Friday, March 23, 2012

Little Lady Update

I wish I could get the picture of our girl in her little ladybug outfit on here, but my phone won't let me post it! But ohhhh man, she is so cute! Have I told you all how much we love her and how SHE WAS SO WORTH THE WAIT???! Oh I did already tell you that?? :)

Here are a few updates bullet point style...

  • Samantha is now 4lbs 4oz!!! We are calling her our lil fat girl :)
  • She is doing pretty well with bottle feeding. Still gets tired and out of breath pretty easily but she really is doing pretty well with it most of the time...
  • She lovessss to look around at everything. I think at this point she can only see in black and white and only things really close to her face, but she does look all around like she is observing everything! It's so cute!
  • Since birth she's had this white (small) birthmark type thing on her back and the doctors were trying to figure out what it was. Now, they know it's a hemangioma, because blood vessels are coming through. They said it will probably get bigger during her first year and then go away. Or it may not develop at all. Turns out my mom said I had one has a baby and I guess they are common in premature girl babies with low birth weight. I wasn't a preemie but weighed 6 pounds 2 oz.
  • I hate hate hate leaving her at night. It kills me. Every. Single. Time. That's when I cry the most, when we are driving home at night from the hospital. During the day I'm a little stronger.
  • They also have been lowering the heat in her isolette each day (or every other day?) and she's doing okay with that. She almost at (our) room temp.
  • There's a good possibility that she will get moved to a "less intense" nursery this coming week.
  • We learned today that our plans for me going back to work and Samantha attending the daycare I work at, may be changing. The nurses said she really shouldn't be in daycare for her first year of life because of the respiratory issues she had at birth. Because I guess she will be more at risk for catching all the illnesses that run through daycares. Which makes complete sense, but I guess I was naive and thinking by September (when I was planning on going back) she would be okay by then. But we really don't want to risk anything. So we are going to talk to the doctors about it and then revisit of plan of action. They even say home daycares for the first year are a no no. We will see what happens. I might be looking for some kind of work-from-home employment.
  • I am feeling okay. Had my two week post surgery appt today. Incision looks good. And I can drive again. The pain is mostly gone, but sometimes if I do too much my incision will start to irritate me and I'll get a little crampy. The NP told me today to make sure I'm still taking it easy.
  • We are EXHAUSTED. Visiting the NICU literally sucks the life out of you. So does pumping/breastfeeding. Holy moly are we tired. Guess it's just preparing us for when she gets home, but I think the back and forth to the NICU and the emotional toll of it all really wipes us out.
  • Our family and friends have been so supportive!! Thank God for them.
  • And thank God for my husband who has been so much more than amazing through all of this!
  • Please keep the prayers coming for our little girl. They are very much appreciated :)
  • And I apologize to anyone I've forgotten to get back to over the last few weeks. I don't even remember my name or what day it is most of the time. So please forgive me.

16 comments:

Carlia said...

sounds like she is doing really well. what a blessing! i can't imagine how hard it must be to leave her there, but i'm sure she'll be home in no time. she and your whole family are in my thoughts and prayers. you are holding up so well during all of this. i am so impressed by your strength! big hugs!!!

Jill Dorsey || Made with Moxie said...

I am so pleased to her you and Samantha are doing well. Keep up the good work! Mothering is hard work. You are doing great. When you have rough days or nights always remember, I just gets better. Usually within 24 hours. And you have a good group here to hold you up if you need it. ;)

Samantha said...

So happy that she's progressing well and I hope she goes to the step down nursery (and then home!) very soon!

Jenny said...

Yay!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear she is doing well and progressing nicely!

Kim said...

What a wonderful update! I can't wait to see the "she's home!" update! :) Just to touch on the tired thing, we were WAY more tired when the kids were in the NICU than we were once they came home. It's emotionally, mentally and physically exhaustive to live the NICU life. So don't listen to anyone who says "if you're this tired now just wait until she gets home" (we got that a lot). By the time she's home you'll be so thrilled that you won't even notice being tired.

Courtney said...

Sounds like things are going just as they're supposed to go!

Being perfectly honest and optimistic, it sounds to me like what you're doing now is more exhausting than having a baby at home. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised once she comes home! They say NICU babies are good sleepers, come home on a schedule, etc. That would be nice!

Liz said...

From the sounds of it things are going well!

justagirl-Krista said...

Good news on the baby update. I am sure it's so hard leaving her I can't even imagine. You are so strong!

Good Timing said...

I hate when pics don't cooperate! I find it really annoying that I can't post an entry with pics when I'm using my iPad, I have to use the computer for that. Kind of frustrating. Thanks for the update on your lil miss and I'm so pleased to hear she's gaining weight and doing well enough to be considered to be moved! That must make you so thrilled. I'm so happy you have lots of supportive friends and family as you go through this stay in the NICU. I can't imagine how stressful and hard it must be. Keep looking ahead and forward to when you dont have to leave Samantha each night and can bring her home!! xoxox

Lauren said...

LOVE this update!! So so so happy to hear all is well, and 4 lbs 4 oz!! Go Samantha!! I can't even imagine how tough it must be to leave her at night, she will be home soon and I'll be praying for you and Matt and you guys get through these next few weeks until she can come home. <3

Stephanie said...

What a great update! Sure sounds like she's as anxious to get home as you are!

kkasun said...

Im so glad to hear she is doing well!

Rebecca said...

Happy to hear that she is gaining weight. Totally understandable about how you feel right now. Please take it easy!

Faith said...

So glad she is doing well!! Try to rest as much as you can. And, yes, breastfeeding and pumping was the most exhausting thing about early parenthood for me! Lastly, have you considered an in-home nanny for when you work? We are lucky that we alternate shifts, but when our work schedules overlap, we hire someone to come to our home to be with the babies. Just a thought:). Take care, momma! So glad to hear all is well!

Chon said...

I am so glad she is doing well. it wont be long love and she will be home with you and this will be a memorable story at her sweet 16th. xxxxx