Day 54 in NICU

November 13th 2015

33 Weeks Gestational Age

&

Abby's First Bottle

I had plans to meet with Sarah the speech therapist today to evaluate her ability to swallow. I was so excited to feed Abby for the first time but nervous as it's a lot more complicated in a preemie.  The speech therapist was amazing and walked me through the whole process. Sarah monitored her breathing as she sucked and swallowed some milk. Abby is a great communicator and raises her eyes when she becomes overwhelmed. Abby did great and took 15 ml her first time! This is a lot and we were warned that not every feeding would be so successful. Speech felt comfortable with her ability to swallow and breath, so she let Dr. Su know that she was ready to start oral feedings. We get to breastfeed once a day and bottle once a day. This does not take place of her tube feedings as she is still in the learning stage. We are trying to build a positive feeding experience for Abby and not rush her so she can learn healthy boundaries. Her pacifier size also got moved up to help her develop her suck. Looking forward to feeding Abby has this will be such a bonding moment.

Sarah listening to Abby breath and swallow while she took her first bottle

Day 53 in NICU

November 12th, 2015

Grandma Visits

Today Grandma got to see Abby for the first time since her birth. How much she has grown since then. She weighs 3 lbs 11 oz today, a lot larger than the 1 pound 11 ounces since she left. Abby had a good day and we enjoyed the visit but needed to get home to take Emma to soccer practice and eat some good bbq with the family afterwards. 

Day 52 in NICU

November 11 2015

Grandma Arrives Today

Abby had another eye exam today and it was fuzzy. Not sure what that means but we will have a repeat in about one week. Got to visit with Dr. Su today and we talked about transferring her to CTMC now that she is getting a little better. Not sure if this will ever happen but would be nice to have baby girl 5 minutes away instead of an hour one way. Abby weighed 3lbs 8 oz today and is tolerating all her feedings well.

I got the okay to nuzzle with Abby today aka try breast feeding. Abby did latch on and took a couple of sucks. This was pretty exciting to see that she was interested.  Looking forward to this bounding experience with my baby girl.

Picked up Grandma today on the way home from the hospital. Excited for her to see how much Abby has grown.

Day 51 in NICU

November 10th 2015

Abby is doing well. Lasts nights visit was good and Abby's nurse was one of my old nursing students. She was amazing and moved Abby's feeding tube to her nose. Abby's little mouth is so cute now that she has her tube out. She weighs 3lbs 5 oz today and her feeding have been increased to 30ml/hr. Her caffeine and protein has also been increased as she has gained weight.

Speech therapy visited today and introduced the bottle to Abby. She evaluated her swallow and monitored her vitals signs. I wasn't there for the evaluation but got to visit with Sarah the speech therapist. We scheduled a time on Friday to try her first bottle feed. Looking forward to it.

Day 50 in NICU-7 Weeks Old Today

November 9th 2015


Day 50 in NICU

7 Weeks Old Today!

3 lbs 6 oz

Abby is doing well today. We had a short visit as her feeding tube came out and some of her feedings were coming out of her mouth. We had to cut the visit short because she just couldn't recover after this little episode. It's hard leaving her after something like this because as a mom who would want to leave their child when they aren't doing well..no one. I knew Bill and I would be back for our Monday night visit and I could check on her. Mondays are long days as I spend about 4 hours in the car and we get home very late. I can't wait to hold her for four hours instead of driving. This time will come soon I know. She has orders to get her tube put it her nose so hopefully the night nurse will change it for her. I got some good pictures of her today though ;)

Day 49 in NICU

November 8th 2015

Day 49 in NICU

Sunday Sunday

Today we spent lunch with family in south Austin before Rachel and Charles went home. Charles also visited Abby with Bill today. So sweet that Abby got to meet both her aunt and uncle today.

cutest lunch date ever!



Godparents

Rachel and Charles were visiting this weekend. They were actually going to visit last weekend but due to heavy rain, flooding and a tornado it was postponed. From day one of Abby being in the NICU we knew we wanted Rachel and Charles to see her. We knew we wanted them to be 2 of our 4 visitors to visit with her. As a non-catholic and someone who wasn't very religious growing up I really never understood the true meaning of Godparents. Over the years and through my spiritual journey I have learned that it means so much more than I originally thought... 

Through the years and especially the last couple of years I personally have gotten to know and love Charles and Rachel. Rachel is like a sister and I'm blessed to have such an amazing women in my life. When Bill and I got pregnant we knew we wanted them to be Godparents. Through our Journey with Abby both Charles and Rachel have been by our side. God's work is amazing-he has brought our tiny dancer into this world and she has already taught us so much about God, faith, prayer, community, family and friends. Truly amazing what 1lb 15 oz can do. We are blessed to have Rachel and Charles in our lives and to have them be Abby's God parents. She will grow into this world with such a loving family. 

Day 48 in NICU

November 7th 2015

Day 48 in NICU

Aunt Rachel Visits

Abby got to meet Aunt Rachel today. She was wide eyed and alert.  It was exciting to introduce Abby to her Aunt. It was also a special day as we celebrating Abby hitting another milestone in her weight gain. Her weight was 3 lbs 3 oz. It's truly a blessing how far Abby has come and was fun to celebrate with family today.