Week 4 in the NICU

Saturday, May 12th:  We had a pretty laid back day today.  Gordon went to the gym and the grocery store while I hung out at the hospital.  Our original plan was to only give William 5 or 6 bottles a day but the little guy had plans of his own today.  I guess you could say today was the day "the light bulb came on".  When it was time for his next feeding I'd take his temperature and change his diaper and notice that he was acting different....he usually acted hungry (crying/acting restless) but now he was shoving his hands in his mouth and moving his head side to side.  The nurse noticed this too so we decided to try a bottle instead of giving him the milk through the tube.  He sucked down all 43 cc in less than 20 minutes!  He was eating faster and not acting so exhausted afterwards.   YAY for progress.  :) 
Dr. Hankins was on service all weekend so Gordon finally got to meet him.  When I told him we planned on doing the car seat test next Friday he told me to move it up because he didn't think we'd still be in the hospital!!!  He also said we could go ahead and do the circumcision on Sunday or Monday. 
 
Weight = 4 lb 9 oz

Sunday, May 13th:  Today was another great day.  William got the tube out of his nose at 3pm and it was Mother's Day!  William also nursed for the first time today and received his Hep B shot.  He cries more when we take his temperature under his arm than when he gets a shot or stuck for labs!  Today was a great day. 

Weight = 4 lb 9.5 oz

Monday, May 14th:  William had a good night.  He has continued to do a wonderful job eating so we haven't had to put in another feeding tube.  Today was the first day he had to actually drink his daily vitamin.  The nurses had been giving it to him through the tube (since it smells and tastes yuck).  I mixed the vitamin in with a little less than half of his 9am bottle.  He drank it all but as soon as I sat him up to burp it all came back up.  He was able to drink the rest of the bottle without a problem (and kept it down).  I'll have to try something different tomorrow morning. 
Dr. Little did his circumcision at 1:00 and baby boy did wonderful.  He didn't even cry (the lidocaine and sucrose probably has something to do with that).  We also rescheduled our car seat test for Tuesday since it looks like William will get to go home on Wednesday.  Occupational Therapy came back by today and put William in his car seat to see if they thought he would fit okay...and he did! 

Weight = 4 lb 9 oz

Loving listening to music!

Tuesday, May 15th:  Today was SO busy!  Dr. Welty said we can go home TOMORROW.  YIPEE!  Occupational Therapy came by at 10:00 for car seat education.  They showed me how to put William in his car seat and then I had to do it myself.  He's so tiny so getting all the straps tight enough can be tricky.  After that the OT girl went to the car with me and showed me how to properly put the base in.  I'm so glad I got the car seat education because I had no clue how to put the base in and after seeing how everything is supposed to be done I'm pretty sure 90% of people do it wrong.  I got back to William's room just in time for his first photo session.  The hospital has a photographer that comes around and takes pictures of the babies before they go home.  She came right before his noon feeding so he wasn't too happy.  It was great to have him unhooked from the heart monitor and Gordon even made it to the room in time to get in a couple of the pictures.  After lunch I ran by the house to grab some things and went to Babies R Us to get some baby essentials.  I am one of the most organized people I know so being on bed rest for a month and then stuck in the hospital for another month has driven me crazy.  I always thought I'd be more prepared before I brought him home.  OH WELL....at least we are getting to bring him home!  That night they did the actual car seat test.  We started at 11pm and ended at 12:30am.  He had a short episode of bradycardia at the very beginning and the nurse said if he did it again we'd have to try again in the morning.  He cried the first 30 minutes and slept the last 30.  I did everything I could think of to keep him calm as I sat there on the hard floor next to the car seat.....I played a lullaby CD, held his pacifier in his mouth.  rubbed his little forehead so he would fall asleep and at one point was praying out loud that he would pass.  It was the longest 90 minutes of my life.  Thankfully he passed and at 2am I finally went to bed for the night.  :)

Weight = 4 lb 12.5 oz

I found my thumb!

Wednesday, May 16th:  Today is the day I've thought about for YEARS.  Bringing my baby home.  Gordon and I will never forget this special day.  At 10:37 Dr. Welty said the words I've waited so long to hear....YOU ARE FREE TO TAKE YOUR BABY HOME!  I cried when he left the room. :)

First Mother's Day

I had a wonderful first Mother's day yesterday!!  It started bright and early at 3am when I was up pumping and putting the milk in the freezer.  I found a gifted wrapped box and hand made card from Gordon on the kitchen counter.  My fabulous husband had found the time to get me something I've been talking about for years....a pair of Christian Louboutin high heels.  I still can't believe he did it!  What's even more ironic is that a few days after William was born I was holding him and said out loud, "Who would have thought after I had you I'd never want another pair of fancy shoes again."  It may sound cheesy but I feel so much more complete since I've had William.  I feel more content and at ease than I ever have before AND I've grown even closer to Gordon.  I've only been a mom for 4 weeks but I feel like the three of us have been through quite a bit in a short amount of time.  My heart has never felt so full of love and hurt so bad at the same time.  William has been through so much but is such a little fighter.  I am one blessed mama!! 

Love Them!

So what did I did on this special day?  I had a nice quiet day at the hospital with my sweet baby boy while Daddy ran some errands.  I spent the night at the house on Saturday since William had a great nurse for four night in a row that I trusted.  I needed to get some clean clothes and I figured a decent night sleep wouldn't hurt either.  :)  Dr. Hankins told us we needed to go have a date night at the movies before William went home....I guess NICU nurses are the best babysitters you could ever ask for and since I don't think I'll trust anyone to watch the little guy for a while we took his advice!  We compromised and went to see The Avengers yesterday afternoon.  It was surprisingly good (and funny).  I think I told Gordon about 40 times during the movie that I was ready to go back and see my baby.  Other than the movie I just did lots of cuddling in the hospital rocking chair with William.  I'm looking forward to many more Mother's day celebrations!  
Several people have said that William looks a lot like me.  I found this picture of me the other day and realized just how much we look alike!!  I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that he gets his daddy's eyes (and laid back personality!).   
  

Baby picture of ME :)

William James

 Here's a few pictures from the weekend.  As you can see NO MORE FEEDING TUBE!  Now that's a good Mother's Day present!  Happy Mother's Day to all you fabulous women out there...especially my wonderful momma.  She is an amazing mother that has loved me and my brother unconditionally.  She is a sweet kind hearted women that never puts herself first and is always there when you need her.  I can only hope to be half as good of a mother as she has been!!

Week 3 in the NICU

Saturday, May 5th:  To celebrate Cinco de Mayo Gordon and I went to Pappasitos for lunch.  YUM.  No margaritas for us this year.  I'm hoping to have an El Tiempo margarita very soon though!!  Two years ago today Gordon and I moved into our first home!  My oh my how things have changed in the last twenty four months. 
William did a great job eating today and seemed much more alert after his evening bottle. 
9am = 29 cc
6 pm = 30 cc
Weight = 4lb 4 oz

Wide awake after his bath

Sunday, May 6th:  We let daddy sleep in today while we did our normal morning routine.  After he finished his morning bottle I went home and picked Gordon up and we went and had a late breakfast at Barnaby's.  Since William did so well eating yesterday they decided he could have 3 bottles and went up from 36cc to 38cc.  He finished ALL three of his bottles (9am, 6pm, and midnight).  WAY TO GO BABY BOY!
Weight = 4lb 4.4oz

Monday, May 7th:  Dr. Hankins said we could give William a bottle at every feeding (if he acted interested) since he'd done so well with the three bottles.  The amount of milk he didn't finish at each feeding was given to him through his tube afterwards.  They increased the amount of milk from 38cc to 41cc and stopped the prolacta (which provided extra calories).  His bottles did contain 24 calories and now only have 20. 

9am = 28 cc
Noon = 30 cc
3pm = 22 cc
6pm = got through tube
9pm = we tried breast feeding and then he got his food through the tube
MN = 30 cc
3am = 41cc

He started desating after he finished eating in the afternoon so we gave the 6pm feeding through the tube.  It seemed like he was just so tired from all the eating and was forgetting to breath enough.  He also has a hard time pacing himself when he's drinking a bottle.  That usually leads to him coughing or gagging which then makes his heart rate drop.  Feeding a preemie can be a bit unnerving! 

Weight = 4lb 7oz
Height = 17 1/4 inches

Tuesday, May 8th:  Gordon and I attended an infant CPR class at lunch time today.  It was different than a CPR class for nurses....simple and clear cut.  They emphasize assessing the baby's breathing frequently and not just looking at their color.  You are more likely to find your baby not breathing but with a pulse versus not breathing and no pulse.  They say you rarely find an infant without a heartbeat (which is comforting).  The instructor said RSV and pneumonia are what you have to watch out for with preemies once they are discharged from the hospital.  She encouraged the parents to have anyone that will be around the baby often to get the Tdap shot since pertussis, or whooping cough, is also a culprit.  I received my shot 2 days after I had William.  Now we have to find a place for Gordon to go and get the shot.
Other than CPR class things were pretty uneventful.  Just working on this bottle thing.  Sucking, swallowing, breathing and not choking takes a lot of work!!

6am = 30 cc
9am = 30 cc
Noon = via tube
3pm = 41 cc
6pm = 37 cc
9pm = 29 cc
MN = 29 cc 
3am = tube
Weight = 4lb 8oz

Last day to sleep on my "gel mattress"

Wednesday, May 9th:  Since William had continued to have some issues with his heart rate and oxygen saturations during feeding time and the hour afterwards I asked if occupational therapy could see him.  I just wanted to make sure he was sucking the way he should and there wasn't anything else we could be doing for him.  She came by during the noon feeding and watched him eat.  She also placed him in different positions to see what he did with his arms and legs.  He passed with flying colors!  She said he's doing everything he should be doing and there is no need for OT to see him.  This is good news!  We have to remember that William is only 35 weeks gestationally so he's not going to do the things a full term baby can do.  Gotta give the guy a break....he should still be inside of me and I should still be on bed rest.  :) 
We always look forward to Wednesday and Saturday bath night.  He loves getting his head washed and I love the way a clean baby smells!  Tonight was an exceptionally big night.  Dr. Arnold from The Little Couple was the doctor on call.  She stopped by at the end of William's bath to introduce herself and to let us know she was on call.  When she saw how happy he was getting his bath she said he was too cute to not film and asked if we would mind.  SO, little William may be on TV.  We will let everyone know if and when the episode airs. 

6am = 41 cc (finished in 15 minutes!)
9am = 31 cc
Noon = 34 cc
3 pm = via tube
6 pm = 41 cc
9 pm = 29 cc
MN = 30 cc
3 am = via tube
Weight = 4 lb 7 oz

My favorite way to sleep!

Thursday, May 10th:  Today was a hard day for Mama Gooding.  William's monitor seemed to be constantly beeping.  His O2 sats kept dropping while he was sleeping and then his heart rate would randomly go up to 200-210.  They think he has reflux so I'm making sure to hold him in an upright position (usually laying on my chest) for at least 30 minutes after he eats.  I had spent the last 4 nights at the hospital so I think a lot of it had to do with being really tired.  He also got a little rash on his neck that they started putting powder on.  Dr. Hankins is no longer on service so we started with a new attending, Dr. Welty, today.  Alison saw Dr. Hankins out at West Campus at a nursing week breakfast and he told everyone that William and I were a good fit.  He teased my boss and said I was an excellent mama and may never come back to work.  haha!  Gordon and I really hope that one day I can work part time.  I can't say I'd want to be a stay at home mom at this point but working part time would be great.   
Along with the nurse I decided that we needed to cut back on how many times William took a bottle.  I felt like he was just too tired.  We would love to go home but we are in NO hurry.  We want to do what's best for him and at this point I think he needs some time.  There's no point in stressing him out and in the end causing more problems.  So, we went from 6 bottles a day to 5. 

6am = 32 cc
9am = via tube
Noon = 36 cc
3 pm = via tube
6pm = 38 cc
9pm = 39 cc (fed by daddy)
MN = via tube
3 am = 41 cc
Weight = 4lb 7oz

Friday, May 11th:  Today was a much better day!  William had very few episodes of bradycardia and desaturations.  When he does have them they improve almost immediately on their own with no intervention needed.  He's also done much better with pacing himself when he eats.  We've also changed how we hold him when he eats.  We now hold him in a side lying position and this seems to be helping with the choking/coughing.  Dr. Welty thinks we'll be going home in the next 10 days.  He said that everything he is doing is normal for a preemie and not to worry or read too much into any of it.  So we will keep doing what we are doing!  Maybe we'll try 6 bottles again sometime this weekend and by Tuesday be up to 7 and then 8 by the end of next week!  Next Friday we have his car seat test at 10:00.  Our car seat is made for babies 5lbs and up.  Hopefully by then he will be close to this.  If he doesn't pass the test in the car seat we have there are a few out there for babies that weigh <5lbs....Babies R Us here we come if that's the case. 

Question: What is the Car Seat Test for Preemies?

Answer: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a car seat test, or car seat challenge, for all babies born before 37 weeks gestation. The car seat test makes sure that premature babies are able to sit in a car seat safely, without any episodes of desaturation, apnea, or bradycardia.

6am = via tube

9am = 37 cc

Noon = 38 cc

3pm = via tube

6pm = 41 cc

9pm = 41 cc

MN = via tube

3am = 43 cc

Weight = 4lb 8.5oz

Mom, I don't wanna burp

Belly pics

My very best friend, Alison Wilson (click on the link to check out her website), took some fabulous pictures of my belly when I was 30 weeks pregnant.  Gordon thought we were crazy when he saw us in our bedroom getting ready for the photo session.  :)  Alison did a wonderful job (click on her name above to see her & her sister's blog)!!  I know it's a lot of skin showing....but hey people take pictures in their bathing suits all the time and a baby bump is so much cuter AND special!!  I can't wait to hang all of these pictures up in our bathroom.  They make me smile. :)

Maternity Pictures

Back in March I had some maternity pictures taken by the same person that did our wedding and engagement pictures.  Morgan Lynn is SO talented and Gordon and I feel comfortable with her so I had to ask her if she'd be willing to do some maternity pictures (eventhough she is a wedding photographer).  Luckily, she agreed to take some pictures of the three of us!  We took the photos at Memorial Park when I was 28 weeks pregnant.  I know that is a little early (and my baby bump is tiny) but I just felt like I needed to do them then!  Thank goodness for mommy intuition because a week later I was put on bed rest and 3 weeks after that gave birth.  Here are some of my favorites.

My expression says it all...come on Gordon you can do this!

I think I've said this a hundred times...I loved being pregnant!  These pictures are so precious to me and will help me to remember the 8 months William and I had together.  Such a happy and exciting time for Gordon and me!  We look forward to showing William these pictures some day.

Week 2 in the NICU

Well, it's been another eventful week in the NICU.  We are so proud of the progress William's made!

Saturday, April 28th:  Nothing too exciting happened today.  William's feeds are still at 36cc every 3 hours through the NG tube.  He gained 20 grams (which is what they want him to gain each day) and he got a bath tonight!!  Gordon and I were both happy that he was off work for the weekend so he could spend more time at the hospital. 

Sunday, April 29th:  Today William is "34 weeks old".  The doctors refer to him by this age not how many days since his birth.  Babies start to get the suck/swallow reflex around 34 or 35 weeks so today we got to try out a bottle!  The nurse said to consider the first attempt a success if he didn't just spit out the nipple.  We gave him his first bottle at noon and he drank 3cc.  We tried again at 6pm and he drank 10cc.  Apparently, some preemies gag on the bottle and require occupational therapy to work with them.  So, even though he only drank a little we are thankful he even tried and there was no gagging!  He gained 30 grams today and got burped for the first time.  haha

Monday, April 30th:  Little William's day started early...he had an ultrasound of his head done at 4am.  We were given the results the next day...everything looked good.  No brain bleeds or anything else concerning.  After the ultrasound we had to move rooms.  The quads that were in the rooms next to us needed to each have their own rooms because they had gotten so sick.  :(  Our new room doesn't have as nice of a view but is cooler in the evening since we don't have the sun beating in. 
The poor little guy pulled out his NG tube again.  He just doesn't understand why he needs it still.  He ate 18cc of his bottle at noon and Gordon fed him for the first time at 6pm and he drank 12cc.  While Gordon was feeding him I heard him say, "William you're acting like a wild man.  You need to put this in your mouth and settle down."  LOL...if only it was so easy.  Other big news...his umbilical cord came off in the evening and he is finally getting some little eyelashes! 
Weight: 3lbs 15oz (back to birth weight)

Tuesday, May 1st:  Since it's a new month we started with a new group of doctors.  The neonatologist attending now taking care of William is Dr. Hankins.  He is also the Chief Medical Officer of TCH West Campus (where I work).  He says William will most likely come out of the incubator this week.  At this point William is considered a "feeder grower".  He is breathing well on his own with no oxygen and it's looking like he's regulating his temperature better.  So now we just need him to continue gaining weight and start eating on his own. 
9am bottle = 17 cc
9pm bottle = 5 cc
He pulled out his NG tube again while Gordon and I were at dinner.  :(  Between that, him only eating 5cc in the evening, and not being crazy about his nurse that day I had a small emotional breakdown.  I had spent the night at the hospital a few nights in a row so I was a bit sleep deprived and then felt sad that he wasn't making much progress with eating.  Gordon insisted I go home that night to get some rest.  I HATE leaving him but feel so much better when I get five hours of sleep versus three.
Weight = 1790 grams or 3lb 15 oz

After pulling out his NG tube

Wednesday, May 2nd:  The lactation nurse came by today to see how William was doing with the practice breast feeding.  He understands what he needs to do but just doesn't have his sucking skills perfected yet.  She said to give him time.  Everyone keeps saying it's like a light bulb...one day they wake up and they understand what they need to do to get food.  We're praying the light turns on by this weekend.  :) 
They opened up his incubator today.  This is his test to see how he does with temperature regulation.  Dr. Hankins said to not be surprised if he doesn't gain weight today. 
9am bottle = 22 cc
9pm bottle = 12 cc
Weight = 4lb 1oz
Tonight was bath night.  Gordon and I did it all by ourselves.  It gets kinda tricky having to wash him in the bed but we've gotten the hang of it and William loves it!!  He really likes having his hair washed.  TOO cute. 

Thursday, May 3rd:  TWO WEEKS OLD.  Baby boy did great with the incubator opened AND he gained weight!!!  As Dr. Hankins said "he passed his test" so he got to move to an open crib.  It is so much easier to just pick him up and hold him now.  He still has the tube in his nose, a monitor on his foot and 3 on his chest that you have to be careful with but it's managable. 
9am bottle = 17 cc
9pm bottle = 16 cc
Weight = 4lb 2 oz

Such a happy baby

In a crib!!

Friday, May 4th:  As the doctors say during rounds every morning...things are pretty boring in room 812.  It's a good thing!  We are just working on the eating.  Once William can take 30cc at both feedings they will go up on the number of bottles he can have each day.  Besides eating and sleeping he also had his hearing test today and passed with flying colors. 
9am bottle = 30cc (yippeee)
9pm bottle = 20cc
Weight = 4lb 3oz

Other than this funny face he slept through the hearing test

Their nigthly nap together

We are so grateful to have a healthy baby that is growing more and more everyday.  Bringing him home with us will be one of the happiest days of our lifes!  Dr. Hankins says his goal is to get babies out of the hospital a month before their due date (so May 10th).  My goal is by Mother's Day (May 13th).  We're keeping our fingers crossed but willing to wait as long as we need to for our little guy.