The Big Move

Layla moved rooms today! She moved from her room in the NICU to a room in NIM (Neonatal Intermediate). It is a move in the right direction, however, it doesn't really mean that she suddenly made lots of progress. The reason for her move was because she lost her "partner" in her old room in the NICU. Her "partner" went home today and therefore would have left just her to take care of for a nurse when normally each nurse in the NICU has 2 patients. In NIM, each nurse has 3 patients and someone in NIM also went home today so it was a good day to switch her. Patients in NIM are in similar situations to her--mainly working on feedings and issues like that until they are ready to go home. Her new room is much noisier which is quite annoying, but I think more so for us than for her! Here is her new homestead...



Her first real outfit...

Look at that pout!!

Daddy's Girl:)

Is there a baby in there??

She weighed in tonight at 1640, so she gained 50 grams! That means she's almost 3 lbs 10 oz. That seems like a lot to gain in one day so hopefully the nurse weighed her correctly. I guess we'll find out tomorrow night if she's suddenly back down to 3 lbs 8 oz! Her bili count was still low today too at 6.6 so she is still off the lights for right now. Thanks for checking in!

10 more grams!

Last night Layla weighed in at 1590 grams ... 10 more than the night before! Way to go honey!! She also took 18 out 30ml through her bottle a couple times yesterday. That really puts her out for the count and she hardly wakes up till her next feeding. Her bili count was down to 7 from 12 allowing her to no longer need her tanning light and be able to be all snuggled up in her cute blankets. She also started her first collection. She is collecting Pampers Points. She already has 4 (thanks to one of her friends in a bed next to her who gave her 3)! She is already making friends:-).

I don't think I ever thought being a Dad would be so cool. I can't wait for the end of the day when I can go up to the hospital and see her. Granted, I can't really do anything while I am there, but that doesn't matter. I could sit and stare at her for hours on end. She is so cute when she sleeps. Arms above her head, sticking out her tongue, leg twitches and so many more beautiful movements (can you tell I am excited!). I will try and grab a video of some of her and get it posted. 9 hrs to go!!

1 week old!

Can you believe it! Layla is a week old already! I know this is cliche but, "Wow, Time Flies". It has been amazing to see her progress in the last week. From being born till now she has increased her feedings from 6ml to 30ml plus 2 calorie packs per feeding. She has been removed from her IV, she no longer need antibiotics, and all her vitals have been doing very well. Praise God!! She is a little fighter.

Last night we also had more good news. Layla gained 10grams from the night before. It isn't much but at least it is the right direction. So she now weighs a staggering 1580 grams (around 3lbs 7.68oz). She was able to have some tummy time last night as she sun-bathed under her bili light.

Pray today that her bilirubin count comes down, and that she continues to feed her whole feedings without any complications. All of us in our family really appreciate all of the support we have been given. It means a a lot to us ... THANKS!

Back To Blogging

I think this is the first time that I (Mere) have blogged since having Layla. Joe always seemed to have a lot more time on his hands when we were staying in the hospital so he was always the one that updated it. I still don't have much time (I haven't been taking my computer to the hospital and the computer at the hospital wasn't letting me send emails today or blog), but wanted to quick update.

Joe went back to work today so it was just Layla and me all day:(. I'm not sad to spend time with Layla, but I miss having Joe around! I'm sure it was just as hard for him to not be with us all day! Layla still hasn't gained any weight (her weight was down just a tiny tiny amount tonight), so pray that she gains weight. Her bilirubin went up today so she may need to have the light back on as well as her Zorro mask tomorrow. Other than that she is doing very well. They removed here IV last night so at least she doesn't have her paddle anymore! She again took part of her feedings by bottle--she is now up to 1 oz per feeding and they are also adding a supplement now to each feeding as well to give her extra calories. She also had her feeding tube switched from her mouth to her nose. She had to be 32 weeks gestational age to have that and she was 32 weeks today! Here are some new pics...

Wow!

What a weekend! From having to leave Layla at the hospital, finding our dog, Elvis, had somehow escaped out of his kennel during the storm, and finding our house had no power (and no estimated restoration time) was not exactly what we had planned. Oh well.

You know how it sometimes it kind of feels like everything gets piled on at once! That is kind of what this weekend felt like, but then we realize how good we really have it yet. Our daughter is in the best hospital she can be in, mom and dad are both healthy and can visit her, we have a wonderful family (and church family) who are so supportive, wonderful friends, and not to mention all the other many blessings we have. It really is amazing what our Lord has given us.

Last night when we left Layla she was doing really well. She was feeding 27ml at a time (most through her feeding tube ... she gets really tired eating) and was sleeping very well in between feedings. She was off her bilirubin light when we got there!! However, she may have to go back on it for a day here and there. But it was so nice to snuggle her in a blankie and let her sleep soundly. They also said her IV may come out soon, which would be so nice for her little hand. At her weigh in she was 3lbs 7oz ... no change from the day before ... but no loss either.

All in all she is fighting like a champ. It is kind of funny because every nurse says that she has a lot of fight in her and she is extremely fiesty. However, I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing yet???

Thanks again for all your prayers and support. Please continue to pray she begins to gain weight, keeps breathing on her own, and that mommy and daddy can get good rest when they can:-)!

Keep Fighting!

Last night was hard for us as parents ... to leave her behind as we headed home:-(. However, we knew that she was in good hands and that we could go see her today. Still, it made for a long night and morning couldn't come quick enought to call up there and see how she was doing.

We called around 9am and at that time the nurse said her feedings went great last night! They feed her by bottle and not by the feeding tube! She also said that her feedings will probably go up to 24ml today .... GO LAYLA!!! We were also told that her bilirubin count had come down overnight. So hopefully she won't have to be Zorro for too much longer.

Thanks again for all the prayers and just continue to pray that she maintains good progress in all her development areas!!

Zorro!!

First off, thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. Layla is still continuing to take her feedings like a champ. She is drinking 12ml at a time and hopefully will be able to get bumped up to 18ml later today.

This morning when we got there we noticed she had a lamp over her. The nurse said this was to get rid of her bilirubin (yellow substance that the body makes as red blood cells are broken down. When it builds up in the body skin can turn yellow which is called jaundice). She has to wear little black Zorro glasses to protect her eyes from the light. She looks so cute. However, she has been a little stressed and her respitory rate has been high. This is because she has to be un-clothed and without a blanket over her, and she doesn't like that at all!!

They now put some other special cushy bedding under her that can form to her body creating a more secure area for her. Hopefully this will help her calm down and have her respitory rate come down. Overall she is doing very well and hopefully this will continue!! Please continue to pray that she keeps taking her feedings and continues to develop.