Here is Sullivan as the tornado.
Dorothy and the Scarecrow Meet the Tin Man
Brooklyn as Dorothy 
Aiden as Toto
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Mini Laps 2007
Aiden's school, The Little Lighthouse had their annual fundraiser Mini Laps today. This year's theme was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Dreams Really Do Come True." A take off of "The Wizard of Oz" Here are some of the pictures.
Here is Sullivan as the tornado.
Dorothy and the Scarecrow Meet the Tin Man
Brooklyn as Dorothy 
Aiden as Toto
Here is Sullivan as the tornado.
Dorothy and the Scarecrow Meet the Tin Man Brooklyn as Dorothy Aiden as Toto
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thank You Shannon
Our friend Shannon, from Gabi's World made these wonderful buttons to help promote two of our sites.
<a href="http://aidenwyatt.blogspot.com/"> <img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p298/ryanshangraham/blog%20buttons/aisforaiden.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://47pieces.blogspot.com/"> <img src="http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p298/ryanshangraham/blog%20buttons/47pieces.jpg"></a>
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Do you know what October is?
October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. And every September and October, communities all over are celebrating with their annual Buddy Walk.
The Down Syndrome Association of Tulsa is holding our Buddy Walk on October 21st at the Union High School Track. If you would like to sponsor Aiden and donate to a great charity, click here.
I also encourage you to find a Buddy Walk in your area and show your support for Down Syndrome Awareness.
Is this the ticket line?
I think we are finally going to Holland! This last few weeks, Aiden has had several REALLY amazing dr appointments.
It started with Aiden's 1 year exam at the pediatrician's office. Aiden amazed Dr. Setter with his vocalization skills. He's up to three words that are recognizable and he vocalizes a lot of sounds. Not to mention all the laughing the kid does. Aiden loves to laugh. Aiden is also pushing through with his legs, trying to stand up. He's not crawling yet, but he wants to stand up. And since Aiden is still putting weight on at a consistant pace, we no longer have to go in once a month for a weight check. He's on a "normal" routine now.
Then last week we went for our monthly digoxin level check, chest xrays, and echo. This is a two day excursion. We have to go get the dig check and the xrays one day before the echo. Thankfully, we don't have to go all the way to the main hospital; we can go to the smaller (and closer)hospital for those. Well, at the next day's cardiologist visit, I was watching the echo being done. The echo tech was looking at a valve. Now, I have seen all of Aiden's echos. And in all of them, I have seen the leakage in the mitrial valve. Well, on this last echo, we were looking at a valve and I had to ask which valve it was. When Kim said the mitrial valve, I had to take another look. There was no leakage.
When Tracy came in to get Aiden's vitals, she put on the pulse ox monitor. Even with a full blown cold, Aiden's sats were 98-99. There was a really long wait between seeing Tracy and Dr. Lundt. Really long. Long enough that I just knew that Aiden was going to get admitted. Dr. Lundt comes into the exam room and says that Aiden looked great. His last Holter monitor was perfect; there were no runs of tachycardia. Apparently, we have his medications right. The chylothorax is still there, but he isn't leaking anymore. So, Aiden can go on a low fat diet and not just no fat. And the best news of all.... instead of going in twice a month, we now get to go every two months.
The last appointment was Monday. We had a follow up with Aiden's ENT. Aiden being premature and having Down syndrome means that Aiden has really small ear canals. All of the hearing tests were failed in his left ear. So we go in for what is called an ABR test. Aiden failed it and it was discovered that there is fluid in his middle ear on the left side. We were referred to this ENT several months ago. At our first appointment, the ENT was scared of Aiden's heart. He wanted us to come back after three months to see if the canals would open up and drain the fluid that is blocking Aiden's hearing. Well, Monday we had that appointment. Dr. Mowry looked in his left ear and said that the amount of fluid was significantly less than it previously was. So, at this time, we are not scheduling a 6th surgery for tubes!
Watch out Holland, here comes Aiden!!!!!!!!!
It started with Aiden's 1 year exam at the pediatrician's office. Aiden amazed Dr. Setter with his vocalization skills. He's up to three words that are recognizable and he vocalizes a lot of sounds. Not to mention all the laughing the kid does. Aiden loves to laugh. Aiden is also pushing through with his legs, trying to stand up. He's not crawling yet, but he wants to stand up. And since Aiden is still putting weight on at a consistant pace, we no longer have to go in once a month for a weight check. He's on a "normal" routine now.
Then last week we went for our monthly digoxin level check, chest xrays, and echo. This is a two day excursion. We have to go get the dig check and the xrays one day before the echo. Thankfully, we don't have to go all the way to the main hospital; we can go to the smaller (and closer)hospital for those. Well, at the next day's cardiologist visit, I was watching the echo being done. The echo tech was looking at a valve. Now, I have seen all of Aiden's echos. And in all of them, I have seen the leakage in the mitrial valve. Well, on this last echo, we were looking at a valve and I had to ask which valve it was. When Kim said the mitrial valve, I had to take another look. There was no leakage.
When Tracy came in to get Aiden's vitals, she put on the pulse ox monitor. Even with a full blown cold, Aiden's sats were 98-99. There was a really long wait between seeing Tracy and Dr. Lundt. Really long. Long enough that I just knew that Aiden was going to get admitted. Dr. Lundt comes into the exam room and says that Aiden looked great. His last Holter monitor was perfect; there were no runs of tachycardia. Apparently, we have his medications right. The chylothorax is still there, but he isn't leaking anymore. So, Aiden can go on a low fat diet and not just no fat. And the best news of all.... instead of going in twice a month, we now get to go every two months.
The last appointment was Monday. We had a follow up with Aiden's ENT. Aiden being premature and having Down syndrome means that Aiden has really small ear canals. All of the hearing tests were failed in his left ear. So we go in for what is called an ABR test. Aiden failed it and it was discovered that there is fluid in his middle ear on the left side. We were referred to this ENT several months ago. At our first appointment, the ENT was scared of Aiden's heart. He wanted us to come back after three months to see if the canals would open up and drain the fluid that is blocking Aiden's hearing. Well, Monday we had that appointment. Dr. Mowry looked in his left ear and said that the amount of fluid was significantly less than it previously was. So, at this time, we are not scheduling a 6th surgery for tubes!
Watch out Holland, here comes Aiden!!!!!!!!!
Introduce yourself
As some of you may have noticed, there is a new map at the bottom of the blog. I think I can guess who some are, but let's take this time to introduce yourselves. Tell us a little about yourself and where you are from.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Favorite summer memory
Would have to be Aiden swimming in the pools. He has his own little blow up pool. However, this summer, I decided that he could be in the big pool this year.
Another new word
Since Aiden's speaking debut in July with "dada" (much to my non amusement), Aiden has also been saying "ba" when he is hungry. Well, he has added another word to his repertoire. Yesterday, during PT/ST Aiden was getting frustrated with them. He held out his arms and said "Ama"! Yep, that's right - MAMA!! Had he not said it one other time when he was laying on the floor crying and holding his arms out "Ama A", I would not have known what he was trying to say.
I know what "A" means. That is when he wants attention. Since he was very little, when he wanted attention, he would cry a specific cry. " A A A A". That is how he got his nickname "AA".
I know what "A" means. That is when he wants attention. Since he was very little, when he wanted attention, he would cry a specific cry. " A A A A". That is how he got his nickname "AA".
Answering the common questions
Frequently, I am asked questions regarding Aiden's health. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions.
Q: What is Aiden's diagnosis?
A: Aiden has a myriad of diagnosis. His main diagnosis is Trisomy 21 (aka Down syndrome). He has a lot of the characteristics of T21. He has almond shaped eyes, a singular crease on his palms (known as a simian crease), he has low set ears, a flat bridge to his nose, Brushfield spots, low muscle tone, and a small lower jaw. (No, children with Down syndrome do not have a "larger" tongue than most. It is just with the smaller jaw, thier tongues "appear" bigger.) Aiden also has several heart defects that are common amongst children with T21. Aiden was born with an AV Canal defect (holes in both the atrial and ventricular chambers of his heart), Tetralogy of Fallot, a leaky mitrial valve, and a hypoplastic right ventricle. Aiden has heart surgery earlier this year to repair the AV Canal and ToF. Since Aiden's surgery, he has developed atrial tachycardia, chylothorax, right plural effusion, and pulmonary hypertension.
Q: What is chylothorax?
A: Chylothorax is a tear in the thoracic duct. The thoracic duct is what "transports" fats through our bodies. In Aiden's case, he is unable to "break down" these fats and absorb them into his body. Instead, the long chain fats leak into his chest cavity.
Q: What does Aiden eat?
A: Aiden is on a special "low/no fat" diet. His formula is a special order formula called Portagen. This formula has no long chain fats, they are already broken down into medium chain fats. Aiden is also starting on table foods that are low in fat. He loves to eat ice cream, sherbet, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cheeses, and anything that I will allow to get near his mouth.
Q: How many doctors does Aiden see?
A: Currently, Aiden sees a pediatrician, two cardio-thoracic surgeons, 8 cardiologists, an opthamologist, an ENT, two physical therapists, two speech therapists, an occupational therapist, and a vision therapist.
Q: Why is Aiden so small for his age?
A: Well, children with Down syndrome are generally smaller children. Add on top of that, Aiden was 6 weeks premature. Now add on top of that his heart conditions. Before Aiden's heart surgery, most of his calories were being burnt up by just keeping his heart beating. Now add on a low/no fat diet. Also, I'm only 5'2".
I hope this answers most of your questions. If not, feel free to ask more and I will respond.
Q: What is Aiden's diagnosis?
A: Aiden has a myriad of diagnosis. His main diagnosis is Trisomy 21 (aka Down syndrome). He has a lot of the characteristics of T21. He has almond shaped eyes, a singular crease on his palms (known as a simian crease), he has low set ears, a flat bridge to his nose, Brushfield spots, low muscle tone, and a small lower jaw. (No, children with Down syndrome do not have a "larger" tongue than most. It is just with the smaller jaw, thier tongues "appear" bigger.) Aiden also has several heart defects that are common amongst children with T21. Aiden was born with an AV Canal defect (holes in both the atrial and ventricular chambers of his heart), Tetralogy of Fallot, a leaky mitrial valve, and a hypoplastic right ventricle. Aiden has heart surgery earlier this year to repair the AV Canal and ToF. Since Aiden's surgery, he has developed atrial tachycardia, chylothorax, right plural effusion, and pulmonary hypertension.
Q: What is chylothorax?
A: Chylothorax is a tear in the thoracic duct. The thoracic duct is what "transports" fats through our bodies. In Aiden's case, he is unable to "break down" these fats and absorb them into his body. Instead, the long chain fats leak into his chest cavity.
Q: What does Aiden eat?
A: Aiden is on a special "low/no fat" diet. His formula is a special order formula called Portagen. This formula has no long chain fats, they are already broken down into medium chain fats. Aiden is also starting on table foods that are low in fat. He loves to eat ice cream, sherbet, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cheeses, and anything that I will allow to get near his mouth.
Q: How many doctors does Aiden see?
A: Currently, Aiden sees a pediatrician, two cardio-thoracic surgeons, 8 cardiologists, an opthamologist, an ENT, two physical therapists, two speech therapists, an occupational therapist, and a vision therapist.
Q: Why is Aiden so small for his age?
A: Well, children with Down syndrome are generally smaller children. Add on top of that, Aiden was 6 weeks premature. Now add on top of that his heart conditions. Before Aiden's heart surgery, most of his calories were being burnt up by just keeping his heart beating. Now add on a low/no fat diet. Also, I'm only 5'2".
I hope this answers most of your questions. If not, feel free to ask more and I will respond.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
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