We had a visiting nurse come by and also had our first pediatrician appointment. Both went great and she is gaining weight nicely. Her last weigh-in was Tuesday and she was already up to 7 lbs., 5 ounces.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Home Sweet Home
We have been having a wonderful week with our little peanut home with us. She has been such a good girl and we really couldn't be happier. She is still on a pretty good schedule from the hospital, so even though we are a little tired, it really hasn't been too bad. She loves snuggling and playing dress-up with all her adorable clothes and we are happy to oblige.
We had a visiting nurse come by and also had our first pediatrician appointment. Both went great and she is gaining weight nicely. Her last weigh-in was Tuesday and she was already up to 7 lbs., 5 ounces.
We had a visiting nurse come by and also had our first pediatrician appointment. Both went great and she is gaining weight nicely. Her last weigh-in was Tuesday and she was already up to 7 lbs., 5 ounces.
Monday, February 21, 2011
We are HOME!!!!!!
The Day After
As many of you have already heard, after 127 long days (4+ months, 18+ weeks), Emma is finally HOME!!!!!!!!! We are beyond ecstatic, thrilled, relieved and right now, tired =) We have waited for this day for so long, and cannot believe that she is actually here.
Emma has come so far in these last four months:
Weight: 530 grams to 3205 grams (1 lb., 2 ounces to 7 lbs, 1 ounce)
Length: 29.5 cm to 49 cm (11.6" to 19.3")
We are so thankful for the wonderful care Emma received at the hospital. The doctors, nurses, and staff were so good to all of us, and knew that Emma was a special baby who needed special care. We were told she would have a 20% survival rate for being a 23-weeker. And now, she is healthy, happy, and most importatnly, home.
We will try to keep posting pictures and updates of Emma - she has so many people cheering for her! It has been a crazy ride but we have completed one chapter and are now on to the beginning of the rest of her life! We are so thankful to everyone who has shared this journey with us, and for all the prayers, love, and support we have received. We could not have done it alone, and we are forever grateful.
As many of you have already heard, after 127 long days (4+ months, 18+ weeks), Emma is finally HOME!!!!!!!!! We are beyond ecstatic, thrilled, relieved and right now, tired =) We have waited for this day for so long, and cannot believe that she is actually here.
Emma has come so far in these last four months:
Weight: 530 grams to 3205 grams (1 lb., 2 ounces to 7 lbs, 1 ounce)
Length: 29.5 cm to 49 cm (11.6" to 19.3")
We are so thankful for the wonderful care Emma received at the hospital. The doctors, nurses, and staff were so good to all of us, and knew that Emma was a special baby who needed special care. We were told she would have a 20% survival rate for being a 23-weeker. And now, she is healthy, happy, and most importatnly, home.
We will try to keep posting pictures and updates of Emma - she has so many people cheering for her! It has been a crazy ride but we have completed one chapter and are now on to the beginning of the rest of her life! We are so thankful to everyone who has shared this journey with us, and for all the prayers, love, and support we have received. We could not have done it alone, and we are forever grateful.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
So Very Close
Day 126
We are almost there!!! Emma is only a day or two away from going home. Everything has been going extremely well for her. She has been taking the bottle for every feeding and is doing great! She is fed every three hours "ad lib" with a minimum of 45 cc's. That means that she can take however much she wants, as long as it is at least 45 cc's. Since we all know that taking the bottle means extra work for Emma, she wasn't gaining weight as well as she usually does this past week. Therefore, even though she was planned to go home yesterday, they wanted to keep her through the weekend just to make sure she is gaining consistently again. She has been gaining the last few days, so we are hoping that tomorrow or Monday is the day she gets to come home!!! She is now 3155g, which is 6 pounds, 15 ounces!
Since Emma is now taking all her feedings by bottle, she no longer has the tube in her nose! We get to see her adorable face continuously unobstructed for the first time ever! Emma also passed her hearing test this week, so we don't have to worry about any follow-up appointments for that. She also passed her car seat test yesterday - we had to bring in her car seat and she sat in it while in the NICU for an hour and had to have no de-sats or brady's. She passed with flying colors! She was checking things out at first, but eventually fell asleep.
We think Emma had a little bit of an upset tummy last week (probably from all the feeding changes) which is why she was a little fussy, but she is back to her normal happy self. She loves to snuggle and eat and have her binky - she doesn't need much else!
Well, hopefully the next post will be a homecoming announcement!! Stay tuned...!
We are almost there!!! Emma is only a day or two away from going home. Everything has been going extremely well for her. She has been taking the bottle for every feeding and is doing great! She is fed every three hours "ad lib" with a minimum of 45 cc's. That means that she can take however much she wants, as long as it is at least 45 cc's. Since we all know that taking the bottle means extra work for Emma, she wasn't gaining weight as well as she usually does this past week. Therefore, even though she was planned to go home yesterday, they wanted to keep her through the weekend just to make sure she is gaining consistently again. She has been gaining the last few days, so we are hoping that tomorrow or Monday is the day she gets to come home!!! She is now 3155g, which is 6 pounds, 15 ounces!
Since Emma is now taking all her feedings by bottle, she no longer has the tube in her nose! We get to see her adorable face continuously unobstructed for the first time ever! Emma also passed her hearing test this week, so we don't have to worry about any follow-up appointments for that. She also passed her car seat test yesterday - we had to bring in her car seat and she sat in it while in the NICU for an hour and had to have no de-sats or brady's. She passed with flying colors! She was checking things out at first, but eventually fell asleep.
We think Emma had a little bit of an upset tummy last week (probably from all the feeding changes) which is why she was a little fussy, but she is back to her normal happy self. She loves to snuggle and eat and have her binky - she doesn't need much else!
Well, hopefully the next post will be a homecoming announcement!! Stay tuned...!
She managed to sneak her little monkey paws out of her blankets... just like old times...
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Slowly but Surely
Day 120
Emma is still making slow but steady progress. She is now getting the bottle three out of four feedings (bottle-bottle-bottle-gavage). She has been getting a little bit tired from this, so they may decide to go back to bottle-bottle-gavage. Bottle feeding is still a lot of work for her but she is getting stronger every day.
She got her second round of immunizations today and was very brave - only cried for a minute! Although it seems that she has definitely found her voice over the last few days. She has been getting much fussier and staying awake longer - just in time for her to come home! We knew we would have our hands full, but we're still very glad that she is getting stronger. We've always known Emma has been a feisty one!
She has been gaining weight like a champ and is up to 3090 grams - 6 pounds, 13 ounces!
I know everyone is eager for Emma to come home, but there is never going to be a definite date set for her homecoming. She will just come home when she is ready...
Emma is still making slow but steady progress. She is now getting the bottle three out of four feedings (bottle-bottle-bottle-gavage). She has been getting a little bit tired from this, so they may decide to go back to bottle-bottle-gavage. Bottle feeding is still a lot of work for her but she is getting stronger every day.
She got her second round of immunizations today and was very brave - only cried for a minute! Although it seems that she has definitely found her voice over the last few days. She has been getting much fussier and staying awake longer - just in time for her to come home! We knew we would have our hands full, but we're still very glad that she is getting stronger. We've always known Emma has been a feisty one!
She has been gaining weight like a champ and is up to 3090 grams - 6 pounds, 13 ounces!
I know everyone is eager for Emma to come home, but there is never going to be a definite date set for her homecoming. She will just come home when she is ready...
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Full Term!
Day 116
Well Emma's "due date" came and went yesterday, so she is now officially full term! There is not really anything significant about this as far as having any impact on her current situation , it's more of an emotional milestone. However, she will be compared against newborn metrics to track her development for awhile. Even though she's actually almost four months old, she's really only a day old for her adjusted age. It will take a couple years for things to even out, but we're sure she'll get there. It will be challenging, but we know Emma is up to the task. Look at how much she has accomplished already!
Emma is still doing well with the bottle feeding, but hasn't started taking it every feeding yet. My feeling is that she probably won't come home until next week now. The doctors want to make sure she is taking the bottle every feeding without any issues - we don't want to have to come back once we leave! But we are continuing with the discharge planning and getting everything all ready for her to come home.
Emma is up to 2980 grams, which is 6 pounds, 9 ounces. So a little on the small side for a "newborn", but really not that far off!
Well Emma's "due date" came and went yesterday, so she is now officially full term! There is not really anything significant about this as far as having any impact on her current situation , it's more of an emotional milestone. However, she will be compared against newborn metrics to track her development for awhile. Even though she's actually almost four months old, she's really only a day old for her adjusted age. It will take a couple years for things to even out, but we're sure she'll get there. It will be challenging, but we know Emma is up to the task. Look at how much she has accomplished already!
Emma is still doing well with the bottle feeding, but hasn't started taking it every feeding yet. My feeling is that she probably won't come home until next week now. The doctors want to make sure she is taking the bottle every feeding without any issues - we don't want to have to come back once we leave! But we are continuing with the discharge planning and getting everything all ready for her to come home.
Emma is up to 2980 grams, which is 6 pounds, 9 ounces. So a little on the small side for a "newborn", but really not that far off!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Getting Closer...
Day 113
Pssst, I have a secret!
I'm getting out of here soon!!
Emma has been doing great with her bottle feeding lately. On Friday, she was switched to bottle feeding every other feeding (instead of every third feeding). She has been taking the whole bottle nearly every time with no major issues. She is still a little slow and sloppy, but she is getting better every day. Unfortunately there is another step before she can go to every feeding: the nurses think tomorrow she'll be moved to getting gavaged every third feeding (so she'll be bottle-bottle-gavage fed). Confusing, I know. But it's still progress! We were told last week that they doctors think Emma will be coming home late this week!!!!! We are so excited but we know that it's not going to be definite - it will just be whenever Emma is ready. But we're getting very close now!
Emma has been packing on the grams and is now a whopping 2915 grams, which is 6 pounds, 7 ounces! She has just come so far in these last 16 weeks.
Pssst, I have a secret!
I'm getting out of here soon!!
Emma has been doing great with her bottle feeding lately. On Friday, she was switched to bottle feeding every other feeding (instead of every third feeding). She has been taking the whole bottle nearly every time with no major issues. She is still a little slow and sloppy, but she is getting better every day. Unfortunately there is another step before she can go to every feeding: the nurses think tomorrow she'll be moved to getting gavaged every third feeding (so she'll be bottle-bottle-gavage fed). Confusing, I know. But it's still progress! We were told last week that they doctors think Emma will be coming home late this week!!!!! We are so excited but we know that it's not going to be definite - it will just be whenever Emma is ready. But we're getting very close now!
Emma has been packing on the grams and is now a whopping 2915 grams, which is 6 pounds, 7 ounces! She has just come so far in these last 16 weeks.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Breathing Easy
Day 109
Hi! Notice anything different about me?
That's right.............. no more oxygen!!!!!!!!!
Emma has officially kicked the cannula and is breathing all on her own! She just turned things around over the last couple of days and decided she didn't need those tubes anymore. The cannula came off last night and she has been doing great ever since!!! Goooooooooo Emma!!!!
Hi! Notice anything different about me?
That's right.............. no more oxygen!!!!!!!!!
Emma has officially kicked the cannula and is breathing all on her own! She just turned things around over the last couple of days and decided she didn't need those tubes anymore. The cannula came off last night and she has been doing great ever since!!! Goooooooooo Emma!!!!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
6 Pounds & 39 Weeks
Day 108
Emma has continued her slow and steady progress over the last week! She is still getting the bottle every third feeding, but is now up to 50 cc's per feeding. On most occasions, she takes the whole bottle and does great. Every once in awhile, she gets tired and doesn't take the whole thing. But she is still not bradying or desaturating, which means she has her coordination under control! The nurses have said she has a great suck and really wants the bottle, she just needs to continue to get stronger. She is still getting formula with rice cereal when she bottle feeds, which is harder for her to pull through since it is thicker and therefore tires her out more. Once she can switch back to milk, it will likely be easier for her to feed and she'll take the bottle much better. She was also started on Prilosec once per day to help with her reflux.
Emma is still on the nasal cannula, but they have continued to wean down on the flow of oxygen. We are hoping and praying that she will be off the cannula by the time she comes home!! While coming home on oxygen is not that big of a deal (especially considering all she's been through), it would just be easier for all of us to not have the oxygen tanks to worry about. But Emma will get whatever it is she needs!
Emma has continued to gain weight steadily and is now 2740 grams, which is six pounds and about half an ounce!!!! She is just looking great and getting big and strong.
Today Emma is 39 weeks adjusted age, which means her original due date is only one week away. We have been asked many times lately when she'll be coming home, and it is still up to Emma. Once the doctors feel she is ready, they will have her take the bottle every other feeding (instead of every third feeding), and then every feeding, and then she'll feed "on demand". That means they will feed her whenever she is hungry, but won't let her go more than four hours without a feeding. So that is really all that needs to happen before she comes home. As I said, if she still needs the oxygen at that point, we will have tanks at our house for her, but she doesn't need to be off the oxygen in order to come home.
On Saturday, Memere and Aunt Lindsay hosted the most beautiful shower for us, and we got to see our wonderful family and friends. We were so overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and love. There are just no words to describe how grateful we are to everyone for all that you've done for us, especially our parents and sisters. Thank you!!!!
Emma has continued her slow and steady progress over the last week! She is still getting the bottle every third feeding, but is now up to 50 cc's per feeding. On most occasions, she takes the whole bottle and does great. Every once in awhile, she gets tired and doesn't take the whole thing. But she is still not bradying or desaturating, which means she has her coordination under control! The nurses have said she has a great suck and really wants the bottle, she just needs to continue to get stronger. She is still getting formula with rice cereal when she bottle feeds, which is harder for her to pull through since it is thicker and therefore tires her out more. Once she can switch back to milk, it will likely be easier for her to feed and she'll take the bottle much better. She was also started on Prilosec once per day to help with her reflux.
Emma is still on the nasal cannula, but they have continued to wean down on the flow of oxygen. We are hoping and praying that she will be off the cannula by the time she comes home!! While coming home on oxygen is not that big of a deal (especially considering all she's been through), it would just be easier for all of us to not have the oxygen tanks to worry about. But Emma will get whatever it is she needs!
Emma has continued to gain weight steadily and is now 2740 grams, which is six pounds and about half an ounce!!!! She is just looking great and getting big and strong.
Today Emma is 39 weeks adjusted age, which means her original due date is only one week away. We have been asked many times lately when she'll be coming home, and it is still up to Emma. Once the doctors feel she is ready, they will have her take the bottle every other feeding (instead of every third feeding), and then every feeding, and then she'll feed "on demand". That means they will feed her whenever she is hungry, but won't let her go more than four hours without a feeding. So that is really all that needs to happen before she comes home. As I said, if she still needs the oxygen at that point, we will have tanks at our house for her, but she doesn't need to be off the oxygen in order to come home.
On Saturday, Memere and Aunt Lindsay hosted the most beautiful shower for us, and we got to see our wonderful family and friends. We were so overwhelmed by everyone's generosity and love. There are just no words to describe how grateful we are to everyone for all that you've done for us, especially our parents and sisters. Thank you!!!!
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