NICU
Week 4
*May 25, 2016 Weight 1.230 Kg
3 weeks old!!!
The most amazing thing happened today Ellie! You became officially ours! Through much string pulling and prayers, we were able to move the date and judges to have it finalized. We were scheduled June 7, but through a miracle, it happened today! We got there at 9 am. The judge called our attorney into his chambers at about 9:30am, maybe 2 or 3 minutes later, our attorney came out and said “Let’s go” We followed a little unsure. Once we got out of the court room, he said, “congratulations, you are parents!” And it was official. One signature….. a lot of worry, stress, running around getting other signatures, prayers & sweat and you are ours! I left the court room and came straight to the hospital to let you know! We had the best kangaroo care ever! You peeked for a while at first, then had a nice nap so close to my heart! Your apnea spells are less and less frequent. I think they plan to continue increasing your feedings. You are doing great! We love you so! And I guess for those wondering, her name is pronounced " Ellie- Ana", not Anna. :)
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| You are officially ours! |
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| Kangaroo care was extra special today |
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| you thought so too! |
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| Eliana Jane Cronin, officially |
*May 26, 2016 Weight 1.243 Kg
Today your older brother had a bad sore throat, so I had to take him to the doctor and he missed school, and has strep…which kept me away from you during my usual time. And I was worried to see you and infect you somehow with it. But they told me I could come see you if I scrubbed my hands really good, which I always do. At the gym today, a lady asked me how many children I had. And I could finally answer, without hesitation or explanation: “I have 3 kids” It felt great! We are so glad you are here and ours, officially. You are still having you apnea spells, but less frequent. I got to come tonight after dinner and baths at home and spend a few hours with you. The night nurse is great and takes good care of you! I didn’t hold you, but I talked to you after I changed your diaper and took your temperature. You opened your eyes and responded some to my voice. At least I think you did!
A wonderful woman I know, named Bunny, send you the most adorable little outfits, I can’t wait to see you wear them! So many people love you and can’t wait to meet you!
Keep growing! Oh I love you so!
I took a video, watch how you respond to me talking to you...
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| Your delicate hand |
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| Pretty eyes |
* May 27, 2016 Weight 1.274 Kg
Today was Porter's last day of school, but he was still a little sick and stayed home from school, so I wasn't able to visit you during the day. I was able to come this evening and got to hold you skin to skin for about 2 hours. You tolerated it very well, near the end your Sats dropped a little, but you did great! I was trying to make up for yesterday when I didn't hold you. You still have apnea spells that occasionally require stimulation. Let's grow out of that soon, ok?? You are slowly and steadily gaining weight, you want to keep the weight gain even, that's why, huh?!? You are always so sweet and try to wake up to say hello when I come. After holding you so long, you were so peaceful and konked out! When the nurse put you back in the isolette, you stayed still and didn't kick yourself out of the snuggie. She told me last night that you were wide awake around 3:00 am, just moving all around! Don't break out just yet! I am hoping whoever is donating the milk is eating extra fattening foods! ;)
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| Sweet slumber |
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| We always take a picture by the car one the last day of school! On to sixth grade! I can't believe it! |
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| Look how much they have grown in a school year! |
* May 28, 2016----- Weight 1.318 Kg
You just keep growing and a'growing! Your apnea spells are still happening, but lately you recover on your own. Porter had his "Rain Gutter Regatta' for scouts today. He got third place! He also got his arrow of light, and officially is an 11 year old scout now! Y'all are growing left and right!
Mommy and Daddy visited you for date night. You did so good. You were so alert and awake a little bit after we came. When I did Kangaroo care, you stayed looking for 10-20 minutes, listening to Mommy and Daddy, then your drifted off like sleeping beauty! You are up to 26cc of breastmilk, you have come a long way in 3 weeks!
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| Arrow of Light |
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| Rain Gutter Regatta |
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| You are still just so little! |
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| You were telling Daddy you were a little upset he hadn't visited you in a couple of days, with your little finger! Ha |
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| You sleep so deeply after we have Kangaroo care |
* May 29, 2016----- Weight 1.306 Kg
You dropped a little weight today. I got a call from the NP that you aren't gaining as fast as they would like, so they switched you over to formula. I am not sure how I feel about that. I am just worried you won't tolerate it well. But, we will give it a chance. Maybe it will help you gain quicker, and get you home and in our arms. Today is Sunday, and I visited you after lunch. You did good with me holding you. You had a spell, your sats dropped and your heart rate, but you were able to bring it back up on your own! Good girl! I would rather you not have them at all, of course, but if your little body can learn to do it, then they won't happen. You slept very peacefully. You have always been a little bit drooly, today you were extra bubbly in your mouth.... I am wondering if that is from the formula? I am doing my best to re-lactate, but my body hasn't caught on yet! Hopefully it will soon!
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| So alert when Mommy comes to visit! |
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| You hair is so long it can be parted! |
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| Zonked after Kangaroo care! |
*May 30, 2016 ----- Weight 1.358 Kg Memorial Day!
Looks like the formula might just be fattening you up! You are a few grams away from being 3 pounds!! YAY! Today when I held you I could feel you poop. And dang, formula poop is much stinkier than breastmilk poop! You are tolerating the formula well though. They lowered your oxygen, but you were having a hard time adjusting to it, and had a few spells while Aunt Adi and I were there. You are always so sweet and alert at the beginning when I hold you, then you doze off into a deep sweet slumber. You whimpered and cried a little today, I think one of your arms were a little twisted and it was starting to bother you. I just love you so, I can't hardly stand it! I want you home, but mostly I want you to be where you need to be, so you can come home and thrive!
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| Those little fingers |
If you listen close you can hear yourself poop!
*May 31, 2016---- Weight 1.379 Kg
You have officially broken the 3 lb mark!! That is so awesome!! Way to go chunky ;) You hadn't had an a & b spell all night. We did kangaroo care and you had 2!! Ugh :( They mentioned that they lowered your oxygen and that could have been why. You gain weight and then they just keep you working! Sometime a girl just needs a break to celebrate her weight gain! Not often in life will you hear that ;) You are so sweet and tender. I love when you wake up when I am holding you and just look all around!
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| Strike a pose! |
