His physical therapist apt

David is almost 9 pounds!!!! He is really looking like a good size baby now, and for his *real* age (aka when he should have been born and being 2 weeks old now) hes just about on par with that!

His physical therapist apt went very well. He has a tight hamstring, and his legs curve in a little. She thinks the curve is more due to his fat cells and lack there of in some areas, and the leg apears to be more curved due to that. He should out grow that. We have striaghtening excersises for his legs, (hamstring). And she believes thats all he will need.
We do have a follow up in 3 months.

His dr was very pleased as a whole in his developement areas!

Hi there

Life is pretty much normal these days. David is over 8 lbs and growing. He is a very happy baby, he sleeps well most nights. He has some, but very few signs that he was-is a preemie.

David is just pure wonderfulness!

We are down to just seeing his ped on a normal schedule. It is nice to not have to go to the dr every week. We do have one final specialist apt today. Once that is over i will post. Probably not til tomorrow. (but i must admit a weird part of me misses all those drs, and nurses.....honestly I miss the people, the Friendships...not the medicine (-; )

I am doing well, i am almost back to my normal self. Parts of me are still very sore, and i still tired easily. But i am no longer getting around like it hurts :-p

I am not sure were the months have gone. It is almost July now, and i would swear it was only may if even that. I think it will take a while for me to get my time back...I figure by sept Ill feel summers here...just for it to be gone right around the corner.

We have no plans this summer, except to keep David away from crowds. So its a few more months of solitude for me, actual the next year really. We need to make it through cold and flu season with out him getting sick. Goodnews is he is on a small list of babies that will get the RSV shots. They are SO expensive that insurance only pays if you fall into the right category. David is classified as having chronic lung disease. Thats not as bad as it sounds, his lungs are actually pretty good for his prematurity, but the way he was born and the condition his lungs were at birth puts him in that category, and does put him at a hire risk of lung issues, or complications due to colds, etc. The shot is not an immunization, this is the way my nurse put it "the rsv shot wont prevent him from getting it, it will just cut his hospital stay in half if he does" So for now we will avoid crowds, lets see if we can make it a year with out him getting sick!

what is rsv? www.cdc.gov/RSV/about/faq.html

I am having some baby announcement cards made, I am not sure if anyone following would like one mailed to them, but if you do, email me your addy... debramom8 @yahoo.com (remove spaces)

oh, everyone is waking up, time for breakfast, will write more soon

Long overdue update.

Sorry for the time since the last update. I have been enjoying having him home so much, and every day he is growing. He is now over 6 lbs!!! He was 6 lb 3 oz, at his apt last week. He is now 19 inches long. He is now the size of a small newborn (long and skinny). He doesnt have any fat, though. So he still feels more tiny then he is. But he eats SO much, that he will be a fat little boy in no time *giggle* He is still fitting into preemie clothes. But its close, he will be in the newborn sizes in no time. He had is last (3rd) eye exam. And they are now mature. So we dont have any concerns over his eyes, and we are done with those unpleasant apts . The dr wants to see him for a routine exam when he is 2. Preemies have a higher rate for earlier eye issues (glasses and such) But for now his eyes are good, so we are very happy!
We have regular pediatrician apts (was every week, now its every 2), but he sees no concerns. David has a physical therapy apt on the 14th, this is one area I am concerned. So I am hoping he checks out ok there. Being in the sack for so long with out much fluid, made it difficult for him to streach out his limbs like he should have been able to in the womb (even with all his flipping wround). His arms look great, but his legs still dont fully streach out. Seems as tho his knees are a little stiff. The physical therapist in the hospital had us doing "bicycle" excersice. So we will see at his apt if they are less tight. Or if he needs physical therapy to continue.
He doesnt have any major issues, just a few minor ones here and there, so we are so very very happy. What a little blessing.

I will post pics, tonight...

What a big boy he is!!!

It has been 5 days since we left the hospital. And He is doing so wonderful! He has gained about 10 oz since then. Averaging about 2 oz per day!!!! He is now 5 pounds 13 oz....Its hard to believe he started out under 3 pounds. What a little munchkin.
I was going through my bags, and came across a "keepsake" diaper. Did you know pampers actually makes a diaper to fit a 3 pounder (and the nurses said they have smaller ones)! It was so tiny. I cant believe he was ever small enough to use that size. But sure enough he was. He is now DOUBLE his birth weight. AMAZING! Truly amazing!
The Dr had no concerns, and says he looks great. We go back in a week to keep a close eye on him, esp his weight. But everyone is happy with his growth and improvements!
We are all loving him home, Little Elizabeth (well she really was never little lol) is just loving him so much. Every time she seems me holding him, she runs to us with a giggle, and hugs him. Its just way to precious.
I need to run, but I will write more later!

new pics up

Added some pictures to photobucket (link in profile)

HES HOME!!!!! He is HOME. HE IS HOME!!!!!!!!

My little David is HOME!!!!!!

Last week went quick, I was waiting to post until we knew for sure. But then before we knew it, he was on his way home. The air flow was completly out (i think i already mentioned that. Then wed the feeding tube came out, and he started eating all his bottles. Then the bed got lowered (leveled).
I had heard a few stories where they saud 'home on sunday' the sat night comes and there is another issue. So i held my breath, and didnt post. He was going to come home sunday...Tomorrow. But I got a call today. "Hi Debra, Its dr... calling. Giving you your daily call on Mr David, He is doing so great that we thought he could go home today. What do you think?" WHAT DO I THINK...I said, YES, YES, YES.... He is now home, and I can now breath!!!!

He is still so tiny, but has grown so much. He is up to 5 pounds 3 oz...Thats 2 pounds 4 oz above his birth weight. He is doing so well. He had his hearing test. PAST. Had his third and final cat scan (brain) and there are no concerns. He has one more eye exam in 2 weeks, but the first two showed that his progress is normal for his premie age (the eyes are still maturing, as they are one of the last origins to grow). He has a physical therapist spt in a few weeks as well. His legs (Knees) are a little tight, they are thinking he will out grow that as well. But we need to follow up (tight limbs were one of the concerns with the low fluid levels)

My nurses were awesome, Davids nurses were awesome. Both of our dr were awesome. And it is because of each one of them that David is alive!!!!! What a wonderful group of people. I have so much love for each of them, and I will miss them all.

I will be continuing to post, and share his story. Thank you for following us on this!!!!!

I have pics, I will post soon, I am tired...and going to cuddle with David!!!!!

updates

I have been so busy. The better i feel the more work i do, and theless i time i have to come here.... (-: but busy is good

David is 4 pounds 13 oz!!!!!!!!!!!!
He is off his air flow, and drinks half his milk through bottles. He nurses when i am there (before his bottle) doesnt get much because i am still not making much. But we are still working on that. He still has his feeding tube for the other feedings, but they still think he can be home at 36 weeks (thats next week!!!) Might be one more week after that, but either way its soon!!!!

I will upload my newiest pics tomorrow..need sleep now (-:

I was thinking today.....

I never really shared the first 20 weeks...so i edited the very first post, and shared the first half of this journey.....I did it so i would rememeber for David (and to share with you too), This has been one amazing journey. Long, hard, but also mixed with many blessing!

Wonderful day

David is 4 pounds 9 oz...He is getting to be a big boy. I had a very nice day with him. A very full, and very busy day. I got to give him a bath. He loved it, it was just too precious. You know how, after a long hard day. You get a hot bath going. And once your in. You just let out a big relaxing sigh, and your whole body is relaxed, and it is just a complete pleasure. Well I saw that in him. He looked so perfect, and was truly enjoying himself. It was the best bath I have ever given. I was torn between getting it on film, and just soaking in all in....Soaking it all in won. So no pics of bath time. But i think this is one bath I will never forget...I got to nurse him, give him a bottle and just cuddle. a perfect day at the nicu
I am really enjoying David, the time spent with him, and he wonderful personailty. Each day its just that much harder to leave him there, but soon, he will be home soon.

New pics and updates- and a little flash back

Well its Tuesday again, and my only "slow moving day". I will be home all day and see little David tonight.


Hes doing well. They are still saying home at 36 weeks (that's in 2 more weeks). Its funny how nervous I feel. I am a first time mom all over again. Everything is different with him. Even if my milk supply was enough he still can only nurse 2-3 times a day. Since he needs supplements, and needs schedule and measured feeds for now, he will be mostly bottle feed.


I am not sure if the full impact of all this has truly hit me, or if it ever will. I know how scary things were there (as i was living it) But my concern was doing what was right by David, so i didnt have time to be scared. I have comments like the following; from hubby to me "now that we know that you are going to be OK, and David isn't going to die, life is back to normal" (and it is for him- his wife and baby are both out of the woods for me tho life will not be back to normal for...i don't know, how long)


My drs and nurses frequently make these remark " well you were just so sick, everything is just going to take that much longer" and "Davids looking great....He sure was sick at the beginning" He was? I sit there thinking! lol denial...I am just kidden. Optomistic (always) denial (no chance) I remember the day he was born. And will never forget the dr expressions. His whole body, and expressions showed worry, and concern, it was one of the most painful moments and it made my momma heart sink (my heart cried, but we made it this far, he has to keep fighting). The morphine I am sure made it easier at the time (haha-but i am sure there is at least a minimal truth to that)..The dr said there were 3 steps to take with the lungs, and then thats it He did the first, not much improvement, the next- same, came to me after he started the third step, and said its a waiting game. Honestly I dont know HOW IN THE WORLD i held it together, HOURS later the dr came back in, with relief in his eyes and a smile on his face. At this point I knew David was going to be ok, and I think i breathed the first time in 9 weeks. From there he progressed fast, (big sigh of relief) So yes, he was really sick, and I was not in denial...just like not to dwell....Just get through it, the best I can. He looks great, and is perfect. PERIOD! But only time will tell if he has any life long difficulties...(does seem to but if he does, he is still perfect to me) So it is still 'one day at a time'.





OK, Now on to today, and the current. He is doing GREAT. He is just about 4 and 1/2 pounds. He is in an open bed (so he is regulating his own temp) He is up to 1.5 oz every 3 hours. Off oxygen, but still on some air flow, but being weaned from that. He nurses, and takes milk from a bottle every few feedings. But still has a way to go (but the nurses say 34 weeks is typically their big week, and this is the week they expect to see a huge change_ i cant imagine him being ready to come home it 2 weeks, but they say he should....he is 34 weeks today, so this is a big week for him)





New pics posted, he is a big boy (-;

He is getting BIG :-)

Sorry for my lack of updates. I am trying to balance my time. And today has been the only day I have had to get on the computer for longer then a min. Hubby had to go to the office today (he is home everyday but tues), so I will be seeing David tonight, instead of during the day. Its nice on one hand because I get all day long to be the mom. (my routine has been...get up, dressed, kids going on their day, school started. Then by 12 I am on my way to see David until 4 when I come home to make dinner.) Todds around all the other days to over see the kids...and the days are LONG for all of us. But today I have been here all day, doing all the mom stuff...It is so nice just to be here. But BOY do I miss David....



I am doing real well, I am no longer sick, and am healing well. I am still tired, but that comes with all this. I have my last apt with my dr in two weeks. But everything looks great with me. My only complaint is I am only able to get enough milk each day to give David 3-4 feedings from my own supply (he has 8 feedings a day- ) But they suspect once I get him home that will all work out.



Now on to David....where did I last leave off? I might repete a few things, but i will try my best not to miss anything. He got moved to the *big boy nicu* 10 days ago. The same day he got his IV out, and his oxygen completely off. The first 2 days after all this he lost about 1.5 oz (typical) but then started putting back on .5 to 1 oz a day. He is up to 1.25 oz of milk every 3 hours. And can suckle every so often (about 1/4 of a feeding- once every few days). He still has the feeding tube for the majority of his feedings, and is still in a temperature regulating machine (aka isolate, aka incubator). But they are lowering it a tiny bit every so often, and will wean him off that, as soon as he can regulate his own temp he will be in a regular open "bed".

After a week off the oxygen, he is back on (as of sunday) but very minimal. If they need to go higher on the oxygen he will go back to the little boy nicu but the dr doesnt think that will happen, and is thinking he will be off it in a very short time, and suggest that sometimes this happens when the feeds go up. He just need to work hard to eat, and grow, so his lungs just needs a little help. THe dr does not think he is going to have any long term lung issues.

So little David needs to be doing 3 things before he comes home. Eat 100 percent from a bottle or nursing. Regulate own temp, and no oxygen help. They are still guessing 4 weeks from now.



OH, and before I forget...Because its just the best news I have. He is 4 pounds (exactly) today!!!!!! I home this is a flowing post as I am tired....I am also sure I missed some smaller things, but I will add anything else I can think of...



Pics posted in photobucket (link on the right of the page)

will add updates an pic

will add pics and updates this weekend,

Hello there!

Boy, I dont think I have EVER been this tired in my whole life. But even in that i really am doing well, and healing well. My meds are done as of tomorrow, and i see my DR then. I have been driving the last two days to see David, and of course that is really making me tired, due to the c-section, extended bed rest and the ucky infection. So i know its only a matter of time until I feel my self again...I just need to anticipate being tired all this week (-:

David is doing AWESOME! He is off all oxygen, and they have been lowering his heat on his bed, so he is more easily regulating his own temp. He still has a feeding tube, but has taken 4 bottles (drinking about a fourth each time) and has nursed 4 times as well in the last three days, and gaining weight well.

He is a little charmer, has charmed my heart, thats for sure. As well as the nurses around him....Oh, he has got my heart, theres no denying that!!!!!

I am off to bed, I will try not to go so long with out an update!!

Will be posting a big update tonight

I am driving today and anxious to get to David, so i will post tonight....had an awsome visit last night, and will post about it tonight

new pics up, and what a cutie

I have uploaded the last few days of pics, and I have to say...his personality really shines in these photos, ahhhh melts my heart http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/debbbbra/?start=all

31 weeks- and doing great!

David is 31 weeks (tues), and is still continuing to do better than expected. Everyone, drs too, are hesitant to do any high fiving right now, (but we are all secrectly doing that :-) . They keep saying "he shouldnt be doing this yet, but its great" he is more alert then a 31 weeker, sucks more, and little (well big for him) things like that, he is off the ivs, is on very low oxygen, and his feeds are at 26 ccs every 3 hours (goal is 30), they are adding supplemental iron and vitamins to those as well, I am still being brought every day. So our visits are still short (about 2 hours) but in a few more days i will be cleared to drive, and i will be able to spend a lot more time with him.

I am starting to feel better, yesterday and tues i slept all day, and was very fatigued (a reason i didnt post pics yesterday) but i think today i am finally starting to feel better, I am half way through my antibiotics, still slow at moving, but doing better...

pics coming as soon as i download them

Qoick update

David is now 3 lbs 6 oz , almost 1/2 a pound above his birth weight!!!! He is still on some oxygen, but most of what he breathes is room air. He is up to 18 ccs of milk every 3 hours, and they are going to start adding supplements to my milk to give him those needed vitamins that he missed (being born early) This will allow them to wean off his iv fluids.

I have pics (really really cute ones *giggle*) i will be downloading tomorrow,
I am doing well, i think the meds are working, my milk supply is starting to increase, but barely keeping up with David...so i still have a ways to go, but getting there. I am taking it very easy, but am still very exhausted (they say between the long term bedrest, and infection, my recovery is going to be slower, but we will get there (-: )

i will post when those pics are up!

\o/ I AM HOME! \o/

I got home last night after a three night stay in the hospital. Some where between the bag being ruptured for so long, and the c-section I got a pretty hardy infection. My only sign really was a fever. One which brought me to the ER last wed. They gave me a dose of iv antibiotics, and a week of oral and lots of blood work and sent me home. 6 days later i got another high fever (just over 102) and we ran back to the hospital, the same day i got a call from the ER and they had just gotten the results (which puzzled everyone that it took almost a week to get the final results) Turns out the meds they gave me werent going to clear up what i had. (lol really- lol)

So i spent a few days on iv antibiotics and spiked one last time to just over 103. But they all think i am now on my way to a complete recovery, really strong antibiotics that i will be taking for 10 days, no fever in the last 48 hours. i am now home resting.



It was nice being in the same area as David, and i did get to see him more often, but the total length if time i spent with him averaged less then when i was visiting fom home. That was a bummer. Still saying goodbye last night to head home was so hard, and so emotional.



He is growing, doing well, and oh sooooo sweet. We had a wonderful time together yesterday. He spent about 10 mins really showing off (-: He was opening his eyes wide, giving me those sleepy smiles, and even showing me his cute little tongue.

He is so funny, if he hears my voice he gets so excited that his little heart starts pounding, but the second i touch him, he settles down. The nurses laugh when that happens, because it is the ONLY time it happens. When i hold him, we are both so happy an content.

He is doing awesome, he is now up to 12 cc's of milk every 3 hours, and has caught up to my milk supply, so now i am really needing to get my milk going (mine is up to about 1 oz per pumping, but thats tripple what it was now that i am getting better i feel that i will be making milk well)

He is on positive air flow, and has to have oxygen a certain times. like when he eats (its hard work to fill up your tummy) and when he is being moved too much, but it minor. Otherwise he is doing really well.

We will be back this afternoon, to see him...I still have a week to go before i can drive, so i get to go when everyone is ready, so the wait is hard at times, but so worth it...

*I* am going home, will post tonight.

Its been a long few days for me, I am going home in a few hours and will post tonight, David has continued to be going in the right direction

A very hectic day!

Good news first, David gained another 1.5 ozs, so he is now just over 3 pounds. His feeds are continuing to be raised and he is now on 6 ccs every 3 hours< he has been put on some air ,not a cpap- just room air being given directly through his nose, more of a conservative measure then and thing else. So he continues to do well,

I was admitted today to the hospital, with a fever and infection, i will be here til Friday or Saturday, i am getting lots of iv treatments, fluids and meds, with all that i am struggling to get more the an oz per pumping and most of the time less, however we figure when the infection is gone, my milk will come in greater! I will give a better update tomorrow, sleep is pulling at me