Tyson Hugh Hooper

Tyson Hugh Hooper
Our son, Tyson Hugh Hooper, was born with coarctation of the aorta, hypoplastic arch, and a transitional avsd. His first open heart surgery reconstructed his aorta and was on day 9 of life. His second open heart repair was not anticipated to be needed until two or three years of age. Ty had other plans. We spent the vast majority of his first 3 months of life at Vanderbilt as he went into heart failure and was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. As a result, the medical team concluded that he needed the repair much sooner than usually recommended, and at just shy of 3 months old Ty underwent his second life saving open heart surgery. God has already worked so many miracles in Ty's life and the life of our family and we know he is using our story. Because of this, we are grateful for Ty's special heart and feel beyond blessed that God chose us to travel this road. We ask for prayers as Ty continues to heal. We are praying for a full recovery and life without restrictions for Ty. We are praying for God to use our family and Ty for His glory.

Thank you to each and every person who supports us through prayer, giving, or just by loving on our family! We are humbled and blessed by all of the ways the Lord is providing for us and know that he is using Ty and his story to do great things!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Just a few days old...

From:  Ava Grace

I was so excited to get to come home from the hospital.  Daddy couldn't get me out of there fast enough - he was so ready to take me home.  I think my Mommy was a little scared to take me home... she wanted to stick around at the hospital where there were nurses ready to help with anything.  She didn't need to worry much 'cause the very next day...

...we were back at the hospital!  :-)  Not in a bad way though.  I was a little jaundice and so Grandmommy had to take me and Mommy to my pediatrician while Daddy took my big sister to her cheerleading.  When we got done at the pediatricians we had to go to the hospital to have my labs done.  Thankfully, my levels weren't high enough to require action - just lost of eating and going potty to clear me up and then back to check it again on Monday!  The picture above is me on the way to the pediatrician's office... I hadn't discovered my strong dislike of the car seat yet.  ;-)

I did, however, get a chance to discover my strong dislike of bath time!  Oh my word!  It's freezing when you're all wet with no clothes on!  I was starting to think my family was a little crazy!

But then I got some extra snuggle time in my favorite spot and that made it okay!  This is Daddy's special spot for me... and when I get upset, Mommy hands me off and I get all snuggled down in Daddy's arm and it calms me right down every time!  I think every little girl needs a special snuggle spot like mine!

 See?  Here I am again in my special spot!  And check out my outfit - it says Daddy's Cutie... I thought that was pretty appropriate!

When I am not snuggling during the day, I love to be in my Moses Basket!  This way I get to be right in the mix with everyone... even if I'm taking a cat nap.  Oh, and if you are wondering how I got on my side, rest assured that I did it all by myself!  Mommy and Daddy are determined to lay me on my back, but I much prefer my side!  Mommy says I'm her little side-sleeper, and she's right!

Here's my first "real" visit to the pediatrician!  I checked out healthy as could be with some good weight gain and everything!  They made me be naked there too - brrr!!  Thank goodness for Daddy and his warm snuggles!

Whew!  All this in just one short week was a lot!  I am taking my world in every day and already learning so many new things!  I have also met so many special people!  It tires me out just thinking about it!  I better catch another nap...


...hopefully I can find my thumb again.  I have a hard time keeping my paci in my mouth, but I sure do enjoy it... oh, but when I can get my thumb... that's good stuff!  I had my hands in my face in all of Mommy's ultrasounds, but I can't seem to get my fingers where I want them!  This is the only time I was able to get it to all work together, but I'll keep practicing!

See y'all soon!

Love,
Ava Grace Hooper

6 comments:

Allyson said...

So sweet! Mine loved sleeping on their sides, too! We finally gave in and rolled a blanket up to put behind them and they slept like a baby! :) Ha!

Jennifer Burtram said...

You can buy a "sleep positioner" for side sleepers. Sam had one and it was a life saver and put my mind at ease that he wouldn't end up on his belly.

Also, I have Similac checks to give you. I will send them through Chris until I get to see that sweet girl in person!

Ashley said...

Precious, precious girl! She is beautiful!! It looks like she's had an eventful and relaxing first week! Hope you are feeling rested and not too hormonal! : )

Sarah said...

I can't get the blog background to load and therefor your words are invisible. However, the pictures are precious! See you ALL in a few days! Love you!

Betsy said...

What a cutie peie!!! She is so sweet Meagan! I know you are loving being a mommy. I think Ava is so lucky to have such a wonderful mommy like you. Great post! :)

Sarah said...

got it to load finally! Ava Grace, your a writer! Just like your mommy (and Aunt Sarah, or so they say) I loved hearing the story from your perspective. I think your mommy should make this a regular exercise so you can practice your creative and discriptive writing. Grandmommy will be proud!