"Collin's Room at UMC", "The Secret Life of Babies" and "We're HOME!!"

Collin's room at UMC is not as cute nor as comfy as his one at home, but Mommy does her best to bring his favorite things so he doesn't miss them.
Collin loves to be pushed around his room and the hospital grounds in his stroller; he feels like a "big guy"! Daddy has to use all of his muscles to push the stroller and the I.V. cart! (We think he can handle it.)


Collin's Great Aunt Shari came for a visit and a snuggle. She's Grandpa's Big Sister! heh heh (Hey, Shari, don't let him eat that bandage!)

Collin received a special, space-aged super bottle.
He likes to use it as a special, spage-aged super soaker to share his formula with Daddy across the room.
Mommy redirected some of her stress and frustration in a positive, creative direction and made inspirational posters for the room!
Collin demonstrates some of the new phrases he learned in Baby Sign Language class, "I oughta!"
"Something stinks!"

Collin examines the small print on the back of the package of cars Granda & Grandpa sent him. "Hey! This stuff was made in China!"
"Don't worry, be happy!"
Grandma & Grandpa, frustrated with NOT being there; wanting to give Collin & his parents a big hug and wanting to cheer up our little family, sent some balloons and other gifts to the room. Collin was interested in the balloons from a distance (closer, if Mommy held them) but was VERY much into the cars!

"If only I had three more helium balloons, fewer toys and a dry diaper, I KNOW I could sail this baby to Grandma's in AZ!"
One afternoon, the hospital hosted theuropeautic dogs for the patients. Collin thought they were cool, but not as cool as the dogs at his other Grandmas'!
Does this one look like he's got fleas?!
"Give me a saddle and a cowboy hat and I would OWN you!"


"The Escape Artist"

As you can see, Collin is adept at doing something incredibly naughty (ie trying to escape the crib in this photo) with a huge smile on his face. He thinks it distracts from his naughtiness...AND HE IS RIGHT!
Apparently the hospital administration, having dealt with Collin in the past, knew well enough to upgrade his crib from the previous "EASY" model, to "HARD".


CURSES! Busted trying to make a stealthy window escape.

Attempting Houdini's lesser known escape-trick, "CHEWING Through Metal Bars".
"Me and My Favorite Girl!"
"How the #*!! do you mix this stuff and where is my sock?!"

WE'RE HOME!
Collin zooms around Daddy in the living room, using the riding/walking toy Uncle Lance and Aunt Tiffany got him for Christmas.

Notice how he has crashed over all his toys which are on the floor. Yes, Collin Matthew is ALL boy!


We're so thrilled that Collin has been discharged from the hospital (albeit with more tubes and lines than we would have liked!) As has been said, "there's no place like home!" Collin's labs weren't where they need to be when he was tested this morning; the rotovirus has likely damaged the vili (the finger-like tubes in the intestines which absorb nutrients and fluids) and they need to grow back. In order for the healing to take place, he needs to be hydrated as much as possible; on Monday (if all goes well) he'll have a broviac catheter reinserted. (If you're not familiar with that, refer back to the early posts on this blog; he had one after his first surgery.) The procedure is done under anesthesia, but is quick and he'll go home afterwards. Please keep Collin and his family in your thoughts and prayers!

The parents of another "short gut kid", Ellie Brogan, are famous for calling this "the short gut cha-cha...two steps forward, one step back". We're eternally grateful to have been able to access other blogs and connect with other families of s.g.k.s It helps us to not feel so helpless, hopeless and alone.

Pictures by Mommy

Narrative by Grandma