Speedy Recovery

Peek-a-boo Ari

One week after surgery

Ari's first song: Passenger Seat by Death Cab

snaps...argh!

Yes, that's a normal size binky!

Sweet boy

6 days after surgery

Our little old man 4 days after surgery

Breathing tube finally out!

So many tubes and wires!

2 days after surgery

Right after surgery, 6 days old

"Kangaroo Care"

The night before surgery

First family photo

3 days old

I know everyone has been anxious to hear and see how Ari is doing, sorry we've kept you waiting. He is recovering so quickly, even the doctors are amazed. Look at the pictures starting from the bottom to really see the progress he has made. I'll fill in the details when I have more time....which I'm now finding out, is never.

Ari Joseph Patin

Hello everyone! Thank you for all of your support and phone calls. We are doing our best to talk to everyone in between what's been going on, being with Ari, and trying to get some sleep.

Heather got out of the hospital this morning around 11. It felt weird leaving the hospital without a baby in our arms, but the moments we've been able to spend with him have been precious.


Ari at 3 hours old. We haven't been able to hold him, but before he was transported to Children's Memorial we were able to visit with him and touch his little body... - 4 lbs 2 oz

The CM transport team - they were amazing. This was the Ari's futuristic starship that maintained his vitals as he left Northwestern Hospital to Children's Memorial. The transport team were one of the many heroes that night.

18.5 inches. He's a tall guy for a premie. We estimate his arm span to be about 6 ft.

This is him today, 3 days old. He's currently recovering from a procedure that opened a hole in his heart that allows much needed oxygenated blood to flow throughout his body. It was rough on him, but the doctors are impressed with how he handled it. His heart surgery is set for Wednesday.

A view from Northwestern Hospital.

This is a video of Ari's first diaper. Be forewarned, Ari bares-all in this exclusive, up-close-and-personal video of Ari during his first few hours of life. Such a cutie.

Baby Brunch

This past week the amazing family that I nanny for threw me a Baby Brunch in preparation for our little guy on the way. We ate scrumptuous blueberry pancakes, hot sizzling baccon, fresh fruit, and hashbrowns - and special thanks to Chris' master chef skills. We played a little game where Allen got to guess what some of the baby items were. We got a boppy which Allen thought was a 'donut' that is used for a bum cushion. He's got quite a bit to learn...

This is Sierra, I've been her nanny since she was just 6 weeks old. Isn't she the cutest! She has been such a blessing to watch this past 7 months. She is the happiest baby I've ever known. She sleeps like a bear, and when she's awake Sierra loves to live the baby life (a lot of pampering and attention...).

Megan, Me, Stacie & the babies

We're all holding our little babies...!

A little side view action...5 more weeks!

Today, Sierra and I were able to meet Allen at the pool and enjoy a little swimming on one of the very few warm and sunny days we've had here in Chicago. I hope everyone has been able to enjoy their great summer weather too!

A 'Petit Collage'

I can admit I enjoy a little t.v. here and there. As a nanny for a beautiful little 6 month old, so when she takes her naps I like to switch it on for a little down time. I'll watch anything from the Today Show,Las Vegas to a Baby Story on TLC (I cry every episode....ah, pregnancy...). Most recently though it's been Martha Stuart (I love her magazine as well). Anyway, a couple weeks back she had Lorena Siminovich on the show to show off her 'petit collages', as she calls them. Sooo, instead of paying the $100+ she charges for them I thought I'll just make my own! (The two templates above and instructions can be found on Marthastuart.com) They were so easy and turned out really cute (at least I think so)! I thought they would make adorable baby shower gifts, so I've started designing my own little animal collages. My sister Stephanie just had a little boy on Wednesday so I'll post those up when I finish.

Update on us: Allen is finishing up summer school (darn all those springtime tardies...) and has been working on a 40 page senior thesis (crazy I know, I have a hard time writing 5 pages). He's also been very busy training for the Chicago Marathon coming up Oct. 11th. He is running for the Children's Memorial Foundation, where our son will have his heart surgery come the end of September. Allen is also keeping a record of his training, fundraising, and thoughts at a little blog: 1plus25andthensome.blogspot.com.

As for me, I am now in my 3rd trimester and starting to feel the effects. Pregnancy comes with a TON of side effects. The sporadic nose bleeds and leg cramps have subsided but now I'm on to heart burn, insomnia, shortness of breath and waddling yes, I have a little duck waddle going on. But even with all that, I wouldn't change a thing. Everytime I feel our little boy move around in there, even when his head (or bum) is lodged up in my ribs, I smile. It's such an amazing thing feeling him and knowing that in just 6 weeks I will be able to hold this little baby who I feel so close to already.