THE PICTURES ARE IN!!!

Be sure to check out the picture page for more of this beautiful new addition to our family.

Jeremey is going to try and post later this evening. However, they are staying awfully busy taking care of Haven and running back and forth between hospitals (Mom is recovering at IU Med Center and Haven at Riley).

Haven is doing very well considering her condition and since she is looking strong the doctors will be prepping for her first surgery probably sometime at the end of this week.

We love you Haven!

Your Uncle Justin

(This message was originally posted on Dec 12, 6:03pm. It was moved to the front page by Justin)

We were able to be with Jeremey and Alison for Haven’s birth. What a day of excitement and wonder! Alison did such an awesome job, docs and nurses were amazed (no epidural!). Of course, she had Jeremey right there every second to hang on to. They were the same sweet loving couple as they always are, working together to bring Haven into the world. Grandma Joy was at the delivery and Grandpa Kevin, Grandpa Johnson, and Aunt Jenny supported from outside the door. They really surprised the whole staff by insisting on doing this on Monday (well, really Tues. 12:12am). We are so happy that Haven is so strong and healthy, and that she is in such great care. Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, support, and encouraging words. We’re excited about this website that will keep us all connected to what is going on in our granddaughter’s life.

Love,
Kevin and Joy

Some of you have asked about getting phone numbers or addresses to reach Mom and Dad at the hospital. Unfortunately we can’t post much information on the blog since it is still a public website that anyone can view.

However, there are ways to find out information if you are determined enough… 😉
Right now Haven is at Riley and Alison is still recooperating at IU Med Center. Mom and Dad do not know the exact room they will stay in, but housing is available.

Firstly, you can post what you want to say on the blog. This is one of the quickest forms of communication. When Mom and Dad do get on the internet they check the blog first. Also, people close to them are checking the blog multiple times a day and relay messages as often as they can.

Secondly, there is the ‘Contact’ link at the top of the blog or on the right sidebar. On the ‘Contact’ page Mom and Dad have setup a special email address for HavensHeart.net. You can email them any private messages. However, as of right now they have very limited access to the internet and so may not be able to respond quickly to your inquiry.

Thirdly, If you would like to speak to one of our operators about shipping arrangements, you should contact a grandparent. Grandpa Johnson, Grandpa Kevin, or Grandma Joy will be able to physically reach them with any mailed items or personal messages and communicate to you about other options.

With all this said, Jeremey and Alison wanted to relay that they wish they had time to sit and talk to each one of you individually about the situation, but regretfully it is not possible. especially for the time they are spending with Haven.

Jer should be on the internet this afternoon to make another post.

Thanks for all your interest and concern!

Uncle Justin

Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments!  They have been so encouraging.  Haven is beautiful and we have spent several hours with her today.  Because she is doing so well, we have been able to hold her (which we were told probably wouldn’t be able to happen).  Infact, the doctors are so impressed with Haven’s status that they have suggested that Alison begin breast feeding her.  That is happening even now. 

Currently, the plan of operation is to perform the first open-heart surgery early next week.  They want Haven to do as many “normal newborn” activities as possible before the surgery because this will be better for her recovery:  she will be paralyzed after the surgery to allow things to heal and due to this paralysis many babies “lose” many instinctive reactions (such as breathing or eating), so they say the more things she can do on her own before the surgery, the better she will be when she comes off the paralysis.

Thanks again for all of your support.  It really does mean so much to know we have you in our corner.  We will continue to update as much as possible.  Uncle Justin and Grandpa J will also continue to keep the site current.  I know everyone wants pictures.  Don’t worry, we have them.  We’re just having a little trouble getting them on the site from the hospital.  Keep checking back, I promise to have some up very soon!

Mid day news break…
I just talked with Jeremey. All are well at the frontline. Doctors want Alison to start breast feeding Haven. All the vital stats are good on Alison, Haven as well as Jeremey.:)

Mom and Dad are able to spend more time with the baby then originally planned.
If all goes well the team of specialist are considering surgery the beginning to the middle of next week.

I would like to mention that though all things are going better then anticipated Haven is no ways near being out of the woods. Her situation has not changed and she will be going through the planned open heart surgeries and adjustments to life as so very few children have. Haven, Alison and Jeremey will continue to need all of our support as family and friends.

With all that being said, those of you who are itching to send that special card, bouquet of flowers, gifts or cookies(hint), I will have an address for you by tomorrow morning. Jeremey and Alison will be assigned a room at the McDonald house in Indy. Alison will remain at I.U. Med. Center for the next couple of days.

Look for another update this evening. See you then.

Grandpa pa J.

Goodmorning everyone!

Another miracle last night or was it this morning. When Aunt Jenny and I left the I.U.Center around 3am Mom,Haven and yes, even Dad were doing good. During all the action I counted at least four doctors, four specialists, a head nurse, and six other nurses assisting at one time or another. And that was just on Grandpa McMullin!

No, really there were all of those I listed and maybe more.
I will let Alison and Jeremey share there version of the entire event. It was somthing to witness. Alison did an outstanding job. She was a real trooper. Jeremey will need a week or two to recover. All are well.

Again I thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

Keepem comin’. We will continue to keep all of you posted.

Haven Leigh was born on December 12, 2006 at 12:12am. She is 8 pounds 5 oz and 19 inches tall.

Mom and dad are doing well, and the doctors are carefully monitoring Haven. The doctors will now take Haven to the Riley intensive care unit and stabilize her for her first surgery this week.

The first surgery is the Norwood procedure. Learn more about it by clicking the HLHS link at the top of the blog.

Pictures will come soon.

A phone call says that they are calling in the doctors because mom is feeling those good ol’ vibrations. They are moving into delivery mode.

Haven is making a break for it!

…More to come.  

WOAH!This just in from Riley. Before the doctors could give mom the hormones her water broke. So it looks like Haven wants to do things her way.

Mom is feeling stronger contractions closer together now and so Jeremey’s arm is getting raw.Hopefully, more to come soon.  

I just got off the phone with people in the room. Things are going well and on schedule.The first step of inducement is over and now everyone is getting ready for phase two – hormones. The hormones will help ripen the runway for takeoff (…in layman’s terms of course). The experts do not want Alison getting out of bed once she receives the hormones because they want to keep a close eye on the baby. So until the second half gets underway Alison is taking advantage of the ‘free time’ by taking laps around the room, and eating frosted flakes.