Also- yesterday she visited the pedi for a 2 week checkup-- she is now 6lbs! I was so proud- she gained 11oz in 6 days...pretty great work, I think! :)
Definition malfunction
11 years ago
Friday, September 17, 2010
Audrey- newborn photo shoot with Mommy!
So I attempted to get some good newborn shots Wednesday with sweet Audrey girl. Here's the best of what we got!
Also- yesterday she visited the pedi for a 2 week checkup-- she is now 6lbs! I was so proud- she gained 11oz in 6 days...pretty great work, I think! :)
Also- yesterday she visited the pedi for a 2 week checkup-- she is now 6lbs! I was so proud- she gained 11oz in 6 days...pretty great work, I think! :)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Audrey and Emily Update
It dawned on me this morning that I haven't posted anything on here in a few days. Things are going well! I hate to jinx it but Audrey is a really easy baby- eats every 3 hours, then stays awake for a while, then naps. At night she sleeps QUIETLY in the cradle next to me and goes about 4 hours in between feedings....so nice! She has yet to cry for more than about 1-2 minutes at a time...doesn't seem to have the reflux issues Emmy had, etc. She is doing great!
Emily is doing well with all of this- she is acting out a little bit but we expected that so it's not a huge deal. I am going to make her a sticker chart today to help with the attitude issues a little-- she has gotten very bossy and doesn't use a nice tone with us sometimes and it lights me on fire to hear her like that....so hopefully the sticker chart will help! Also, she has had a couple weird moments- she took her shirt off constantly at school the other day and also lifted up her shirt and crawled across our cul- de- sac on her hands and knees to our neighbors the other night...hahaha! Paul and I just looked at each other and burst out laughing...what can you do?!
Overall though, it's going well. Emmy is SO sweet with Audrey- invites her to take baths with her, play baby dolls, etc. I am excited for when Audrey can do tummy time and becomes a little more interactive so Em can enjoy her more. It definitely has been an adjustment but it's not going badly at all.
Audrey is getting bottles of expressed milk only- I am making close to 30 oz per day so the ratio of foremilk to hindmilk is all wrong for her- we tried the other night for me to nurse her and she only got foremilk and then was UP and awake and grumpy from 2-5a....so we're fine with bottles! It's nice that someone else can feed her and that we can amass this big supply of frozen milk for when I go back to work. We bought a deep freeze that is being delivered today...funny the things that excite you as you grow older!! :)
I'll leave you with some pictures...can you tell who's who?!
Emily is doing well with all of this- she is acting out a little bit but we expected that so it's not a huge deal. I am going to make her a sticker chart today to help with the attitude issues a little-- she has gotten very bossy and doesn't use a nice tone with us sometimes and it lights me on fire to hear her like that....so hopefully the sticker chart will help! Also, she has had a couple weird moments- she took her shirt off constantly at school the other day and also lifted up her shirt and crawled across our cul- de- sac on her hands and knees to our neighbors the other night...hahaha! Paul and I just looked at each other and burst out laughing...what can you do?!
Overall though, it's going well. Emmy is SO sweet with Audrey- invites her to take baths with her, play baby dolls, etc. I am excited for when Audrey can do tummy time and becomes a little more interactive so Em can enjoy her more. It definitely has been an adjustment but it's not going badly at all.
Audrey is getting bottles of expressed milk only- I am making close to 30 oz per day so the ratio of foremilk to hindmilk is all wrong for her- we tried the other night for me to nurse her and she only got foremilk and then was UP and awake and grumpy from 2-5a....so we're fine with bottles! It's nice that someone else can feed her and that we can amass this big supply of frozen milk for when I go back to work. We bought a deep freeze that is being delivered today...funny the things that excite you as you grow older!! :)
I'll leave you with some pictures...can you tell who's who?!
And finally...for your viewing pleasure...I like to call this one, "Look- My Granny walks ME on the leash instead of my dog, Katie!"
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Happy Birthday, Mommy!
Today was my birthday and what a great day we had! It was so nice to be at home with my sweet family- all 4 of us together!
Emily and I made my birthday cake this morning- a white cake that she then insisted we color purple AND put sprinkles in the batter! I wish I had gotten a picture of the sprinkles- on the cake she made they were all in a huge clump in the middle of the batter...so funny!
The rest of the day was just a nice lazy Saturday. Paul took Emmy out to the mall and they had a little date while I showered and got ready. It was so nice to get ready in a nice quiet house! When they got back Emily took a great nap and then we ate a yummy dinner prepared by my mother in law.
After dinner came the cake! Emily helped me to blow out my candles and then we ate the cake and opened presents. I got some very nice things...thanks to everyone who remembered my special day!
After Emily went to bed we all watched Date Night...I had heard only so-so reviews of it but I thought it was really funny! Then we headed to bed, where Audrey slept the better part of the night. It was a great birthday all around, especially because we were able to spend it at home and not at the NICU...I was so, so thankful for that!
Emily and I made my birthday cake this morning- a white cake that she then insisted we color purple AND put sprinkles in the batter! I wish I had gotten a picture of the sprinkles- on the cake she made they were all in a huge clump in the middle of the batter...so funny!
The rest of the day was just a nice lazy Saturday. Paul took Emmy out to the mall and they had a little date while I showered and got ready. It was so nice to get ready in a nice quiet house! When they got back Emily took a great nap and then we ate a yummy dinner prepared by my mother in law.
After dinner came the cake! Emily helped me to blow out my candles and then we ate the cake and opened presents. I got some very nice things...thanks to everyone who remembered my special day!
After Emily went to bed we all watched Date Night...I had heard only so-so reviews of it but I thought it was really funny! Then we headed to bed, where Audrey slept the better part of the night. It was a great birthday all around, especially because we were able to spend it at home and not at the NICU...I was so, so thankful for that!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Welcome Home, Baby Audrey!
Yes, it's true friends- Baby Audrey is H-O-M-E! We walked in the door just about exactly 1 week after she was born! It was such an emotional day for me- I was completely on edge about whether they would let her go (her bili level was the same today...no more, but no less, either).
When the team finally rounded on her and decided to discharge her I was so happy I just started crying my eyes out. In retrospect it was kind of embarrassing but after all we've been through in the last week I just couldn't help myself! We packed up all of her things, said goodbye to Nurse Betty (who has been with her the most), and put her in the carseat. Then we met Daddy in front of the hospital to bring her home!
We spent a nice quiet afternoon putting away things and just kind of getting situated to life with a newborn again! Then the grandparents went and picked Emily up from school. Let me tell you- that sweet girl came in this house ON A MISSION- she wanted to see and hold her little sister! She did such a great job and was very, very gentle. She listened and followed our directions on how to hold and love on Audrey. She held her for a few minutes and then said, "I am done with Baby Audrey", hahaha! Good to see she's still our same old girl!
Tonight we will sleep with a newborn next to the bed for the first time in 3 years. It's a dream come true! We are so excited and so very grateful for everyone who called, emailed, prayed, visited, and supported us during this time. The NICU is a very scary place and Audrey was never even in critical condition...but it changed my understanding of newborn prematurity forever. I am so grateful for the excellent care she received and the dedicated staff at the hospital who watched and treated her every need. I brought in a big pan of cookies a few nights back because I felt like I needed to provide something to the staff for caring for her...but honestly, cookies couldn't ever be even close to saying thank you for giving someone their baby and helping her to become healthy again. I have a whole new perspective on life now.
When the team finally rounded on her and decided to discharge her I was so happy I just started crying my eyes out. In retrospect it was kind of embarrassing but after all we've been through in the last week I just couldn't help myself! We packed up all of her things, said goodbye to Nurse Betty (who has been with her the most), and put her in the carseat. Then we met Daddy in front of the hospital to bring her home!
We spent a nice quiet afternoon putting away things and just kind of getting situated to life with a newborn again! Then the grandparents went and picked Emily up from school. Let me tell you- that sweet girl came in this house ON A MISSION- she wanted to see and hold her little sister! She did such a great job and was very, very gentle. She listened and followed our directions on how to hold and love on Audrey. She held her for a few minutes and then said, "I am done with Baby Audrey", hahaha! Good to see she's still our same old girl!
Tonight we will sleep with a newborn next to the bed for the first time in 3 years. It's a dream come true! We are so excited and so very grateful for everyone who called, emailed, prayed, visited, and supported us during this time. The NICU is a very scary place and Audrey was never even in critical condition...but it changed my understanding of newborn prematurity forever. I am so grateful for the excellent care she received and the dedicated staff at the hospital who watched and treated her every need. I brought in a big pan of cookies a few nights back because I felt like I needed to provide something to the staff for caring for her...but honestly, cookies couldn't ever be even close to saying thank you for giving someone their baby and helping her to become healthy again. I have a whole new perspective on life now.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
NICU- Day 6
Today has been big, friends!! We started out with rounds with the neonatal nurse practitioner and the attending (and a herd of residents, too!) They ALL agreed that if Audrey passed her carseat test, dropped her bilirubin level, and stayed free of any apneas or bradycardias, then she can go HOME tomorrow!!!
Next we did the car seat test. I was SO nervous, I had to leave the room for a little while so I didn't sit there and stare at her. When I came back I counted down the remaining minutes and her nurse appeared and proclaimed that she had PASSED!! Car seat test- check!
Then an audiology tech came and administered her newborn hearing screening. I was nervous about this- Emily failed hers multiple times in her left ear, so I was concerned that Audrey might too, especially given her premature status. Guess what? SHE PASSED!! Hearing test- check!
She nursed VERY lazily this afternoon and I think she will do better being a bottle-fed baby for the time being. We still will nurse every day but primarily she will be bottle fed so we can monitor her growth. In addition, we will be adding Neosure (an infant supplement) to her bottles and of course we can't do that if she is nursing.
Tonight Paul and I went on a date for dinner and a movie. It was so nice to get out with him and enjoy one last evening of fun before we go into major Parent Mode hopefully tomorrow. After our movie we headed back over to the hospital, where Audrey pooped ALL over her clothes, bed, and even the wall! I was out of the room when it happened and Paul couldn't keep a straight face when he was telling me about it. Hard to believe that so much poo can come from such a little girl! I am hopeful that all the BMs she's had today will help bring down the bili level and we will be bringing her home tomorrow!
Next we did the car seat test. I was SO nervous, I had to leave the room for a little while so I didn't sit there and stare at her. When I came back I counted down the remaining minutes and her nurse appeared and proclaimed that she had PASSED!! Car seat test- check!
Then an audiology tech came and administered her newborn hearing screening. I was nervous about this- Emily failed hers multiple times in her left ear, so I was concerned that Audrey might too, especially given her premature status. Guess what? SHE PASSED!! Hearing test- check!
She nursed VERY lazily this afternoon and I think she will do better being a bottle-fed baby for the time being. We still will nurse every day but primarily she will be bottle fed so we can monitor her growth. In addition, we will be adding Neosure (an infant supplement) to her bottles and of course we can't do that if she is nursing.
Tonight Paul and I went on a date for dinner and a movie. It was so nice to get out with him and enjoy one last evening of fun before we go into major Parent Mode hopefully tomorrow. After our movie we headed back over to the hospital, where Audrey pooped ALL over her clothes, bed, and even the wall! I was out of the room when it happened and Paul couldn't keep a straight face when he was telling me about it. Hard to believe that so much poo can come from such a little girl! I am hopeful that all the BMs she's had today will help bring down the bili level and we will be bringing her home tomorrow!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
NICU- Day 5
Today has been AMAZING!! Sweet Audrey continues to fight and work hard to get bigger and breathe better. This morning when I arrived I was able to give her her first real bath...it was so much fun! She is really tiny and it was a little awkward (I felt like I was all thumbs!) but she did so great. Luckily my mother in law was there with me to take pictures!
Then she nursed super well and we moved to "at lib" feedings-- this means they are not going to monitor exactly how much she is getting via nursing and she has NO maximum goal- only a minimum amount to take with each feeding. It is nice to know she can eat without pressure!
Next we heard that her oxygen saturations were going well so they agreed to begin dropping off the flow- she's been on room air (21% 02) for over a day now so they began lowering the flow of the oxygen through the tube. Later tonight, when Paul and I arrived, her cannula was completely OUT of her nose and resting on her cheek. We watched for about 15 minutes and were amazed to see her sats staying in the high, high 90s. Well, then who should come around the corner than a Respiratory Therapist! We explained what was happening and asked if she could remove the cannula completely and let Audrey try breathing completely on her own. SHE SAID YES! So she removed the cannula and we watched, in amazement, as she moved to even higher saturations- up to 100! WE ARE SO EXCITED!
We went ahead and fed her- she nursed again and NEVER de-sated while she was nursing, which is a huge accomplishment. I was so proud of her!
The nurse tonight actually told us to bring her carseat in and they can do her car seat challenge test! She said that they usually do 2, 3, or 7 day trials without oxygen, so please cross your fingers for a 2 or 3 day trial...I think I might lose it if they said 7 more days. We will know much more tomorrow when we get her bilirubin numbers back....cross everything you have that it is lower again!
I have been holding up pretty well but frankly, I am so ready to bring home that sweet girl and get onto loving her and having her where she belongs! My birthday is Saturday.....what a wonderful present it would be to have her HOME with us!!
Then she nursed super well and we moved to "at lib" feedings-- this means they are not going to monitor exactly how much she is getting via nursing and she has NO maximum goal- only a minimum amount to take with each feeding. It is nice to know she can eat without pressure!
Next we heard that her oxygen saturations were going well so they agreed to begin dropping off the flow- she's been on room air (21% 02) for over a day now so they began lowering the flow of the oxygen through the tube. Later tonight, when Paul and I arrived, her cannula was completely OUT of her nose and resting on her cheek. We watched for about 15 minutes and were amazed to see her sats staying in the high, high 90s. Well, then who should come around the corner than a Respiratory Therapist! We explained what was happening and asked if she could remove the cannula completely and let Audrey try breathing completely on her own. SHE SAID YES! So she removed the cannula and we watched, in amazement, as she moved to even higher saturations- up to 100! WE ARE SO EXCITED!
We went ahead and fed her- she nursed again and NEVER de-sated while she was nursing, which is a huge accomplishment. I was so proud of her!
The nurse tonight actually told us to bring her carseat in and they can do her car seat challenge test! She said that they usually do 2, 3, or 7 day trials without oxygen, so please cross your fingers for a 2 or 3 day trial...I think I might lose it if they said 7 more days. We will know much more tomorrow when we get her bilirubin numbers back....cross everything you have that it is lower again!
I have been holding up pretty well but frankly, I am so ready to bring home that sweet girl and get onto loving her and having her where she belongs! My birthday is Saturday.....what a wonderful present it would be to have her HOME with us!!
Monday, September 6, 2010
NICU- Day 4
Today has been an INCREDIBLE day! Audrey has had a wonderful day- she began by having her IV capped off and then later removed- they completely stopped giving her supplementary fluids and she will get everything she needs from her bottles of expressed milk OR....another great option, nursing! She nursed twice today and did a FANTASTIC job both times- kept her O2 saturations up, respirations slower and steadier, and heartrate perfect. I was so proud of her!
Also, she is only on room air (21% oxygen) through her nasal cannula and over the course of today the flow has been lowered from 2L down to 1.75 and then later to 1.5L...so she's not getting any supplementary oxygen and the flow through the tube is decreasing all the time. She is still holding her own and having great saturations!
Her bilirubin numbers came down as well, so they took her out of the "bat cave" and put her on a biliblanket instead. This morning her bili level was lower than where they originally even got concerned so I assume she will probably get to quit phototherapy tomorrow sometime.
As long as she tolerates her feedings well she may move to a more liberal feeding schedule in which she is allowed to have however much she wants as long as it meets a minimum requirement. This will be better than having her feeds increased by 1mL every 3 hours because it can potentially show the doctors that she can handle bigger feedings (we're weighing her before and after nursing to find out how much she is getting) and so they don't need to be so concerned with the amount.
All in all, it was a tremendous day! We are so thankful to everyone who is sending positive thoughts our way and thinking about our precious girl. Hopefully we can bring her home soon!
Also, she is only on room air (21% oxygen) through her nasal cannula and over the course of today the flow has been lowered from 2L down to 1.75 and then later to 1.5L...so she's not getting any supplementary oxygen and the flow through the tube is decreasing all the time. She is still holding her own and having great saturations!
Her bilirubin numbers came down as well, so they took her out of the "bat cave" and put her on a biliblanket instead. This morning her bili level was lower than where they originally even got concerned so I assume she will probably get to quit phototherapy tomorrow sometime.
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| Look at all her hair! |
As long as she tolerates her feedings well she may move to a more liberal feeding schedule in which she is allowed to have however much she wants as long as it meets a minimum requirement. This will be better than having her feeds increased by 1mL every 3 hours because it can potentially show the doctors that she can handle bigger feedings (we're weighing her before and after nursing to find out how much she is getting) and so they don't need to be so concerned with the amount.
All in all, it was a tremendous day! We are so thankful to everyone who is sending positive thoughts our way and thinking about our precious girl. Hopefully we can bring her home soon!
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