Cardiology Update!

This week we had two appointments for the girls - one with the Pediatrician and one with the Cardiologist. The ped was just a follow up for their ear infections & bronchitis, which they are both in the clear of now. Except, we did discover their first allergy in the process. They had been taking Amoxicillin for the ear infections and developed a full body rash - so we're steering clear of that in the future.

As for the Cardiology visit - Liv had a follow up for her diagnosed PFO, and Caroline was seen for the first time due to her apparent murmur. Both girls had an EKG and then an Echocardiogram. These tests require the child to sit still long enough as to not elevate the heart rate for the duration of the test. Hmpf. Apparently 15-16 month olds are NOT the ideal patients for this type of exam. Liv took it like a champ, as she's a veteran to the heart check ups; but Caroline was Miss Difficult. It was her first time so she was totally freaked out. We had the full nursing staff in our room for the echo trying everything possible to keep her distracted/entertained - we all tried jumping around like bafoons, blowing bubbles, singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider, giving her cheerios, turned on a cartoon dvd - you name it, we tried it. But Caroline was NOT having it.

The Good News: Olivia's PFO has officially CLOSED!!!! Yay!

Both girls still have a slight murmur, which the doc referred to as a "functioning murmur" and said that many people live with this without even knowing it or affecting their lives. So no more holes in these babies' hearts! Beautiful, healthy hearts - just in time for Valentine's Day!

One pic I got with my camera phone at the ped's office. Their favorite thing is the sticks they get to play with there (tongue depressors).

And now a Caroline sequence (because Olivia was throwing a temper tantrum and just wasn't having the photo op.)

And no, we weren't going anywhere last night, but yes she needed her hat and shoes on.