Exciting News ---
This week Caroline officially graduated out of preemie diapers! And for the first time is wearing newborn swaddlers - we think she's enjoying the change given the fact that the newborn size is made of slightly different material that wicks the wetness away. Ahhh - the joys of diapers.
We've had some challenging sleep patterns, as many of you know, but we may be on the right path now thanks to a new swing and fabulous sling! Just 2 short weeks and I have to return to work, so this is promising for mom and Caroline! I will post a photo soon of the measures a sleepless mother will go to, to keep her angel sleeping:)
Next week Caroline will receive all of her 2 month immunizations - I've put it off as long as possible, in hopes that her little legs would get a little chubbier. And in fact, she got real legs just last week - with actual rolls and everything. (I know some of you do not believe that this is possible at just 6 pounds, but trust me, they're there.)
Our hungry angel is calling - so I must sign off. Thank you to everyone for all of your ongoing support - I've forgotten how demanding a little one can be at times. And congratulations to our many friends who have welcomed new little ones over the past couple of weeks - lots of new beautiful babies in the world!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
2 Months or 2 Weeks?
Today Caroline is officially 2 weeks old based on her due date and 2 months old tomorrow based on her arrival. So, according to the doctors at our NICU follow-up appointment last week, we still have a few months of sleepless nights ahead of us. We celebrated leaving our heart monitor behind at our appointment and the steady weight gain she has had since transitioning home. She is just below the 3rd percentile, so lots of room for improvement but she's making progress.
Today, we celebrated our last home health visit with nurse Lisa. Although we enjoyed seeing her a few times a week, mom is thrilled to have open mornings and less pressure to be sure we're ready on time.
Over the weekend we also finalized our nannies for when I return to work in just a few weeks. Hard to believe my 12 weeks is up so soon - our time together has gone soooooo quickly, but we're making the most of each day and praying for a few hours of sleep each night.
Big sister has been celebrating friend birthdays for the past few weekends and when you're three everything is about being a princess. Check out the hair and outfits - gotta love girls!
Today, we celebrated our last home health visit with nurse Lisa. Although we enjoyed seeing her a few times a week, mom is thrilled to have open mornings and less pressure to be sure we're ready on time.
Over the weekend we also finalized our nannies for when I return to work in just a few weeks. Hard to believe my 12 weeks is up so soon - our time together has gone soooooo quickly, but we're making the most of each day and praying for a few hours of sleep each night.
Big sister has been celebrating friend birthdays for the past few weekends and when you're three everything is about being a princess. Check out the hair and outfits - gotta love girls!
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| Mom's vanity - aka - princess hair station |
Georgia continues to be a great big sister - helping out on all diaper changes and feedings. There is also great fascination with why she can't have milk for her sister - so I can imagine the hysterical conversations at daycare! We can hardly wait for them to grow up together and see how their personalities emerge.
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| Momma in the making... |
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| Notice the face painting from one of the parties |
Caroline has gained lots of weight over the past couple of weeks and proudly displayed 5 pounds, 14 ounces today on her last home health visit. At 2 months old she still has lots of growing to do, but we're so encouraged with her progress. Here's to full tummies, less reflux and greater interest in sleep my dear angel. Happy 2 month birthday!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Drum Roll....
At more than 7 weeks old, Caroline is mastering growth. She wowed our home health nurse today, gaining an impressive 27g per day since Monday and quickly approaching 5 pounds! That's right - progress that we have not known until this week - 5 pounds by the weekend. Reflux is still causing discomfort and lots of hours awake, but she's keeping the calories down. We can hardly wait to see what plans Caroline has for our big, bright world - it's true she's a fighter already. Georgia has her work cut out for herself - maintaining her large and in-charge personality.
We're closing in on care for Caroline when I return to work in just 5 short weeks. And Patrick returns to work on Monday, following 2+ weeks of paternity leave. Time is flying by, and leaves and temps are quickly falling as our hearts grow larger everyday. Constant reminders that we're on a journey and each day is to be cherished and treasured. May we continue to appreciate all the blessings of our lives and live with a spirit of gratitude for all we have been given.
We're closing in on care for Caroline when I return to work in just 5 short weeks. And Patrick returns to work on Monday, following 2+ weeks of paternity leave. Time is flying by, and leaves and temps are quickly falling as our hearts grow larger everyday. Constant reminders that we're on a journey and each day is to be cherished and treasured. May we continue to appreciate all the blessings of our lives and live with a spirit of gratitude for all we have been given.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Making Progress
On this Super Tuesday, we are celebrating Caroline's progress and fact that we have already known her for nearly 7 weeks. She was due to arrive just yesterday and weighed in at our home health visit at 4 pounds, 11 ounces. This is great progress from last week and for that we are grateful.
She is still having a lot of discomfort from her reflux, but the medicine has diminished the constant vomiting, and is contributing to her weight gain this week. Hopefully we can continue to evaluate her meds and get her onto something that will eliminate a bit more of her pain with feedings.
We just got a few of the photos that were taken on the day we were released from the hospital, 6 ounces ago:) and wanted to share. They are not the best but many are asking how big she is getting. We are grateful for her progress and look forward to seeing her chubby cheeks grow. We continue home health visits for the next couple of weeks and return to Saint Luke's for NICU and pediatrician appointments over the next couple of weeks.
Big sister, Georgia is also making great progress. We attended her fall parent conference this morning and Ms. Abbey had great things to say - always a proud parent moment - not that we can take any credit, but sure feels good to try.
Georgia also attended her first friend birthday party on Sunday afternoon. A princess party no less and had a great time, enjoying brightly frosted cake, a real princess entertainer and her first face painting. She fell fast asleep on our way home and was slow to agree to removing the glitter rainbow on her cheek. I'm not sure where the time goes, but it seems impossible that she's already looking forward to her 3rd birthday!
And Patrick is enjoying his second week home with me and Caroline (maybe enjoying is a little optimistic). He is facing an office move on Friday of this week as his company continues to expand and outgrow their office space.
It's fair to say there is still a lot going on - not sure where the time goes each day. Between home health, physician office visits, and ongoing feedings, the days fly by - but by any definition - Progress!
She is still having a lot of discomfort from her reflux, but the medicine has diminished the constant vomiting, and is contributing to her weight gain this week. Hopefully we can continue to evaluate her meds and get her onto something that will eliminate a bit more of her pain with feedings.
We just got a few of the photos that were taken on the day we were released from the hospital, 6 ounces ago:) and wanted to share. They are not the best but many are asking how big she is getting. We are grateful for her progress and look forward to seeing her chubby cheeks grow. We continue home health visits for the next couple of weeks and return to Saint Luke's for NICU and pediatrician appointments over the next couple of weeks.
Big sister, Georgia is also making great progress. We attended her fall parent conference this morning and Ms. Abbey had great things to say - always a proud parent moment - not that we can take any credit, but sure feels good to try.
Georgia also attended her first friend birthday party on Sunday afternoon. A princess party no less and had a great time, enjoying brightly frosted cake, a real princess entertainer and her first face painting. She fell fast asleep on our way home and was slow to agree to removing the glitter rainbow on her cheek. I'm not sure where the time goes, but it seems impossible that she's already looking forward to her 3rd birthday!
And Patrick is enjoying his second week home with me and Caroline (maybe enjoying is a little optimistic). He is facing an office move on Friday of this week as his company continues to expand and outgrow their office space.
It's fair to say there is still a lot going on - not sure where the time goes each day. Between home health, physician office visits, and ongoing feedings, the days fly by - but by any definition - Progress!
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