Happy two years home, buddy.

It's probably hard to understand, but I'm so emotional on this day every year. I think back and realize how much time has passed between his second birthday and today, and it feels like FOREVER. I really can't believe I ever made it through that. He was in the hospital 80 days. To some of you that's nothing, and I'm sure some of you can't imagine it. I can't imagine doing it again.

He's come so far.

OH I'm so excited, I finally got this up. Lizziey B, this was supposed to be a little birthday present from Micah, but couldn't get this uploaded. All the rest of you can enjoy it too. Who doesn't love Green Eggs and Ham. :)

Happy Birthday Micah!

Lizziey, that fist bump pic is for you. You're the first one to teach him that.

We're looking at surgery at 10am on Thursday. They'll call us and tell us the time for sure sometime today. Last we heard they're booking the OR for 5 hours, although that could change too.

Micah saw his pediatrician yesterday, and he gave us a resounding "all clear" which was a big relief. Of course, it's all up to the anesthesiologist on surgery day.

I've got a lot on my mind this morning... stupid stuff like supplies that I need to sign for that need to show up today, how my plant is going to stay alive (I'm sending it to you, mom! LOL).. The trash, the recycling (Craig, you might be getting a text about that one). It's funny how the little stuff drives you crazy when you're already stressed out. Luckily this is my morning to get out of the house... But as I write this, I realize how surrounded we are by wonderful people that will help us out if we just ask. Not everyone is so lucky.

Micah is doing awesome. In the last week he's started to eat more than I've ever seen him eat. He's tolerating his tube feedings like a pro, and at times he's chattering up a storm. He said "dada" for the first time a week or two ago, much to his daddy's delight. We're not sure what sounds he's making most of the time (but that's any 18 mo old!), but we're thankful for anything.

Anyways, we'll try to let you know if anything changes in the next 48 hours. (Yikes... only 48 hours til surgery..)

The haircut and more...

On Tuesday, or Monday/Tuesday depending on the weather we'll be headed down to Cincy. Please pray the weather holds out, I don't really need that extra stress right now. When we're down there we'll find out if they want to do another sclerotherapy attempt before the big surgery. I don't we'll get the date of the big one, but they'll probably get the ball rolling and we'll find out shortly after.

We found these cute animal decals that just stick on and peel off the wall. It was a nice, fun touch for his jungle themed room. Micah got his hair cut last week... boy was that a hoot. :) Poor Luke had a moving target, but you could tell you he's had some practice. According to some his hair isn't short enough but it's as much as I could stand to see go!

I'm a Walking Man...

One year and one surprise later...

As of tomorrow, we will be celebrating Micah's 1 year homecoming from the hospital. Can you believe it? Thinking back to his first birthday,. that's essentially how long he was in the hospital. It's amazing how long that seems, even though many families spend two, three, four times + as long.

So, as if that wasn't enough to be excited about...

He said MA!

That's right, Micah "In his own time" Hartman.. said Ma! 14 months, 2 weeks and a few odd days later, he finally said ma! This is his first real sound, like a baby would say "ma" or "da" or "ba".

The boy knows how to make his mama cry. And proud, very proud.

Cutest kid in the universe..

A slideshow of Micah's one year pictures can be seen at: www.eberkeypilephotography.com/Hartman.aspx
(hopefully this works!) Thank you to Erin for doing his pictures, you did a great job!
If you'd like a print, let me know in the next two weeks send me an email or text with what number you want (from the website) and what size you want.
Thanks!

He's crawling!

`

I'm ONE!

The party started Saturday, and we're still partying today! And just in time for his birthday, he learned how to pull himself up to standing on furniture! Big guy!

He was in a swallowy mood!

He did great on his swallow study! They gave him liquids by mouth for the first time, and he did just fine! We were so surprised! He is really careful with what they give him, which is perfect for him! The doctor said he is really protecting his airway, which is so refreshing after hearing for so many months that he wasn't protecting his airway at all!

He is really slow getting the food swallowed, it's almost methodical how he moves the food around and swallows just a little bit at a time!

So we're cleared to give him liquid by the baby spoonful! He's probably not ready for a sippy cup yet, but we'll take whatever we can get! Hooray!

Micah takes a Dip :)

Micah seems to enjoy the water just like his Mommy!

Rollin', rollin' rollin!

Micah's skill of the week is rollin! I can't keep up with him! I walked out of the room for just a minute, and he'd rolled multiple times in one direction, and reached into a basket and pulled out a picture! He was just staring at it, like "What? I'm just trying to make sure you're not holding out on me!"

He loves to just "chill" (as in the first picture). If he can kick his feet up on something, he will!

And also, why is it that kids want what they're not supposed to have? I can surround Micah with toys, but nothing is more exciting than his feeding tube. He'll hold it up to his face and stare at it for hours if I would let him! Kids will be kids!

I'm glad that I'm finally somewhat back in the loop. Micah and I are going to church pretty regularly.

Would you pray that Micah isn't getting sick? I'm starting to wonder... And of course, he always pulls stunts like that over the weekend!

Oh, goodness...

I have never been so thankful on Thanksgiving in my life. We took Micah back to see Dr. Wheeler (the high risk doc in FW) this week... and Dr. Wheeler put it so well, that Micah is a miracle baby. There were so many twists and turns, but he's here, and we couldn't feel more blessed. Our God is so amazing... I don't know how someone could see this journey and not know that God had this all in his plans. Today, I'm just in awe of where we've been this last year, and so thankful we are all home and well.

Here's the sweet baby... by the way, he's 10# 5 oz now... Such a big boy. (Except that now they moved him from a premature baby growth chart to a normal one, he's about 5% for height, and about 10% for weight.)

Adjusting to home

Micah's homecoming went great! Mom and Dad are adjusting also. They are very Thankful to have him home.

Micah's trip to Indiana

Micah arrived back in Indiana in style. Hope he doesn't get used to this type of transportation. The trip home went very smoothly. Brittany said he was grumpy for half of the trip. I would be to, since they didn't give him his 8am feeding. He is all snug in his bed at Lutheran Hospital NICU. Please let Brittany or Travis know if you'd like to visit. They would love to see everyone. (Reminder, not to come if you think your not feeling well).

Britt's access to the internet will be limited to the time their at the hospital. So updates will be a little less often.

Thanks for the prayers,

Grandma Brenda

Look at my cute cheeks!

Micah has nothing on his face! His surgery went really well which was a huge relief. It was delayed 3 1/2 hours which was no fun... no fun at all. Once he got downstairs, it was 4:45pm. They got him under anesthesia and surgery started about 5:05. They called us back to talk to the doctor at 5:5O. It went SO fast, way faster than the 2 + hours we were told. It went well and the doctor was pleased.

There's a lot of information we'll pass along in the next few days, but what's important is that he's doing well.

We have a few cell phone camera pictures to pass along. He's pretty snockered (I think that's what a nurse called it)... either way, he's completely sedated in these pictures because it was when he just got back... You can see the trach and g tube in one picture. He's got a lot on him in the picture, don't worry most of it's harmless.

Surgery number 2

There's a LOT of information to pass along about the surgery, but I think I'll try to hit the high points. It's not the best news, but we expected most of it.
With the lung scope, they found that his malformation had expanded significantly into his airway. When he was born, it was just little dots that didn't extend into his airway... therefore he will definately need a trach. The malformation is above where the trach would be, so that would secure his airway. The plan for the trach is next week, probably towards the mid-end of the week. The docs still think the ability to suck/swallow is something he can learn, but will be a long process. The pulmonary doc said his lungs look okay.
The g-tube surgery wasn't too smooth. On top of the tube placement they were planning on doing a procedure that wraps his stomach around his esophagus. When trying to detach his stomach from his spleen, the spleen suffered damage. It took quite some time and quite a lot of effort to get the bleeding under control, but they were able to save his spleen and stop the bleeding. The procedure lasted a good extra hour or two because of this. They were able to insert the feeding tube with little trouble. They gave him lots of blood, plasma, etc to get the bleeding under control.
Unfortunately it was a pretty bumpy surgery, but Micah is back in his bed and doing okay. They're giving him morphine so he's pretty zonked, but he still is a bit feisty.
We're just glad it's over for now. Trach next week though. Good grief, poor kid. The good news is that when the trach is stable (which takes time), that's the biggest hurdle to clear to getting home. Which is a huge relief.

First Family Picture of the Hartman Family

Everyone had a restful night. (Except the ones of us that stayed at Holmes on Eden. We had a fire alarm go off at 11pm. What a way to wake up. Thankfully, everything was fine.)

They are pretty sure they will do Micah's surgery tomorrow. Not sure of the time yet. Travis said sometime during the day shift. But, with hospitals things could change at a drop of a hat.

They are not sure what type of cyst it is. Please pray they are able to remove all of it this time.

Off to eat lunch, then back to visit Micah!

Micah's Here!!

Micah Eugene Hartman was born on August 31, at 8:11pm. He is doing great! They were able to put an airway down his thoart. His heart looks good. We haven't seen him yet, but Travis took pictures of him and he's beautful. Brittany is settled in a room at University Hospital. They didn't have room at Children's Hospital for her tonight. Hopefully, she will be transfer back there tomorrow morning.
The will acess Micah in the next few days, to decide when they will do his surgery.

Travis just called and said Micah is doing great, when he went in to see him, he perk up and opened his eyes when he heard his voice.

Thank you for all the prayers, please continue to pray for Micah's surgery and Brittany healing.