Next week is a big week for me

Hi everyone! Here is a picture of me and my Daddy. He talks to me and makes me laugh. But, I still do a really good job of not smiling for the camera, but Mommy snuck up on me this time. I like to have everyone think I'm very serious. Are you fooled?

Guess what? I'm growing up!! I now weigh around 7 pounds. I haven't been weighed in a couple weeks, but I was 6 pounds 12 ounces then, so I'm sure I'm 7 pounds now. I'm 20 inches long, too. I've also outgrown my baby preemie clothes. I know this picture makes it look like I don't own any clothes, but I have a whole lot of them thanks to lots of great friends that like to share! But, I was just chillin' in my almost birthday suit and it was fun talking to Daddy. Oh, I now wear newborn clothes and Daddy says I'll grow really fast after next week and maybe I will wear a different size soon. Which is what I wanted to tell you all about.

Next week I will have surgery to fix my congenital heart defect. I was born with a hole in between the ventricles of my heart. Everyone simply calls it a VSD. They are going to fix it along with another hole - a PDA - that for most babies it closes up, but I like to be unique and therefore mine didn't close. But, since they are going to close the VSD, they can close the PDA at the same time. Mommy tells me that this is called heart surgery. I will have my surgery at UAB in Birmingham,Alabama. The surgeon - Dr. Kirkland - has done this many times before and he will take good care of me. I have to be at the hospital on Tuesday and my surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2nd - early in the morning. It should take about 4 hours. Then, I'll go to a special Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) where they will help me get better and I'll get to see Mommy and Daddy again! When I can leave CICU, I'll go back to a room and stay with Mommy and Daddy for several days until I'm well enough to go home.

Mommy told me that a lot of people love me already and she can't wait for me to meet them. She also told me that people are praying for me. I like that. I know that Jesus loves me and that I'll be just fine, but I really like being on your prayer list and would love for you to kee me (and my Mommy and Daddy) on in your thoughts, please.

Well, that is the scoop. This weekend I get to meet my Aunt Susan and my cousins Jake and Christena. I'm really excited about that and am practicing my fit-throwing techniques. It is rather fun for me.

Have a great weekend everyone! Nighty-night from me in my room just a few minutes ago.