Our Christmas blessing!

Merry Christmas!
Love, Travis, Brittany and Micah

Micah's Home

They released Micah this afternoon around 4pm. He was keeping down his feedings. They are giving him 1/2 milk and 1/2 pediasure. Working up to full milk feedings slowly.

Thanks for the prayers!

Micah's in Lutheran

Please pray for Micah (and Travis and Brittany) as they admitted him to Lutheran today for observation. He should only be in overnight. Yesterday, he started throwing up his feedings (which they didn't think he was able to do). The Doctor wanted to get a chest xray of his lungs to make sure none had gone in there. Thankfully, his lungs were clear. They decided to keep him and give him IV fluids and pediasure to help give his tummy a rest. The Doctor thought it was a small bug that has been going around.

I'll let you know when he gets home and how he is doing.

Our little baby...

Our little baby isn't so little anymore! He's so big... I know, I know, I say that about every time I post, but it's true!
When we were down in Cincy, we were able to track down two of his (our) "friends". Neither could believe how big he is! We had a great time seeing our friends.
Micah has kept busy lately, with seemingly weekly trips to go somewhere! We are going to visit a friend or two in Ohio tomorrow, so pray for safe (sane) travel. We also got our next Cincy visit planned for January 19th. They certainly don't let us leave for long! This is, we think, just a meeting with the Hemangioma/Vascular Malformation team (yes, I just wrote that because it makes me look smart!) This group will decide what to do next in terms of surgeries/procedures. We are also waiting to hear from the feeding team to see when to repeat the study that shows his ability to swallow and protect his airway. I was going to put up some pictures, but the computer isn't cooperating. Maybe Friday!
We hope that you have a blessed Christmas season- the Hartman family couldn't be more thankful for little Micah, and for all of you!

A mixed bag..

The news was mixed.. First, Micah did well with going under and the procedure (the anesthesia and procedure took a half hour total). The doctor said the malformation has grown in his airway, but that it's not terrible (that he's seen a lot worse). They are going to start working on the mass on the inside and outside at 6-7 months likely. We are coming back in 4-5 weeks to meet with a team of doctors on what to do next. The good news is that his airway is stable and the trach isn't entirely necessary from an ENT perspective. We can't say whether or not it's necessary for protecting his airway, but the malformation isn't blocking his ability to breathe in a significant way.

The doctor commented multiple times on how cute he is.. we agree :)

Headed back to Cincy

Headed to Cincinnati today for Micah's thoart scope. Please pray for travel safety and good news from the Doctors.

Baby Shower Pictures

Back to Cincy...

Back to Cincy.. I say that with a deep sigh, kind of a "here we go again" feeling. We're headed back to Cincinnati Children's on December 10th (not sure if we'll leave the night before or stay the night after). It'll be fun to see people's reaction to see that Micah has grown over 2 pounds since we left, but I just don't want to hear what they have to say (barring a miracle, I suppose). He has a scope of his airway, it only takes a half hour. It comes with few risks, except the risk of general anesthesia. They'll be able to see how his trach is fitting, and how the malformation looks inside his airway. This will help them plan for the future surgeries.

Micah is doing well, adjusting quite well to being home. He's remained healthy which is a huge blessing! He's growing by leaps and bounds- he's now 10# 11 oz.

So if you're one of Micah's Cincinnati friends, let us know if you're working on the night of the 9th, the 10th, or the morning of the 11th.

Oh, I about forgot.. Micah is starting to crack little smiles. He's a pretty serious little man, but he smiles from time to time. They're real subtle, but it's fun to see his eyes light up and smile just a little bit. He's also trying to suck his thumb, but it usually ends up that he- A) chews his knuckle, B) chews his arm or C) pokes himself in the eye with his thumb. He's getting closer though! He doesn't really take a pacifier anymore, and the therapists want him to do something with this mouth, so yes, we're advocating thumb sucking!

First Steps (new therapists) came out and evaluated Micah... The whole meeting was summed up by one of them saying "How do you feel about having a lot of therapists coming by?" To which we replied, "Bring it on!". He will probably qualify for physical therapy and speech therapy, probably occupational therapy as well, but we'll see. Bring on the "girlfriends" (although we miss our Cincinnati girls a lot!)

Anyways.. we can't believe it's December already... Can you?