Update on Liam's Heart

Today was Liam's annual echocardiogram and visit at Pediatric Cardiology.  Liam had three areas of concern in his heart when we first visited when he was a baby.  One area of concern, the hole between the two upper chambers of his heart, has healed itself, and is no longer a concern.  He still has a fused left ventricle valve and a coarctation of the aorta.  Medical intervention is not necessary for any number under 40.  His numbers will fluctuate as he grows.  We will not know if he will need medical intervention until after he reaches puberty and his heart has stopped growing.  
Today his numbers were -
valve - went from a 5 to a 10 (still well under the area of concern)
aorta - went from a 24 to a 12 (also under the area of concern)
Liam has been given the permission to play any sport that is not high impact.  The doctor wants Liam to try physical exercise to see where his limit is and make sure he is getting circulation to his legs.
Liam does a great job of sitting still during his echocardiogram!

Pure Michigan Vacation, Meijer Gardens

We left Traverse City on decided to stop at the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids on the way home to eat lunch and stretch our legs.  We only saw a portion of the gardens, but the kids enjoyed the parts that we did see.

Pure Michigan Vacation, Traverse City

We decided to have a sunset walk on the beach in Traverse City.  We weren't planning to swim, but the kids enjoyed wading and walking in the sand.

Pure Michigan Vacation, Sleeping Bear Dunes

We took the kids to the Sleeping Bear Dunes for the first time.  It was quite a workout, but the kids made it up three big hills.  We had to take breaks along the way.  Once we reached the top, the kids played with the rocks and sticks they found.  They enjoyed the breeze at the top.  They had fun running back down.