Sofia is now two months old. Her heart repair was successful, but now she must remain in the Children's Hospital until her antibiotic therapy is complete. As well, Sofia has other problems that must be dealt with. She needs time for her heart and lungs to develop -- this could not happen until after the heart repair, and as a consequence she is still dependent on external oxygen to supplement what her body can produce. She still won't take a nipple and must be fed by Nasogastric (NG) tube. She is also taking some other medications for heart, brain stimulation, and other things. The upside is that her heart is now good, and the rest of her development should proceed normally. As for the Down Syndrome, only time will tell, but I am optimistic, having watched her for so long, that she will exceed expectations! She's a real fighter!

Oh! I'm prisoner to those beautiful eyes! When she smiles I melt! I still can't get over what a mild temperament she has -- she seldom fusses unless her diaper needs changing! If only she would take a bottle! We've tried everything! Give her time, I guess!

When I came to the hospital that evening, I didn't even notice the oxygen tubing was gone. When I look at Sofia I never see the tubes and things, just my 'little dolly'. Momma pointed it out to me. I was flabbergasted! We'd waited so long for this -- and I missed it completely! What a marvellous milesone! Another 'tube' gone!

Nurse 'Katie' came highly recommended, and she really cared for Sofia. They all did, but some more than others. When Katie was on duty we breathed easier knowing that all would be taken care of properly.

This truly illustrates the expression 'Sleeping Like a Baby'.

In the background mom sits watching over her baby. Woe upon the nurse that is tardy with a treatment or feeding, or who fails to meet the standards that a mother want's for her child. It is no laughing matter, because Momma has caught nurses making errors which would have had a direct bearing on Sofia's well-being. As a result, they have learned from their errors, and this has paved the way toward better care for children to follow!

I should add that the nurses really cared. The love and kindness they showed towards little Sofia was genuine. They were, however, very much overworked -- terribly busy all the time, and as much as they try, occasional errors do happen. I cannot really fault them -- when mistakes did occur they were mostly systemic.

Janet was a volunteer at the hospital. She came highly recommended and really took good care of Sofia. On alternate nights Momma and I would take turns sleeping on a chair beside Sofia's bed. In the mornings, Momma would go home for a short while, and while gone, would entrust Sofia to Janet. Usually when Momma was not there, I was, but we couldn't always manage that arrangement. Thanks to all the volunteers, and a special thanks to Janet! We really counted heavily on her.

Look Everybody! No Oxygen!

How much does a three month old baby know? I wonder if Sofia realized when she woke up that the Oxygen tube had been removed? Judging by the smile on her face I think she knew something was different!

On November 2nd, the day before Sofia's third month birthday, she was discharged from the hospital and taken home. There was still lots to do, but it simplified Momma's life considerably.