I have started an album of Grair photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/seth007/GrairConnorMeranda?authkey=tTG5CMBsQgk While some may show up from time-to-time in the posts, the entire collection will always be available at this location.

Every doctor, nurse and resident has assured us that kids are tough. For the past seven days, Grair has been through more medical incidents than Melissa and I combined, and yet he is persevering and growing. His strength has made us stronger. Last night, Grair got have his first dose of milk. It was only a small amount, and it was feed through a nose in his tube, but it settled well. Sometime today, the doctors are going to try removing the...

Grair’s chest has been closed up by Dr. Hammel. It sounds as though everything went as planned, and Grair is doing well. Over the next 24 hours, he will continue to be monitored closely. It appears as though all is going as expected. The beeps and lights are flashing, and Melissa and I are starting to get used to it. We have been educated on many different items related to blood pressure, blood gas, heart rate, O2 levels, syndromes, and...

After the surgery, Grair’s chest was left open. This was done for a couple of reasons, but mostly to let fluid buildup and swelling occur without hindering comfort for Grair. After the surgery, we were told to expect the closing to occur in three or four days (Saturday or Sunday). Dr. Hammel checked-up on Grair this morning and found that he was doing very well, therefore he has decided to go ahead and close Grair’s chest this...

As the day of Thanksgiving comes to a close, we have much to be thankful for. The skills of the surgeons, the compassion of the nurses, and the knowledge of the doctors have helped to fix Grair’s heart. Sometime last night, the pacemaker was turned off, as Grair’s fixed heart held the rhythm correctly. He is pumping all the blood on his own. In fact, his blood pressure is stable and without need of medicine. He has urinated enough to...