August was supposed to be calm

      Remember how I said that July was supposed to be the busy month and we'd relax right into August? Jokes on me; as they say, best laid plans.

      The first week of August greeted us with a double case of hand, foot and mouth disease. It's basically the most contagious virus on the planet so there really is no telling where they picked it up (and were generous enough to pass it to each other). Also lucky for us, there is a super strain of this virus going around Saint Louis and it's not just on the hands, feet, and mouth it's EVERYWHERE. So here we were with two absolutely miserable babies and two parents that were terrified that we were going to get it too (happy birthday, Bryan lol) Apparently when adults get it badly enough you can lose your fingernails! We didn't leave the house for about 5 days, but I'd say the first three days were the worse. No one was sleeping or eating and no amount of Tylenol seemed to help.

The HFM delayed Bradley's surgery from Monday to Thursday, which brought another trip to the OR and overnight hospital stay. He did so great this time! The anesthesiologist was very conservative and treated him as locally as he could without having to give him a bunch of narcotics, which I greatly appreciate. He was also very impressed with his lungs! Said they were much stronger than typical "24-weeker lungs" go, Bradley, go! In typical Bradley fashion however, the hernia was not filled with intestine like a typical hernia, it was fluid from his shunt that hadn't been absorbed. I promise I couldn't make this up if I tried! Dr. Smyth was able to join Dr. Warner in the OR and they checked the placement of the shunt and repaired the defects in the abdominal wall. He has healed beautifully from the surgery, and now we just wait and see to make sure the function of the shunt isn't compromised (fluid not absorbing correctly and then backing up from his belly to his ventricle). He's doing great so far, but we go back Friday for an MRI and to visit with Dr. Smyth just to make sure. 

We met with the doctors today about getting B fitted with a helmet- hopefully to help shape that precious noggin! We should be getting it next Friday and will have it wrapped like a Blues helmet, Bryan's idea, of course =) He did great sitting still for the imaging needed this morning, look at him with the "sock" on his head! 

Joel is doing great! His personality is so funny and he's exploring more everyday. He is growing like a weed and his new favorite place to be is under the couch or practicing his crawling stance. It still makes my head hurt to realize they're big enough to be crawling, Mama isn't ready, but it's so cool. Can't believe they'll be 11 months old tomorrow- let the baby-proofing begin!

Emily