CHD Blog : www.One in 1 Hundred.: Elf on the Shelf Not Feeling So Merry

WHAT'S IN A NAME

The One in 1 Hundred comes from the statistic – the number of babies born with a congenital heart defect every year. When you are pregnant you hear a lot of statistics and they don’t really hold any true meaning to you personally until you become that 1 out of 100 and your life is forever changed. Once you are that 1, I don’t think you ever look at statistics quite the same again. Kalvin has not only touched my heart, he has kissed my soul. He has changed me for the better in ways I didn't know existed and for that I am truly blessed. I tried to explain this to a pregnant heart mom and I don't think she quite understood until her heart baby touched her very own soul. Here in this blog, I will try and share with you all our experiences and it is my hope that they will help and or provide you with some comfort. Thank you for listening.

Elf on the Shelf Not Feeling So Merry

That time of year snuck up on us more so than in past years. Time for the return of one of our favorite little people, Flyie. I think the boys now get as excited for Thanksgiving as they do for Christmas all because of the return of one little man in a red suit. Our very own Elf on the Shelf. This year, Flyie arrived with a big gift. A basketball net for the driveway. Kalvin has just started playing basketball in a league and absolutely loves it. I think Flyie wanted to give the boys a present to enjoy as much as possible before the snow started falling.

Flyie has been up to a little more mischief this year. He got himself tangled up in toilet paper and then made a swing from the empty roll. Was caught playing in the china cabinet. Swinging with the barrel of monkeys.

And everyone's favorite prank...drawing on our pictures.

No wonder the little fellow came down with a fever and had to stay until New Year's Eve again this year. Remember the book from last year?

I discussed how hard it is for Kalvin to say goodbye to Flyie on Christmas Eve here.

Kalvin did much better this year. There were no tears. No anxiety. Just a simple note to Flyie begging him to stay a little longer this year. I think this is another positive result from our CBT sessions which I will talk about in my next post. There was also some talk of Flyie bringing a "girlfriend" with him next year. Kalvin heard from some friends at school that if he gets a girl Elf on the Shelf then his boy Elf on the Shelf could get married and have a baby Elf on the Shelf right in our home! Yup, second grade and the birds and the bees are starting to hum. We are babysitting the classroom guinea pig over holiday break and it seems the kids in the classroom are all hoping the classroom guinea pig (a girl) will come back to school pregnant from our pet guinea pig (a boy). The teacher had to explain to the classroom that the classroom guinea pig is too young to have babies and that all the "play dates" between the two guinea pigs will have to be highly supervised! Oh, the conversations to look forward to.

Flyie isn't the only one who has been up to more mischief than usual. The holidays can bring out the mischievous side in all of us.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

OUR MIRACLES

Kalvin was born with d-transposition of the great arteries (TGA), VSD, Coarctation of the Aorta (COA), pulmonary stenosis. Kalvin underwent 8 hours of by-pass surgery to correct his defects when he was 5 days old at Children's Hospital Boston. Kalvin has had two catheterizations to correcton his COA; one at 3 months old and another at 9 months old. The first one was unsuccessful and resulted in a damaged femoral artery in his left leg. His second catheterization was a success! As a result of his damaged femoral artery, his left leg is now about 1 cm shorter than his right and also has less muscle mass. Kalvin has received PT since he was 4 years old to help his coordination and OT to help his delayed fine motor skills. Kalvin also suffers from anxiety and has from a very young age. Kalvin is a well adjusted happy boy who doesn't slow down. He loves boating, beaches, baseball (Red Sox & Indians), football (OSU & Patriots), hockey (Rangers & Bruins), soccer and dancing to music. Kalvin is extremely active participating in baseball, soccer, karate, swimming, skiing, skating and piano lessons. The role Kalvin takes most seriously is that of a big brother. When Kalvin was five years old we were finally blessed with another baby boy, Finn (heart healthy). Finn is a miracle all his own. Finn is full of spunk and makes us all laugh on a daily basis. Kalvin is always looking out for Finn and trying to engage him in play. They are truly the best "medicine" for each other.

Thanks for Stopping by

Most that know me, know I love to talk about my children and most know that Kalvin, my 7 year old, had heart surgery when he was a baby, but that is probably all they know about Kalvin's heart. Once Kalvin entered school, I found myself explaining to the teachers and administrators that Kalvin's struggles were most likely a result of 8 hours of bypass surgery at 5 days old. Recently, I was introduced to some other "heart moms" and we began sharing stories and I found myself reliving Kalvin's surgery and all the experiences that came with it. It was amazing to me how far back in my mind I had actually tucked away many of the experiences, but how easily someone else's words could transport me instantly back to a certain place and time. I found it somewhat comforting to share the stories and relive the experiences and it seemed to help the other "heart moms" as well. I was sharing information, links, and pictures I had gathered and thought, "Why not put this all in one location and maybe help some families that I dont know or haven't met yet." And thus began One in 1 Hundred.

WHAT'S IN A NAME

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Elf on the Shelf Not Feeling So Merry

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