Unfortunately not everything was as smooth as delivery and Magnus was diagnosed with VATER Syndrome. It's a physical developmental syndrome that happens in about 1 out of 4,000 births. Luckily Magnus only has a few of the problems that are associated with the Syndrome - some of which can be quite serious. Magnus most immediate trial to face was an esophageal-trachea fistula (or joining), which he needed to undergo surgery for at hour 28 of life. Living up to his name though he did wonderfully and all we had to do is wait a week and make sure that the trachea and esophagus were now performing as they should. A week later all WAS well and Eliza was able to start breastfeeding him with no problems! As a result of all this good news we were able to bring him home from the NICU within 12 days of birth and he has only been a joy since then.
Magnus faces one other challenge from VATER. He is missing one of the two bones between the elbow and wrist in his right arm and his right thumb. He has an appointment with one of the top hand specialists this week so we will see what options lie before us, but all the doctors so far seem to feel this will not hinder him in the least as he has full movement of his arm and can grasp with his right hand.
We were blessed with being surrounded by both of our families at such a great moment in our lives, the Fendells arriving in time for the birth and the Obergs the next day! Magnus even had an aunt and uncle on hand cheering for him. It also made him being home for Thanksgiving particularly special this year! We're not quite sure what the future will bring, where we'll be and what we'll be doing as the changes that have come our way haven't quite all finished, so we hope your holiday season is also filled with love and joy and we look forward to the year to come with all the changes it will continue to bring!