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