Girls Night 3/1/13

I called Nurse Maria like a crazy mommy at 5 a.m. to check up on my baby girl. Maria said Hattie was rooting around for her 1:30 a.m. feed and she took 25 cc from a bottle! This good news made my middle of the night pump so worth it! Hattie's nippling orders have been changed to "nipple per cues" which means if she's showing signs she is ready to eat, she will get to eat by mouth. We technically already started this since Hattie took three bottles yesterday but now we have official doctor's orders.

As my mom, Kristi and I headed to the hospital this morning all we could talk about was Hattie: how cute she is, her sweet personality and disposition, how big she's getting, and how we can't wait to get her home. Hattie wasn't ready to eat at 10:30 a.m. so we kangarooed instead. She woke herself up for her 1:30 p.m. feed but she wasn't cueing so the nurse gavage fed her. We went to grab a quick lunch and were back in time for Hattie's 4:30 p.m. feed. But, again, Hattie was sleeping peacefully and not cueing.  It's ironic her nippling orders were changed today, I was there for three feedings and she wasn't cueing for any of them!

Chris stayed solo at the hospital with Hattie while my mom, Kristi and I had a girls night. I introduced them to Twistee Treat, we grabbed a pizza and went home to change into our pajamas, bake cookies and do more prepping for the baby shower. It was so fun hanging out with my mom and sister; I only wish my sweet girl Hattie could've been at our girls night with us!

Chris got Hattie all to himself for her hands-on time. Hattie had a big, stinky present for him before she was weighed. Hattie weighs 2,063 grams, or 4 pounds, 8.77 ounces. Hattie was cueing for her 7:30 p.m. feed so Chris gave her a bottle, but she only ate 6 cc. It turns out she had to poop again. Enter stinky diaper number two for daddy! Chris was rewarded with kangaroo time with Hattie and by the time her 10:30 p.m. feed rolled around Hattie was completely out of it and wasn't cueing at all. Maybe she dreaming about all of the people who are going to celebrate her tomorrow!

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A "Regular" Baby 2/26/13

Hattie must've heard the threat of the glycerin suppository because our prayers for poop were answered and answered and answered. Without getting into too much detail, we know that Hattie is regular again. Hattie weighs 1,934 grams or 4 pounds, 4 ounces, and her feeds have increased to 37 cc.

Hattie ate 12 cc during her daytime nursing and then we kangarooed for a long time this afternoon. I love kangarooing. I love to feel the warmth of her little body snuggled up on mine. Truly it's like time stops and I get lost talking to and loving on my sweet baby.

Chris' parents got in to town today. They came to see Hattie and all they could say is how perfect she is. We agree! We had a lovely dinner at Houston's together and then Chris and I went back to the hospital so I could try to breastfeed and we could say goodnight to our little girl.

She only ate 4 cc during her nighttime nursing, so the ups and downs with breastfeeding continue. Several of the nurses have been encouraging me and told us that most babies don't breastfeed before 34 weeks gestational age. Hattie is only 33 weeks, so she is ahead of the game. Nevertheless breastfeeding (and pumping eight times a day) is hard work!

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. –Isaiah 41:10

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Aced It 2/25/13

I was at the hospital bright and early to be with my baby girl during her second eye exam. Today's eye exam was the same as the one two weeks ago: dilation drops, eye doctor with a head lamp, contraptions to pry her eyes open and the "you're hurting me" wail. Hattie did great and it's really incredible how much change there has been in only two weeks. Right before the eye doctor started the exam when he shined his head lamp in Hattie's eyes it startled her and she flailed like a fish on the end of a line. The doctor and his nurse had a good laugh at Hattie's expense. At least we know she has good reflexes!

Hattie is "fully vascularized," meaning she has fully developed retinas! The eye doctor said this is the best possible outcome! Thank you Lord! We will have a follow-up exam in his office in four months.

Hattie had to be in the dark most of the day to recover from the dilation. Her eyes were very tired looking and watery all day but overall she didn't seem too stressed.

Hattie got to kangaroo with me immediately after her eye exam for more than three hours. As we were kangarooing and listening to music I was crying tears of joy. I am so proud of Hattie. I am amazed at God's mercy and just so thankful for how well she is doing. She is such an awesome little warrior.

Hattie nursed today and ate 10 cc. During her nighttime nursing she only ate 2 cc. It's so inconsistent! It's easy to get discouraged but I keep reminding myself she is doing something she's not even supposed to know how to do yet. Please pray for us to remain patient and trust that Hattie will eat well in God's timing.

Chris and Hattie kangarooed tonight and we had a family nap in Hattie's room. We are so tired. It's unreal how well we are able to function on such little sleep.

We are pretty sure Hattie is constipated. She has been grunting, turning red and making funny faces almost all day and we can tell she's uncomfortable. We are praying for poop, as strange as that sounds, because we want to avoid her being given a glycerin suppository to get things moving. We hope that Hattie will be able to take care of things on her own.

Hattie now weighs 1,917 grams or 4 pounds, 3.6 ounces. Soon she will be considered "big" to the nurses when she hits "2 kilos."

When I am afraid, I put trust my in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid.  –Psalm 56:3-4

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Daytime Eater 2/24/13

When we arrived at the hospital this morning I immediately noticed some changes. Hattie's pulse-ox cable was disconnected and the blue line was completely missing from the monitor. Nurse Kristi told us that the night shift Respiratory Therapist discontinued it, taking us one step closer to a completely wireless baby. Kristi also made a closet for Hattie. We had been using a Publix bag to store her clean clothes. Kristi took the small linen cabinet in Hattie's room and put a "Hattie's Closet" sign on the front. Now we have a dedicated place for Hattie's cute outfits. We love having primary nurses who really take ownership of Hattie's care. It sure makes it easier (if leaving your baby can be described as easy) to leave.

Hattie is a very popular little girl and over the last few days she has had several out-of-town visitors. Lynn and Jay came by to see Melissa and Hattie on Thursday. (Jaybird was surprised we don't have a TV in Hattie's room!) Becky met Hattie on Friday and, of course, was enamored with her. Becky took us out for a nice dinner which was a welcomed change from frozen meals or fast food. Finally, today Melissa's childhood friend Rhianna spent all afternoon with us and our dear friend Katie visited too. Hattie is so loved!

During Hattie's daytime nursing she ate an amazing 26 cc of milk. She only had to get 6 cc through her gavage to make up the difference. She wore herself out too: she was conked out while kangarooing with me. Similar to yesterday, she didn't do quite as well tonight and ate only 9 cc. It is still better than what should be expected for a baby of her age but it is also confusing for us to see her going up and down. Please pray that Melissa doesn't get discouraged and we both remain patient throughout this process.

Hattie is seven weeks old today! She weighs 1,868 grams or 4 lb., 1.9 oz. She grew to 39.5 cm. (15.55 in.) long. As we left the hospital, Melissa and I talked about how we can't believe we have a seven week-old baby. It feels like only yesterday she was born, but at the same time it is hard to remember a time when we didn't spend countless hours at her bedside in the NICU. Nonetheless, we feel so blessed to have the privilege of being her parents.

At tonight's hands on time we gave Hattie a bath. This is the fifth or sixth bath she's had and also the fifth or sixth method we've seen for how to do it. This time the scale that we normally use as a rolling table for her basin wasn't available so Nurse Rachael put waterproof blankets in her bed and we sponged her down right there. Hattie definitely would rather have been in the bath water rather than just laying out in the open. We'll remember that for next time.

Hattie will have her second eye exam tomorrow morning. Please pray that her little eyes are developing nicely and the eye doctor does not find any issues. Please also pray that she doesn't feel any pain or discomfort during the exam and is not too stressed out throughout the day.

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Easy Breezy Saturday 2/23/13

Today was another easy breezy Saturday as a family. The day began productive—at least for one of us. Melissa spent the morning doing some organizing, cleaning and other things that needed to be done around the house while I overslept. Once I did mosey downstairs, I had time to get a few things organized in the garage before we couldn't stand being away from Hattie any longer and we headed to the hospital at around noon. When we arrived we found Nurse Kristi at the computer charting with Hattie in hand. It was so cute to see her out and about and "wireless." She handed her off to me and I got to spent some time holding Hattie "like a baby."

Our standard weekend role reversal routine was in play again this weekend. While on weekdays Melissa kangaroos during the day, the weekend days are daddy's turn and Melissa takes the nights.

Before her kangaroo time, Hattie gets to breastfeed with her mommy. Dr. Alexander ordered for Hattie to try to breastfeed twice per day; it has be once per shift and not at back to back feedings (there's a science to all of this!). Today Hattie ate 10 whole cc of milk! She slowed down a bit for her night breastfeeding and only ate 4 cc. We were a little surprised because she really seemed to be eating a lot. We even weighed her twice to be sure. Regardless, she still got the nutrition she needs and received the remainder of her 34 cc feed via her feeding tube.

Several of the nurses have told us that getting started with breastfeeding can be a long process for preemies. That comforts us a bit, but it is still hard to see Hattie's progress going in a different direction when she did so well during the day.

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. –2 Chronicles 15:7

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