He's getting bigger!

Michael is now 7 pounds 2 ounces! His likes include: eating (a lot), being held, stretching, and having his hands near his face. Dislikes : dirty diapers, baths, and letting mommy and daddy sleep.

He's Home!!!

The moment that we have been waiting for has finally arrived. Our beautiful boy is home! It was a VERY long 17 days in the hospital, and we could not be happier to be out of there. Just to be able to pick up our baby without all of those cords is such a relief. There are no immediate plan with the shunt surgery and our first cardiology appointment is in about two weeks. We are praying that he can make it all the way to the Glenn. I will think about all of that tomorrow...today is a beautiful day and Eric and I are very happy parents!

He's here!

It has been about two weeks now since Michael Maverick Harris has entered the world...and boy did he make an entrance! I went in for my weekly checkup at 37 weeks and the doctor said that my blood pressure was too high, and she sent me over to the hospital for observation. Eric and I were hoping that the blood pressure would go down and I would be able to go home and let the baby get nice and fat in the womb for ten more days. No such luck. My blood pressure was not dropping and they decided to induce me that very day. It was a long 24 hours of blood pressure machines going off and iv's being stuck in my arm and oxygen masks being shoved in my face. With all of this going on all I wanted was a glass of water, but no water for Kari, so I settled for ice chips. Then, at 5:10pm on 7/30 I experienced the most wonderful moment of my life- little Michael was born. He was 6 pounds 1 ounce (smaller than expected) and 47 cm long. I was so happy that I was able to hold him for a moment before they rushed him away, seeing his little eyes looking into mine was nothing short of a miracle.

After the initial tests, he was transported by ambulance the Children's Hospital LA Heart ICU. Eric was able to ride with him and be there with him as he was admitted. He spent about five days in the heart ICU where they determined that based on his oxygen saturation levels which range from 75-90, that he may not need the shunt surgery right away. They moved him up to the NICU where he stayed for the next five days and continued to thrive. The cardiologists are very impressed with how well he is doing, so they moved him up again to the sixth floor. The sixth floor is not my favorite place. It is a regular hospital room with a low level of care. Being in here is like going from the Ritz to a Motel 6, but I can't complain because it is a step closer to getting him home. Right now what we are working on is getting him to eat consistently. Due to his heart condition he tires very easily while eating, but he has been building up his endurance and is doing great. Today he finished his whole bottle twice...which is a very big deal. If he can reach his goal of eating on his own we can bust out of this place!! Eric and I are so sick of these monitors buzzing and doctors and nurses poking and prodding him. But we could not be happier with our little fighter. He has proven every one wrong from the time he's been in the womb. He is a strong, sweet, beautiful baby boy and we are so blessed to have him. Eric and I are so grateful to everyone for their support and generosity during this time. These two weeks have been the happiest and hardest of our lives, and it helps to know that we have an amazing support system there for our little family. Thank you.

Baby Harris

Birth Plan

We officially know that we will be delivering Michael at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital. The Hospital is across the street from Children's Hospital. Michael's due to be with us on August 15Th, however we have a feeling that he will come a little early. Kari is 35weeks. Due to his heart condition, Hollywood Pres is the best place for him to be born. So I wanted to give you a timeline for our birth plan.

1. Michael is born.
2. After birth there will be a series of diagnostic tests on his heart.
3. (If needed) His first surgery will take place within 1st or 2ND weeks of life. A shunt will be used to regulate blood to the lungs.
4. The Glenn Procedure 4-6 months later. (2ND Surgery)
5. The Fontan Procedure age 3 or 30 lbs. (3rd Surgery)
6. Kick n Ass and taking names

Met the Surgeon 7-7-10

We met with the surgeon Dr. Winfield Wells today at Children's Hospital. The meeting went really well. Dr. Wells said that Michael's heart condition is the best to have. He gave us a 98% success rate. Dr. Wells also showed us the procedures that will take place on Michael and the process when he is born. He was very comforting. After the meeting we were shown the Natal ICU. That was incredible, there were 20 doctors and nurses looking over 8-10 babies with heart disease. There is 1 nurse dedicated to each baby at all times. Michael will be in great hands. We were also comforted in knowing that one of us can be in the ICU 24 hours a day. There is also sleeping quarters for the parents when we need to take a nap. Although it wasn't our ideal place to spend our anniversary of 3 years. It kind of was.

-This is the profile of our surgeon.

http://www.cts.usc.edu/facultystaff-winfieldwells.html

Michael Maverick Mass

Michael had a Mass in his honor at St. John De la Salle in Granada Hills. The same place we got married. It was very nice of the Church to do that for us on such late notice. Grandma and Grandpa Sangalli, Momma Harris, and Aunt Angie were all in attendance. We also moved into a parent role by buying a bigger car for baby Michael. A new Honda CRV that you see in the background. Now I can stretch my legs out and Kari doesn't have to have the steering wheel pressing against her belly. Doesn't Grandpa Sangalli look good with his Tony Soprano shirt.