Belly button!!

I had occupational therapy to learn how to eat

After my surgery, I didn't know how to eat -- and I wasn't fond of having anything in my mouth, since so many things had been shoved in my mouth already. So the hospital assigned this nice occupational therapist, Michelle, to me, and she helped me learn how to eat. At first it was hard -- there's so much to coordinate, what with breathing and sucking and swallowing and all -- but I got used to it.

Another Caroline!

I met another Caroline today. She's 17 years old, and when she was born, she had the same heart surgery I did! She's really nice - she volunteers at Cedars now to tell all the babies and their parents that, even if you have a rough start, everything will work out. She is now a senior in high school, applying to colleges (her top choice is Yale, and I just know she'll be admitted! She's one smart cookie).

Caroline was also born at Cedars, and had the same surgery when she was only a few days old. She recovered, spent some time as a normal baby and toddler, and had her second surgery (the same one I will have) a few years later. She stopped by my room to tell my mommy and daddy not to worry, and that I would grow up to be a normal precocious kid, not remembering any of this. I think my parents felt better that I wouldn't have long-term effects as a result of my heart condition or the surgeries I need. I think it really helped that she told them that, the weekend before I met her, Caroline did a triathalon! What a rock star. I want to grow up to be just like her.

I'm glad I won't have to worry about limitations on my activity or about long-term effects. I sure like to be active, and it would really put a damper on my style if I had to restrict my play.

I had heart surgery today

Surgery began at 8am, and they were done fairly quickly. They told my parents by 10am that I was out of surgery and in recovery, and that they could join me in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) shortly to help me recover and eventually come home. I hope that's soon.

Why won't these people just let me sleep?!

My feet are tiny, too!

My hand looks big compared to mommy's! And small compared to daddy's.

Holding mommy's index finger.

And daddy's.

Meeting daddy's parents

They couldn't make it for my birth because my grandma is a teacher, and school had just started. But I met them via videoconference! Technology is cool!

I've discovered my fingers!

Well, ONE in particular. And I sure love to use it! My mommy and daddy think it's funny.

Naptime for Caroline

It's been a rough day.

With Scott, my Godfather

Meeting Aunt Pook-Pook

With the first-time grandparents

Baby LoJack

To prevent people from walking off with me, the nice doctors at Cedars-Sinai put a baby locator on my little ankle. My parents told me they did this because I'm so precious, but I think they're just biased -- I saw some other babies in the nursery with baby LoJack, too.

Don't mess with me -- the big guy is my daddy!

I can get used to this. This is comfy.

Whoa! That was exhausting!

This being born stuff is hard work!

Woohoo! I'm born!

This is me with my mommy in the operating room. I was born by C-Section, which my mommy tells me means "cute section" - an area reserved for the cutest of the cute babies. My daddy told me she's right.

I got to snuggle with mommy afterward. That was nice.