So just some general updates on Zoe's issues-- all good news.

Zoe had and ECHO on the 11th that went great. Her pulmonary pressures are down a bit.  They used to be in the 100's, now they are in the low 90's.  30's are normal so we still have a way to go but at least it means that the medicine is working.  Her blood flow through her heart also looks better and is goign more the directions it should be going.  Her heart also looks a bit less strained.  All of this is fantastic.  In fact, cardiology thought she looked so good that they don't need to see her for 3 months!!  YEAH!!  In the mean time we are supposed to check in with pulmonalogy, audiology, and  neuro development, just to make sure Zoe is on track in all those departments.

In terms of feedings, Zoe has been seeing an OT, Michelle Bombardier, who is doing wonders for her.  Basically we start each meal by having play with your food time so that ZOe learns that eatign is a social fun event and not something to be scared of.  SHe loves it, she gets to smear food everywhere on her and the floor and I get to clean it up after.  She'll lick the bowls and put the sppon in her mouth sometimes and she has started leaning forward to get what is on the spoon at times. Some meals are great and she gets as much as 20 bites and other times she doesn't want anything.  But at least she is having fun with it.  Michelle is really encouraged with how much Zoe has imporoved just in  a few weeks and thinks that she is spot on where she should be developmentally in terms of tracking and interacting.  Zoe loves her and always shows off for her and talks to her right away where with everyone else it takes her a bit to warm up.

Zoe had another pediatric check up today with Dr. Walters who also thinks she looks great and doesn't need to see her for a while, after her birthday actually.  A whole month and a half away.  I feel like we are finally hitting some big milestones when all Zoe's doctors are not needing to check in every few weeks.  She now weighs a whopping 17 pounds 10 ounces- thanks to keeping most of her food down these days.

Saturday we had a great Father's day dinner with Jason's family at his parents house.  We got some great photos of 4 generation: Zoe, Jason, his mom, Margi, and his Grandpa, Stan.  The nieces also had a great time with Zoe, they talk about her all the time.

Sunday was dinner with my family.  My parents had just gotten back from Bali two hours earlier and it was great to see them, I always miss them when they are gone.  And I know they missed Zoe.

Savannah, Zoe, Jordyn

Grandpa Stan (Baba), Jason (Papa) , Zoe, and Margi (Mimi)

We had the most amazing weekend!!  On a spur of the moment whim, Jason, Zoe and I headed down to Portland to see all the nurses and doctors from Legacy Emanuel.  Zoe has been doing so great keeping her feeds down latley that we finally felt up to a trip away for a weekend.  She did great on the trip down, slept about half of it and then was going non stop until about 9:00 that evening.  We went to the hospital first and were able to see one her doctors, Paige Larabee and several of her nurses and respiratory technicians.  They were all amazed to see how big she had gotten and how strong she is getting.  It's got to be the best feeling to be a doctor or nurse and see a patient return and know that you helped save that babies life.  It was a bit tearful for us to be back,  we haven't really had the time to process all that Zoe's been through and to walk in through the doors of the hospital again caught me a bit offguard.  After being at the hospital we met up with nurses Courtney, Jessica and Melissa for coffee.  Zoe was her usual charming self and showed off her latest tricks including "so big" and "Pat-a-cake"  She was so tired but she only slept for a few minutes becasue she didn't want to miss anything.  After  coffee we went to one on Zoe's respiratory technician's, Denise, house for a BBQ.  We finally got Zoe back to the hotel at about 9:00 where she finally crashed for the night.

Sunday morning we had brunch with nurses, Nicole, Steph, and Stacy and her daughter Olivia who used to hear stories about Zoe when she was in the hospital.  Once again, Zoe performed on cue and sat up great in her highchair all by herself.  It was so amazing to see everyone, we have gotten so attatched to everyone in Portland-- their support got me through many many a day and night. 

It was kind of sad to come back home, it had been so fun to get away for a while, almost like old times.  However, Zoe needed a little down time and definetley a nap!!

Doctors and Nurses and Legacy Emanuel: Linda, Kathy, Paige, Carrie, Nan and Leanna

Zoe with Auntie Courtney

With Nurse Jessica

With Nurse Melissa

With RT Denise

With Nicole, Stacy, and Steph

With Stacy's daughter, Olivia

Zoe, Jason and I have been enjoying the good weather latley.  She has been having a great couple weeks.  She's has hardly thrown up at all for the last week and a half.  I revamped her feeding schedule a bit in terms of how much volume she gets and switched the times a bit-  that with a combination of the soy formula seems to have made a difference.  This means that we were actually able to go to Seattle for the whole day on Saturday and enjoy ourselves.  We went and visitied Jason's aunt and uncle and our friends Sara and Greg and their baby, Lily.  This was the longest we have had Zoe out of the house and she loved it.  She got to get lots of doggy licks and pet a kitty who doesn't run away like ours do as well as play with another baby just a few months older than her.

Zoe has also been able to swing int he hammock, take a tractor ride with Jason, splash in a swimming pool and go on lots of walks.  Yeah!!

She has has her next ECHO on Thursday and we are anxious to see if the new medicine is working at all.  I think it's definietley helping some becasue she is no longer on any oxygen and her stats are still between 98-100 even when sleeping.  She also now weighs just over 17 pounds.

Zoe and Cousin Eva

On the tractor with Papa

Zoe in the hammock

A very happy Zoe

Zoe in the pool

Zoe doing "So Big"

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She doesn't want a bottle with formula, but Papa's empty bottle is great!