They just can't stand to not see us for a full year

6 months ago Tiernan was doing so great Dr. P said he may stretch things to a year if his next echo looked as good. 

We are going back in 6 months. 😕

But before you get too concerned, he's still doing pretty well. The main change is that his Left Atrium is slightly bigger than last time. One data point isn't something Dr. P is ready to get too worked up over. It could be due to the fact we dropped the night Lasix dose last time and this is the result. It could actually have something to do with his biggest growth spurt in his entire life. Or it could be that the valve regurgitation is causing it. When we go back in 6 months, if it is unchanged we will just keep on keeping on. If it is worse, then he said he'd look at adjusting meds. If it continues from there then he would be looking at options to deal with the leaky valve. 

As in replacement. 

But we know that's out there anyway. So really, there is nothing very new to report. 

Oh. Except the PVCs. Premature Ventricular Contractions. They are not happening all the time. Isolated I think is what he called them. He didn't see them on today's EKG but they've popped up before. Enough to make him plan a 24 hour holter monitor to see what's happening over a longer time. Especially during sleep. 

But that can wait until June. 

Generally speaking he's still rollin' up in there like he's Norm walking into Cheers. I'm always so thankful the only place he hates is the lab draw rooms. And who can blame him on that one right?

I'll finish up with some photos of the day, and in the spirit of Throwback Thursday, I'll throw in a few old ones for comparison. 

He rang that milestone bell a dozen times today. He's earned all those a hundred times over. 

It's fun to mark his growth against this little statue. I remember when he was exactly the same height. 

He is almost as long as the bed these days. 

We still miss our favorite nurse Jodi. 

He's a big kid on the echo table now too. He used to make life so difficult on those poor echo techs. He was done in record time today. 

Full of personality and energy. 

Dr. P is for sure one of Tiernan's favorite guys. 

Had to mark his growth spurt against Dr. P as well. He's made it past his phone!

Another throwback of silly boy with Jodi. 

And today she took a break from her job over at the MB ER to come see us during labs! She even helped him think of ways to tell his friends about his scar that doesn't make them think it's gross. (He has a bionic heart like Ironman) It doesn't get better than that!

Some of the very best people have taken care of us on this journey. 

Joy to the world. All the boys and girls...

This photo still takes my breath away. I could never have imagined the active boy we now enjoy. I think Santa gave him a little extra enthusiasm for life that day as well. He takes such joy in experiencing the world. 

Our trip to Leavenworth was full of wonder for this kid. He could not get enough of the snow. He walked all over the place in the 28 degree weather and only complained when he was hungry. (Which was often, but nothing a bratwurst lunch couldn't solve.) 

Tiernan has loved every day waking up and finding out where his beloved elf Snickerdoodles has landed. He talks to him and even invited him to please visit us in Leavenworth. He was thrilled to see Snickerdoodles took him up on the offer. Especially the second morning when he was legitimately shocked to have seen him one moment in the same spot as the previous morning and then the next he looked, that clever elf had relocated next to the coffee maker where I nearly touched him while fumbling in the dark to make my coffee. Phew!  Close call. 

Even MORE shock when Tiernan noticed Snickerdoodle had suddenly joined us in our car on the way home!  

Grandma and Pops are here for Christmas this year and Kathy was telling me a story that perfectly illustrates how Tiernan's excitement for life impacts others. 

Recently she was on a guided hike in Missoula and the young woman who was leading them was talking about how she worked at the U of M Summer Camp. She said how they get to work with so many great kids and then proceeded to talk about this one kid named Tiernan who basically stole the hearts of the leaders. Kathy overheard this and asked more questions and confirmed it was our Tiernan. (As if there are so many Tiernans out there. Lol)

Kathy asked what it was about him that they loved and the leader said he was just so delighted about EVERYTHING they did. His joy is contagious. 

I hope you all find yourselves delighted with the little joys of life in the coming year. Merry Christmas and Cheers to a wonderful 2017!

Life thanks to Dr. Hanley (and a hundred or so other doctors and nurses)

Conducting a wave symphony at the Dungeness Spit. 

Running in and out of the waves. Not a purple lip in sight. 

Cowabunga!!!!!  Suncadia was the best. 

First kids mile race. ✅

Pulling his cousin in the wagon. 

7th Birthday on roller skates. 

Helicopter pilot. 

Countless hours spent racing around the cul de sac with his gang. 

First day as a "grader". 

The big kid swings at the fair!  

Daredevil!  Tall and brave enough for nearly any ride. 

33 laps at his favorite school event...Apex Fun Run!

Occasionally, if he laughs really hard, he does go a bit purple. But that's a small price to pay for an awesome laughing fit during family game night. 

When I wanted a picture of him at school he decided he needed to pose by his favorite thing...the sticker machine. Lol

Me: Tiernan, you are reading really well!

Tiernan: 🙄 Mom. I AM in first grade now. 

Apparently all first graders magically become excellent readers. (If only...)

Isn't this how everyone plays the piano?

Have a great day.