Parker's new look

Yesterday started off early.  We had to keep Parker NPO after midnight, and arrived at the hospital at 5:30 a.m.  After all of the pre-op procedures, we walked P to the O.R. doors where we passed him off to the CRNA.  I won't lie- that was incredibly difficult to give Parker up, knowing he was going to be put to sleep and then operated on.  I was fighting off tears through the entire morning.

Parker in his gown before
surgery- he never cried even having
to go 7.5 hours without milk!

Everything went really well with the surgery.  Dr. Chen finished in just over an hour, and came out to tell us that it was a "textbook case" and he was very pleased with it.  He put 2 stents in his nares that are connected by a rubber ring.  These will stay in for ~2month, and are sutured in through the septum.  They will help keep the shape of his nostrils/cartilage.  The suture line on his lip is very clean and neat, and it is AMAZING how great everything looks so far!

After surgery- his face has a lot of swelling and bruising

Here you can see the rubber stents and ring in his nose as well as the suture line of his lip.

I last wrote about the emotions we were experien-cing prior to the surgery.  The strangest feelings we have had came in the post-operative recovery area.  The PACU nurse welcomed us in and was holding our baby, but his face didn't look like Parker.  It was a real shock to look at his new face.  Honestly, I am still getting used to it.  I don't want it to seem like this is such a focus, but the reality is that it is much more difficult to experience than you would ever believe.  As I've said, Dr. Chen warned us of this before Parker was ever born, and it's so true.  But with every passing moment, I'm getting more and more used to recognizing his new look.  I think that it will get easier once he starts smiling again and getting back to himself. 

Our hospital room.  Childlife brought a colorful mobile for his crib, and gave P a stuffed rabbit for his first Easter present.

The day of his surgery, he slept pretty much all day.  But he did take his bottle in PACU right after waking up.  We were moved to a room in the Children's Hospital where we stayed overnight.  He did pretty well, waking up every few hours to take some milk and then immediately falling back asleep.  This morning, he woke up seeming to be really uncomfortable and still had a bit of time before he could get pain medicine.  I rocked and held him close for ~45 minutes while he cried in pain.  Parker is not a fussy baby, and I felt helpless- it was pretty heartbreaking.  Since then, he's been a little whiney here and there, but fortunately continues to sleep most of the time as his body heals.  We were discharged home this afternoon.  The first post-op day is supposed to be the hardest, and it should get easier from here.

waking up to eat

Surprisingly, he takes the bottle really well

Overall, Parker has done so well!  He looks great, and I just can't believe that everything looks as good as it does.  We are giving him pain medicine around the clock, and hopefully will start tapering it off over the next few days.  Our whole experience with the Children's Hospital and their staff was wonderful.  He was well taken care of, as were we.  I'm anxious for Parker to start feeling better and for him to get back to his routine and his happy spirit.  Overall, we have the first step down, and have one less surgery to worry about.  Dr. Chen and all of the wonderful people who cared for our baby- thank you so much!  

At home- Parker wearing his "no-nos."  These are arm restraints that he has to wear for a week to prevent him from messing with his sutures and surgical site

The dogs were really excited to have Parker come home!

Look at this sweet baby boy!