I want to thank everyone for their continued support and prayers for Henry, David and Dana. Dealing with everything they are going through has shown how strong they are as a couple and a family. Because I am Dana's mother, I have been blessed to help out with Henry. He is such a joy! Being this close to Henry allows me to see just how fragile his condition is. Although he looks amazing in the pictures he is still extremely susceptible to anything that may be contagious. Both the cardiologist and the specialist seen last week complimented Dana and Dave on their diligence to keep Henry healthy. Please remember how hard it is for Dana and Dave not to show off their precious Henry to all of their family and friends. You cannot believe the anguish this is causing them. Please remember the doctors have said NO VISITORS for a reason. Henry's next surgery will be at the beginning of the summer and he has to be as healthy as possible. Dana and Dave are not trying to single anyone out from visiting Henry. No family member or friend is more important, they are just trying to do what is best for their child. Please, please remember this when you think it might be all right to stop in and say hi just for a few minutes or that you are a closer family member and have not been able to hold Henry. Saying no only adds to the agony Dana and Dave are going through. Remember you may be a carrier for a cold or the flu and not exhibit any symptoms yet. Either of those ailments would put Henry in the hospital and push his surgery back even further. Again, thank you all so much for everything you all of done for this special family, I know that God is holding them tight in his arms.



Happy anniversary!!

Happy one year anniversary David & Dana!! Although
we are all sure this is not exactly what the two of
you would be doing on your 1st anniversary, we are
all glad you have that precious little guy, Henry
home!! Stay strong in your faith, and stick together!
Remember, you are NOT alone, you have a great big
family here and willing to help in any way we can!!
In our thoughts and prayers ALWAYS!!
Love all 3 of you!!
Uncle dan-o and Aunt Amy:)

Henry weighed in at 8 lbs 10 oz at his doctor's appointment this week!  The doctors were very impressed with how well Henry is thriving at home.  Test showed that his shunt looks good and that, from what they can see, the pulmonary veins look good too.  The next heart cath down the road will give more information on the pulmonary veins, but from what they can tell based off of scar tissue, etc. the veins are looking relatively good. 

And, the thing no one really wants to think about yet, but they are starting to discuss plans for the next surgery.  There are no definite plans yet, but they discussed that the surgery will likely be sometime this spring-early summer. 

Despite the talk of surgery, Henry is managing to stay pretty jolly with his Christmas spirit...

Christmas Caroling!

A big thanks to all who came out to wish David, Dana, and Henry a Merry Christmas last night!  We had a lot of fun despite the cold. 

It truly is a little amazing to think of the reason that Christmas is intended to be celebrated--a day that a child was born that would perform miracles.  And then to see this adorable baby boy right in front of us that miracles have already been worked in--all in his few months of life.  What an awesome little guy you are, Henry!

Henry chillin with Scout

Henry,

It hit me today that I think I have gotten so caught up in the concern over your medical stuff and excitement over you coming home, that some of my excitement over just being your aunt and having a new nephew got forgotten.  So, here it is: I am so super happy to have YOU here!

I am so grateful for the miracle that has taken place in this first few months of your life that got you through that first 24 hours, and surgery, and really rotten recovery from surgery.  And mostly I am grateful that you are here.  So here is my early New Year's resolution: to just truly enjoy being your aunt the way I have truly enjoyed being an aunt for the last 5 years.  Knowing myself as well as I know myself, I know that there will be semi-frequent freak-outs of concern over all that's going on with you.  But, I am going to do my very best to just enjoy all the typical stuff that comes with having a new baby in your life: the smiles, the facial expressions that look like smiles but are really just you farting, the cute baby noises, the wonderful baby smells, the really gross baby smells. 

Love you, buddy.

Aunt Kelli

Quilt Donation!

Quilt Donation for Henry David Hermon!

A friend of the family, along with several other people close to Dave and Dana have kindly put together a quilt that will be given away shortly after the new year. Tickets for a chance to win the Henry quilt are now being sold.

Tickets cost $1 for one ticket and $5 for six tickets

Drawing will take place on January 15, 2011

If you are interested in purchasing tickets or if you are interested in selling tickets at your place of business or church you can contact -

Glenda Johnston

913-522-8032

johnstong@usd231.com

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT!

You all have a very special place in Henry's heart!

Good news! ...and needs.

Henry continues to do great at home.  At his appointment this week, he weighed in at 7 lbs 15 oz...just one ounce shy of 8 lbs!  They've also been tapering off one of his meds according to schedule & he is tolerating that really well.  All in all, a very good report. 

Prayers are still needed especially to be focused on his pulmonary veins.  The development of these veins will have a big bearing on the plan for healing his heart.  So, grow, grow, grow pulmonary veins...please! 

Lots of you have been asking what you can do to help or what there needs are.  Here are some things they are needing*:

• Diapers!   Especially since he is on a diuretic, they are having to change diapers frequently & therefore going through their supply really quickly.  Dana has found that Huggies and Pampers brands seem to fit him best & that the kind with the "wet strips" are especially handy.  He's still wearing a newborn size right now. 
• Diaper cream & baby wipes.  The over-the-counter cream that they're using right now is Desitin maximum strength (it's in a purple tube).  Wipes need to be aloe and alcohol free and unscented. 
• Meals.  A friend of mine introduced me to a great website:  http://www.takethemameal.com/   If you go to this site and type the last name "hermon" into the search, with a password also of "hermon", you can access their meal schedule.  On this site, you can sign up for the day you would like to bring them dinner and even put the type of meal you plan to bring so you'll know that you won't be bringing them the same thing as the person two days before. 
• For those of you that are non-cooks or if you just wouldn't have time to make a meal, but would like to provide a meal for them, gift cards would also be helpful.  Neither David or Dana are picky eaters, so just about anything would be fine especially places with a delivery option or carside to go.  A list of some of their favorite eateries:  Papa Johns, Applebees, Chilis, McDonalds, Panda Express, Chinese food from Hyvee, Goodcents. 

*  There is no good way to say this, but here it comes.  Between doctor's appointments, adjusting to Henry's schedule and life with a baby at home, concern over exposure to anything that could throw Henry's system out of wack, etc. the best drop-off option is probably similar to what UPS drivers do.  Set your items on the front porch, knock real quick a few times, and run to the car before they can have a chance to get to the door!  David & Dana are so excited to show Henry off, but after being lectured by doctors & nurses prior to leaving CMH, they have had to come to the tough realization that now isn't the time to do it yet.  All of the support in helping them get to the point that they are able to show him off is so appreciated.  Here's to hoping that Henry continues to gain weight & get stronger and that winter flies by fast!

An update and a reminder

It sounds like Henry is thriving at home!  His doctor's appointment went well and he is gaining weight!  Other than that, I don't know a whole lot else to report on.  But, I think in this case we have to be reassured that no news is good news. 

A reminder: there are still six days left to make a purchase through www.marykay.com/dana.thompson.  30% of the total of all orders will be donated to David & Dana to help with Henry's expenses.  Hurry, this offer ends December 8!

Also, this is a little late: but a huge thank you to all that gave us recipes for the contest at Danny's school.  He submitted them all by the deadline & now we're just waiting to hear if we had a winner.  We aren't quite sure when the winners will be announced, but if one of the recipes was a winner, we'll definitely let you know!

So far so good on the adjusting to home. Henry is now a 7 pound 10 ounce baby boy. We are all so thankful to have him home with his mom and dad. Keep getting stronger kid. We love you.