Hattie’s Blog
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In the Spotlight 1/12/13
Chris
Each morning we call Hattie's nurse to get an update on her night. We were pleased to hear that Hattie would be eating more beginning today. She is up to 3 cc of milk every three hours. Tomorrow, she'll go up to 4 cc, the next day 5 cc and so on. We also learned that Hattie's bilirubin level went back up a bit to a 9 and that meant she would need the light again. We weren't too excited to hear that since it meant we couldn't hold our sweet baby today. Once we arrived at the NICU we were glad to see that at least she wasn't under the big blue light but rather a smaller white spotlight that is built into her bed. The light shines a perfectly round circle of bright white light on her. That's our little Hattie: such a diva in her spotlight!
Hattie had so many visitors today! Everyone has been so kind to bring us food and presents, spend time talking with us and taking time to visit with little miss Hattie. We so appreciate the kindness our dear friends and family have shown us this week. Our house smells like a florist and our fridge has never been so full.
Hattie's ultrasound on her brain will be done overnight tonight, likely around 4 a.m. We won't get the results for another day or so, but please continue to pray the results are completely clear and Hattie has no blood in her brain. The doctor told us that this is a normal scan for all preemie babies born before 32 weeks. Clinically they haven't seen any indication that Hattie has any issues, but the scan is nonetheless on our minds.
Please also pray that Hattie's bilirubin level goes down, she won't have to spend any more time under the spotlight and we can hold our sweet girl again soon!
Today was the first day using our new camera. After a long day of photos Hattie says, "no more paparazzi!"
No more paparazzi!
Our Little Foodie 1/11/13
Melissa
Hattie had another great day! Her feedings have increased from 1 cc of my milk every four hours to 2 cc every three hours. She is tolerating her extra feedings well and pooping A LOT! We saw her oxygen saturation at 100% several times today—she continues to breathe well on her own! We both got to kangaroo Hattie for several hours today and helped the nurses with taking her temperature and changing her diaper during her "hands on care" time. I am overwhelmed by how much I love her. Even writing this I'm at a complete loss for words on how to express how I feel. How can you love someone so little so much?
Please pray Hattie continues to tolerate her extra feedings and will be able to decrease the amount of liquid nutrition she receives through her PICC line.
Please pray Hattie isn't in the "honeymoon phase" that is common for NICU babies. The nurses and Dr. Alexander have mentioned she could decline after her first week of life. She's been doing so well that Chris and I are worried. Please pray for Hattie to continue on a steady upward trend. Please also pray that we give our worries to God.
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
— Psalm 55:22
Kangaroo is Our Favorite Animal! 1/10/13
Melissa
Hattie right before she was weighed.
We are so grateful we were both able to hold Hattie today! Four days felt like an eternity! We are also thankful for the amazing care Hattie is receiving in the NICU. All of the nurses love her and tell us how "feisty" she is. I wonder who she gets that from... ;)
Hattie was weighed tonight. She weighs 1 lb 11 oz; she lost 2 oz since birth which is completely normal, even for a full term baby. She was not happy to be out of her cozy incubator but her reward was she got to kangaroo with daddy!!
Hattie on the scale.
Kangarooing with Daddy!
While Chris was holding Hattie I read her The Berenstain Bears Nursery Tales. Hattie now knows Goldilocks, The Red Hen and The Gingerbread Man. Chris helped change Hattie's diaper tonight. Hooray for more poop!
We had to force ourselves to leave the NICU at around 1:30 a.m. It's extremely hard to break ourselves away from spending time with our sweet girl.
Answered Prayers
Chris
We are so happy to report that each of our prayers from last night have been answered! Hattie's bilirubin score was 4.8, low enough that she no longer has to sunbathe in her blue light. She pooped in the night. They removed her nose cannula this morning and her oxygen levels are ideal. Hattie is 100% breathing on her own with no assistance.
Mommy getting ready to hold Hattie for the first time.
The physical manifestation of all of this is most exciting: Melissa is holding Hattie right now! Kangaroo care has begun, and Hattie is laying on Melissa's chest inside her shirt. Hattie seems to like it and is very calm. She is curled up in a little ball and enjoying mommy's touch.
The cutest part was when she got the hiccups. Her body shook and she made little squeaks. She has her own scent (note to self: figure out a way to bottle and sell it).
Without her cannula and sunglasses, we're able to see her gorgeous face and eyes.
I'm looking forward to kangarooing her later tonight. I can't stand how excited I am.