Autumn Greetings to You All!
I've been so busy since my pediatrician gave me the thumbs-up to be in public that I've lost track of time and forgot about writing to you!
For Labor Day, my Uncle Perlock and Auntie Sherry came up from San Francisco to celebrate! I shocked Uncle Perlock when he changed my diaper: He was not aware that babies of my age do not have solid poo! He was so stunned that he could only hold the diaper up and look mystified, so my Mommy actually did the cleaning! Both my uncle and auntie cuddled me and gave me gifts, so they won me over!
We went on many adventures that weekend. We went to my 2nd photo shoot on Saturday night, then to the Evergreen State Fair on Sunday, and then to breakfast at Maltby Cafe on Monday with Daddy's Walla Walla friends Curtis and Janet. I experienced my 1st thunder and lightening storm at the fair and I screamed at those bleating goats! They disrupted my cozy nap I was taking in my Moby Wrap (thanks Abbie NICU RN for recommending it!).
I went to the Mukilteo library to pick out cd's and the clerk informed us that there is a baby story time there once a week. The next week, on the 16th, my Auntie Marie, my Mommy and I went to story time. What a blast! I was so ecstatic about all the kids and commotion, it was great fun! We went again this week and I met Maysa, a friend I've been waiting to meet since she was born 2 months ago! My Nana and Aunt Nettie also joined me since I couldn't stop talking about the joy I experienced there. It was kind of sad on the way to the library though, I screamed the whole way there and back in the car! I can't recall why I did that now, but I know there was a good reason! Yesterday, I went to the Mill Creek library for story time with my friends Brennan and Monti then went over to their house to play. I met their giant Great Dane Lucas who looked so friendly, but Mommy wouldn't let me ride on him.
My Auntie Marie arranged for my first field trip: a private tour of Stockpot/Campbell's Soup that's next to my house. Yummy! It was so amazing! Mommy compares the observation deck to the Tillamook Cheese Factory's in Oregon--there were lots of workers in smocks, boots and hair nets working in the production line with cool machines! Sorry to those of you who want your own tour, but you must have connections to get in. You can look at the pictures I took, although that won't taste the same!
On the 15th, I went down to the University of Washington to meet my Mommy's friend and previous manager, Constance. She was so delightful! She knew exactly how to put me at ease and make me sleepy! I had such a great visit that I showed off a little in the Speech and Hearing Clinic (where my Mommy spent a lot of time doing various practica in grad school) by giving a loud, loquacious speech to my Mommy with a nice size audience. Unfortunately, the video camera was late arriving onto the scene, so you'll just have to take my word for it.
I finally made it to the Pavilion on Sept. 21! We never made it in August like planned. Daddy returned my car bed alone, so I apologize for those of you who waited all day for my grand entrance. We visited with my Mommy's nurse Cathy. She put me on the scale and I weighed 9 lbs! I weighed exactly 8 lbs on the 4th when my visiting nurse came for a visit. I am so pleased with how I can pack on a pound in just over 2 weeks time! I still have not made it to the NICU. We had a very tight schedule that day, and I was pretty exhausted after a fabulous party and being cuddled by all sorts of medical professionals that attended it! I will expound in a later blog about that event, but I will tell you that my nurse Heather was there and she was my very 1st babysitter!
My Mommy started back to work this month, thankfully only a couple days per month. I don't really like it when she's gone. The first day, I gave my Daddy a lot of grief but he didn't bring my Mommy back. When she did come home I felt so warm and cozy inside that I went right to sleep! I'll try to remember that she will come back home when she works again this Sunday, but I don't know if I will. That takes a lot of focus and hard work.
Speaking of sleep, I have slept for 7.5 hours during the night on several occasions. However, since my pediatrician may not approve, my parents usually wake me up after 5 hours if I don't feel like waking up on my own to eat.
Alright, it's time for me to relax. Thank you nurses Natalie and Cathy for responding to my entries! I'm happy to know that you are thinking sweet thoughts about me! Yes, Natalie! I will tell my Mommy that I must come and visit you now that I know which nights you work! Of course you can come visit me, too (just ask Janay or Heather for my contact info). And of course, thank you to all of you who have come over and visited me at home--it is such a treat to have you visit!
Sweet dreams to all!
Danica
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Pavilion Friends: I'm coming Friday to visit you! (Aug. 26)
Hi NICU/labor and delivery/MFM nurses and friends!
I will be coming to visit you this coming Friday, Aug. 29!
My parents are bringing me in to trade in my car bed and get my car seat checked. Hurray! I don't like my car bed anymore, as of yesterday when we went to my MD. I want to be in a big girl seat now. The maximum capacity for the car bed is 9lbs and/or 20 inches. I'm now 7 lbs 11.5 oz and 19 inches long, but there is no way that I am going to get back in that bed! I used to love it but now it is so tight. I'm into looser fitting things right now.
Other good news from my visit with the doc yesterday:
I will be coming to visit you this coming Friday, Aug. 29!
My parents are bringing me in to trade in my car bed and get my car seat checked. Hurray! I don't like my car bed anymore, as of yesterday when we went to my MD. I want to be in a big girl seat now. The maximum capacity for the car bed is 9lbs and/or 20 inches. I'm now 7 lbs 11.5 oz and 19 inches long, but there is no way that I am going to get back in that bed! I used to love it but now it is so tight. I'm into looser fitting things right now.
Other good news from my visit with the doc yesterday:
- I don't have to be woken up every 4 hrs at night! It's now about every 5.
- I can make my 1st public appearance very soon! (this Friday!)
- I can attend my baby shower for awhile!
- I can take a long trip to Portland for Thanksgiving, weather depending!
- It's okay that I hardly ever poo anymore and that the color is not pretty!
- I can eat from whichever source I please! (I think I'll choose an ice cream cone--I hear the ice cream truck playing a tempting "It's a Small World" song at this very moment)
- I'm getting cuter!
- I'm now in the 10th percentile for weight for my corrected age!
The bad news is that my little legs are still very little, even my nurses commented on them. Well, of course they are! That's partly why my height is still in the deficient range of the normal curve. But that doesn't bother me. I love to use them to stand and to push myself across my activity gym during tummy time. There are so many things I can do with my little legs and I am very happy with them.
Oh yeah, if you want to comment on something or just chat with me, you can click on the comment link at the bottom of any one of my notes where it says, comment. I want to thank my silly nurse Natalie and my crazy Uncle Perlock for being so brave to leave a comment! Also, you can leave your email address there so I can respond to you personally if you so choose.
Thanks and see you soon!
Danica
Friday, August 22, 2008
I'm 3 months old. No, I'm only 1 month old. (Aug. 22)
Howdy!
I am trying hard to figure this out. I have been out of my cozy, wet sack for 14 weeks, but I'm actually only 4 weeks old. What?
So for you amateurs out there, myself included, here is the deal with preemies. We have a legal date of birth, but we also have a corrected age. Because I was born when I just turned 30 weeks gestational, the first 10 weeks of my life were still gestational weeks even though I was out of my womb. I was learning and doing the same things other babies of the same gestational age are doing, just doing it in your world instead of in my Mommy's tummy. For example, it's pretty typical to develop the suck-swallow-breath reflex around the gestational age of 34 weeks. So, I was not born with this, but it did kick in around my 4th week of life in the outside world.
Now, my corrected age is based on when I was actually supposed to arrive into your world (which I think is totally cool, by the way!), which was July 25. So, I have a corrected age of 4 weeks old, and this coming Monday I will be 1 month old! So I'm acting like a 1 month old. I am not doing the typical things that a 3 month old would do, such as intentional smiling, gooing and cooing and the like. I do talk, trust me on that one, just not the standard type of talking.
So, now you can understand why my friend Callie, who was born on the same day as I was, acts more mature than me. She was born at full-term, so she really is 3 months old. She coos, smiles with intention, plays, and even wears 3 month size of clothes. I still wear newborn size and have outgrown most of my preemie clothes. I weighed 7 lbs 2oz and was 19 inches tall on Aug. 15. Callie weighed 7 lbs 5 oz as was 20 inches when she was born.
My newest friend, Brenden, was born two weeks early on August 6, and he weighed 8 lbs 15.5 oz and was 21 inches long. He is now well over 10 lbs, but he and I act very similar because his due date and my due date are closer together than mine and Callie's.
What do I do these days? Well, I like to be in my quiet alert state for 2 hour blocks a couple times each day. I also love to vocalize and grunt, pop, and squeal. I look around at contrasts and I can win a staring contest easily. I can track your movement if I have my eyes on you and I can keep my head facing the same position if you turn my body 180 degrees. I love to look at Daddy's face and I even stand up by myself when he's trying to feed me. I also can maneuver myself across the bed when I'm laying on my tummy, by pushing with my legs and moving my head from one side to facing down back to the side. I crawl out of my pants when I do this!
Okay, that's the latest from my cradle.
Danica
I am trying hard to figure this out. I have been out of my cozy, wet sack for 14 weeks, but I'm actually only 4 weeks old. What?
So for you amateurs out there, myself included, here is the deal with preemies. We have a legal date of birth, but we also have a corrected age. Because I was born when I just turned 30 weeks gestational, the first 10 weeks of my life were still gestational weeks even though I was out of my womb. I was learning and doing the same things other babies of the same gestational age are doing, just doing it in your world instead of in my Mommy's tummy. For example, it's pretty typical to develop the suck-swallow-breath reflex around the gestational age of 34 weeks. So, I was not born with this, but it did kick in around my 4th week of life in the outside world.
Now, my corrected age is based on when I was actually supposed to arrive into your world (which I think is totally cool, by the way!), which was July 25. So, I have a corrected age of 4 weeks old, and this coming Monday I will be 1 month old! So I'm acting like a 1 month old. I am not doing the typical things that a 3 month old would do, such as intentional smiling, gooing and cooing and the like. I do talk, trust me on that one, just not the standard type of talking.
So, now you can understand why my friend Callie, who was born on the same day as I was, acts more mature than me. She was born at full-term, so she really is 3 months old. She coos, smiles with intention, plays, and even wears 3 month size of clothes. I still wear newborn size and have outgrown most of my preemie clothes. I weighed 7 lbs 2oz and was 19 inches tall on Aug. 15. Callie weighed 7 lbs 5 oz as was 20 inches when she was born.
My newest friend, Brenden, was born two weeks early on August 6, and he weighed 8 lbs 15.5 oz and was 21 inches long. He is now well over 10 lbs, but he and I act very similar because his due date and my due date are closer together than mine and Callie's.
What do I do these days? Well, I like to be in my quiet alert state for 2 hour blocks a couple times each day. I also love to vocalize and grunt, pop, and squeal. I look around at contrasts and I can win a staring contest easily. I can track your movement if I have my eyes on you and I can keep my head facing the same position if you turn my body 180 degrees. I love to look at Daddy's face and I even stand up by myself when he's trying to feed me. I also can maneuver myself across the bed when I'm laying on my tummy, by pushing with my legs and moving my head from one side to facing down back to the side. I crawl out of my pants when I do this!
Okay, that's the latest from my cradle.
Danica
NICU vs. Home (Aug. 22)
Hello friends, family, and nurses!
Can you believe that I have now been home just as long as I was in the NICU-7 weeks? I can't, but I know that I have enjoyed every minute of it. I also miss the NICU and being cuddled and spoiled by my lovely nurses and my Mommy's nurses. I am still waiting for the day that I can go and visit all of them at the Pavilion. My parents are going to ask Dr. Jack on Monday, because honestly, my Mommy misses them too. She was able to go visit with some of them today and of course they were all excited to see her, but they really wanted to oooh and aaah over ME!!
So, here's a list of the pros and cons of the 2 homes I have known:
NICU: Pros
Cons
Can you believe that I have now been home just as long as I was in the NICU-7 weeks? I can't, but I know that I have enjoyed every minute of it. I also miss the NICU and being cuddled and spoiled by my lovely nurses and my Mommy's nurses. I am still waiting for the day that I can go and visit all of them at the Pavilion. My parents are going to ask Dr. Jack on Monday, because honestly, my Mommy misses them too. She was able to go visit with some of them today and of course they were all excited to see her, but they really wanted to oooh and aaah over ME!!
So, here's a list of the pros and cons of the 2 homes I have known:
NICU: Pros
- I was super spoiled!! 24/7
- I usually got what I wanted as soon as an idea of what I wanted popped into my head.
- Everyone came to visit me like I was a vacation! I remember one of my nurses came to my room to adore me so she could remind herself that babies can be and will become healthy in the NICU.
- I also got to be picked up and shown off to nurses in the other pods (but don't tell Mommy--she always saw me connected to my monitor except when she gave me a bath).
- I could lay on my tummy whenever I pleased because I did have the monitor.
- The nurses were GREAT!
- My room was beautiful! I had the best room in the place--I could look out at the trees and see the sky and I loved peeing on the hardwood floor!
- My Mommy held me every day (except the first couple of days after I was born).
- My bedding was changed almost every day and there was a huge wardrobe to choose from.
- Bathtime was fun, especially when Mommy learned about infant massage from Abbie.
- I was selected for modeling for the front page of the newspaper.
- I got to fingerpaint and toepaint every other week.
- I grew!
Cons
- My "great" nurses had to poke needles into me and it stung!
- I had to tolerate stinky feet (my own that is).
- I couldn't sleep on my tummy when it got closer to going home.
- I had this rotten tube in my nose for 6 1/2 weeks.
- My "great" nurses kept shoving the rotten tube back down my nose once I successfully pulled it out.
- Only so many visitors could be in my room at once.
- I got easily distracted from my daily chores.
- I didn't get to see my Daddy every day.
- Only my family kissed me.
Home: Pros
- No tubes!
- No monitor!
- No stinky feet!
- No IV!
- No shots or PKUs!
- I see Mommy AND Daddy every day!
- Daddy gets to spend lots of time with me at night and feeds me, too!
- I get to go outside!
- I get to listen to music.
- I hear the ice cream truck go past my window every day!!
- I can look at my fishies in my aquarium while falling asleep.
- I have 2 puppies and 2 kitties to chase and play with when I'm older. I will pull their tails.
- Visitors can spend the night in my house!
- I have my own personal visiting nurse who weighs and measures me in between doctor appointments.
- I have new neighbors and I can hear the neighbor kids playing outside.
- A couple of my NICU nurses visit me and are going to babysit me.
- My Mommy and Daddy love me and kiss me all the time.
- I'm getting chubby legs!
Cons
- No nurses around the clock.
- I have to be woken up every 4 hours at night to eat when I just want to sleep (hmm, maybe that old tube was good for something?).
- I don't get to eat ice cream.
- No lively outings, only to Dr. Jack's and out for a stroll on nice days.
- Not as many frequent visitors.
- Only so many visitors allowed to visit at once.
- Mommy and Daddy sometimes want to sleep when I want to play!
- I don't get to play with somebody 24/7.
- I'm not sure if I can attend my own baby shower.
- I'm still distracted pretty easily.
What is my favorite thing at my new home? Knowing that I will get to chase down the ice cream truck when I'm older!!
Thanks for looking at my very first pros/cons list. I'm sure my future elementary school teachers will be proud.
Danica
Sunday, August 10, 2008
I'm unusual? (July 7)
Today, I met my pediatrician named Dr. Jack. He is a riot! He said the funniest things about me, but my favorite was, "She's unusual. She's little, but healthy!" That just cracked me up to pieces. I haven't heard anything so silly since I left the NICU. Of course I'm unusual! I have always been on the deficient side of the normal curve in terms of size, but I am determined to do what I want and be who I want! He should have seen me scooting around in my Isolette, rolling over from tummy to back and back to tummy, and lifting and turning my head to the other side when I was laying on my tummy. Although I looked like "28 weeker" when I was born, I liked to consider myself a newborn like other just born babies and do what I pleased!
I weighed in a 4 lbs 11 oz! Evidently, I'm doing a good job eating at home since I've gained 4 oz since I came home Thursday.
Nothing interesting to report from my first weekend being at home. I'm quickly training my parents and whipping them into action.
We'll talk again soon!
Danica
I weighed in a 4 lbs 11 oz! Evidently, I'm doing a good job eating at home since I've gained 4 oz since I came home Thursday.
Nothing interesting to report from my first weekend being at home. I'm quickly training my parents and whipping them into action.
We'll talk again soon!
Danica
Thursday, July 3, 2008
It's a Party! (July 3)
Today I get to go to my big boxy home with Mommy and Daddy.
Last night, my parents spent the night with me here in my favorite, cozy room. Mommy "spent" the 1st part of the night in my room while Daddy slept in another room (there is only room for one adult to sleep in my room), then they switched. The whole purpose for this was for me to train my parents on how to care for me at night, mainly by making enough racket so they would wake up and feed me. Well, Mommy didn't actually try to sleep with me at all. Instead, she stayed up until 3:30am hanging out with my nurses and playing with me. Don't worry, I did get sleep! She wanted the last edition of hand and footprints that I would get during my NICU stay, so my nurses Janay, Heather, and Dana went to work getting them. You should see the pictures Mommy took during this fiesta! I sat on Heather's lap with a clipboard as my big girl desk and Dana helped squish my hands and feet against the inky film. It was so much fun that I fell asleep! Mommy's nurse, Mary, came to visit with us later. She was actually able to spend more time than usual chatting with Mommy, my nurses and the respiratory therapist (whom I delighted to say that I never met!). Her patients upstairs must have been sleeping like me and the rest of humanity! Then, Dana scolded Mommy for staying up so late, so after talking to a hundred more people (remember, I can't count very well yet), my Mommy went to wake Daddy and go to sleep.
Next, Daddy had his turn in my room. And he slept! He was a little nervous, but I have a lot of faith in my strong Daddy. He fed me like a pro. He did all the right things to make me trust him, and he was quiet, unlike Mommy, and let me get some more good sleep.
Day shift came, and night shift left. I cried when my funny Janay had to go to her own home. She says she'll come visit me in my new home and I just can't wait!! Thankfully, my nurse Lorna got to spend my last day with me. She's the one who prayed with my Mommy and Daddy when they came to visit the NICU two days before I was born! I got to go on my very first shopping spree in "Gabby's Closet," where I was able to select a variety of items such as clothes, blankets, and a toy! Then, I had lots of visitors. Mommy's nurse, Jill, who helped with the c-section came to visit me and signed my birth certificate. Also, Mommy's day nurse, Kelly, who took care of Mommy and me while we were on bed-rest in the hospital, came to meet me. She had only heard my heartbeat before and seen some of my ultrasound pictures. Nana came all the way from her home in Goldendale to help take me to my new home! My Aunt E came over from work on Rehab to take pictures of me during my last day in my NICU home.
Going home was quite a thrill ride!! At first, I screamed a terrifying scream to let the whole world know that I didn't want to leave (actually, I didn't like being strapped into my car bed), but Daddy did an amazing trick--he made this huge metal thing around me vibrate and make me all comfy. Apparently, this thing is called a car and according to my nurse Erin, I'm supposed to get my very own Corvette when I'm bigger!
Now, I'm home and miss all of my silly nurses who spoiled me rotten. Please come visit me so I don't forget who you are--you mean so much to me and I love you!!
Until I get adjusted to this strange place called home,
Danica
Last night, my parents spent the night with me here in my favorite, cozy room. Mommy "spent" the 1st part of the night in my room while Daddy slept in another room (there is only room for one adult to sleep in my room), then they switched. The whole purpose for this was for me to train my parents on how to care for me at night, mainly by making enough racket so they would wake up and feed me. Well, Mommy didn't actually try to sleep with me at all. Instead, she stayed up until 3:30am hanging out with my nurses and playing with me. Don't worry, I did get sleep! She wanted the last edition of hand and footprints that I would get during my NICU stay, so my nurses Janay, Heather, and Dana went to work getting them. You should see the pictures Mommy took during this fiesta! I sat on Heather's lap with a clipboard as my big girl desk and Dana helped squish my hands and feet against the inky film. It was so much fun that I fell asleep! Mommy's nurse, Mary, came to visit with us later. She was actually able to spend more time than usual chatting with Mommy, my nurses and the respiratory therapist (whom I delighted to say that I never met!). Her patients upstairs must have been sleeping like me and the rest of humanity! Then, Dana scolded Mommy for staying up so late, so after talking to a hundred more people (remember, I can't count very well yet), my Mommy went to wake Daddy and go to sleep.
Next, Daddy had his turn in my room. And he slept! He was a little nervous, but I have a lot of faith in my strong Daddy. He fed me like a pro. He did all the right things to make me trust him, and he was quiet, unlike Mommy, and let me get some more good sleep.
Day shift came, and night shift left. I cried when my funny Janay had to go to her own home. She says she'll come visit me in my new home and I just can't wait!! Thankfully, my nurse Lorna got to spend my last day with me. She's the one who prayed with my Mommy and Daddy when they came to visit the NICU two days before I was born! I got to go on my very first shopping spree in "Gabby's Closet," where I was able to select a variety of items such as clothes, blankets, and a toy! Then, I had lots of visitors. Mommy's nurse, Jill, who helped with the c-section came to visit me and signed my birth certificate. Also, Mommy's day nurse, Kelly, who took care of Mommy and me while we were on bed-rest in the hospital, came to meet me. She had only heard my heartbeat before and seen some of my ultrasound pictures. Nana came all the way from her home in Goldendale to help take me to my new home! My Aunt E came over from work on Rehab to take pictures of me during my last day in my NICU home.
Going home was quite a thrill ride!! At first, I screamed a terrifying scream to let the whole world know that I didn't want to leave (actually, I didn't like being strapped into my car bed), but Daddy did an amazing trick--he made this huge metal thing around me vibrate and make me all comfy. Apparently, this thing is called a car and according to my nurse Erin, I'm supposed to get my very own Corvette when I'm bigger!
Now, I'm home and miss all of my silly nurses who spoiled me rotten. Please come visit me so I don't forget who you are--you mean so much to me and I love you!!
Until I get adjusted to this strange place called home,
Danica
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Living it up! (7/1/08)
I had a wonderful day today! So many things happened I don't know if I can keep up with this fast paced NICU world!
Well, for starters, we learned that MSNBC discovered me and posted my debuting article online at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25436847. I didn't see my gorgeous pictures, but my name is all that matters, right? And my parents thought that they were giving me a relatively unique name! I don't mind though if everyone is named after me!
My nurse Lorna decided it was high time that I get the privilege to eat when I want and however much I want. Do you get to do that, too, all you famous models? With the nurse practitioner's consent, that is exactly what I got to do today!! I was a very happy little baby! And, I even had my 1st poo since Saturday, and it was just dandy.
My best friend Janay let me have my last opportunity to pull out my NG tube! I was a little skepticle, because I know from experience that when I pull it out, it has to go back in. So, she helped me pull it out, and guess what? She didn't get upset, but was laughing and never put another one in!! Hurray! My face is naked and is going to stay that way forever!
Mommy and Daddy are going to spend tomorrow night with me here at the NICU! Oh boy! I don't know what to say! I'm not certain I'll like that much. This is my home and I don't need that much disruption in my little routine! Okay, I'll let them stay. Besides, it all boils down to the plan that I get to go home with them to their house on Thursday, July 3!!! Hurray! I've done it! I grew nice and big and I've shown my medical family who can eat like a little piglet, and I won the grand prize--to go to my new home and spend time with my Mommy and Daddy! It will be hard to get accustomed to their ways, I'm sure. After all, I've been in a very harmonious state during my 48 day stay here in my cozy little nest. I will miss my nurses who love me so much that I will likely cry and scream for them all the way home! I hope they will come visit me in my new home very soon. How will the reporters and photographers know where to find me?
I have to get some beauty sleep now. Which reminds me, thanks for the manicure Janay!
Danica
Well, for starters, we learned that MSNBC discovered me and posted my debuting article online at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25436847. I didn't see my gorgeous pictures, but my name is all that matters, right? And my parents thought that they were giving me a relatively unique name! I don't mind though if everyone is named after me!
My nurse Lorna decided it was high time that I get the privilege to eat when I want and however much I want. Do you get to do that, too, all you famous models? With the nurse practitioner's consent, that is exactly what I got to do today!! I was a very happy little baby! And, I even had my 1st poo since Saturday, and it was just dandy.
My best friend Janay let me have my last opportunity to pull out my NG tube! I was a little skepticle, because I know from experience that when I pull it out, it has to go back in. So, she helped me pull it out, and guess what? She didn't get upset, but was laughing and never put another one in!! Hurray! My face is naked and is going to stay that way forever!
Mommy and Daddy are going to spend tomorrow night with me here at the NICU! Oh boy! I don't know what to say! I'm not certain I'll like that much. This is my home and I don't need that much disruption in my little routine! Okay, I'll let them stay. Besides, it all boils down to the plan that I get to go home with them to their house on Thursday, July 3!!! Hurray! I've done it! I grew nice and big and I've shown my medical family who can eat like a little piglet, and I won the grand prize--to go to my new home and spend time with my Mommy and Daddy! It will be hard to get accustomed to their ways, I'm sure. After all, I've been in a very harmonious state during my 48 day stay here in my cozy little nest. I will miss my nurses who love me so much that I will likely cry and scream for them all the way home! I hope they will come visit me in my new home very soon. How will the reporters and photographers know where to find me?
I have to get some beauty sleep now. Which reminds me, thanks for the manicure Janay!
Danica
Atkins diet? No way!
Happy July!
I would know, I am so content now! I can eat again, and I really do eat! The nurse practioner told Mommy at rounds yesterday that they "have been silly." My workup was negative for everything! They discovered, as if I hadn't already demonstrated to them, that I am just a hungry, healthy miniature baby who wants to eat! Of course it cannot be proven 100%, but very likely I just had a bad reaction to the protein that was added to my milk last Friday. Did I sign a consent to join the Atkins diet club? No!
Once I was allowed to eat again, I took all of my bottles in a matter of minutes! Mommy warned me that I had better remember this event and not take food for granted, but most importantly, not be a picky eater during my taste testing years! Well, Mommy, I won't promise you anything. Besides, I'm sure I'll be awfully cute shoving food out of my mouth and wrinkling my nose that you will laugh which will encourage me to do it even more!
My nurse Janay is trying to recover our friendship. She fed me my bottles last night, but also had to replace my IV line as it had gone bad. My parents got a glimpse of what my arm will look like in the future--fat!
We tried out my car seat, which I really don't fit in. My vertical stature is a bit petite. I didn't like my seat so I let everyone know. The nurses hope that I will be more comfortable once in the car with the car running. I'm not so sure. I don't even know what a car is!!
Until next time,
Danica
I would know, I am so content now! I can eat again, and I really do eat! The nurse practioner told Mommy at rounds yesterday that they "have been silly." My workup was negative for everything! They discovered, as if I hadn't already demonstrated to them, that I am just a hungry, healthy miniature baby who wants to eat! Of course it cannot be proven 100%, but very likely I just had a bad reaction to the protein that was added to my milk last Friday. Did I sign a consent to join the Atkins diet club? No!
Once I was allowed to eat again, I took all of my bottles in a matter of minutes! Mommy warned me that I had better remember this event and not take food for granted, but most importantly, not be a picky eater during my taste testing years! Well, Mommy, I won't promise you anything. Besides, I'm sure I'll be awfully cute shoving food out of my mouth and wrinkling my nose that you will laugh which will encourage me to do it even more!
My nurse Janay is trying to recover our friendship. She fed me my bottles last night, but also had to replace my IV line as it had gone bad. My parents got a glimpse of what my arm will look like in the future--fat!
We tried out my car seat, which I really don't fit in. My vertical stature is a bit petite. I didn't like my seat so I let everyone know. The nurses hope that I will be more comfortable once in the car with the car running. I'm not so sure. I don't even know what a car is!!
Until next time,
Danica
Monday, June 30, 2008
Starving Super Model
I'm famous and starving all in one day! Give me some food and I won't be so crabby!
Instant fame came my way yesterday when my picture made the front page of the Sunday edition of the Everett Herald! Yippee! I am frowning because I knew something would be up on the day my story was published, but I'll get to that in a second. The story is pretty accurate about me and my Mommy, although I assure you, I was born on May 16, not on April 16. But don't blame the reporter, the captions are written by the young man who photographed me. If you were to look up the article online (http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080629/NEWS01/636718911/0/FRONTPAGE), you will find an additional picture of me smiling! I guess they wanted that one posted only online, for, as you know, I will not have a clue what newspapers are when I am old enough to read! The Internet or some other electronic material will be streamline at that time! Mommy's friends say that she looks obese in the printed article, so take a look at the web version, it looks better. Besides, I'm sure they wanted to catch how small I am by choosing the picture that captures Mommy looking a little bigger than in real life.
Okay, so I really am a starving model. I knew I wasn't getting any compensation for my big day, but to remove all my yummy food? Come now. One should never starve a cute little baby! So why is this being done? I'll tell you what my medical family says. They are taking all necessary precautions for an infection because I had a bloody poo Saturday night. Thankfully, my Daddy caught it (ha ha! not literally!) and informed my beautiful nurse Janay (who I just adore. Well, actually, I'm just a bit upset with her right now because she draws my blood, pokes needles in my heels, shoves tubes through my nose and mouth, suctions out my tummy contents, AND doesn't let me eat! She used to give me my yummy bottles, and now she only holds me when I scream! I miss the nice Janay.) Anyway, I'm not allowed to eat anything for 48 hours unless something is actually wrong, then it may be a week or more. Oh! I can't believe this!
The good news is that I don't have C-diff or rotavirus, my blood work came back normal, and I'm still adorable! The bad news: my tummy X-ray hasn't been up to par each time it is done, which is twice a day. The news that is making me and my family (both medical and biological) so anxious is the blood culture which should reveal the worst or the best news late tonight (Monday). Worse case scenario: 1) I have necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), click the following link for more info http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/digestive/nec.html, or 2) some big word I can't write, but it basically is like the intestines become just like bubble wrap in which the lining fills with air bubbles. Both of these obviously scary diseases are life threatening. Okay, enough about all that. I will let you know if either of these is the case in the days to come.
I have to get going now. My Mommy's work is celebrating my birth and putting on a shower in my honor today, so I must get prepared. (Yeah, I know I am not allowed to attend, but I can still dream, can't I?)
I really can't wait to meet you all who care so deeply about me and my family. I do hope that the news that is revealed to me will be good. Keep praying and thinking about me, I really do appreciate it!
Until next time, your little superstar baby,
Danica
Instant fame came my way yesterday when my picture made the front page of the Sunday edition of the Everett Herald! Yippee! I am frowning because I knew something would be up on the day my story was published, but I'll get to that in a second. The story is pretty accurate about me and my Mommy, although I assure you, I was born on May 16, not on April 16. But don't blame the reporter, the captions are written by the young man who photographed me. If you were to look up the article online (http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080629/NEWS01/636718911/0/FRONTPAGE), you will find an additional picture of me smiling! I guess they wanted that one posted only online, for, as you know, I will not have a clue what newspapers are when I am old enough to read! The Internet or some other electronic material will be streamline at that time! Mommy's friends say that she looks obese in the printed article, so take a look at the web version, it looks better. Besides, I'm sure they wanted to catch how small I am by choosing the picture that captures Mommy looking a little bigger than in real life.
Okay, so I really am a starving model. I knew I wasn't getting any compensation for my big day, but to remove all my yummy food? Come now. One should never starve a cute little baby! So why is this being done? I'll tell you what my medical family says. They are taking all necessary precautions for an infection because I had a bloody poo Saturday night. Thankfully, my Daddy caught it (ha ha! not literally!) and informed my beautiful nurse Janay (who I just adore. Well, actually, I'm just a bit upset with her right now because she draws my blood, pokes needles in my heels, shoves tubes through my nose and mouth, suctions out my tummy contents, AND doesn't let me eat! She used to give me my yummy bottles, and now she only holds me when I scream! I miss the nice Janay.) Anyway, I'm not allowed to eat anything for 48 hours unless something is actually wrong, then it may be a week or more. Oh! I can't believe this!
The good news is that I don't have C-diff or rotavirus, my blood work came back normal, and I'm still adorable! The bad news: my tummy X-ray hasn't been up to par each time it is done, which is twice a day. The news that is making me and my family (both medical and biological) so anxious is the blood culture which should reveal the worst or the best news late tonight (Monday). Worse case scenario: 1) I have necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), click the following link for more info http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/digestive/nec.html, or 2) some big word I can't write, but it basically is like the intestines become just like bubble wrap in which the lining fills with air bubbles. Both of these obviously scary diseases are life threatening. Okay, enough about all that. I will let you know if either of these is the case in the days to come.
I have to get going now. My Mommy's work is celebrating my birth and putting on a shower in my honor today, so I must get prepared. (Yeah, I know I am not allowed to attend, but I can still dream, can't I?)
I really can't wait to meet you all who care so deeply about me and my family. I do hope that the news that is revealed to me will be good. Keep praying and thinking about me, I really do appreciate it!
Until next time, your little superstar baby,
Danica
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Happy Birthday!! (6/17/08)
Hi Everyone!!
Can you believe that I celebrated my 1 month birthday yesterday and my Mommy hasn't helped me update my blog since I was born? I think she is very naughty! She says she'll get around to it soon in between pumping, cuddling me and changing my stinky diapers! I got her back yesterday by peeing all over her when she attempted to put a new diaper on me!! (Although it wasn't anywhere near as funny as when I shot a poo across my bed!)
Well, lots of things have taken place since I was born. Mommy says she'll help me write about them more in detail later, but just in case she doesn't, I'm going to list a few of the highlights.
When I was yanked out of Mommy's tummy, I screamed and hollered and got real upset that I wasn't nestled in my comfy amniotic fluid. So, I never needed any type of respiratory support, not even a nasal cannula!! I've been on room air ever since, and I plan on keeping it that way! I was placed in an isolette (new term for incubator) and I'm still in it. I could have graduated to a crib about 2 weeks ago now, but my friendly doctors and nurse practitioners say that I would be lost in a crib :) I am chubbier than I was before. I'm proud to say that I weigh a hefty 3lbs 13oz!! I am now 15 inches long and my pediatrician told my parents that my vertical growth is no where near as important as my weight gain! Take that all you sickly skinny models and wanna be's!
I got a delightful introduction to caffeine! (Mommy thought that to be ironic as she stopped drinking coffee for my sake last summer!) I was getting a nice double tall latte every morning to help my heart rate and breathing remain steady, but apparently I don't need help anymore. I think I have an awful withdrawal headache!! Now I get only my dose of iron in the evenings. That is not at all as fun as my latte!
What else...I was on an IV for 1 week only. I was able to tolerate Mommy's milk through my NG tube really well from the beginning and now I'm taking 1 oz for 30 minutes every 3 hours. This makes me get pretty fussy just before my next feeding which is disturbing Mommy. She thinks that it was a little nicer when I was getting continuously fed and always content. Ha ha Mommy! You have just a small taste of how I will be when I get to come home!! Oh! I can't wait to go home. I adore my nurses, they really love me so much, but they aren't allowed to kiss me without fear of getting fired! It really tickles when my parents kiss me--my eyes jolt right open to see what this oddity is and who's doing it. Then I calm down and remember that it's my darling Mommy and Daddy so I smile and cross my eyes.
Oh yeah, back to eating (I love to eat!!)... I have started to nipple a little. My night nurse helped me drink an entire bottle (1 oz) 2 nights ago at 3am! My pediatrician could hardly contain himself when my Mommy told him that. I've been told I'm a superstar before, and now it has been repeated.
Talking about stardom, I had a photo shoot on Father's Day for the Everett Herald, our local newspaper! The journalist came to meet me the following day and thought I was such a cute big girl! She was interested in Mommy's story about her pregnancy and why I was so early. I would say it's because I wanted to know what all those noises were and what was going on outside my nest that Mommy would laugh so much or talk to so much and I would rarely hear another person talking to her. Now I know that she was talking on the phone!! Imagine, a 34 weeker (gestational mind you) learning so quickly about the phone. Even my nurses use them. Anyway, I was a model for an article about low birth-weight babies and how they are becoming more common in Washington. Sharon, the journalist, said the purpose of the article is to hopefully help the general public become aware of the need for prenatal care. Mommy understood that! She said that our time together during pregnancy was terrific--no morning sickness, no signs/symptoms of high blood pressure, no swelling, really no external symptoms that she was sick. She wouldn't have even gone to a doctor until the next day about her liver pain since it just felt like a severe case of reflux. And you know what that would have led to...
My article will likely be published this coming weekend. I can't wait for Mommy to read it to me!! I will ask Daddy or my Uncle Perlock to add a link to it on my website so you too can read it and see how adorable I am!!
Hmm...I know my Mommy's favorite event is: bathing me! I've taken 3 baths since birth and I REALLY love them! I took my last one Saturday in preparation for my big photo shoot. My nurse taught Mommy how to massage me from fingers and toes to back and heart! Ohhhh, that was so wonderful! I closed my eyes and put out my foot for Mommy to repeat! Now my standards have become that much higher! Sorry Mommy, but you can't let a good thing pass you by.
Okay friends and family, I will really scream hard next time so Mommy will actually help me update my blog sooner. You can see I'm going to be high maintenance, just don't let her know. Thanks to all of you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I greatly appreciate it. Please also remember my friends here in the NICU who don't have it so good. Thank you also for the great presents! I'm working hard of catching up on all my thank-you cards, but sometimes I'm just a little too groggy and then they make me do more work.
Hope to see all of you soon!!
Love,
Danica
Can you believe that I celebrated my 1 month birthday yesterday and my Mommy hasn't helped me update my blog since I was born? I think she is very naughty! She says she'll get around to it soon in between pumping, cuddling me and changing my stinky diapers! I got her back yesterday by peeing all over her when she attempted to put a new diaper on me!! (Although it wasn't anywhere near as funny as when I shot a poo across my bed!)
Well, lots of things have taken place since I was born. Mommy says she'll help me write about them more in detail later, but just in case she doesn't, I'm going to list a few of the highlights.
When I was yanked out of Mommy's tummy, I screamed and hollered and got real upset that I wasn't nestled in my comfy amniotic fluid. So, I never needed any type of respiratory support, not even a nasal cannula!! I've been on room air ever since, and I plan on keeping it that way! I was placed in an isolette (new term for incubator) and I'm still in it. I could have graduated to a crib about 2 weeks ago now, but my friendly doctors and nurse practitioners say that I would be lost in a crib :) I am chubbier than I was before. I'm proud to say that I weigh a hefty 3lbs 13oz!! I am now 15 inches long and my pediatrician told my parents that my vertical growth is no where near as important as my weight gain! Take that all you sickly skinny models and wanna be's!
I got a delightful introduction to caffeine! (Mommy thought that to be ironic as she stopped drinking coffee for my sake last summer!) I was getting a nice double tall latte every morning to help my heart rate and breathing remain steady, but apparently I don't need help anymore. I think I have an awful withdrawal headache!! Now I get only my dose of iron in the evenings. That is not at all as fun as my latte!
What else...I was on an IV for 1 week only. I was able to tolerate Mommy's milk through my NG tube really well from the beginning and now I'm taking 1 oz for 30 minutes every 3 hours. This makes me get pretty fussy just before my next feeding which is disturbing Mommy. She thinks that it was a little nicer when I was getting continuously fed and always content. Ha ha Mommy! You have just a small taste of how I will be when I get to come home!! Oh! I can't wait to go home. I adore my nurses, they really love me so much, but they aren't allowed to kiss me without fear of getting fired! It really tickles when my parents kiss me--my eyes jolt right open to see what this oddity is and who's doing it. Then I calm down and remember that it's my darling Mommy and Daddy so I smile and cross my eyes.
Oh yeah, back to eating (I love to eat!!)... I have started to nipple a little. My night nurse helped me drink an entire bottle (1 oz) 2 nights ago at 3am! My pediatrician could hardly contain himself when my Mommy told him that. I've been told I'm a superstar before, and now it has been repeated.
Talking about stardom, I had a photo shoot on Father's Day for the Everett Herald, our local newspaper! The journalist came to meet me the following day and thought I was such a cute big girl! She was interested in Mommy's story about her pregnancy and why I was so early. I would say it's because I wanted to know what all those noises were and what was going on outside my nest that Mommy would laugh so much or talk to so much and I would rarely hear another person talking to her. Now I know that she was talking on the phone!! Imagine, a 34 weeker (gestational mind you) learning so quickly about the phone. Even my nurses use them. Anyway, I was a model for an article about low birth-weight babies and how they are becoming more common in Washington. Sharon, the journalist, said the purpose of the article is to hopefully help the general public become aware of the need for prenatal care. Mommy understood that! She said that our time together during pregnancy was terrific--no morning sickness, no signs/symptoms of high blood pressure, no swelling, really no external symptoms that she was sick. She wouldn't have even gone to a doctor until the next day about her liver pain since it just felt like a severe case of reflux. And you know what that would have led to...
My article will likely be published this coming weekend. I can't wait for Mommy to read it to me!! I will ask Daddy or my Uncle Perlock to add a link to it on my website so you too can read it and see how adorable I am!!
Hmm...I know my Mommy's favorite event is: bathing me! I've taken 3 baths since birth and I REALLY love them! I took my last one Saturday in preparation for my big photo shoot. My nurse taught Mommy how to massage me from fingers and toes to back and heart! Ohhhh, that was so wonderful! I closed my eyes and put out my foot for Mommy to repeat! Now my standards have become that much higher! Sorry Mommy, but you can't let a good thing pass you by.
Okay friends and family, I will really scream hard next time so Mommy will actually help me update my blog sooner. You can see I'm going to be high maintenance, just don't let her know. Thanks to all of you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I greatly appreciate it. Please also remember my friends here in the NICU who don't have it so good. Thank you also for the great presents! I'm working hard of catching up on all my thank-you cards, but sometimes I'm just a little too groggy and then they make me do more work.
Hope to see all of you soon!!
Love,
Danica
Friday, May 16, 2008
Hello World! Here I Am!! (Week of 5/11/08)
Wow, what a crazy, fast-paced week Mom and I had! My Nana came on Monday, 5/12, to help my Dad by taking Mom and me to my MD appointments (remember, Mom is on bedrest and not allowed to drive) since there were going to be 3/week and they last anywhere from 2-3 hrs/each. So, Monday evening, we all took a tour of the Providence Everett Medical Center Pavilion for Women and Children, where I was going to be born. The birthing suites were very nice and new, with wood floors and your own bath/shower. The rooms on the west side of the building had beautiful views of the Puget Sound, the port in Everett and evergreen trees.
On Tuesday, Nana took us to my ultrasound to measure the growth of my head, belly, arms and legs. Apparently, I had been working really hard to keep things in balance and my belly had shrunk to way below average and I was sending all my blood to my brain. The MD told my Mom we would be admitted to the hospital right then for 48 hr monitoring. Later that day, the NICU MD visited Mom and said she needed to get a series of steriod shots for my lungs and respiratory system to develop as I would likely be born within a week. My Mom's OB/GYN also came and said Mom would stay in the hospital on strict bed rest until I was delivered. A lot of news all in one day!!
Wednesday came along and the blood flow in my brain and umbilical cord were again measured. The MD reported that we would not do another ultrasound Thursday as no significant change had occured. Mom was sad because she always received pictures of my parts to keep whenever she had an ultrasound. I also didn't have to have my heartrate monitored constantly.
During the day on Thursday, nothing eventful occured, Mom just had to stay in bed. Her MD expected her to have cabin fever by this time, but Mom just loved the care of the nurses (her day nurse was Kelly and night nurse Mary Ann) and MDs who were in and out of her room. That afternoon, a couple of Mom's good friends visited her (Eleanor, Jen, and Uyen) and all of them brought food! Yum! (The hospital food was also tasty, but homemade and Thai food are always good.) Mom started to feel like she was getting reflux again (not uncommon these last couple of weeks) and was not able to eat too much. That night, she threw up for 1 1/2 hours, convincing the nurse she was relieving the acid in her esophagus. Well, an hour later, the area just below her sternum became too painful so the nurse called the on-call MD who ordered blood to be drawn. Now, Mom had done a 24 hr urine sample again during this admit and her protein was 900+, not good! When the labs came back, Mom was told that I would be born in 6-12 hrs as her liver enzymes were 884 (they should not be above 30!). Mom called Dad at 4 am and told him I was coming soon, but he could go back to sleep--which is what he did.
At 8 am, Dr. Sharmahd came in and told Mom she would be having a c-section at 9 or 10 am and that she should call Dad if she wanted him to be present. Fortunately, Dad and Nana were already awake and made it in time!! Dr. Wear, my anesthesiologist told my Mom step by step what would take place and was very honest when Mom asked what would happen if I was not removed immediately by saying that my Mom would die since her liver would rupture. Nana and Mom's friend and former co-worker Crystal were present for the c-section (Crystal took some great pics of my birth!) and Dad got to go with me to the NICU and watch me get prepared for this new life.
I was born at 10:08 a.m. on 5/16/08, was 2 lbs, 3.1 oz and was 14 inches long (although my Dad was told 13.5 inches). You should look at my pictures and see how cute and teeny-tiny I am!
On Tuesday, Nana took us to my ultrasound to measure the growth of my head, belly, arms and legs. Apparently, I had been working really hard to keep things in balance and my belly had shrunk to way below average and I was sending all my blood to my brain. The MD told my Mom we would be admitted to the hospital right then for 48 hr monitoring. Later that day, the NICU MD visited Mom and said she needed to get a series of steriod shots for my lungs and respiratory system to develop as I would likely be born within a week. My Mom's OB/GYN also came and said Mom would stay in the hospital on strict bed rest until I was delivered. A lot of news all in one day!!
Wednesday came along and the blood flow in my brain and umbilical cord were again measured. The MD reported that we would not do another ultrasound Thursday as no significant change had occured. Mom was sad because she always received pictures of my parts to keep whenever she had an ultrasound. I also didn't have to have my heartrate monitored constantly.
During the day on Thursday, nothing eventful occured, Mom just had to stay in bed. Her MD expected her to have cabin fever by this time, but Mom just loved the care of the nurses (her day nurse was Kelly and night nurse Mary Ann) and MDs who were in and out of her room. That afternoon, a couple of Mom's good friends visited her (Eleanor, Jen, and Uyen) and all of them brought food! Yum! (The hospital food was also tasty, but homemade and Thai food are always good.) Mom started to feel like she was getting reflux again (not uncommon these last couple of weeks) and was not able to eat too much. That night, she threw up for 1 1/2 hours, convincing the nurse she was relieving the acid in her esophagus. Well, an hour later, the area just below her sternum became too painful so the nurse called the on-call MD who ordered blood to be drawn. Now, Mom had done a 24 hr urine sample again during this admit and her protein was 900+, not good! When the labs came back, Mom was told that I would be born in 6-12 hrs as her liver enzymes were 884 (they should not be above 30!). Mom called Dad at 4 am and told him I was coming soon, but he could go back to sleep--which is what he did.
At 8 am, Dr. Sharmahd came in and told Mom she would be having a c-section at 9 or 10 am and that she should call Dad if she wanted him to be present. Fortunately, Dad and Nana were already awake and made it in time!! Dr. Wear, my anesthesiologist told my Mom step by step what would take place and was very honest when Mom asked what would happen if I was not removed immediately by saying that my Mom would die since her liver would rupture. Nana and Mom's friend and former co-worker Crystal were present for the c-section (Crystal took some great pics of my birth!) and Dad got to go with me to the NICU and watch me get prepared for this new life.
I was born at 10:08 a.m. on 5/16/08, was 2 lbs, 3.1 oz and was 14 inches long (although my Dad was told 13.5 inches). You should look at my pictures and see how cute and teeny-tiny I am!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A Busy Week
My serial non-stress tests started this week--I have 2/week. These monitor my heart rate to see if it will go up 10 beats/minute two times in an hour. My heart rate was about 145 baseline, but it plummeted temporarily to 70 on Tuesday and 90 on Thursday, so my Mom and I were admitted to the hospital both days for further monitoring. No further decline occurred while in triage. Mom's blood pressure is now considered "labile" or temperamental as it was as low as 87 and then 101 a couple hours later. Apparently, she's on the largest dose of medicine possible, so not much more than bed rest can be done at this time. Mom also had many contractions that she couldn't feel during hospitalized monitoring, so the MD isn't too concerned since they aren't strong enough for her to feel. Mom now has to drink as much fluid as possible and tally my movements every hour that she's awake. Mom also takes something to do each visit now in case we are admitted again!!
But I'm doing great! I love to kick and stretch and make my Mom wonder what I'm doing inside that makes her tummy sort of roll around. I still love it when Dad's around and get so excited. My activity is so strong now that you can see Mom's belly jumping around! I'm good at kicking the monitors too and making them move!!
My Nana is coming next week so my Dad can actually get some work done--he spent a lot of time at the hospital this week so he has to make up work. Nana is going to come look at me during my ultrasound on Tuesday which will show if I'm growing. Dad is going to go to a "new dad's class" to learn that he's not the only one who is concerned about having a little sprite like me enter his world!!
But I'm doing great! I love to kick and stretch and make my Mom wonder what I'm doing inside that makes her tummy sort of roll around. I still love it when Dad's around and get so excited. My activity is so strong now that you can see Mom's belly jumping around! I'm good at kicking the monitors too and making them move!!
My Nana is coming next week so my Dad can actually get some work done--he spent a lot of time at the hospital this week so he has to make up work. Nana is going to come look at me during my ultrasound on Tuesday which will show if I'm growing. Dad is going to go to a "new dad's class" to learn that he's not the only one who is concerned about having a little sprite like me enter his world!!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Notes from the Womb: 4/29/08 (Click here)
My Mom and Dad saw me via ultrasound on 4/23/08 and the doctor said I weigh 1lb, 11oz! My femurs are still really little (thanks to Dad!), but I can still kick Mom real hard! In fact, I just love to get fiesty and wrestle in my Mom's tummy.
My Mom and Dad have a lot to deal with already, and I'm still 12.5 weeks from my due date! The MD said Mom has high blood pressure so she has to take medication and lay on her side for 4 hours during the day. She can't drive or work at this time, so Dad has to take us to our 33 scheduled MD appointments starting next week! Thanks Dad!! You are so generous, especially when your job needs you to be working overtime to get deadlines met.
I love that my Mom is on bed rest! I am more active and love it when I hear Dad's voice when he gets home from work--I start to kick and squirm more than ever!! Dad can feel me kicking, but nobody can see my movements yet just looking at Mom's tummy.
My Mom and Dad have a lot to deal with already, and I'm still 12.5 weeks from my due date! The MD said Mom has high blood pressure so she has to take medication and lay on her side for 4 hours during the day. She can't drive or work at this time, so Dad has to take us to our 33 scheduled MD appointments starting next week! Thanks Dad!! You are so generous, especially when your job needs you to be working overtime to get deadlines met.
I love that my Mom is on bed rest! I am more active and love it when I hear Dad's voice when he gets home from work--I start to kick and squirm more than ever!! Dad can feel me kicking, but nobody can see my movements yet just looking at Mom's tummy.
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