We are home & more good news

The surgery was a success and we are home (see the post before this one). They repaired the cleft in his mouth and it will take about 6 weeks to heal. Three weeks he'll be on pureed foods and three weeks after that, soft. He doesn't seem too upset about this yet, but we'll see when the pain meds are all gone how he's feeling. He also has to wear little splints to keep him from putting something in his mouth and poking a hole. The funny thing is, he likes them! He actually pointed at them for me to put them back on when I was trying to exercise his arms.

Good news - this morning he started jabbering away again. He's saying mama again and no and a few other little words and he's singing songs to himself. And, he sounds the same. For some reason, I was thinking he'd sound different and the doctor even kept telling us he'd sound nasily, but he doesn't so far. I'd also been told that it could take weeks for him to want to talk because his mouth feels weird, but it's not stopping him. He is a little determined guy.

All the prayers for his recovery have been so appreciated and we thank you all for caring so much. We've been blessed beyond words and I love that he is blessing others with his special little soul.

Hugs, us :)

Nathan's Surgery

Nathan had his surgery to repair his cleft palate on Thursday, September 18. This is a happy Nathan with daddy because we are headed to the park the night before surgery. He doesn't know what's about to hit him at 6:00 am.This is a happy Nathan with mommy. I think I'll frame this one. :)
Our sweet baby in recovery (always with the pig, of course).
Puffy cheeks and lips.
Poor thing...
He does NOT want to drink anything.
Another precious view...
Finally, eating some chocolate pudding, in his little wagon from Riley. We pulled him around Riley Hospital dozens of times while we were there. He really liked it. Everyone who saw him kept saying "what a cute baby" and I told Nathan that they thought he was a baby because he had a little diaper on and was naked otherwise. So sweet.
Another puddin' face :)
We are leaving! Yeah! Nathan is beyond excited, and more than a little irritated that mommy is taking pictures when all he wants to do is LEAVE! (We were waiting on paperwork and prescriptions). :)

Chinese Festival

Saturday, we went to the first ever Chinese festival for Indianapolis downtown in Military Park. Mayor Ballard was there and Matt and Nathan had their picture taken with him. We walked the canal and carried lanterns. Here are some pictures of the evening.

Nathan with daddy...

Nathan and daddy with the mayor...

Nathan with his glow stick and glow necklaces that Emily gave him...