Ammon's Cardiology Check Up - April 25, 2007

Two weeks ago Ammon had a follow up visit with the cardiologist. We had to switch to a new cardiologist, because our insurance changed to HAP and unfortunately University of Michigan hospital and doctors don't accept it. We now have to go to Children's Hospital in Detroit. Despite hassles and rudeness with office staff scheduling the appointment, we survived making this dreaded switch. Actually, the doctor and technicians were fabulous!

They did an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) and an EKG. There is still a tiny leak along the seam of the patch that covers the hole between his two ventricles. The cardiologist said it is so tiny that it's not a problem. He explained where the leak is and that it's a very tight spot for surgeons to sew a patch, which is why they can end up with small leaks. He and the echocardiogram technician kept commenting on what a great repair job the surgeon at University of Michigan did. I guess that says a lot, since they are their biggest competitor. If you want more information about Ammon's type of heart defect (Tetralogy of Fallot), just click on the "Ammon's Heart Defect - Tetralogy of Fallot" link under "Helpful Websites" (on the left-hand side of this page towards the top)

You may recall that Ammon had a difficult time gaining weight (especially before his surgery). While he has gained better since his surgery, he still hasn't "caught up" according to the growth charts. He's been at the zero percentile for weight (meaning he weighs less than 100% of children his age), but we haven't been too concerned because he eats well and is healthy. Well, when they weighed him at the cardiologist with his clothes and shoes on, he weighed 23 lbs!!! WOW! Of course that's 2-3 lbs more than he weighs at his pediatrician's office. But it sounded so great! That puts him at about the 2 percentile mark on the growth chart. So he's finally on the chart! At least when using the cardiologist's scale. Either way he's doing okay. Doctors have said he is technically underweight, but he's not undernourished. He really does eat well. He's still breastfeeding and eats a wide variety of table foods. He likes a variety of vegetables - especially broccoli and spinach. He may also weigh less because he doesn't get extra calories from fruit juice or processed foods. We've had to keep him away from sugar and simple carbs because he still gets thrush (fungal infections) so easily. That's actually been a good thing, because he's learning to eat better than most adults I know (including myself).

Ammon will return to the cardiologist in a year, and will continue to have yearly follow up appointments for the rest of his life. They will monitor his condition and watch out for other conditions which may develop. Hopefully he won't have any other problems along the way.

We are so happy and feel so blessed that Ammon's heart is doing so well. We know of other pediatric heart patients who have had a much rougher time. We firmly believe that Heavenly Father allowed us to go through this trial so we could grow in ways we wouldn't have been able to otherwise. It was certainly difficult, but He never left us alone. Looking back on it now, it all feels more like a blessing than a trial. Once again we want to thank all our family and friends for their prayers, encouragement and emotional support. We will never forget it!!!

On a different note, Ammon continues to be our greatest source of joy. We love having him and feel so honored to be his parents. It's so fun watching him grow. He's very active, which is probably another reason he can't keep any fat on his bones. He loves life and gets excited about so many things. He loves having books read to him -- the longer the better. You'd be amazed at the books he has us read to him (lots of text with very few pictures). And he will look through books and magazines on his own. He loves Winnie the Pooh and Lightening McQueen. He plays with Matchbox cars and lines them up neatly in rows (all facing the same direction and often sorted by size). He can be quite meticulous. I have no idea where he might get that!

Ammon enjoys playing outside.....especially at Grandma Beauchamp's house (those of you who have been there know why.... it's like a park). He loves to see Grandma and Aunt Doreen. He gets so excited when he recognizes that's where we are going (which is now about 1/2 mile to a mile from their house). It's cute to see how he melts his Aunt Doreen's heart every time he says her name, or gives her a hug, or holds her hand, or does anything for that matter! Ammon absolutely loves when Daddy comes home from work - and gets so excited whenever he hears him coming. They have great fun together. Jared is such a great daddy! Ammon may not get to see his Willmott Grandparents very often, but he sure loves it when he does! Yesterday I heard him say "Grandpa" for the first time, even though he has said "Grandma" for over a year. He just hasn't had as much practice with the word Grandpa. He will probably say it more as he figures out that "Grandpa" means yummy, sugary foods (and a very agitated mommy).

You can see from the picture at the top, Ammon likes to play with the stethoscope and listen to his heart. He points to his chest and says "Heart." He is really affectionate with plenty of hugs and kisses, even though he gave up cuddling long ago! I think that's because he doesn't want to stop and sit unless he's playing with toys or reading a book. Lately he wants to "help" with everything. He says, "Help" when he wants to help you do something (which translated usually means he wants to do it himself). Perhaps most importantly, Ammon is FINALLY sleeping better at night!!!! YEAH!

Here are some pictures of Ammon taken in the past several months. We can't believe he will be 2 years old soon (on May 21st). Where does the time go???

October 25, 2006

I call this one "Ammon's Bad Hair Day." It was taken back in December when he was sick with a really high fever. The fever made him sweat while sleeping so he looked like this when he woke up.

What a sweet smile! March 11, 2007

February 27, 2007

February 23, 2007 - after our Hawaiian Luau themed Blue & Gold Cub Scout Banquet (Suzie is the Cub Master of our church's Cub Scout Pack)

March 2, 2007

April 17th, after drinking a chocolate protein shake. This is a preview of what he would look like with a mustache. He looks a little like his Grandpa Beauchamp here!

Oops! Where did his eyes go? He may have his daddy's hair and eye color, but he definitely gets his disappearing eyes from his mommy!

Suzie, Jared & Ammon - May 5, 2007