Best expression ever - while waiting for his bottle to warm up!
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Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
I never saw this one coming...
So since everything went down with Jellybean I haven't been back home at all and Joey has only spent a few nights there. So that is 10 days since anyone has really been home at all. I mentioned before that our wonderful neighbors and friends have been holding the fort down for us and tending to our pets.
That means for 10 days Blue and Cadillac have pretty much been on their own. These two are so attached to me that when I take a bath they both have to be in the bathroom with me. They follow me from room to room at all times. If I am sitting on the couch Cadillac is above my head and Blue is either at my feet or next to me. So 10 days without Mom has been devastating to them. Joey said that they both slept right next to him the other night and Cadillac insisted on being rubbed all night long.
Now Cadillac and Blue have always had a tenuous relationship. At our old house Cadillac learned how to open the sliding glass door and would pry it open to let the dog out in hopes that Blue wouldn't return. He would also wait for the dog to fall asleep and then jump on the couch and swat the daylights out of Blue's face. There are times in our home where the interactions between these two were like a day at the OK Corral. So you can understand my shock when Joey called me Saturday morning to say that Cadillac was rubbing all against Blue and they were now cleaning each other. WAIT? WHAT HAPPENED? After 4 years our pets finally learned to like each other? If I had known all it took to get those two to stop fighting was two weeks alone together I would have done it a long time ago!
This is also great news since needless to say when Jellybean comes home Cadillac and Blue will no longer be treated to the same amount of attention they are used to. Luckily - I already stocked up on treats to make it up to them. I'm not too proud to resort to bribery with my pets!
As for Jellybean news - His NG tube is out. He has done the last 6 bottles by mouth and completed his full feeds. 2 more feeds and he will have passed his last big test. Then we will look at another 24 hours of him eating ad lib (as desired) so they can be sure that he is taking in enough food and we should be heading home as long as nothing else comes up. He passed both his hearing and car seat tests. He is regulating his body temperature without any issues. I am so amazed and thrilled with our little boy. Joey fed him last night and afterward he just cooed and smiled at us. It was the cutest thing - every time we would laugh he would smile even bigger! I also had a blast picking up a few more preemie outfits for him today. I'm not going crazy on those since he is growing like a weed - up to 17inches and 3 lb 7oz. So hopefully in the next day or two I'll be writing you to say - We're Free!
That means for 10 days Blue and Cadillac have pretty much been on their own. These two are so attached to me that when I take a bath they both have to be in the bathroom with me. They follow me from room to room at all times. If I am sitting on the couch Cadillac is above my head and Blue is either at my feet or next to me. So 10 days without Mom has been devastating to them. Joey said that they both slept right next to him the other night and Cadillac insisted on being rubbed all night long.
Now Cadillac and Blue have always had a tenuous relationship. At our old house Cadillac learned how to open the sliding glass door and would pry it open to let the dog out in hopes that Blue wouldn't return. He would also wait for the dog to fall asleep and then jump on the couch and swat the daylights out of Blue's face. There are times in our home where the interactions between these two were like a day at the OK Corral. So you can understand my shock when Joey called me Saturday morning to say that Cadillac was rubbing all against Blue and they were now cleaning each other. WAIT? WHAT HAPPENED? After 4 years our pets finally learned to like each other? If I had known all it took to get those two to stop fighting was two weeks alone together I would have done it a long time ago!
This is also great news since needless to say when Jellybean comes home Cadillac and Blue will no longer be treated to the same amount of attention they are used to. Luckily - I already stocked up on treats to make it up to them. I'm not too proud to resort to bribery with my pets!
As for Jellybean news - His NG tube is out. He has done the last 6 bottles by mouth and completed his full feeds. 2 more feeds and he will have passed his last big test. Then we will look at another 24 hours of him eating ad lib (as desired) so they can be sure that he is taking in enough food and we should be heading home as long as nothing else comes up. He passed both his hearing and car seat tests. He is regulating his body temperature without any issues. I am so amazed and thrilled with our little boy. Joey fed him last night and afterward he just cooed and smiled at us. It was the cutest thing - every time we would laugh he would smile even bigger! I also had a blast picking up a few more preemie outfits for him today. I'm not going crazy on those since he is growing like a weed - up to 17inches and 3 lb 7oz. So hopefully in the next day or two I'll be writing you to say - We're Free!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Humbled and Blessed
First a quick Jellybean update since that is what my world revolves around now!
Looks like Jellybean may need an extra day - he's tuckered out from going to full feeds and trying to stay warm without the incubator so we've had to do his last two feeds with the ng tube. Perfectly normal and ok. We were expecting a lot out of him and knew he may push back on something. He's still quite the trooper and way ahead of schedule! He did start learning to go to breast yesterday and had a great latch at 9pm and even got a few good tugs in. It took him a few trys since his mouth is so little but after that there was no stopping him. His nurse said he did get his whole midnight bottle down by mouth. I don't know about his 3am or 6am yet. I'll find out about those later this morning. So we are slowly getting there. His car seat and baby bag are ready for him whenever he is! He has also porked up to 3lb 6oz now!
It feels odd to be writing this but I have to say that I am somewhat thankful to have gone through this experience. We have definitely been humbled and blessed by it. When the doctor first told me we were doing an emergency C-section and my little Jellybean would be transferred to another hospital I was overwhelmed and terrified. It wasn't time yet, we weren't ready! How were we going to manage? Where would we stay? Would Joey be stuck driving all over Central Florida to take care of me, the baby, our house and our pets?
Then God answered in a big way that we really needed! I haven't beaten around the bush about some of the struggles we have had in our marriage. There were times I wondered whether Joey would ever grow up and step up. Well on December 30 at 6:09pm - HE DID! That man has been amazing since all of this happened. While I was in the hospital he was back and forth between me, the baby and taking care of his son who was still down here for Christmas. He spent New Years sleeping on a couch in the waiting room just so someone would be close by the baby. Poor guy didn't even get to crack a beer for New Year's. He shuttled back to the house to get clothing for us and to clean up. He coordinated with neighbors to get our car's retrieved from the hospital I delivered at to Jellybean's hospital. He has cleaned the whole house and shampooed the carpets and cleaned my car out. Coordinated with neighbors again on taking care of our pets while we are gone. And the rest of the time he is either at work or at the hospital with me and Jellybean. It's been quite the turnaround in a week and I am so thankful for it.
We are also humbled and blessed by the generosity and support of others. I'll start with those neighbors. We have a set of neighbors who live at the end of our street. We had hung out with them exactly once prior to all this happening - you know everyone is busy with their own lives, blah, blah, blah. Since they found out what we are going through - first they drove 45 minutes each way to help Joey out with our car situation. This entailed 3 people to coordinate 3 cars all done late at night. Then they have been looking after our pets ever since then - no easy feat when your house is a veritable zoo of the dog, cat, bunny and bearded dragon. But everyday they show up to walk Blue and feed Cadillac and Phebes. They didn't have to do any of this - I mean we barely knew them. It was humbling to say the least to have someone see your need and just fulfill it from the goodness of their heart. I don't think we will ever be able to repay that. Our other neighbors have been praying for us around the clock and have people all over the world praying too - I know its working with all the progress little Jellybean is making. When Joey and I decided to buy our home we felt like we were moving into a real neighborhood when we saw all the people out walking their dogs and stopping to chat along the way. I am so glad we made that choice because I have to say we are surrounded by some of the best people in the world.
We are also humbled and blessed by the love and support of our family and friends. My sister was at the hospital before Joey even made it. She has been my rock through all of this. Having had 4 kids and 2 emergency C-sections herself - she knew exactly what I was going through. I don't think I could have done any of this without her. From posting facebook updates,to watching Joey's son for us or to picking up socks and groceries for us - she has gone above and beyond in every way possible. I know we are so lucky to have her here for us. My parents have been such a good support team too and get so excited with every update. They drove out to our house one day this week to walk the dog, clean out the litter box and clean up for us. Joey's family has been diligent with prayers and support too. His mom was in Mississippi when all this happened and then had to go back to work when she got to Florida but she called me while I was waiting to see what would happen on Jellybean's big day and talks to Joey daily. His dad happened to be down here for a day and made it a point to visit his newest grandson!
Our friends have to be the greatest ever too - as soon as the news went up on Facebook it has been support central for us with prayers, advice and encouragement every step of the way. Sometimes that is the only thing that gets me through these long days of walking back and forth to the hospital, pumping, trying to nap and just generally being a zombie. Its amazing how quickly that "pregnancy glow" turns into the frazzled new mommy look! Our friends also quickly answered the call when the paypal link went up and we are so grateful for that. It is one burden off our shoulders figuring out how we would pay for the Ronald McDonald house on top of our other bills. I'm including all of our bloggy and SK friends in this category too - I don't differentiate based on how you became a friend - you are still near and dear to us!
Finally - Thank God for the Ronald McDonald house! I wouldn't be able to make it through this without it. I love being a 5 minute walk from my Jellybean. I can be there for every feeding and diaper change and manage to walk back to try to catch a quick nap here and there. They provide dinner every night which allows Joey and I a chance to catch up and feel like humans again if only for a minute. Everyone staying here has such a sense of graciousness for the gift of being close to your child when they are in need. Its like being part of this family that you never had any intention if joining but are part of no matter what now. I know that once Jellybean is released we will become huge supporters of the Ronald McDonald house from the Share-A-Meal program to the Share-A-Night program - we will be indebted to them forever!
So to everyone we have to say once again - Thank you for just being there for us - whether it's kind words, prayers, a paypal donation or a visit - we appreciate it every step of the way!
Looks like Jellybean may need an extra day - he's tuckered out from going to full feeds and trying to stay warm without the incubator so we've had to do his last two feeds with the ng tube. Perfectly normal and ok. We were expecting a lot out of him and knew he may push back on something. He's still quite the trooper and way ahead of schedule! He did start learning to go to breast yesterday and had a great latch at 9pm and even got a few good tugs in. It took him a few trys since his mouth is so little but after that there was no stopping him. His nurse said he did get his whole midnight bottle down by mouth. I don't know about his 3am or 6am yet. I'll find out about those later this morning. So we are slowly getting there. His car seat and baby bag are ready for him whenever he is! He has also porked up to 3lb 6oz now!
It feels odd to be writing this but I have to say that I am somewhat thankful to have gone through this experience. We have definitely been humbled and blessed by it. When the doctor first told me we were doing an emergency C-section and my little Jellybean would be transferred to another hospital I was overwhelmed and terrified. It wasn't time yet, we weren't ready! How were we going to manage? Where would we stay? Would Joey be stuck driving all over Central Florida to take care of me, the baby, our house and our pets?
Then God answered in a big way that we really needed! I haven't beaten around the bush about some of the struggles we have had in our marriage. There were times I wondered whether Joey would ever grow up and step up. Well on December 30 at 6:09pm - HE DID! That man has been amazing since all of this happened. While I was in the hospital he was back and forth between me, the baby and taking care of his son who was still down here for Christmas. He spent New Years sleeping on a couch in the waiting room just so someone would be close by the baby. Poor guy didn't even get to crack a beer for New Year's. He shuttled back to the house to get clothing for us and to clean up. He coordinated with neighbors to get our car's retrieved from the hospital I delivered at to Jellybean's hospital. He has cleaned the whole house and shampooed the carpets and cleaned my car out. Coordinated with neighbors again on taking care of our pets while we are gone. And the rest of the time he is either at work or at the hospital with me and Jellybean. It's been quite the turnaround in a week and I am so thankful for it.
We are also humbled and blessed by the generosity and support of others. I'll start with those neighbors. We have a set of neighbors who live at the end of our street. We had hung out with them exactly once prior to all this happening - you know everyone is busy with their own lives, blah, blah, blah. Since they found out what we are going through - first they drove 45 minutes each way to help Joey out with our car situation. This entailed 3 people to coordinate 3 cars all done late at night. Then they have been looking after our pets ever since then - no easy feat when your house is a veritable zoo of the dog, cat, bunny and bearded dragon. But everyday they show up to walk Blue and feed Cadillac and Phebes. They didn't have to do any of this - I mean we barely knew them. It was humbling to say the least to have someone see your need and just fulfill it from the goodness of their heart. I don't think we will ever be able to repay that. Our other neighbors have been praying for us around the clock and have people all over the world praying too - I know its working with all the progress little Jellybean is making. When Joey and I decided to buy our home we felt like we were moving into a real neighborhood when we saw all the people out walking their dogs and stopping to chat along the way. I am so glad we made that choice because I have to say we are surrounded by some of the best people in the world.
We are also humbled and blessed by the love and support of our family and friends. My sister was at the hospital before Joey even made it. She has been my rock through all of this. Having had 4 kids and 2 emergency C-sections herself - she knew exactly what I was going through. I don't think I could have done any of this without her. From posting facebook updates,to watching Joey's son for us or to picking up socks and groceries for us - she has gone above and beyond in every way possible. I know we are so lucky to have her here for us. My parents have been such a good support team too and get so excited with every update. They drove out to our house one day this week to walk the dog, clean out the litter box and clean up for us. Joey's family has been diligent with prayers and support too. His mom was in Mississippi when all this happened and then had to go back to work when she got to Florida but she called me while I was waiting to see what would happen on Jellybean's big day and talks to Joey daily. His dad happened to be down here for a day and made it a point to visit his newest grandson!
Our friends have to be the greatest ever too - as soon as the news went up on Facebook it has been support central for us with prayers, advice and encouragement every step of the way. Sometimes that is the only thing that gets me through these long days of walking back and forth to the hospital, pumping, trying to nap and just generally being a zombie. Its amazing how quickly that "pregnancy glow" turns into the frazzled new mommy look! Our friends also quickly answered the call when the paypal link went up and we are so grateful for that. It is one burden off our shoulders figuring out how we would pay for the Ronald McDonald house on top of our other bills. I'm including all of our bloggy and SK friends in this category too - I don't differentiate based on how you became a friend - you are still near and dear to us!
Finally - Thank God for the Ronald McDonald house! I wouldn't be able to make it through this without it. I love being a 5 minute walk from my Jellybean. I can be there for every feeding and diaper change and manage to walk back to try to catch a quick nap here and there. They provide dinner every night which allows Joey and I a chance to catch up and feel like humans again if only for a minute. Everyone staying here has such a sense of graciousness for the gift of being close to your child when they are in need. Its like being part of this family that you never had any intention if joining but are part of no matter what now. I know that once Jellybean is released we will become huge supporters of the Ronald McDonald house from the Share-A-Meal program to the Share-A-Night program - we will be indebted to them forever!
So to everyone we have to say once again - Thank you for just being there for us - whether it's kind words, prayers, a paypal donation or a visit - we appreciate it every step of the way!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Early Parole for Jellybean?
Jellybean is a week old today. I never imagined I would be writing that on the 6th of January while I was pregnant with him. I have to say - my little boy is amazing and such an overachiever. [Must take after his momma! :) ] {Love you hubby...smooches!} As of 9am this morning he took his first full feed bottle of 1 oz and guzzled it down. It was his 9th or 10th bottle overall. His next task is to take 7 more bottles at full feeds. He will also go to breast again today to practice for when we get home. Speaking of going home - that may happen as early as tomorrow. Joey is running to the house tonight to pick up his car seat just in case.
His other big thing he needs to be able to do is maintain his temperature outside the incubator. he is moving to a crib today and they will be monitoring him to see how he does. His iv fluids will also be discontinued today and his ng tube is coming out. They originally told me to expect him to be in the hospital until his due date. I guess my little boy had other plans once he got to be held by Mommy and Daddy. He has his hearing test this afternoon and then we wait and see if he can maintain his temperature while taking full feeds. Either way it looks like Sunday would probably be the latest we would get out. Not too shabby for a 35 weeker!
We are hoping and praying that he keeps being the little fighter he has been all along and that our next update will be written from home! Love you all and so appreciate all the support!
His other big thing he needs to be able to do is maintain his temperature outside the incubator. he is moving to a crib today and they will be monitoring him to see how he does. His iv fluids will also be discontinued today and his ng tube is coming out. They originally told me to expect him to be in the hospital until his due date. I guess my little boy had other plans once he got to be held by Mommy and Daddy. He has his hearing test this afternoon and then we wait and see if he can maintain his temperature while taking full feeds. Either way it looks like Sunday would probably be the latest we would get out. Not too shabby for a 35 weeker!
We are hoping and praying that he keeps being the little fighter he has been all along and that our next update will be written from home! Love you all and so appreciate all the support!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Conversations with Jellybean and an update
I promised a conversation with Jellybean last week but lo and behold he decided to come out and join the world on the day I was going to post it so for some reason I never got around to it. I also still haven't done my birth story and I probably won't get to that until he comes home.
Now what is better than our traditional Conversations with Jellybean? Why Jellybean LIVE!!
On to the update - he is doing AMAZING! Our little porker is up to 3lbs 5 oz and is taking a bottle at every other feed. They are going to work on increasing the amount of his feeds to sooner than every 9 hours today since the poor guy has been getting super hungry at that rate. The nurse has also requested that he be able to start attempting to breastfeed and for lactation to come and meet with me. We don't want the poor guy coming home and wondering why there is a boob in his face and not knowing what to do with it! The best news of all is that he is graduating down to the Level 2 NICU as soon as a bed opens up! He is just too darn healthy for level 3. Level 3 is nice because of the private rooms but Level 2 is one step closer to coming home! He needs to get to 4 lbs before he can come home so only 11 oz to go. At the rate he is gaining that could be in 5 or 6 days! What a blessing!
My milk has come in and so far we haven't had any supply issues. I am having to force myself to take care of me. Its hard to tear yourself away and go take that nap but it was starting to catch up with me. I even gave myself a 4 hour stretch of sleep last night between pumpings and boy did I need it!
Joey and I are both madly in love with our little man and have fallen in love with each other in a whole new way too. Whoever said it was right - having children changes everything. Luckily that applies in the best way possible!
Now what is better than our traditional Conversations with Jellybean? Why Jellybean LIVE!!
On to the update - he is doing AMAZING! Our little porker is up to 3lbs 5 oz and is taking a bottle at every other feed. They are going to work on increasing the amount of his feeds to sooner than every 9 hours today since the poor guy has been getting super hungry at that rate. The nurse has also requested that he be able to start attempting to breastfeed and for lactation to come and meet with me. We don't want the poor guy coming home and wondering why there is a boob in his face and not knowing what to do with it! The best news of all is that he is graduating down to the Level 2 NICU as soon as a bed opens up! He is just too darn healthy for level 3. Level 3 is nice because of the private rooms but Level 2 is one step closer to coming home! He needs to get to 4 lbs before he can come home so only 11 oz to go. At the rate he is gaining that could be in 5 or 6 days! What a blessing!
My milk has come in and so far we haven't had any supply issues. I am having to force myself to take care of me. Its hard to tear yourself away and go take that nap but it was starting to catch up with me. I even gave myself a 4 hour stretch of sleep last night between pumpings and boy did I need it!
Joey and I are both madly in love with our little man and have fallen in love with each other in a whole new way too. Whoever said it was right - having children changes everything. Luckily that applies in the best way possible!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Baby Jellybean update
Jellybean and I are both doing well. They released me from the hospital yesterday morning after my blood pressure finally came down and stabilized. After surgery my platelets were low and one of my liver enzymes was elevated while my blood pressure was staying high. We're now thinking that I was preeclamptic and that caused Jellybean's IUGR and the lack of amniotic fluid.
Jellybean is definitely feisty and oh so adorable. He has started on breastmilk and seems to be tolerating it well. He hasn't had a bowel movement in the last three diaper changes though so they may end up giving him a suppository to get him moving. He also needs to have more bowel movements since he is slightly jaundiced and the bm help clear that out of the system. He's doing light therapy now to get his levels down. He has been breathing room air since birth and has a very healthy set of lungs on him.
They let me do Kangaroo care with him at least twice a day which he and I both love. He gets very upset that he isn't actually allowed to nurse yet and spends all his time sucking on my skin instead. The Kangaroo care definitely has been helping with my supply though and I am trying to pump every 3 hours so he can get the nutrition he needs. Its one of the few things I can do for him right now. He needs to get up to 4lbs and pass a few more hurdles before he can come home. We were told to expect at least 3 weeks in NICU.
Joey has been amazing through all this even though I am sure he feels run ragged. He had his wife in one hospital, his son in another, his other son down here and none of this close to home. He must have driven at least 5 hours around town yesterday coordinating everything. He spent New Years at the hospital with Dominik just so our little man wouldn't be alone. Last night we checked into the Ronald McDonald house which is here on the campus of the hospital - its $15 per night but we are going to worry about that later. It will allow me to stay close to Dominik the entire time while Joey is going to try to juggle between our home and the hospital since we still have our pets and everything to take care of. I'm usually not one to ask for handouts but this whole situation is going to be very taxing for us financially with me out of work much sooner and for longer than expected and who knows how much the NICU and everything else will be costing us so I am going to put this out there and if anyone feels compelled - we will greatly appreciate and donations that will be made. I'm just going to use the money to pay for the Ronald McDonald house. The hospital is about 40 miles away from our home and I just can't bear being that far away from my baby.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and love - we appreciate it all!
Jellybean is definitely feisty and oh so adorable. He has started on breastmilk and seems to be tolerating it well. He hasn't had a bowel movement in the last three diaper changes though so they may end up giving him a suppository to get him moving. He also needs to have more bowel movements since he is slightly jaundiced and the bm help clear that out of the system. He's doing light therapy now to get his levels down. He has been breathing room air since birth and has a very healthy set of lungs on him.
They let me do Kangaroo care with him at least twice a day which he and I both love. He gets very upset that he isn't actually allowed to nurse yet and spends all his time sucking on my skin instead. The Kangaroo care definitely has been helping with my supply though and I am trying to pump every 3 hours so he can get the nutrition he needs. Its one of the few things I can do for him right now. He needs to get up to 4lbs and pass a few more hurdles before he can come home. We were told to expect at least 3 weeks in NICU.
Joey has been amazing through all this even though I am sure he feels run ragged. He had his wife in one hospital, his son in another, his other son down here and none of this close to home. He must have driven at least 5 hours around town yesterday coordinating everything. He spent New Years at the hospital with Dominik just so our little man wouldn't be alone. Last night we checked into the Ronald McDonald house which is here on the campus of the hospital - its $15 per night but we are going to worry about that later. It will allow me to stay close to Dominik the entire time while Joey is going to try to juggle between our home and the hospital since we still have our pets and everything to take care of. I'm usually not one to ask for handouts but this whole situation is going to be very taxing for us financially with me out of work much sooner and for longer than expected and who knows how much the NICU and everything else will be costing us so I am going to put this out there and if anyone feels compelled - we will greatly appreciate and donations that will be made. I'm just going to use the money to pay for the Ronald McDonald house. The hospital is about 40 miles away from our home and I just can't bear being that far away from my baby.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and love - we appreciate it all!
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