In the last 12 hours...

Daddy was able to hold Everett before surgery. It takes a whole lot of effort to get a baby in your arms when they are connected to a million wires, so we are grateful beyond belief for our wonderful nurses that took the time and energy to make this happen.

Ev got one last photo shoot before surgery. The doctors and nurses actually sent him in to the OR with his football binkie (AKA his best friend!) They let him suck, suck, suck until they put him to sleep. Supposedly he was super calm and that process (which sometimes can be scary for babies and kids, and adults for that matter) was smooth.

Everett was the star of his very own parade down to the OR. There were surgeons, doctors, nurses, and lots of equipment. James and I had to walk him down to the OR, which was one of the hardest parts of the day. Sending your newborn into heart surgery is not ideal, but the surgeons and doctors said there were absolutely no other choices (which actually gave us a little more peace). They wheeled him away, and we were left to wait for hours.

The surgeons were very pleased with the outcome of the surgery. They said the coarctation in the aorta was extreme, but the repair went well. They were able to cut out the narrowed portions and stitch the ends together. They said he handled the surgery and anesthesia like a champ. We are so grateful to these doctors and surgeons that are so committed to our baby. I need to get pictures of them for sure.

Ev was initially hooked up to every machine in the book (as can be expected when you perform major surgery on a 5-day-old). He was intubated, had IV's, pic lines and central lines that were all pumping meds, oxygen and fluids into his body. Such a hero!

AND...duh duh duh duh...this morning when we arrived at the hospital he had been extubated and was completely breathing on his own. That little heart of his is working. Woo-hoo! They are slowly weaning him from medications and will slowly (VERY slowly) start feeding him today. He had major liver and kidney damage after birth so they want to take things slow and steady to make sure his body can handle the food. I've been pumping my brains out and am SO excited that Mama's milk is gonna be in his body again!

Ev and I are both suffering from an awful case of swelling! We're like Mama and baby elephants! But his swollen hands and feet are just so cute and kissable (which is more than I can say about my cankles!)

Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers and well wishes. We know that Heavenly Father answers prayers and we know that He has watched over Ev and our family this last week. You are all in our prayers of thanksgiving. We'll continue to keep you updated on his recovery.