Hello everyone!

Well Wyatt has been a very busy boy growing as you can see from his new pictures and his new growth chart entry! When I looked back, he has grown 3 inches since April! What an amazing feat for a little man in the CCU! And of course he has gained SO much weight, he is a big boy now, weighing in at 19.4lbs!!! Remember before the April surgeries, he was barely hovering around the 10lb mark!

He has been going for daily walks (most days at least) and they still go for there stroll downstairs, and then up to 4D to visit our friend Sofia. They still have to take the RT and Nurse with them, but at least they get out! He has been trying out a stroller that the hospital has, while he is waiting for a special one just for him to come. The seating lady (yes, that is all she does, figure out seats for little people like Wyatt :) ) came from Bloorview to see him the other day and take all his measurements in order to order his custom stroller. They are first trying one called the Cuddlebug, and it is specially designed to keep him sitting in proper posture and comfortable for him with his trache. It will also be modified to hold all his equipment, and can be modified further as he grows and his needs for support change. It will have a head rest etc for now, untill he learns to hold his head up. It is expected to be there in about two weeks for Wyatt to take for a spin. If this one works out well, they will keep it, if not, there is another one for them to try. They must be very special, because you could buy a used car for what they cost! The base models start at $5000, and that is with no customizing! We joke that maybe we will send it to the Pimp my ride show lol.

He has been doing really well on his mat every day as well, they are working with him to lift his head, and trying to teach him to roll over and play with his toys. He really likes the mirror and looking at himself. Typical male. Haha. He is doing well with reaching and following. They spend about an hour on the mat every day, and then he still has his regular chest physio 3 times a day.

He has been doing trache mask trials, which are time off the ventilator, with just a mask with oxygen over the end of the trache. Same idea as if you or I were to get an oxygen mask at the hospital, only ours would go over our face.. his goes over the trache. He started out at 10 minutes a day, and has now worked himself up to AN HOUR AND A HALF PER DAY!!!! This is awesome incredible super great news, as they continue to do this every day and hope to work him up to tolerating more and more time off the ventilator. If they can get him to tolerate being off even a few hours a day, this would make some things much easier for them at home, like a little bit more freedom a few hours a day! This is a big accomplishment for Wyatt!

He has had many trache changes now, and gets cleanings every day, and he is truly such a trooper through it all, and quite often even falls asleep during it. It is well established now, and looking better than it was.

And one more important exciting thing to tell you, WYATT SMILED AT LISA!!!! On Monday night, after bath, Lisa was putting his cream on him and kissing him up as she usually does, and he smiled at her!! We are so super excited about this, and now impatiently waiting for more!

That is about all the news I have for now, for those who have asked me about Christmas for Wyatt and Lisa, as it is really difficult to know exactly how much longer they are going to be there, and then how long in Bloorview, the honest to goodness best thing you cold give them this year, is gift cards. I know that is not very exciting to some people, but honestly, they can really use them, and especially in Wyatt's case, where we don't know how big he will be and in what season they will be getting home etc, to buy him clothes would be rather difficult, plus it is hard for people to remember the restrictions there are even on clothes for him because of his trache and vent and feeding tube. As for toys etc, the Drs and therapists are going to be very specific as to what they want him using and playing with, in order to really encourage development for him. So please, gift certificates would be great for this year! Thank you!!

Again, I would like to remind everyone about our upcoming Wyatt's Warriors Have A Heart Gala, Friday February 13th, 2009 at Tosca Banquet Hall in Oshawa. The cost is $100 per person, and includes a 5 course meal, open bar, dj, dancing, silent auction, raffles, a live singer and a fantastic comedian!! You won't be disappointed! We are also very thrilled to have some of our local dignitaries attending our event, and wish to thank them for there support! Also, for anyone attending from out of town, I do have a block of rooms reserved at a hotel nearby, so please, contact me for the confirmation and booking numbers you will need! Please come out for such a great evening, we are going to have a great time, and it is for such a great cause. Please spread the word, and help us raise awareness of Congenital Heart Defects and money for the Cardiac Critical Care Unit at SickKids as well as our little Wyatt.

Laura

http://www.totsites.com/tot/wyatts