She Breastfed!!!

This is an "older" picture - but one of my favorites!

We stormed the building today - Len, Mom, and I went into the NICU today and told them we wanted to have her try to breastfeed BEFORE trying to bottle fed. This is not the norm there - and I can understand why, but we were insistant. See, all the research we are reading says that it is best to have the baby try with mom FIRST -before introducing a bottle, otherwise she may not want mom later because it is more work than the bottle - and she doesn't understand the benefits once she has had the bottle. However, the NICU's viewpoint is they need to make sure she can breathe, suck, and swallow first before introducing mom into the equation - make sure it is safe for the baby. I understand that, but we asked for the doctor to make the decision - and he said, "She wants to breastfeed? Well, let's try it and see what happens." So, we tried. She struggled for about 2-3 minutes and then latched on and fed for a good 5 minutes solid! Way to go, Scarlet! What amazes me is how determined she is to figure out and learn what she needs to do. Each task they give her, she does and does it well. I'm so proud! She was latched on or close by getting to know me - reaching for me - for a good 35 minutes. And she had no breathing, sucking, or swallowing problems. She didn't gag once (their biggest fear)! Then, she fell asleep very happy and very content.

One more piece of good news - They moved her yesterday out of her box - She is out of the incubator and in an open crib. She has to gain weight now more than ever because it takes a lot of energy to stay warm (which is why she was in the incubater for so long - to help her keep her temperature up). So, we have to expect she might go back to her box, but for now she's in her rolling cart. She's handling all of these challenges like a trooper!

Happy One Year Anniversary

Here we are - One Year of Marriage! We went to Harvard Square - a nice restaurant in Claremont where Len proposed a year and a half ago. It was nice to have an evening out and celebrate all that this last year has blessed us with. Happy One Year and may we have many many many more!

Tired Mom

While Scarlet Rose is doing better all the time, I am getting more and more tired. One thing that is driving me crazy are the nurses - especially the lactation nurses - who don't seem to agree on anything. I have been told so many different things on how to set up a pump schedule - every 3 hours, every 4 hours, 15 minutes only, get all the milk out, push to 30 minutes. Oh yeah, and through the night too. And at leat 8 times in a 24 hour period. They are also all surprised that I am getting 3-4 ounces each time I pump (so the freezer is about half full now). Since she was born, I have not gotten more than 3-4 hours of sleep at a time. My mind is mush and it is hard to keep logical thoughts in my head. I know that all moms experience this -being tired- but I must say that this pump schedule (pumping, cleaning, measuring, storing, and bringing into the NICU without it thawing one bit in this heat), plus driving back and forth (most days twice a day), plus keep other appointments (since my incision decided to open and get infected), and not being able to take her home, breastfeed her, and just stay home - well, I am worn out.

I am ok - just coplaining. Any suggestions?

19 Days Old - and Finally Able to Wear Clothes

Not the best picture, but here she is after her bath (what an ordeal! Oye!). The nurse bathed her while we watched so we can do it next time. Daddy was highly entertained while Mommy had a bit of anxiety about "next time." We then got to dress her - another interesting experience with all of the cords and wires. She is wearing a premies onesie that says, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" Absolutely!

Oh No! Bath Time?

I was taking notes while we were giving her a bath (sponge bath), so no pictures, but this is her when we were talking about it... Notice how she is trying to break free...

Elephant Knees

I noticed she has already begun to fatten up her knees, so I had to take a picture befire it was to late... Laura said her knees look like a puppy dog who hasn't yet fit into her skin yet.

Family Photo

This is an older picture (goodness, she's only 19 days old and we can fill quite a few albums already - and she's not even home yet!).. but I love this picture!

I went in early today with Helen (my mother-in-law). I had to get there before 9:00am with milk because my milk supply from the hospital had finally run out. I pumped while we were there yesterday to try to make it through this morning, and I managed to make it through until before 9:00am. So, I got to take her temperature (37.0 degrees celcius), change her diaper (there was poop!!! yea!!! but smelly!!! ooh.), and hold her, and pump some more.

But here's the big news for today:

She gained 67 ml last night... that's over 2 ounces!! She now weighs 3 lbs, 9 1/2 oz. The nurse said if she mantains her weight gain and all goes well... she might be coming home in a matter of a couple of weeks! Wow! I am not going to hold my breath since she still needs to nipple feed, breast feed, get rid of all the wires, and have mommy and daddy learn CPR. So, we have a ways to go still, but it felt good to hear "Get the room ready."

Over the last bump.

We had a bit of a bump. She was tolerating my milk so well, the doctors were increasing her feeding every day... 8, 10, 12, 15, and then 18 cc's every three hours. However, she wasn't pooping on her own - they would give her a sepository. So, I was thinking that all that food would stop her up. Sure enough, it did and they noticed she wasn't digesting it as fast. They x-rayed her tummy and saw that there was gas and poop in her intestines not moving. So, they slowed her back down to 15 cc's every three hours (that's half an ounce - making it a total of 4 ounces a day). And, they are going to see if she can poop on her own. This set back caused her to be jaundiced again. They put her under the blue fliurescent light, but she got off of it within a day - Great job, Scarlet Rose!

Soon, she might be nipple feeding. They say in the 34 week (they are still counting her gestational age) babies can begin to learn the complicated process of eating. It requires babies to suck, swallow, and breathe all at the same time. She needs to be able to tolerate the food (digest it) - which she is - and to swallow. She has a strong gag reflex. Maybe because her mommy does too, or maybe because that's what she learned to do first. Most babies learn to suck in their first few hours of life; Scarlet learned to spit and gag because of the breathing tube - so now it is becoming a struggle for her.

However, she is doing well and they plan to have an occupational therapist in this week to introduce her to nipple feeding. I will be there and cheer her along. I hope it goes well!

No More Nose Hose!

Scarlet kept pulling and tugging on her nose hose. She even figured out how to pick at the tape and began to peel it off. So, the doctors finally listened and took her off oxygen. She is completely breathing on her own. One more step closer. Only, now she is pulling at her feeding tube that is going into her nose, so they have to restrain I mean "swaddle" - her alot. It does help her sleep, as opposed to trying to figure out how to free herself.

She's so tiny!

Her ear is the size of my ring (and my fingers are rather small) and her body is a little longer than my watch. Oye! How did my stomach get to be so big, then?

So much equipment!

I am amazed at how many things are needed to save a 3lb now 6 ounce baby. Look at all this stuff!!!

Daddy's Little Sweetheart

Ahhh!

Sacrlet Rose is doing well!

Scarlet Rose was born July 9, 2008. She came 9 weeks early, crying, kicking, and punching her way out of my womb. She weighed 3lbs, 3oz and was 16 inches long. Her APGAR score was 9 out of 10, which is almost perfect!

In a nutshell...

We went to the hospital July 8th because she kicked my diaphragm.

They noticed my blood pressure rising and ran some blood tests.

I was diagnosed HELPS - High Enzymes, Low Platlates Syndrome. The placenta was attacking my liver, increasing the enzymes and releasing them into the blood stream, killing the platlates and leaving me with the potential to bleed out. The cure: remove the placenta, hence, deliver the baby.

So, Scarlet Rose kicked my diaphragm and saved both of our lives.

After several hours of life, she was intabated and left on a breathing tube for about 3 days. She fought that and figured out how to breathe on her own. They then started feeding her my breast milk (which I pump every three hours - oye! what a job!). She has been jaundiced three times, but is showing she is a true fighter!!!