Wowie! Today was GREAT!! Maisie is now weighing in at 1635 grams- steady weight gain is a definite plus in the NICU. When we arrived for the morning rounds, the docs were discussing Maisie's head ultrasound from yesterday (which is officially clean and clear). They wanted to schedule her next ultrasound, which they typically schedule between 4-6 weeks of age. The nurse practitioner wanted to schedule it for 6 weeks from her birth, since her 2 week ultrasound was so good. The neonatologist wanted it at 4 weeks- and this is the GREAT part- because, says he, "She won't be here at 6 weeks! She's probably going home very early."
YAY!!!!!!!!
We still don't know WHEN she's going home, but I can deal with any amount now that I know it will be earlier than her full gestation.
And Maisie hit another milestone tonight- she was able to eat from a bottle!!!! She tried earlier with no success, but tonight we had a FANTASTIC nurse who showed Auntie Laura and Mama a handy trick for feeding preemies, and Amazing Maisie caught on instantly- downing 12cc's of milk! This is great because it's one more step to getting home sooner! She's still mostly on her feeding tube, but it's nice to know she's getting the hang of eating on her own.
She's also growing into life as a full newborn. Maisie had to get a glycerin suppository tonight for 2 days constipation, and made her way through 3 outfits, several blankets, tons of diapers and wipes. She even burped up some of her milk during her bottle feed. It may sound mundane and trivial, but it's really wonderful to experience such baby things with Maisie- sadly, not every baby in the NICU makes it this far, so we are feeling blessed even for this kind of thing.
Lots of big news today. So once again we left too early for me, but early enough that Maisie can rest from all her adventures of the day.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A Day of Firsts
Today was Maisie's first day regulating her own temperature! She was still in her incubator, but it was basically turned off and she had to keep herself warm. To help her, today was also her first day wearing clothes! She got to wear her first romper and be swaddled in warm blankets.
Today was also Maisie's first bath! Mama got to help- poor Papa had already left to go grocery shopping and missed out. He'll have to give her the next one. She flailed her limbs when she first got put in the water, but didn't seem to mind it after a few minutes. And she didn't really fuss during the ordeal at all. Afterwards, the nurse helped me redress and swaddle her, and Maisie seemed so relaxed and content! Ready for a nice sleep.
Maisie also liked being held by her Auntie Laura today- Maisie was smiling and grinning a lot at her aunt!
Maisie is also gaining weight! She is now at 1610 grams (approximately 3 lbs 8 ounces) and doing great! Her head ultrasound from this morning came back showing all positive signs of a healthy brain. Lots of good news today!
Today was also Maisie's first bath! Mama got to help- poor Papa had already left to go grocery shopping and missed out. He'll have to give her the next one. She flailed her limbs when she first got put in the water, but didn't seem to mind it after a few minutes. And she didn't really fuss during the ordeal at all. Afterwards, the nurse helped me redress and swaddle her, and Maisie seemed so relaxed and content! Ready for a nice sleep.
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| Maisie after her first bath- so happy and comfy! |
Maisie also liked being held by her Auntie Laura today- Maisie was smiling and grinning a lot at her aunt!
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| Happy Aunt, Happy Maisie |
Maisie is also gaining weight! She is now at 1610 grams (approximately 3 lbs 8 ounces) and doing great! Her head ultrasound from this morning came back showing all positive signs of a healthy brain. Lots of good news today!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Kangaroo Time
All I want to do all day long is hold Maisie- our "kangaroo care." She is so sweet and lovely and funny. She makes the cutest faces at her Mama, and I wish I could share them- especially her grin! I just love her smiles! But whenever we're cuddling, I only have my phone on me- I always forget to grab the camera before I sit down with her. So I try to take her picture with my phone camera, which is not an easy feat given my phone. Unfortunately, by the time I get the picture taken, she's no longer making the face I really wanted to capture. And the resolution is shoddy. But she is still so cute! So here is a brief glimpse of what I get to enjoy each day!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Melt Downs
First, I forgot to set up a ride to the hospital for this morning. Then I overslept anyway. I wanted to drive myself, but can't still for another week, so I had to get Ross to take me, even though he had so much to do today. Then I tripped on the cat's food bowl and sent cat food flying underneath the washing machine. I couldn't do anything to clean it up because I still can't bend over for any length of time. I couldn't help but cry.
We almost missed rounds at the hospital by being so late, but made it just in time (luckily the doctors were late yesterday, too!). Maisie didn't gain any weight yesterday, but luckily she didn't lose any either. We tried nippling again this morning with great success- sort of. She actually ate some from Mom (even though I had just pumped and was supposed to be completely empty so she couldn't). It's good she can do it, but she didn't digest all of her food for the subsequent feedings, so we couldn't try any more. She is really getting the hang of it, though- she was looking to nuzzle at each feeding today. She had to settle for a pacifier, but it's exciting she is figuring things out.
But here came the next melt down- I'm getting so happy to see her doing so well. It's exciting she's healthy and strong. But the NICU is so stressful! I think a baby died yesterday. We had four different nurses and one went home because she couldn't stop crying. The NICU was unusually hectic and everyone seemed tense. I'm happy it wasn't my baby, and so sad I feel that way. I'm just so anxious to bring Maisie home. I cried because she has to stay there for who knows how long, even though she seems to be so close to being ready to come home. It's so frustrating!! Then I cried again tonight because I had to leave her once again. Each time I have to come home to sleep, I feel ripped apart.
Other news: we had applied to adopt a kitten about a month ago. After our Phil died, we felt another little kitty would really help Titus be less lonely.We did not expect it to take a month for her shelter to release her. At any rate, today was the day we got to bring our kitten home. The shelter named her Summer- we might choose a different name if we can think of one. I was also not ready for the stress of introducing a new cat to our home. She hisses every time she smells Titus through the door. And Titus is definitely NOT happy tonight. If I weren't so tired, I think I'd have another meltdown.
We almost missed rounds at the hospital by being so late, but made it just in time (luckily the doctors were late yesterday, too!). Maisie didn't gain any weight yesterday, but luckily she didn't lose any either. We tried nippling again this morning with great success- sort of. She actually ate some from Mom (even though I had just pumped and was supposed to be completely empty so she couldn't). It's good she can do it, but she didn't digest all of her food for the subsequent feedings, so we couldn't try any more. She is really getting the hang of it, though- she was looking to nuzzle at each feeding today. She had to settle for a pacifier, but it's exciting she is figuring things out.
But here came the next melt down- I'm getting so happy to see her doing so well. It's exciting she's healthy and strong. But the NICU is so stressful! I think a baby died yesterday. We had four different nurses and one went home because she couldn't stop crying. The NICU was unusually hectic and everyone seemed tense. I'm happy it wasn't my baby, and so sad I feel that way. I'm just so anxious to bring Maisie home. I cried because she has to stay there for who knows how long, even though she seems to be so close to being ready to come home. It's so frustrating!! Then I cried again tonight because I had to leave her once again. Each time I have to come home to sleep, I feel ripped apart.
Other news: we had applied to adopt a kitten about a month ago. After our Phil died, we felt another little kitty would really help Titus be less lonely.We did not expect it to take a month for her shelter to release her. At any rate, today was the day we got to bring our kitten home. The shelter named her Summer- we might choose a different name if we can think of one. I was also not ready for the stress of introducing a new cat to our home. She hisses every time she smells Titus through the door. And Titus is definitely NOT happy tonight. If I weren't so tired, I think I'd have another meltdown.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Day 10
Maisie weighs in at 1570 grams today, eating steadily, and doing well! The docs sped through her chart during rounds today because there was nothing really to report- an excellent place to be in a NICU ward! Her nurse tells me that I can start to bring in blankets from home and a couple of onesies because we're going to try letting her maintain her own body temp in the next few days. We also tried 2 more sessions of nippling today with stellar results! She's still a little too tiny to be able to feed totally from Mom, but she is getting closer daily. She caught on so quickly, though, that it makes me even more anxious for her to come home soon! We both get so pooped out from the efforts of the day, though, that Ross and I retired early once again so our little girl could get a restful evening- we want her fattened up and sleep will help!!
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| Our Family |
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| Like Father, Like Daughter |
The latest videos and pics from Maisie's Suite
Sorry to post all of these in one thread- it's faster for me. We took these Tuesday and Wednesday, and I want to get them out while I can. Enjoy!
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| Sporting the "Bow Hat" a lovely nurse made for Maisie |
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| Kangaroo Time gets both Maisie and Mama so relaxed, we're both OUT after! |
The Nipple Protocol
(SORRY THIS IS A LONG POST- BUT A LOT OF GREAT STUFF HAPPENED TODAY!!!)
It sounds like a bad B movie, but "Nipple Protocol" is where we are today. I arrived in Maisie's room this morning to a wonderful surprise! Maisie's bilirubin lights were already gone and the window blinds were open- lots of light in her room. She was awake and happy and active. I arrived just in time for the doctors' rounds- Maisie had put on more weight and is up to 1490 grams, she is now eating 30 ccs per feeding, they can't hear her heart murmur any more and believe her PDA has closed on its own, her jaundice is gone, she may try swaddling soon instead of relying on the incubator (a step closer to a crib and freedom!!!), and she can now begin Nipple Protocol.
Not the thrilling subtitle to a Bourne or Bond-type adventure as it sounds. Apparently, this just means it's time for her to learn how to eat!!! Best of all, it also means it's time to move her feeding tube so her mouth (which looks like her dad's) is free at last. She's still on the tube- it goes down her nose now- but it seems much more comfortable for her.
Maisie did really well this morning with the tube transfer and the tape removal- she had tape all over her head from all the attempts at keeping her eye protection in place. But as the nurse worked on the tube and I helped with taking the nasty tape off, Maisie didn't even cry once. She grimaced more at the smell of the adhesive remover than anything!
So, this morning I finally got to hold my Maisie as much as I could ever want, and we got to try a bottle feeding. As the nurse and I got her ready, she was opening her mouth wide and looking around. I gave her a pacifier and she went to town sucking on it. I was excited to think she might be ready for this bottle stuff. But as soon as I had her in my arms all ready to try the bottle, she VERY stubbornly clamped her little lips shut and refused to open her mouth- silly girl! I kept laughing at her stubbornness! When I finally got her to open up, she coughed on the little drops that got in her mouth and couldn't figure out how to actually swallow it. She hated it and I could tell!
So next we tried a regular tube feeding with a twist- I got to dip her pacifier in some milk and let her taste it while she got fed and then Kangaroo with her as long as I wanted afterwards. She liked the pacifier MUCH better.
Our next step came during one of her afternoon feedings- I got to let her nuzzle on Mom while she got fed through the tube. She spent a good 20-25 minutes figuring things out with me. The lactation consultant on staff, Amy, was VERY animated throughout (she stuck around to help me and to make sure I didn't suffocate my baby!). She was amazed Maisie caught on so quickly. I think tomorrow we will try some more nuzzling instead of bottles- that was just a bit fast for Maisie, and nuzzling went SOOO much better. And I think the bottle was just too big for her little tiny mouth.
A hard decision was then made tonight. I could have stayed all night holding her- no nurses, no lights obstructing us. But she had worked very hard with all the new experiences- and working too hard can mean she LOSES weight instead of gains it. So Ross dragged me away early, allowing Maisie to get some good rest in tonight. To keep me from going totally crazy from being away from her, we then went to see Harry Potter together- probably the last free date night we'll have in a long while! :)
Lots of progress today- lots of BIG steps- and best of all, LOTS of cuddling together! Today was a VERY good day!
It sounds like a bad B movie, but "Nipple Protocol" is where we are today. I arrived in Maisie's room this morning to a wonderful surprise! Maisie's bilirubin lights were already gone and the window blinds were open- lots of light in her room. She was awake and happy and active. I arrived just in time for the doctors' rounds- Maisie had put on more weight and is up to 1490 grams, she is now eating 30 ccs per feeding, they can't hear her heart murmur any more and believe her PDA has closed on its own, her jaundice is gone, she may try swaddling soon instead of relying on the incubator (a step closer to a crib and freedom!!!), and she can now begin Nipple Protocol.
Not the thrilling subtitle to a Bourne or Bond-type adventure as it sounds. Apparently, this just means it's time for her to learn how to eat!!! Best of all, it also means it's time to move her feeding tube so her mouth (which looks like her dad's) is free at last. She's still on the tube- it goes down her nose now- but it seems much more comfortable for her.
Maisie did really well this morning with the tube transfer and the tape removal- she had tape all over her head from all the attempts at keeping her eye protection in place. But as the nurse worked on the tube and I helped with taking the nasty tape off, Maisie didn't even cry once. She grimaced more at the smell of the adhesive remover than anything!
So, this morning I finally got to hold my Maisie as much as I could ever want, and we got to try a bottle feeding. As the nurse and I got her ready, she was opening her mouth wide and looking around. I gave her a pacifier and she went to town sucking on it. I was excited to think she might be ready for this bottle stuff. But as soon as I had her in my arms all ready to try the bottle, she VERY stubbornly clamped her little lips shut and refused to open her mouth- silly girl! I kept laughing at her stubbornness! When I finally got her to open up, she coughed on the little drops that got in her mouth and couldn't figure out how to actually swallow it. She hated it and I could tell!
So next we tried a regular tube feeding with a twist- I got to dip her pacifier in some milk and let her taste it while she got fed and then Kangaroo with her as long as I wanted afterwards. She liked the pacifier MUCH better.
Our next step came during one of her afternoon feedings- I got to let her nuzzle on Mom while she got fed through the tube. She spent a good 20-25 minutes figuring things out with me. The lactation consultant on staff, Amy, was VERY animated throughout (she stuck around to help me and to make sure I didn't suffocate my baby!). She was amazed Maisie caught on so quickly. I think tomorrow we will try some more nuzzling instead of bottles- that was just a bit fast for Maisie, and nuzzling went SOOO much better. And I think the bottle was just too big for her little tiny mouth.
A hard decision was then made tonight. I could have stayed all night holding her- no nurses, no lights obstructing us. But she had worked very hard with all the new experiences- and working too hard can mean she LOSES weight instead of gains it. So Ross dragged me away early, allowing Maisie to get some good rest in tonight. To keep me from going totally crazy from being away from her, we then went to see Harry Potter together- probably the last free date night we'll have in a long while! :)
Lots of progress today- lots of BIG steps- and best of all, LOTS of cuddling together! Today was a VERY good day!
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