MJ is ONE!!!

Merritt James "MJ" Whitt is ONE!! 

I cant believe that he is one already! Time flies... 

He is so much fun. He is a ball of energy and always on the move. He cant stop moving and every day is getting closer to walking but he is a darn fast crawler. lol

Everyday he finds he can do something new like close his eyes, hide from us, blow kisses, clap his hands, and the Indian noises lol. He loves to eat he would just sit and eat all day if it was up to him. He loves everything there isn't a food he really doesn't like and don't try to eat in front of him and not give him any.Some of his favorite foods are watermelon, blueberries, turkey, and avocado. I know this kid is a healthy eater.  MJ loves anything with noise and any type of truck or car. He is such a little boy he loves his play tools and pushing trucks around. He just started swimming lessons (thank you GG & Grandpa Merritt for that Birthday gift) and he loves it. He likes to put his head under and knows how to hold his breath! He is such a little fishy. 

He also LOVES mickey hints the theme of his Birthday. We also got to go to Disney for his actual birthday. (thank you Great Grandma & Grandpa Merritt) They helped make his birthday so great. Mickey mouse sang happy birthday to MJ is was one of the coolest things seeing his face. He really couldn't believe that mickey was in front of him talking to him. 

MJ had 2 birthday parties I know he is a popular kid! We had a Party in FL and in VA. Thank you to everyone in mine and Nicks family that helped put the parties together. 

Also thank you to all of our friends and family that came to the parties!! 

We had a BLAST!

MJ's Hospital Packing List

Here are some items that were so helpful in the hospital. When I was packing it was hard to know what to pack I just over packed. I brought everything I thought we would possibly use. I wanted to but a few posts together to help others going through cranio surgery. This will help you to know the top items we used and the links to purchase them. 

My biggest tip would be to hold your baby right away. I was encouraged by my doctor to do this. When MJ got fussy or was crying we got him out and held him. This helps because in our case his eyes were swollen shut and then he could feel, smell, and hear us. He calmed down so much when we would hold him. It is also good o he can move around and not just be in one or two positions. 

1. I-Pad Mini -  We used our iPad so much we had music playing non-stop since he woke up from surgery. He has always listened to these CD's so we created a playlist just for him to listen to on repeat. It was a mixture of instrumental music and christian lullabies that we had since he was born. The music calmed him so much. Also make sure you bring your charger we just left ours plugged into the wall. Once he opened his eyes on the 4th day in the hospital he watched Mickey mouse clubhouse which he has always liked. Also make sure you know how to work the guided access mode this is so amazing it locks the iPad so MJ can hold it and he can touch the screen. 

2. Hidden in My Heart: A Lullaby Journey Through Scripture by Jay Stocker - This album is amazing it sings the bible. MJ has loved this since he was born. It calmed him so much when he was in the hospital. 

3. Cloud B Sleep Sheep Sound Machine - MJ has also used this since birth when we were traveling it helped put him to sleep. He loves the ocean sound on this sound machine. I was given this lil sheep as a shower gift and I have used it so much. In the hospital I had the music on and I had this sound machine on his bed playing. When he would fuss we would turn the sound machine back on and he would calm right down. 

4. MAM Anti-Colic 9oz Bottle - Make sure to bring your own bottles to the hospital. When MJ was ready to drink liquids he started on pedialyte. The nurse brought in the bottles he wouldn't take it. I was so happy that I brought his from home he took it right away. Why make him more confused after the surgery give him a bottle/nipple that he knows. 

5. MAM BPA-Free Pacifier -  This is a life saver the sucking was so soothing to him right after surgery. It took us a while when he was born to find the right pacifier. He would gag with most of them when we tried MAM he it was natural to him. Make sure to have a few in case they hit the floor. 

6. Burts Bees Baby Essential Kimono - In the hospital MJ went from hot to cold to hot a lot it was the pain meds that made him like that. He also hated the hospital gown he would pull it off. I wouldn't like it either it was itchy and so awkward to wear. We used this Kimono top it was nice because it doesn't go over their head. Also we didn't put pants on him so we could change his diaper easier we just put a blanket over him. Make sure to have a lot of tops. MJ would throw up when we tried to get him to drink formula. So my mom washed our laundry every night because we went through all of our clothes everyday. 

7. Pedialyte - MJ went through a lot of this. Its all he would drink for the first 4 days. We had to ease him into the formula/ baby food. He would throw up every time we fed him for a bit. The hospital did supply the pedialyte but once we got home we needed a lot of it still. 

8. Similac: Sensitive - MJ has used this formula since he was a baby he only breast fed for a month. 
(thats a whole other story lol) He only likes this formula I have tried to change but he loves this one. I brought it to the hospital just in case and good thing that I did they didn't have this formula. So make sure you bring your formula just in case the hospital you go to doesn't have it. 

9. aden + anais Muslin Swaddle Blanket - These blankets were soooo helpful to have. The blankets in the hospital are so rough and thick. MJ was hot most of the time. These blankets are so nice and soft and thin they are perfect to have just a light cover over him. I had the shirt on him and covered the lower half of him with the blanket. 

**Another useful tip is after surgery in the hospital MJ had to be elevated. He kept sliding down the bed and every time we had to push him up to readjust him he would cry and moan in so much pain from being moved. We had an amazing nurse that showed us a trick to keep him cozy and up on his gel pillow the doctor wanted him to use so he wouldn't get a flat spot on the back of his head. She took a large hospital blanket and rolled it up and wrapped it in a U shape around him. We would rotate him from his back to his side in this U shape blanket. He really relaxed in this compared to just laying in the bed and sliding down. Such a good trick. 

MJ's Check-up 2 months post op (4/2/15)

MJ had a check-up with Dr. Maugans on Thursday April 2nd. He said that MJ is doing great his head is growing like it should be and the shape looks great. MJ's head has a few bumps and lumps that we were concerned about the Dr. said that we shouldn't be concerned about it. The lumps and bumps are to be expected when the skull is growing together and getting thinker. He said most grown adults have lumps and bumps on their skulls but they are not noticeable. We are so pleased with the results of MJ's surgery since the surgery he actually naps. Previous to the surgery he never napped maybe if he did it was 15min or so. Now he is taking 2hr naps 1 to 2 times a day. The Dr. said he hears this a lot with this surgery. MJ is healing so great he is even swimming now. He is such a water baby. Swimming post to come!! The pictures below are from his check-up with Dr. Maugans. They had to measure his head and check his vitals. He goes back for another check-up in the beginning of July. 

Thank you for all your continued prayers. 

We Are Home

Sorry it took me so long to update everyone on our return home.

WE ARE HOME!!!

I have learned that just because we are home doesn't mean that everything is good and back to normal. MJ is still healing and everyday he gets better. When we arrived home MJ's Aunts Chloe and Raimi made 2 banners for him they are so cute. Such a thoughtful thing to do. It had little drawings on them saying supper MJ, MJ and Mickey, MJ and all the family members in stick figures lol Sooo cute!!

MJ got a bath when we got home his first real bath after surgery and he loved it. Even though it doesn't look like it in the picture. 

He then took a long nap this is not like him at all I can't ever get him to take a long nap. He was happy to be in his own bed. Home sweet home!!

We want to thank Aunt Sandi and Uncle Don for an amazing dinner the night we came home. They also brought us home made bread and lunch for the next day. It was so nice to come home to a home cooked meal thank you both so much. It was great to see you.

Fruit & Snack Basket from Mommom (MJ Great Grandma Hall)

We also want to send a huge thank you out to Matt & Kim Curtis they brought food for days!! And a GIANT MICKEY!! Thank you so much for coming over and hanging out and all the food it was so great. 

Also a big thank you to Great Grandma and Grandpa Merritt they also brought us a ton of food. We are so grateful for you as well it was such a blessing not to have to worry about food. 

We recieved a bunch of flowers and gifts on top of the food deliveries it didn't go unnoticed we are so grateful for all the love and support and prayers!! We feel so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing friends so thank you from the bottom of our hearts!! 

Puppy Flowers from the Buehring Family

 Pink and Blue Flowers from Katy Holt-Larsen and the Monavie Team

Thank you everyone it means so much to us!! This is a pic of MJ in his stroller. When he first came home we couldn't get him to fall asleep. He fought sleep so much so we would walk him in the house and around the neighborhood till he fell asleep. 

WE ARE GOING HOME!!!

Yay!! We are going home!! MJ is doing so good he hasn't thrown up since last night. Yay. We are so excited. We know this will be a big transition for MJ but we think he will be so comfy in his own room and bed. Please pray that he continues to heal fast. Thank you 

                                  

One Step Forward Three Steps Backward

                                   

MJ is so cute he is laughing and smiling
but he is still in so much pain. Today we were moved out of the ICU (room 5116) I think that was hard on MJ it was stressful. He also had his first sponge bath today. He didn't like it much lol. We need prayer that he will keep food/liquids down. He gets sick a lot. They thought it was the pain meds so they slowed those down. He is now only on Motrin and Tylenol. He is still in pain when taking those. He is still getting sick and he hates taking the meds because they taste so bad. He has learned how to spit them out smart lil guy. His blood cell count was low so he will get that tested again in the am. He just can't get comfortable which is so difficult to deal with because I can't really do anything about that. On top of that he has blown his 4th IV. They didn't put another one back in yet to give him a rest and see if things turn around tomorrow and we go home. Which I don't think will happen. So he is bruised and poked from head to toe. He is also still really swollen so that needs to go down. We are asking for prayer that things keep pushing toward healing. We miss our lil baby.

Mr. Blue eyes is back

He is doing so so good. HE OPENED HIS EYES!!! The swelling is going down and he is getting more active like moving his hands around and reaching for things. His eyes opened at 5:30am this morning we both were there when he opened them. He opened his eyes and we could see him just slowly look around it was the best feeling. He keeps staring at the balloons we tied on his bed. He is the best baby so peaceful and relaxed. Sorry for not posting yesterday it was a busy day. Thank you for all that came to visit us it means so much to us. On Tuesday we had Uncle Eulie Brookins who is my uncle and he also married us and was my youth pastor growing up. He drove from Ocala to see us and pray over MJ thank you. Also on Tuesday we had Jimmy Benner who worked with Nick at ups and he was in our wedding. Thank you Jimmy for coming and just sitting and talking with us durring the surgery it means a lot. On Wednesday we had Rodney and Michelle Gage from Rethink life church they are good friends and neighbors. Thank you both for coming over and talking to us and praying over MJ it really does mean a lot that you were here. On Thursday Great Grandma and Grandpa Merritt came to see us and MJ it was nice to see them and get to talk and hangout for a bit thank you so much for coming over. Also on Thursday Jody and Regis Andrews came to visit. They said that when they didn't see me post on the blog yesterday they knew they needed to come and see us and pray over MJ. Thank you for that you two are so great. 

MJ is improving so much the dr said that we could be moved out of ICU today. Please pray that the swelling continues to go down and that he will be able to keep food/formula down. MJ is getting sick randomly we are thinking it's from the pain meds. Today he just now kept down 4 oz of formula so we are praying it stays like this. 

Thank you for all the goodies that were sent for MJ. We are so grateful for all the prayers for our lil guy. 

MJ Update from Aunt Clo and Aunt Rai

Thursday’s update, it has been a very tough few days for everyone, especially MJ. It didn’t hit us hard until the moment we said goodbye to him just before surgery. He is such an amazing little boy with the best personality. He never cries. He is always smiling, and he has the most adorable little giggle. Coming into the room in the ICU after his surgery was extremely hard. Hearing that perfect little boy in such agony was heartbreaking. We broke down. He has been so tough throughout this whole experience, and we couldn’t be more proud of him. Today he has improved a lot. Yesterday was definitely his worst day. His swelling is finally starting to go down, and we are starting to see our perfect little MJ again. He brought us so much joy today when he started talking and giggling again. He hasn’t cried at all and has been so calm. We are getting so excited to see those beautiful blue eyes again! He just opened his right eye the slightest little bit tonight! Please continue to pray for his swelling and his pain to go completely away! We are hoping to see him open both eyes tomorrow.

P.S. Thank you all for the goodies and balloons. MJ will love seeing them when he opens his eyes!

Much love,

Auntie Raimi & Auntie Chloe