On Friday, around 24 hours post-op, Grayson really started to perk up.  He was able to sit up by himself, and he had his first moments of being awake without crying.  That was a really great milestone for everybody.  He got to watch some cartoons on the iPad to distract him from the not-so-fun stuff like medicine and diaper changes and evil blood pressure cuffs.  Grayson also started having some withdrawals from the morphine I think, because he couldn't stop rubbing his face.  Itchy itchy.  After that, he had a really good night.  In fact, if we didn't have to wake him up for vitals and meds, I think he would have slept almost all night.  He also didn't have to sleep with his IV in, since he was drinking his bottles so well.  I'm sure that helped.

Today is Saturday, October 27.  Grayson woke up a much happier kid today, and we even got our first smile and laugh.  Grayson stole the glasses off my face, which he thinks is sooo funny. We even got to hear the classic Grayson cackle... "ah-ah-ah-ah".  The plastics team and the neurosurgery team both think he looks great, and is doing awesome.  They were able to take out almost all his leads, and so he only has one lead left attached to his toe and of course the dreaded drain tube coming out of his head.  It was great timing, since he has decided he's done with laying down and he finds all these wires and tubes really fascinating.  Except the one in his head because I'm pretty sure that one hurts.

I think Grayson's head already looks so much better than it did yesterday.  They're keeping the drain tube in for now, because it seems to still be pulling quite a bit of fluid.  But once that's out, his forehead will look a lot more normal, even with its increased size.  He received a present today from his Aunt Meow (Kitty).  He snuggled right into his new dragon and we put the Eeyore balloon on his crib.  I think between the stuffed animals, prayer chain, pictures, and the quilt made by a Cranio Care Bears donor, we have the most cheerful colorful crib on the floor!

I'm so proud of my little man.  He's recovering so well, and trying so hard to be happy even when he's hurting.  He had a pretty tough morning after he received his meds late.  It took a really long time to get him back on track, but because he was having a hard time he got to see a therapy dog!  A volunteer brought in his 10-year old Golden Retriever named Pie (short for American Pie because he was born on the 4th of July).  Grayson stopped crying, stared at Pie, and started talking to him.  Which in Grayson language is (uhh.  Uh.  Uh.  Uh.)  I almost cried, it was so cute.  Grayson played with Pie's ears a little bit, and we were able to give him a bottle after they left.

I think that if his eyes have not swollen shut by tonight or tomorrow, that we may be out of the woods on that happening at all.  I don't want to jinx it, though.  Once they take his tube out, some of that fluid will accumulate and cause some swelling.  But right now, most of his swelling is on his right side.  Which kind of makes him look like a boxer.  Grayson Ali.  If he could wear clothes, I would have loved for him to wear his Cranio Care Bears shirt today that said "You should see the other guy".  It has a stick figure that looks just like Grayson on it.  Our little fighter ;)