are they hands-on with the children, but they can instruct family members on how to assist with their development to keep them on track. 

Here are a few pictures of his therapist, Leann, working with Hunter on getting into a sitting up position: