Where there's a Will.....

There's a Wait!!!

Prince William of the NICU is making his rounds checking out local hospitals.  He has hit three in the last 21 days and ridden in 2 different ambulances....just to wait for surgery!!

Will at 20 days old!!!

("Why did they put this girly blanket on me, mommy?")



Here's the update on the Crazy Life of the Cunninghams: 
Surgery has FINALLY been scheduled for next Wednesday, June 6th.  This mommy is not so happy about it either.  My baby has been in a holding pattern since last Tuesday, May 22nd!  And, we just now know that he is on the books for surgery.  I had a mommy breakdown last night with the Cardiology NP and another one this morning during rounds.  Am I okay with his surgery next week--NO but do I have a choice???  NO! 

I just want William to get better.  Everyday, we are in the hospital is one more day that we delay a homecoming.  Each day has brought new challenges for William and the rest of our family.  Earlier this week, Will was doing great--stable as can be when you have very limited oxygenated blood supply circulating through your heart.  Thank God for his septal defect that is keeping him alive.  Never did we think we would be praising God for a large hole in our baby's heart...but, we are!!  If not for his large ASD, we wouldn't be telling his story!  As the days have progressed, his needs for care have increased.  His oxygen demands are getting to be more and more.  His diuretics have changed to twice daily dosing rather than once daily dosing.  And, today, he had to receive his first blood transfusion for anemia!  Poor guy!  So, we are WAITING for next week not so patiently. 

Will at 21 days old!  (Why wouldn't he have a blocked tear duct, too?

Mackenzie and Carson had a great weekend with mommy and daddy.  Playing on the playground at Children's Mercy, playing in the fountains at Crown Center.  And, by the way, KC Jiggle Jam was a TOTAL RIP OFF.....had to pay to get into the festival just to play in the fountains!!  Then, they returned to Grandma Sue and Papa Jim's to come down with fevers and sore feet!  A quick e-mail to the family doc and an appointment with him, HAND FOOT MOUTH DISEASE!!  So, needless to say they have been quarantined at Grandma Joyce and Papa Jerry's house for the week.  Chris and I miss our kiddos...and they miss their baby brother!!!  At least, they are fever free now and no new lesions....might be able to see them tomorrow~~a whole week without giving your sick kids love is hard on a stressed out set of parents!!

Disclaimer:
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING PICS ARE PRE-ILLNESS.....we did not expose our NICU baby to HAND FOOT MOUTH DISEASE!!! 

The playground!!

Playing with Daddy....not sure who the biggest kid is?  Chris, Mackenzie or Carson?

Can't get all three facing the same direction with a smile!  Can they be any cuter?

And, here's the true picture of our kiddos...Carson being goofy, Kenzie rolling her eyes, and Will just hanging out WAITING for surgery!!!

Heartbreak Hotel!!

Well....this week has been a trying one to say the least.  We found out on Monday that William, our now 2 week old son, has a congenital heart defect.  His defect is Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR).  Basically, it means that his pulmonary veins do not meet his heart like they should in the left atrium.  So, he will need OPEN HEART SURGERY!!!  Yes, our newborn baby will have open heart surgery next week.  We are not sure of a date yet. 

Our week has been chaotic to say the least.  Found out about his condition by chance when the neonatalogist at Overland Park could not figure out why he wasn't turning the corner on his respiratory symptoms.  So, the echocardiogram of his heart was done.  And, the results were abnormal.  So, William was then transferred to Children's Mercy.  He will likely be here for 1 week before surgery and 4-6 weeks after surgery. 

Chris and I have a room at the Ronald McDonald House which is truly a blessing.  It is fabulous to be able to give your baby a kiss goodnight and be back in your room in less than 10 minutes.  We will never look at McDonald's the same after staying here.  Please drop coins in the collection boxes everytime you eat a McDonald's and have your kids do the same.  These places are amazing.

Mackenzie and Carson are doing as well as can be expected.  They have been staying with family this week.  And, today we spent the day with them.  Running errands as a family--always an adventure!!  We plan to give them some special time this weekend knowing that next week is going to be crazy for all of us.

William is stable.  He is actually doing a little better after they added some diuretics to decrease the fluid and pressures in his lungs.  He is resting more comfortably in the last 24 hours.  And, today, they let him get some GROCERIES!!!  Even if they were not tasted, he is receiving all feeds through a nasogastric tube at this point.  He still seemed happier---and he woke up each time when it was meal time.  And, his mom is providing plenty of groceries.  Pumping might be the only thing I can do for him at this time!!!  Moo says the cow!!!!

My last snuggle with my boy before he was loaded up to go in the ambulance.

Snug as a bug in a rug---an expensive rug, if I do say so myself!!

Will post more pics soon....and keep everyone updated as to surgery and our needs.  But, please continue to pray for William and the rest of the Cunningham Family of Five!!!!



What a week......

What a Week for the Cunningham Family....

Mackenzie turned 6!!!  Can you believe that?  She also had her last day of Kindergarten.  We now have a 6 year old with a loose tooth heading to first grade next year.  Her birthday was filled with balloons in the morning, presents, field day at school, a surprise visit at school from her mommy, a visit to her baby brother, and a dinner at Texas Roadhouse!  She had to ride the saddle as they sang Happy Birthday to her!!!

Her last day of school (beach party day) with Fire, her Betta fish that she received for her birthday!!

Carson!!!  He is just happy to be a 2 1/2 year old boy.  No real changes for him!  He was the life of the dinner party at Texas Roadhouse, singing and dancing.  Life is great when you get to play all day...and have a grandma to dote on you all week.  Quite the helper at field day, I hear.

William!!  We have now been in the NICU for 8-9 days.  And, we have had ups and downs.  Tried weaning down on his oxygen to no avail.  Pushed a little too hard for his little body.  So, one step forward and two steps back.  Such is life.  Feeding has also been an additional challenge.  It is hard work learning to breathe and figuring out how to eat.  The doctor and I just talked...likely will be here for another week.  But, we are completely okay with this.  Chris and I do not want to rush a thing.  We want William healthy when he comes home!!  Here are some pics of his last week....

Daddy holding his boy for the second time, EVER!  He thought he knew the tricks to get William to eat...Not So MUCH!!!

At peace.....the shiners do look better, I promise!!

A break from the bili lights....I think this shows that he is so tiny despite being one of the big man on campus in the NICU--they keep calling my 6lb baby  BIG GUY!!!



A FAMILY OF FIVE!!

Well, we are now a family of FIVE.  And, the beginning of our family of FIVE fits the name of this blog...THE CRAZY LIFE of the CUNNINGHAMS!!!

William Howard Cunningham arrived early Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 2:57 am.  He weighed 6lbs. 2oz. and was 18 1/2 inches long.  And, his delivery and hours after delivery were EVENTFUL to say the least!!!  The induction began around 9:15 pm Wednesday evening with true labor beginning around 1:45 am Thursday when my water was broken....and he arrived in about an hour.  No pushing involved and no table broken down for delivery (or a fully gowned and gloved doctor)!!! 

William immediately showed some respiratory distress--initially thought to be transient.  Not so much!  William was then transferred to Overland Park Regional Medical Center via ambulance.  Seeing one's baby whisked away is heartbreaking to say the least.  He has been in the NICU since.  We have seen him graduate from the ventilator, CPAP, and he remains on High Flow Nasal Cannula.  William and I recently got to experience his first try at breastfeeding--he did great for a first try.  We are looking at a minimum of 7 days here for antibiotics, and we have some ways to go to get off oxygen completely.  But, he is making fabulous strides to get home.....he's ready to find out what we mean when we say THE CRAZY LIFE of the CUNNINGHAMS. 

HERE ARE SOME OF THE PICS:

Ventilator!

CPAP--sorry for the poor lighting!!  Daddy's pics are much better!!

High Flow Nasal Cannula

The shiners are from his FAST entry into this world.  I promise that I don't beat my babies!!!  Poor baby can hardly open his swollen eyes.  I haven't seen a baby with black eyes--he must have hit a few bumps on the road.

I snagged this photo during our Mother's Day cuddle time--just William and Mommy!!!  Great way to start Mother's Day!!!  Shortly after our snuggle time, he went under the Bilirubin Lights which leaves only 30 minutes of "out" time every 12 hours or so!!!

My Mother's Day wouldn't have been complete without a picnic with Mackenzie and Carson.  Chris and I got to spend the afternoon with them at a local park, had lunch, and then hit Costco.  Gotta love these moments--and help them to understand what's going on in their world.

The last of our family of FOUR!!

The induction begins in just a few hours....seems crazy to think that our family is growing in less than 24 hours.  This pregnancy has been a journey to say the least, but it seems so odd for it to come to an end. 

In the last week, we have tried really hard to enjoy the moments with Mackenzie and Carson.  Chris and the kids went fishing....here are some pics of the BIG bass they caught!

Daddy's Proud Moment....his little girl holding a bass without squirming...the teeth even cut her fingers.

The bass was WAY too big for Carson to hold...looks as big as he is!!!

Then, Mackenzie and I had a girl's day getting pedicures on Sunday while the boys had a boy's day.  Chris and Carson went to the park, Dairy Queen, and fishing all in one afternoon (after taking a nap in the recliner)!!!  Then, we had family carwash evening.....gotta get the Expedition (AKA The Bus) ready for a new baby.  Carseat installation and all was a family affair.  I have had the joy of seeing them play at the park, spent a day running errands with a little boy, and movie/date night with Mackenzie.

Grandma Joyce helping him teeter totter!!!  Not enough weight in his britches!!

Life is about to change.  But, change is GOOD!!!  And, we cannot wait to introduce the new addition to Mackenzie and Carson as well as the rest of the world!  Boy or Girl, thoughts???  Size???  Time of delivery???

Eviction Notice Posted

EVICTION NOTICE

Baby C #3 hear (because I know reading isn't possible yet) this warning.  Your eviction notice has been posted.  The process will begin to take place at 2000 on Wednesday, May 9th with a likely complete eviction through a laborous process on May 10th.  Your time in utero has been marked at 37 weeks on May 10th.  We are excited for the eviction to take place.  But, remember that evictions in this case are for both of our best interests (yours and mine).  We (meaning Mommy, Daddy, Mackenzie, and Carson) can't wait to meet you.  We are so excited to find out if you are a boy or girl.  Or, in Carson's words, "Baby Ister" or "Baby Bruver"

So, for those reading this post, the induction date is in the books after my doctors' appointments yesterday.  Our family of four will be a family of five in just a few short days.  This thought is daunting to say the least.  Throughout this thing called pregnancy, we have learned so much about our family and our strength in each other.  The Faith we have in each other, extended family and friends as well as God has grown by leaps and bounds.  We have realized that the little things are just that....little things.  And, the big things will come no matter what, and we can cross those bridges when they come.  Somehow, what is meant to be will be...and the things that are not meant to be, will not be.

In the last week, my blood pressures have remained stable...slightly higher than I would like but not getting worse.  My labs are all stable.  Hopefully, I have completed my last 24 hour urine study for protein.  The results of all tests have been reassuring.  So, we are going to induce on Wednesday night before anything changes for the worse.  Kind of a proactive approach, if you ask me.  Inductions have never been something that I am a fan of, but induction/delivery with Carson proved to be the best for both of us, Carson and Mommy.  So, I kind of feel the same way this time.  This pregnancy has left me -16 pounds, in the hospital a total of 20 days, multiple trips to the filling station (IV fluids for dehydration), numerous lab draws, and too many to count appointments with our family doctor as well as the perinatal specialists.  After all, delivery has proven to be the easiest part of pregnancy in 2 previous pregnancies.  Shall we have a repeat quick easy delivery, I hope so.  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we become a FAMILY OF FIVE!!!!

One of our last photos of our family of four....there is a baby in this pic...just hiding under my dress and Carson!!!!

Some pics of Mackenzie from her recital...and her good friend, Laura, too!!

And, Carson ready to go outside...his favorite thing ever!!!  Check out the hat and boots...never do we get far without a straw hat and cowboy boots.