They're Growing Up so Much!

Carter's first outing after surgery!!!

Goin' Swimming.

So sweet.

After Surgery

Carter's surgery went well.  His surgeon was able to make the repair he required.  The 24 hours following surgery he was draining quite of bit of blood so he required more blood transfusions but they were able to get that under control.  He currently has buildup in his lungs and fluid around his lungs.  They are working to take care of both of these problems.  It looks like he will still require oxygen for a while at home until his lungs get strong enough without, but the goal is to ween him eventually. He is doing very well today.  He was "talking" to me a lot and to the nurses.  They all think he is so cute and come visit him often.  He has been such a trooper through this whole thing.  The Unit can't believe how calm and sweet he is.  After surgery I guess he was going a little wild but we found out today that sometimes Morphine and Down's Syndrome don't mix.  This picture was taken a few days after surgery.  I decided I wouldn't scare anyone with a picture of ventilators, catheters, and other IV lines,  so this is a toned down version of what he looked like after surgery. Thank you all for your prayers and love.  We hope to bring Carter home very soon!

Fun Pictures

Here are some fun pictures of Avery and Carter!

Avery just got her big girl bed. She loves it and wants to play on it all the time.

This is Carter the day before surgery. We were having a hard time getting any good ones because he kept moving around so much, but here he is.

Avery wanted to wear my shoes like she always does, and just as the picture was taking, she decided she wanted to put her finger in her nose. She just started this. She'll walk up to me, put her finger in her nose and say, "Mommy look" ... kids will be kids I guess.

I can't believe how much she is growing up.

So we have to check Carter's heart before we give him his medication and about a week ago I checked his heart, went to grab the medication off the counter in the kitchen, and came out to find Avery checking his heart. When she noticed me she said, " Mommy it's good." She is so cute with him.

Here is our little man, sooooo cute!

Carter's Blessing

We had Carter's baby blessing in our home and some friends and family came to share the day with us.  He looked so cute in his little outfit.  These pictures really don't show how cute he was but here they are anyway.  Oma and Ompa came down we had a really good time.  It is always sad to see them go. Oh, and for those of you who don't know Carter is having his heart surgery on the 30th of this month.  We are getting so excited, and scared, but mostly excited.  We have heard that after these little ones have surgery there are amazing differences!!

Carter's Last Hospital Visit

We have had a couple long weeks, but things are going much better.  Carter had been having fevers for 3 weeks and finally they admitted him back into the hospital and then released him 2 days later, that same day his fever was 107.00 and his heart rate was 230.  His normal rate is between 120-160 so you can tell how high it was.  Anyway, he ended up with a digestive infection so we were in the hospital for another 7 days.  Aunt Becca came down to help.  She is almost finished with nursing school so she was able to say and do things we wouldn't have known to do.  Thanks Becca.  Avery had fun playing with her to.  We were sad to see her go.

Aunt Becca did her hair

Isn't that a sweet smile of his even in the hospital 

he is such a good baby

Carter's First Bath at Home

We are sorry we haven't posted any pictures recently. We have been back for two additional hospital stays since we brought Carter home. He seems to be doing pretty well now. It looks like he will be having his heart surgery in June. We will keep you updated when we know more. Things are going pretty well, we are trying hard to find a new normal and hope as long as Carter stays healthy we can find that normal. He is such an angel. He just started to smile last week and is starting to track us with his eyes. It is fun to see that he has started to gain some weight and look healthy. Thank you all for your prayers and love. We appreciate it so much!!

Avery and Ompa and little Carter

Pics of Avery

Avery is living the terrible twos right now. She is also living the fabulous twos. She has melt downs frequently, but then turns around and is the cutest thing ever. She is really into talking on the phone as most little girls are. She's talking to her Aunt Becca here.

Finally her hair is growing longer so we are able to do more with it.

Sarah's daughter Tavie came to play and they had the best time. They played with the kitchen and play food for so long. They were making each other things and they would say please and thank you to each other. IT was great. We are sad that they don't live closer.

Uncle Tyler came to visit last week so he and Brian took Avery out for some fun times.

Coloring Easter Eggs

We went to Grammy and Papa's house to color Easter eggs. It was Avery's first time and she did very well. Carter was good too. He is such a good baby. We basically never hear him cry and he is just so cute and cuddly. We're so blessed to have both of our children.

This is Hannah's Baby Georgia Belle. She is such a cutie!!!

Avery was very gentle when she was stirring, placing, and removing the eggs.

Our Little Ones

Avery was so cute yesterday. She was bringing toys over to Carter and explaining to him how they are used. She is such a good big sister. It doesn't matter how bad of a day she is having she never is mean to "Baby Carter." She loves her little brother so much.

This was the best picture out of the 3 Brian took.
Avery has a thing about not opening her eyes for pictures.

This is his new little hat. It of course doesn't fit but it is still cute.

Home, Sweet Home!!!

Carter came home on Sunday afternoon and we are adjusting to life with two children. He is doing great and loves his home. His bacterial infection cleared-up and gained weight so he was able to come home. He now weighs about 7 lbs. 5 oz. He is on oxygen because of bad circulation due to the hole in his heart. He may be able to come off the oxygen if his circulation improves as his heart grows and gets stronger.

Avery was so happy to see him and wanted to hold him from the very start. We wondered how she would react to having a baby brother, and she seems to be pleased. There is the occasional cry for mommy's attention, but adjusting well overall. When Carter cries, she gets worried, cries herself and runs to mom to tell her. She is very loving and concerned for her baby brother.

Thank you to all for your prayers, kind words, meals, supply donations, support, service and love. We would not be where we are today and doing so well without you. We wish you all the best!

Carter's Homecoming Pics

Avery loves holding Carter.

She takes very good care of him and likes to stroke his hair.

Carter loves his swing. Much better than the old crank swing in the NICU.

"Got my swing, got my oxygen. This is the LIFE!"
Isn't he so cute?!

Getting to know each other on his first day home.

Grammy can always get the children to sleep the quickest.

Avery's visit to the hospital to see Carter. She wasn't sure what to think.
When she saw mommy holding Carter through the window, she put her hands up and said, "hold?" She wanted to hold him.

Getting burped on his last day at the NICU.

Oma and Opa came to visit after Carter's birth.
Avery was very happy to see all her grandparents at once.

Oma and Grammy took good care of Avery
while her mommy and daddy were at the hospital.

Carter Update

Dear Everyone,

As many of you know, Carter has had some health problems and he came in a very special body. To update everyone, Carter has Down's syndrome and a heart defect that will require surgery in 4 to 6 months. He was born on February 7, 2009 at 9:54 am. He weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. and measured 19 1/2 in. long. He has blondish brown hair, dark blue eyes (but those are subject to change), olive skin, and the cutest little face.

Carter had to stay at the hospital in the NICU due to the need to start medications for his heart and lungs. His stay was then extended to present day due to decreased body temperature, a bacterial infection, and loss of weight. He is also having problems keeping his oxygen levels normal, so he is on oxygen and being fed through a tube. He often gets too tired to eat and it is too much stress for his heart. Currently, antibiotics have cleared the infection, his body temperature has stabilized (allowing him to come out of the incubator), and he is eating better again and gaining weight. If he is still clear of infection and improving in the other areas by next Tuesday, then he will get to come home. YAY!!! But we are skeptical, because he really likes the nurses so he may find a way to stay longer, and they really like him too.

We will have to work very hard to keep him healthy and strong. Because of his heart condition and other factors, his immune system is weak and any illness could be very serious. As a result, we will not be taking him to public areas until after his surgery. We will also have to keep ourselves healthy and avoid any sick visitors from coming to our place. We appreciate your help and understanding in this matter. His heart medication will strengthen his weak heart. He has a "hole" in the center of his heart. All four chambers are exposed to each other due to the absence of the separation between the left and right chambers. So the surgeons will create a “barrier” and create two valves out of the existing large valve that separates the top and bottom chambers.

The first couple of days, both Abby and I were living at the hospital thanks to the help of Abby's mom who stayed with Avery. With the need for parental love for Avery, I am now spending most of my time at home with Avery and sleeping at home. Abby comes home for a while to spend time with Avery and I, but spends a lot of time, including nights, at the hospital. We have received (and continue to receive) much help from family and friends. We thank you for all of your love, support and prayers. He has already been a blessing in our lives and we love him so much. We can't wait to bring him so that we can have our family all together. And I can't wait to take to places like the beach and teach him how to play basketball and all other sorts of things he won't be able to do for years. We know the road will be hard, but we also know that we can make it. We will keep you updated on his progress and more pictures are to come. We wish you all the best.

Love,

The Rex Family

He's Here!!!

Yay!!! Our beautiful new edition has come. Carter was born on Sat., February 7th, 2009 at 9:54 am. He weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. and measured 19 1/2 in. long. He has dark brown eyes, blondish brown hair and the cutest facial expressions. As many of you may know, he is still in the hospital with some health concerns. He should be coming home around Feb. 14th or 15th. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! Bringing him home will be a great gift. Thank you to all that have helped, offered prayers, and expressed their love!!! We love you all.

Introducing Carter Hanson Rex

OUR PRECIOUS LITTLE ONE

So Small

He has such a sweet smile

Here is Carter, mommy and daddy.

Carter trying to stop the papparrazi. "No pictures, please."

Isn't he cute?!

Mommy looking good after giving birth.

Daddy looks tired or at least he can't open his eyes.

Carter hanging out with Grammy.

Carter with Poppa.