Hattie’s Blog

Baby Shower! 1/26/13

January 26, 2013Chris

Today was definitely a whirlwind day. We visited Hattie first thing this morning before heading to the airport. She, of course, had escaped from her snuggli. She got a new snuggli in a larger size (a small vs. an extra small) so hopefully she won't be able to escape as easily. We love when things are too small for our big girl!

Hattie had a great night, making it much easier for us to leave her for the day while we went to Peachtree City for her shower. Before leaving, we told her we were going to celebrate her and tell everyone how well she is doing. We're pretty sure she smiled when she heard that.

I've never been to a baby shower before, so I didn't know what to expect. But what fun it was! We had amazing food, got to see our loved ones and pretty much spent the whole time dishing about our little girl. Thank you everyone so much for your kindness, generous gifts, prayers and well wishes for Hattie. A big, huge thank you to Lynn for hosting Hattie's celebration!

We got back to the hospital by about 8 p.m. and had a pizza picnic dinner with our friends the Burketts (who are also at Winnie after welcoming their new baby girl Finley on Thursday). Melissa had lots of mommy-daughter kangaroo time with Hattie; we stayed at the hospital until after 1 a.m.!

As for Hattie updates, her feedings have increased again and she continues to tolerate them well. She is now up to 20 cc of milk every three hours. Her weight is up to 1,080 grams (she's an HD baby! (nerd joke)), or 2 pounds, 6 ounces.

I took this photo of the sunset on our plane trip back to Orlando. As I looked out over this beautiful scene as far as my eye could see, I couldn't help but to be reminded that the God who created all of this also created our Hattie. She has a purpose and she is in His hands, even when we aren't at her side.

categories Hattie Updates, Photos

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! 1/25/13

January 25, 2013Melissa

When I hold Hattie it's like the rest of the world stops. Three hours feels like ten minutes. During our kangaroo time Hattie pulled out her feeding tube. It is still strange to me that Hattie couldn't care less when the nurse replaces it. We're told it's because her gag reflexes have not developed yet and as she gets closer to term it will bother her more. I got a quick glimpse at Hattie's little chin with no tape. This was the first time I've ever seen her whole face with nothing on it. She is absolutely beautiful.

Hattie desated some today but quickly recovered on her own. The nurses keep reminding us this is normal for preemies and she will likely outgrow it. Normal or not, I still don't like hearing her machines beep...

When we got to Hattie's room after shift change she had escaped from her snuggli again! Chris said she's the only baby in an incubator who needs bed rails!

Hattie is still eating well and continues to pack on the ounces! She gained .7 ounces today and now weighs 1,069 grams.

Chris and Hattie kangarooed tonight. They listened to their new favorite album Sing Over Me Worship Songs and Lullabies.

As we were talking to our dear friend Matt from our small group who visited tonight he reminded us of the prayer

Help me, help me, help me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

We are thankful. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord, for our healthy baby girl!

Please pray for safe travels as Chris and I head up to Peachtree City tomorrow for Hattie's baby shower!

categories Hattie Updates, Photos

Spunky 1/24/13

January 24, 2013Melissa

Hattie is back to her spunky self! I spent all day with her and we kangarooed for over three hours! She was very peaceful the entire time and I even took a few cat naps. She loves to hold and squeeze my fingers in her little hand. I can't get enough of her tiny, yet perfect body, feeling her breath against my chest, her unique smell, or her little squeaks. Dr. Alexander saw Hattie today and said she looked very good. He commented on how her little cheeks are filling out! He informed Hattie he would be off for two days and didn't want to hear any reports of her misbehaving. She had an exploded diaper for Dr. A; he told her she wasn't being very lady like and said she'd probably be ok if she didn't poop again until Monday!

Hattie continues to tolerate her feeds. They started adding liquid protein to my milk for extra calories. She now weighs 1,049 grams, or 2 pounds 5 ounces! She gained a whole ounce in one day; what a porker!

When we got back to Hattie's room after shift change this is how we found her: How can this possibly be comfortable?!

Hattie has had several visitors over the last few nights! It has been nice for Chris and I to catch up with our friends and have some adult conversation. Thank you for continuing cover us with your love and prayers.

We are thankful for the blessing God has given us in Hattie. She really is an amazing little girl.

categories Hattie Updates, Photos

Too Much Loud Noise 1/23/13

January 23, 2013Melissa

Hattie had multiple desats today but nothing of concern. The desats seem to be happening right after her feedings when her belly is really full or when she is feeling stressed from loud noises, during her hands on time or from being disturbed from sleep. Hattie's bilirubin score was up to 8.2 today but Dr. Alexander didn't put her back under the light. He is pleased with how her little nose is healing. Hattie continues to tolerate her feeds and is digesting every last bit of milk with no residuals. Hattie weighs 1,021 grams or 2 pounds, 4 ounces!

After four days of not holding Hattie it was awesome to cuddle with her again. Toward the end of our kangaroo time she was desating very often; there was a lot of noise in the pod and she had just finished eating. My eyes were glued to Hattie's beeping monitors and I was constantly encouraging my sweet girl to take a deep breath. The nurse did a "blow by" and used a little wand to blow room air into Hattie's face until her oxygen saturation was back to an acceptable number. We keep reminding ourselves that it is normal for preemies to desat and Hattie is just acting her age.

I went to small group while Chris stayed at the hospital to hang out with Hattie. He enjoyed his alone time with her. Chris and Hattie kangarooed for several hours, and tonight he didn't get pooped on! Hattie was sprawled out on him with both arms up toward his shoulders like she was hugging him. It is sweet for me to see how proud Chris is of our perfect little baby.