Santa calls the kids!

Today I received a VERY special email for Mason and Blake from none other than Santa himself. These are some pretty lucky kids!

Santa calls the Galligans from Tiffany Galligan on Vimeo.

Week 'O Fun!

Being at home this week has been wonderful (something a girl could get used to, to tell you the truth)! The kids went to school, but we picked them up by 3:30 everyday and took them on a fun adventure. Some pics from our week 'o fun. Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Disco Baby Jesus. Keep Austin Weird!

What could represent Christmas better than a pig with a lollipop?

Astrodome home run lights are a family favorite!

So excited about 34th street lights!

Besties riding the Zilker Zepher train.

Little people riding a seal.

Little GaGa

Mason got a karaoke machine as an early Christmas present. Which means now we all get to enjoy her fondness for Lady Gaga in stereo. Bryan is thrilled it comes with two microphones so Mason and I can sing duets to him!

Little Gaga from Tiffany Galligan on Vimeo.

Update on the boy's heart: reality check

Although Blake's heart looks great, it's time for us to start thinking about what's next for him. It's been over two years since he's had heart surgery,and it's easy to get used to life outside the hospital.

One of the main procedures as part of Blake's last surgery was to augment his aortic arch from underneath to provide more room for blood flow. In his last cardiology visit they noticed that the flow from the natural part to the augmented part was slightly different. They called the difference mild but noticeable.

A couple of months before his next surgery (Spring 2011) they will do a cardiac catheter and will attempt to stretch the aorta with a balloon. We will wait a couple of months for this to heal and reassess the flow.

He will undergo his third and final open heart surgery (the Fontan procedure) next Summer. If the cath balloon is successful they will not need to re-operate on the arch, if it's not successful it may complicate the Fontan.

We have mixed emotions. We have always known this day was coming, so it is nice to have 6-9 months of warning/prep. But at the same time we are used to normal life with our little guy and this is a brutal reminder of just how fragile he is.

Santa!

We went to our friends', Edgar and Ann Cardinas, Christmas party on Saturday. As luck would have it, Santa stopped by. Mason warmed up slightly to him, but refused to sit in is lap. Blake clung to us for dear life and wouldn't go near him.

Blake wanted NOTHING to do with Santa.

A hug for Santa.

Mason made Santa a gift!

Halloween 2010

Click the photo to see a slideshow of the kid's Halloween glory!

Lil Man's Heart

Blake went to the cardiologist today, and his heart looks great. All valves are open, no leaking, no fluid around the chest or lungs. His sats are holding about the same in the mid to low 80's (these have slowly been dropping since his surgery in 2008). The doc feels like he is still doing great, and is going to call Dr. Frasier to discuss when they want to schedule his third surgery, but likely the earliest it will be is next summer.

He was great at the doctor. He flirted with all the nurses (which promptly yielded him two lollipops). And he told Dr. Shapiro to turn off 'Cars' and to put on 'Toy Story' while he was getting the echo cardiogram on his heart because, "Buzz Lightyear is my favorite!"

Animal World

While reviewing some recent videos of my sweet angels, I discovered there are a disproportionate number of videos involving animals. Oh well, I guess it's just proof that we truly are Austinites.


Feeding the deer at Canyon Lake. They (my children and the deer) really didn't have any boundaries.

Happy Heart Birthday, Baby Boy!

Sunday was Blake's 2-year anniversary from having his Glenn operation. For those that don't remember, the Glenn is the second in a series of three open-heart surgeries that Blake will have to reroute the way his heart pumps blood.

This past weekend he ran around the playground, swam in the lake, rode his bike, and chased his sister endlessly around the house. He is doing so remarkably well, it's easy to forget that his little heart is so fragile. I thank God everyday that he is getting to experience life as a normal little boy, and I continue to pray that his heart will be as strong as it can possibly be to support his body.

Happy Heart Birthday, Blake!

Then

Now

Our Little Mermaid

Mason proved to us in Nicaragua, she doesn't need any help - swimming all by herself!

Random Pics

Just thought I would post some fun random pics.

Heart is great!

Blake had his six-month cardiology visit today. Sats are higher than
they were last two times we were there (86-88) and everything with his
heart function looks spectacular. Good news for a great day!

Just hanging out during his exam. Cool as a cucumber!

Happy 2nd Birthday Blake!

Sweet, wonderful you. You make me happy with the things you do! You make me believe in miracles. We are so blessed for every day we get with you angel. Happy 2nd Birthday Blake!

Happy 2nd Birthday Blake! from Tiffany Galligan on Vimeo.

My Little Ballers

On the way back from our run last night, we stopped at the elementary school to "play" a little basketball. Mason thought she was AWESOME and told me I was the coolest Mom in the world when I got it in the basket. Blake thought he could get it in backwards!

Blake's New Ride

Blake's New Ride from Tiffany Galligan on Vimeo.

Bluebonnets!

Huge leap this year. Took photos by ourselves (you'll see pretty quickly they aren't nearly as good as when dad takes them), and Mason is officially not scared of the bluebonnets anymore. Hooray!

Baroid BBQ Pics

One of the things we did last weekend during our whirlwind trip to Houston was go to the annual Halliburton-Baroid BBQ Cookoff. So after Bill (Paw Paw) presented the awards, Mason ran on stage, grabbed the microphone and just started singing! It started with "I Gotta Feeling" and segued into "The Eyes of Texas." Needless to say our daughter does not contain a shy gene. So, here are some more pics from the BBQ including Mason's riveting performance.

Snow Day!

Well, in fine Texas form, it was 75 degrees on Sunday, and today it snowed. And not just a little, but a lot. Snow started coming down about 9:30 AM, and was off and on through about 6 PM. I got to pick the kids up early from school so we could come home and play in the snow. We made a sad, sad snowman, but had plenty of fun just playing!

It's My Heart!

I just want to say a very special thank you to all of our sweet family and friends that walked with us last Saturday as well as those that donated to It's My Heart. We were able to raise over $5,000 for this great cause, and I coouldn't be more overwhelmed by the love and support you all have shown Blake and my family. Thank you. Here are a few pics from the event.

This one's for you, Auntie

Don't ask me why, but Mason insisted on singing you the Baskin Robins ice cream cake song. So, here you go. Enjoy! Happy V day.

Blake's New Bed

It's official. No more cribs in this house! Blake is doing fantastic in his new bed (sleeping later than he ever did in a crib). Honestly, I think it is psychological; I think the hospital cribs made him feel like a prisoner and that someone was always going to come and poke and prod on him, and I don't think he ever forgot that association. Of course, that is in Dr. Galligan's professional opinion and all! ;) Anyway, since he's moved into his bed he's also started to ask us to go potty on the toilet, and we've had 3-4 successful attempts. I can't believe my babies are all grown up!

Happy Valentine's Day

This is for you Nonni, Poppi, Mimi, Paw Paw, and Memaw (Auntie, you have a special video all your own coming soon).

Ring Around the Rosy

Blake is totally into Ring Around the Rosy, and Mason humors him (even though secretly I think she likes it). Clearly, the best part is the falling down!

Ring Around the Rosy from Tiffany Galligan on Vimeo.

Shoulder Rides

Apparently Daddy's shoulders are big fun!