Catch Up Time

I feel like I am so far behind on posting. 

First of all, I want to say “Happy Anniversary” to Kristin and Brandon.  Three Years, WOW, where has the time gone.  Seems just like yesterday I was driving to Russellville and planning a wedding. Love you guys and am so proud of you!

Friday, May 27th – My birthday.  I was off of work today.  I kept little Drew to Springfield for him to meet his baby sister for the first time.  I thought she was a big hit for a few seconds and then the rocking chair consumed his attention. 

First family photo!

So tired. I have to finish updating tomorrow.

Little Miss Drama

Ok, Miss Audrey!  You have really scared your momma and everyone else this time.  The NICU called your momma at about 1:30 early Tuesday morning.  Things had started going on with you and they wanted to alert her.  You had some residuals in a couple of feedings and then you had a couple of messy diapers that contained a lot of bloody stools.  The doctors told your momma one possibility was NEC.  As the day progressed and test results came in, that was confirmed.  NEC is a condition that affects the lining of the intestines, occurs in pretty much only preemies, and is very serious. 

Your momma and I got to the hospital at 4am and things quickly started  deteriorating.  Your vitals were all over the place and you were laboring so to breathe.  They kept telling us you were very very sick.  And then they had to put you back on the ventilator.  Even after being on the ventilator you kept alarming all day and they had to “bag” you a few times.  Scary!  You were so lifeless.  They have stopped your feeding and now you are on three different kinds of antibiotics.  When they weighed you yesterday morning, you weighed 5.10.   And they have moved you back into an isolation room, so you have your own private room again at least for a while. 

And to top things off yesterday, we were told that if your condition worsened and if your bowel were to perforate they would have to fly you to St. Louis or Little Rock as the only pediatric surgeon at the hospital left town at 2 pm yesterday.  That was the final straw that kinda put your momma over the top.  She was just totally unresponsive and numb for the rest of the day.  My heart hurt for her.

But as of 5 pm last night, the doctors were a little more hopeful.  They said you were stable and all of the test results look positive.  They will continue to take x-rays every 6 hours and monitor you very closely.  The first 48 to 72 hours are most critical!

Here a a few pictures.  You sure can tell we have taken a few steps backward, but the Lord willing, will rebound quickly from here.

You are such a little fighter and are so strong.  God has a plan for you and has been so faithful to keep his hand upon you.

One Month Old

Little Audrey,

You turned one month old yesterday, Sunday, May 22, 2011.  You momma and I left Omaha at approximately 5:40 and headed to Springfield to see you. What an evening!  But before I get to that story you need to know that you weighed 5lbs 8.1oz tonight and you were 17 inches long.  You are being fed 39ml of milk every 3 hours and you had your second bottle today.  Your momma is going to spend the night with you tonight in one of the care by parent rooms.  That way she will get to be there for your midnight, 3am and 6am feedings and I think she is a little excited.  At your 9pm feeding/touch time, you were weighed, measured, and all of your other vitals were taken and your momma held you for about an hour.  When she went to pump Nana got to hold you again and I was so happy.

Audrey, this is the machine that feeds you.  You can see the syringe of milk up on the top.

Now for the other story I eluded to.  Right before we left Omaha, I heard on the TV that there was a tornado warning in Joplin, Mo and a possible tornado on the ground.  I knew the storm was moving about 35 miles an hour and I thought it would cross highway 65 at about Highlandville, so I thought we could make it and get north of the storm if we hurried.  Well, we did.  We got to Springfield just in time.  Things were so chaotic at the hospital! Within minutes of when we arrived we learned that an EF4 Tornado had hit Joplin and destroyed about one third of the town.  It hit a major busy part of town and hit the St John’s hospital there.  That is why things were so crazy.  The staff in the NICU was working feverishly to get the babies on the outside perimeter of the unit moved to “your” row since it was centrally located and had no windows.  It was CRAZY.

Today, the day after, I have see some new reports and viewed some pictures and it is absolutely unbelievable!  There is so much damage and destruction.  My heart just breaks for those people effected.  I feel so helpless.  Dear Lord, please comfort those people tonight.

Flags!

Drew has such a fascination with flags.  Every time he sees one he gets to excited and starts saying or “screaming” ALF, ALF, over and over.  Well Kayla and Chase took him to make a closer inspection of the H U G E flag at the First Federal Bank building.  Kayla said when he say it he squealed and started clapping.

Poor thing, I feel like I have neglected him the past few weeks as far as taking pictures of him.  But it isn’t easy any longer.  He will not look at me or pose and will not be still for anything.  You just have to snap and hope you catch what you want.

Kayla has decided to try and make her baby bedding.  So I have cut the fabric and started sewing last night.  I so hope I can make her happy with this.  She has picked out beautiful fabrics and it will be darling if I can get it together right.

Four Weeks/One Month

Saturday,  May 21, one day older than four weeks, and one day shy of one month.  Today was a big day for little Audrey, and an exhausting one at that. She weighs 5lbs 4oz!  Up 3oz just from yesterday. She was taking 43ml at each feeding and today they cut that amount back to 39ml because she was gaining so much so fast. She is still on just a little bit of oxygen though.

Kayla took her own little outfit for her to wear today and she was such a doll. 

Today was big in two other ways too!  Her first bottle feeding and a new bed!  I had no idea giving a preemie a bottle was so scary, so complicated, so detailed, etc.  Oh the things we took or take for granted every day!  Ashley, the occupational therapist, actually said she did very well, especially for the very first time.  She took 7ml by mouth and her vitals stayed on target where they needed to be.  Suck, swallow, breathe; suck, swallow, breathe.  She is only 33 weeks gestation and shouldn’t even have to know how to do any of that yet.  Go Audrey!  Nana is so proud of you!

And then she got to graduate from the incubator to a big girl bed today, a crib. However, is was a little scary, she just looks so exposed and not as confined.

Growing, Growing, Growing

It’s Thursday and that means I got to go see Audrey again today.  She now weighs over 5 pounds; 5lbs 1oz to be exact.  She if being fed 41ml every three hours and touch times are now at 8, 11, 2,and 5.  Kayla and I were there for the 11:00 and 2:00 touch times today.  During touch time, she changes her diaper and takes her temperature and then holds her for about an hour and then has to go pump.  Well, when she pumps, I get to hold her!  Such a sweet sweet time.  I just sit there and pray; praying for her.  Nurse Lisa gave her 1ml of milk with her pacifier again today, trying to introduce taste to her and see if she is ready to try and eat from a bottle.

I am trying to help Kayla make her bedding.  I actually got the fabric cut out tonight.  Will try to sew it up this weekend.

I got to take Drew to the sitters this morning again.  Today was the first day he didn’t cry.  He is such a beautiful child.  So blessed.  So thankful.

Special Sunday

I am the luckiest Nana ever. I got to see Audrey again today! And I have to report that she now weighs 4lbs 11oz at 23 days old.

During cuddle care time today, nurse Victoria (we LOVE her) asked Kayla if she wanted to let Audrey root around. She did and both of my girls did awesome. It was so precious to watch my daughter care for and nurture her daughter. I feel so blessed to have been there and been a part of. I just don’t think Audrey is going to have any trouble learning how to eat. And they graduated her to a bigger pacifier because that is the size the bottle nipple will be.

Here is another picture from yesterday at 22 days old. This was during touch time and Kayla is taking her temperature.

Sweet Saturday

Nana and momma went to visit you today. You seem to be doing so well. On Thursday, you weighed 4lbs 7oz. On Friday, three weeks old, you weighed 4lbs and 8oz and today you weighed 4lbs 9oz! I got to hold you again and I hummed bye oh baby to you the whole time. You are still taking a full feeding, about 37ml, every three hours. They have also introduced taste to you but putting milk on your pacifier and they said you loved it. And we learned that you had a bath last night.

They should start trying to feed you with a bottle at 33 weeks gestation, maybe as early as next weekend. Right now they are looking for signs that show you are ready to learn to suck. And the way you took your pacifier yesterday was one of those signs. You actually sucked on it agressivly.

3 Weeks

Yesterday, Thursday May 12, 2011, one day shy of three weeks old, I got to hold her! I cried! Such a wonderful feeling. So thankful! My heart was so happy!

I was so fortunate to get to leave work early yesterday and take Kayla to Springfield and spend the day with her a little Audrey. She weighed 4lbs and 7oz today. She is still being fed thru a tube. They will start trying to feed her with a bottle at 33 weeks “gestation” which is about another week and a half. But right now she is up to a “normal” feed of 37ml every three hours . And she is still tolerating her feeding really well and all of your care givers seemed to be very pleased with her progress. She had graduated from the really hi-tech, expensive Giraffe bed to an Isolate incubator. And she is now able to wear “big girl” clothes. Thank goodness the hospital has clothes because little Audrey doesn’t have any yet.

And Lacy, one of Kayla’s friends, made this tiny adorable flower head band. Even the tiniest little girl needs a head band.

And then I love this one where Audrey is looking at Kayla and holding onto her finger.

And then just a couple of other shots . . . Audrey opened her eyes and stayed awake longer today than ever before.

Such a big yawn for a little girl.

And in this picture, I think you look like your brother, Drew.

Speaking of, I really miss taking pictures of him. I have to figure out a way to keep him still or interested in something. It is almost impossible to get a good picture at this age.

Blessed

What a wonderful Mother’s day!  All of my children were together for lunch at Ginny’s.  We could not have asked for our children to be any better.  They have not given us an ounce of trouble.  They have brought so much happiness and joy to my life. 

Other miscellaneous shots from the day. . . . . Drew and Pawpaw

Kayla and Drew. . . I was so sad I didn’t get a better picture for Mother’s day.  But I guess this is better than no picture at all..

And then I to to go to Springfield with Kayla.  So excited!  16 days old, weighs 4lbs, 1oz

And then to end my day, I went to visit my momma.  I love this picture of her. Such a beautiful young girl.

Nana's Special Visit

Thursday, May 5, 2011
Kayla was sick today and didn't feel like going to the hospital. She couldn't stand the thought of Audrey not having a visitor so I left work at 4:00 and headed to see Audrey. And I am so glad I did. I hadn't see her since Saturday and she looked so much better. On Wednesday she weighed 4 lbs but today she had dropped back down just a little to 3.15. They started taking the cpap machine off every six hours for three hours and the nurse says she has done wonderful. She is on continual feeds and they are by passing her stomach and going directly to her intestines. And she is still tolerating her feedings really well.
Kayla and I had planned on spending the day together and with her. I was so sad when that didn't happen. And now I have to worry about Kayla being sick. So I thought maybe we could go today, Friday. That didn't happen either, Kayla was feeling worse. But at least I got her to call the doctor and she did get a prescription. I so hope she will feel better tomorrow.

Dear Audrey,

Sweet precious baby, you are so loved. You are 11 days old today and your momma got to hold you for the very first time today. I am sure that was an amazing feeling for her and you too.

Today is Tuesday, May 3rd and I haven’t got to see you since Saturday, April 30th. But here is a summary of what has been happening the past few days.

On Friday, you were one week old. Your momma and Nana went to see you today. By the time we got to the hospital, they had already removed your ventilator and you were doing really good. Before today, your oxygen level was at room level but as the day progressed they had to keep turning it up. And they stopped your feedings today. You were up to 17ml every three hours. You were a lot more restless today than yesterday. They said a lot of that was due to the cpap machine you had that replaced your ventilator. You also had another brain scan today as a follow up and we are anxiously awaiting the results of that test. Sweetheart, is looks so uncomfortable. I am so sorry. Here is a picture of you at one week old.

Saturday, April 30th, 8 days old. . . your Aunt Kristin came from Russellville to see you. When we got to the hospital and got to what used to be your room, you were gone. They had moved you to a “row”. We were spoiled to your private room, and I was really sad. They had also started another IV in her little hand or arm and they told me you had had a blood transfusion. They had also changed your breathing machine again and I am not sure what it is called now. Your oxygen level was at 49% this morning. Shortly after Kristin and I left your momma and daddy got there and you opened your eyes for them. Your momma was so excited and I am so glad she was there for you to see. But she was so scared too, she cried because she didn’t want you to see all of that scary stuff around you.

Sunday, May 1st, 9 days old . . . . your little brother, Drew, was sick today. Nana stayed with Drew so your momma and daddy could go see you. They turned your oxygen back down today to room air, that is a good thing! And your momma reported that you were resting good. They got the results of the brain scan and everything looked good again. And your momma said they got to hear you cry/fuss tonight. We are praising the Lord for all of the good reports. I don’t have a picture of you on this day.

Monday, May 2nd, 10 days old . . . . your momma drove herself to Springfield to see you today.

Tuesday, May 3rd, 11 days old . . . they took out your pic line your momma got to hold you today! This is a beautiful site and I am sure an amazing feeling!

I can’t wait to get to see you again and to someday hold you.

Love Nana