Cath is complete!

Coley had his cardiac catheterization this morning. It was a longer one than last time - about 3 hours. He did great leading up to it - didn't seem nervous or scared. Everyone is so nice and comforting here! (The nurse he's with now returned back today from maternity leave after having twins! She's great.) He drank his "sleeping medicine" with very little complaint and it definitely worked! He seemed completely stoned within about 10 minutes and they wheeled him away at about 9am...

Reading before sleepy time.

Ted and I hadn't eaten because Coley couldn't eat and we didn't want to torture him. So after we sat and cried for a tiny minute, we went down to the lobby for breakfast and met my dad. We went back to my dad's office to read, watch the Wire, and wait for updates. Lovely 7th floor corner office with a view. Thanks Dad!

Watching TV, waiting for the meds to kick in.

Cherry popsicle after the cath.

He was finished by about 11:45. We had to try (*try*) to keep him still and his legs straight as he was coming out of the anesthesia, but he was pretty antsy. He really wanted to get out of bed; kept saying "I'm getting down! I'm getting down!" But the nurse let him lie in my lap in a chair and we watched an episode of Dora. Then he seemed to calm down and be still for a good hour or so. He finally got back in bed and had a popsicle. That seemed to perk him up a lot and now he's sitting up, having juice, and playing with a new toy the hospital gave him.

We just met with his cardiologist and the surgeon and they are very pleased with what they see. They say he's in a good position going into the Fontan procedure Monday. The pressures in his heart and the adjoining vessels are good. They coiled off (closed off) one collateral vessel in preparation for Monday. That will keep the pressure where they want it when they hook up his new connection Monday. (They'll be connecting the inferior vena cava to the pulmonary artery so the blood returning from the lower body gets oxygenated in the lungs before it returns to the heart).  

They told us we'll be able to go home tonight if he's eating and drinking ok and he gets a couple doses of antibiotics. He has to stay still in bed until about 5 or 6:00 though. And then we come back Monday morning. He'll be the first case, meaning into the OR at 7:30, meaning we have to be here at 6am!! That means no traffic, which is nice, and it's not like we're going to be sleeping anyway... Also, the surgery will take longer than last time, too, for a number of reasons. More like 4-5 hours. Last time it was only 45 minutes!

As for Ted and me, we're just relieved this next step is over. A cath is pretty routine, but it's heart surgery, too, and not without risks. So it's nice to check that one off.

Thanks for looking in on us and for all the love we know you are sending. We feel it, truly we do. Thank you. 

Time to dust off the old blog...

Coley, w/ his lady-friends and the pink dump truck cake he requested.

Welcome back to Baby Bear's Blog! It's been a long time... so long that Baby Bear is no longer a baby! He just turned three at the beginning of September.

The reason for starting up the blog again is that the much-anticipated second surgery is around the corner. In anticipation of what we are about to go through these next few weeks, we made the most of our summer, filling it with friends, family, beaches, fun, travel, and a
big birthday bash for Coley. Pictures of all that fun stuff you can see on Facebook. But we are not going to use FB for surgery updates - just this site.

The surgery will be Monday, September 19th. Less than a week away. It all starts with a day of pre-op testing this Thursday, September 15 and a cardiac catheterization Friday, September 16th. We may spend the night at Children's Friday, but last time we were able to go home. We're hoping for that and feeling so grateful to live 5 minutes from the hospital! It's the exact same schedule as last time, though that doesn't help me remember it any, since my memories of March of 2009 are totally fuzzy from worry and sleep deprivation. I just read our old posts to try to remember how it went!

Before the hospital adventure starts, Coley starts school tomorrow! His class goes for half a morning the first two days, then starts full mornings after that. He'll get to visit for the first day, then will probably be out for the next two weeks. He is SO excited for school, so I'm glad he'll have that to look forward to as he's recovering. Then Thursday, the hospital adventure begins. Check back here for updates. We'll post as often as we can. Thanks for continuing to think of Coley and sending us love.

-Anna

Scotia 2010

Age 1-2 Video

Here's a new video with lots of old footage from the past 12 months! Age 2 here we come!

Cutie Pie!

Coley got all dressy for church two weekends back. Here he is.

Thanks to Aunt Hylah for the photo!

January in a nutshell. February coming soon!

Hi everyone! I know this post has been a long time coming, but the accompanying photos and video will show that we have been busy! A couple milestones to celebrate this week: first, today is exactly 1 year post-surgery. I can't believe how fast this year has gone and how wonderfully healthy Coley continues to be. Second, Coley turns 18 months old tomorrow!!! It feels like just last week that I was setting up this blog. I'll probably be saying that for the next 18 years. Geez... I sound like an old person.

Enjoy the photos and videos!

With much love,
Anna


Coley has a new play structure. Thanks, Gaga!


The boy LOVES his books...

Sorry this one gets so shaky! And no, he does not often just sit and look at books. Wouldn't that be nice!


(More, Mama!)

We had a visit from a west coast-residing Bowdoin friend. Christo was kind enough to read Coley "Pat the Bunny."


Trying on Daddy's slippers:


And of course, he still loves his doggy:

Weeee!! Sledding!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Music by Pat Colyer Combo (from E/L).

Daddy's Old Vest

Mommy found this old vest of Daddy's from when he was two-years-old.


Reading about tractors with Daddy.

A bittersweet day in the life of Coley & Anna

It is a bittersweet day in our lives as we say 'so long' to our dear friends Heather and Nate. Today is their last day in Boston. They are moving on to the milder climes and nearby family in Davidson, North Carolina.

We met them in a baby development class in the spring and have been good friends and playground pals ever since. Heather has been a terrific friend and support to me (Coley loves her, too - climbs all over her in music class!), and Nate is just the sweetest and most energetic little boy!

We are so happy to know them and to have spent many quality hours together in music class, playgroup, at the playground, at JP Licks, in the Atrium play space, walking in the Arboretum, and so much more. So we are incredibly sad that they are moving. We wish them well in their new hometown and hope to see them again soon!!

Here are a few of us moms with our dear babes:
















And here's a funny video of Coley and Nate:


We'll miss you, Heather and Nate!!

Much love and luck to you,
Anna, Coley, and Ted

Lions and Seals are Cool

This afternoon I got to meet a real live LION named Christopher! He was pretty cool. He was roaring a lot which was kind of scary, but I didn't cry.

I also loved the Tigers and Tree Kangaroos, but most of all I think I liked the Peacock that let me watch him up close. The Franklin Park Zoo is not far from my house, so I hope I can visit these new friends again soon.

Also, Dad wrote this article about me meeting some Atlantic Harbor Seals at the New England Aquarium last weekend. They reminded me of Penny.

Roarrrr,
Coley "Bear" Wells

Three cute videos

Walking!

Our boy is walking! Coley's gone from drunken steps and regular falls to cautious walks across the living room. Watch!

We are so pleased to report that a recent check-up with Dr. Marx went well. His oxygen levels are at 88%, growth is good, developement is super, and his smile can melt a glacier. We're hoping to put off his next surgery to age three or three-and-a-half; the longer he can wait the better. Six months until the next check-up.

Tea time!

Happy 30th Mommy!!!

My Mommy turned 30 today!!! So I helped Daddy make this video all about how special she is to me. It's also all about our three weeks on Port Hood Island, Nova Scotia. This place is really fun! I hope you like our special birthday video. Love, Coley

Port Hood Island

Coley loves Port Hood Island. No surprise. Everyone does. Lots of good sleep, sand, and snuggles. His first dip in the Atlantic took place in one of the warm tidal pools out back by big rocks. He prefers playing in the sand or with rocks to being in the water, though. He loves the front porch where he can play blocks, pick flowers and leaves, or harass his big sister Penny.

Here's a slide show of our first week. Back to Boston around August 17th. Miss you all!

Love, PACT (PennyAnnaColeyTed)

MO and OH Trip June 2009

We had our first family trip to Annada, MO then Cleveland, OH the last week of June. It was a fitting first trip for Coley going back to his "roots" to see where my father grew up, then on to where Anna was born and where her mom and dad are from.

Coley was fine with his first plane flights! Slept most of the way on each flight. Below is a slide show of some of what we did. Coley's great grandmother - "Nonnie Nonnie Nonnie!" as she likes to be called - was wonderful to stay with and is in LOVE with her Coley.



PS - Coley slept through the night last night from 9:20PM to 7:30AM! Ten HOURS!! Way longer than anything he's done ever. We started the more strict "Ferber" method yesterday...and it's working. Not fun at first has he cries, but each nap got easier, and hopefully it keeps going well.

Using the baby's blog for my own (not at all) evil purposes

Here is a recent radio interview I did for Wilderness Heals. Be sure to visit the event's website and sponsor me!

pedi checkup and early intervention update

Yesterday we had Coley's 9-month check up with his wonderful pediatrician. He weighs about 19 lbs and is about 27 inches tall! That puts him at 35th percentile for weight and 25th percentile for height, which is where he was at his 7-month check up, so all is well there!

Today we had a routine evaluation of Coley's cognitive, fine and gross motor, social-emotional, self-care, and speech abilities. He measures in the 11-14 month range for everything!! They called him "brilliant," in fact. I could have told you that...

9 months!

Seriously?? 9 months?! I can't believe it! Last year, this milestone seemed so far away.

Hi everyone! Here's an update from the other side of 9 months! He's crawling and cruising around in his own special way: with one foot and one knee. Even so, he's speedy and curious - watch out, Mom and Dad! No more plopping him down on the carpet to play. The boy is on the move!

He is eating pretty much anything and everything in the way of food - fruits, veggies, grains, meats, yogurt and cheese - and still nursing like a champ, too. He tried salmon last night, and likes it almost as much as his daddy (which is not very much). He's growing lots and fast - check out those arms!

He has 4 teeth: two bottom middle ones, then the canines on top, but not the upper middle ones! It's a little strange... I'm afraid we might have Dracula-baby for a while. Hopefully the middle ones will come in soon.

And sleep, well... sleep will come some day. A good night is when he's only up twice. He's still waking up three or four times before 7am. And I'm lucky if I can get him to sleep before 9pm. He's just too excited by his new found mobility and babbling language to sleep for too long! Fortunately he does take a nap or two during the day. And overall, he's a really happy kid! So the lack of sleep (compared to what the "experts" say he should be getting) doesn't seem to be making him too cranky.

Thanks, all, for following our story here. Here are some pictures and some video footage since the last post (6-9months old).



Here's the video!

88%

Our next visit with our cardiologist, the amazing Dr. Marx, is not for six months! Yippee! We had our post-op check-up today and Dr. Marx was thrilled with Coley's recovery and health. So much so, in fact, that we don't need to visit Chilren's for half a year! A little scary, but very good news. We'll still see his pediatrician, Dr. Laster, regularly.

Coley's blood pressure was a little low (better than high, where it was after OR). Weight is up to 16 lbs, 4oz - he was stuck at 16 lbs for over a month, but is now growing again. 26.5 inches tall.

His blood oxygen level got up to 88% very quickly - they could have gone higher had we waited. This is great news (think oxygen to the brain, muscles, etc). Hopefully after the Fontan surgery in two years he'll be in the 90s% (most people are at 98% or higher, Coley was in the 70s% prior to surgery). Dr. Marx said because Coley handled the Glenn so very well, that the Fontan should also go smoothly.

Below are three new video clips. Some of the cutest ever, I think.

PS - This website can now be accessed at www.coleywells.com !

Coley and Penny - new video

Here's a little video of Coley at 6 months with his big 4-year-old sister Penny! Our boy's recovery continues to go well. He's energetic and active. He's able to play more and more independently (if only he'd sleep more independently). He's pink and smiley! He's also a very lucky little boy to have such a patient doggy sister, as you will see in this video...