Our little girl has finally graduated to FULL FEEDS! What that means is she is now being fed only breastmilk (32cc's) and will be off IV nutrition tonight. They are letting her last bag of "gatorade" run out before taking her off it. This news is especially exciting because it means we are one step closer to breastfeeding and that is one step closer to coming home.
Also, her doctors yesterday were toying with the idea of moving her to intermediate care! Another step toward coming home! They decided to keep her in the NICU for a little longer because she is still so small. Currently, she is weighing in at 3lbs 5.5oz.
We did have one minor setback. She is back on a tiny bit of oxygen. Debbie, her nurse today, said she was struggling just a little too much, and the doctors wanted to give her a little break. Phil and I are very happy with this because the past couple days it has been rough watching her breath so rapidly and have so much difficulty keeping her oxygen levels up.
All in all it is good news. We still have a long road ahead of us, but every step toward her coming home gives us a little more hope that the road is getting shorter.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
More advancements in Noraville
Last night we found out our little girl figured out how to roll over! The nurses like to keep her on her belly to help her digestion and breathing, but little Nora did not want any of that! She stretched out her little legs and rolled herself over onto her back.
Also, she is up to 15cc's on her feeds (up from 9), and seems to be tolerating them well. Hopefully, that means she is learning the whole digestion process.
We do have one step backward though. She seems to be breathing pretty rapidly-still no outside help-but the doctors are worried about infection again. So, later today they will do some more tests to rule out anything scary. We should know for sure results within 72 hours.
Phil and I are hanging in there...tired, of course, but this week we have Ter here helping us. Thank goodness!!!
Also, she is up to 15cc's on her feeds (up from 9), and seems to be tolerating them well. Hopefully, that means she is learning the whole digestion process.
We do have one step backward though. She seems to be breathing pretty rapidly-still no outside help-but the doctors are worried about infection again. So, later today they will do some more tests to rule out anything scary. We should know for sure results within 72 hours.
Phil and I are hanging in there...tired, of course, but this week we have Ter here helping us. Thank goodness!!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
UP UP UP!!!
Wonderful news! Nora is up to 3lbs as of today! She is still having some digestive issues-learning slowly but surely how to proccess food for herself. She is breathing with NO assistance, and keeping her oxygen levels up.
I am recovering well and will be going to the doctor tomorrow for a check up. I can't believe it has been almost 2 weeks since she was born!
Phil went back to work today, so we are all getting back to normal!
I am recovering well and will be going to the doctor tomorrow for a check up. I can't believe it has been almost 2 weeks since she was born!
Phil went back to work today, so we are all getting back to normal!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Nora Jean Ambrose
Wow! 2008 has really got off to an eventful start! This post is basically a copy of the email I sent out and my myspace blog-so if you have read either of those, go ahead and skip this one. I will put up another update either next week or as new news comes our way.
__________________________________________________________
A lot of this will be a repeat for you, but I just wanted to take a moment and catch everyone up on what has happened the past week or so and how we are all doing.
Last Monday, after having high blood pressure readings and some disturbing results on some tests at a routine prenatal appointment, I was admitted to the hospital with "severe pre-eclampsia". After more tests, iv's, and discussion the doctors decided to try to keep me pregnant as long as the baby would tolerate it. Thankfully, my mom was able to fly in to be with us and help on Tuesday morning. Between her, Phil, and the nurses, I had amazing round the clock care. However, by Wednesday morning it was clear that they needed to start moving to getting the baby out. They tried to induce labor, and unfortunately my body didn't respond well. So, 36 hours later the doctors wheeled me in for a c-section.
Because of the drugs they had been giving me, the doctors had warned us that the baby might be very still and quiet when it came out. However, Nora Jean Ambrose entered the world kicking and screaming at 4:25pm on Thursday January 10, 2008. She weighed just 2 lbs 10 oz and was 14.5 inches long. Phil and I were so relieved to hear that first cry. Phil was able to go cut the cord and bring her swaddled over to see me. Then she was quickly wisked off to the NICU.
Once she was safe, the doctors worked to get me well again. By Sunday afternoon both iv's had been taken out and I was feeling much better. They discharged me and sent me home to recover from the c-section.
Nora, however, has a much longer hospital stay ahead of her. Since she was born at 31 weeks 6 days (almost 32!), she will likely remain in the NICU for 4-6 weeks depending on how everything goes. She had a few setbacks over the first week of her life-some lung/breathing issues and possible infection-but I am happy to report all has been resolved and she is doing wonderful. Phil and I are allowed to visit anytime day or night, and the nurses have been wonderful about letting us help as much as possible with her care. Since she is too little to breastfeed, I am pumping and they are giving her my milk through a feeding tube. She also recieves extra nutrition through a pic line (basically a "super" iv).
We are keeping a pretty intense schedule right now, trying to visit her as much as possible, so please forgive us if we are not excellent at keeping in contact. Please just keep calling and emailing and we will get back to you as soon as we can. I will try to keep our family webpage updated as things change and we get closer to Nora's homecoming. That site is: http://carmanambrose.googlepages.com/home . It has links to our family blog and photo album. I plan to have all that up to date this weekend.
All in all, we are doing good. I want to send out a thank you to everyone who prayed, wished us well, and sent encouraging emails, cards, and phone calls our way over the last couple weeks. Phil and I were amazed (and so thankful) at how much love and support we recieved.
I hope this finds everyone well! Take care,
-Carman (and Phil and Nora)
__________________________________________________________
A lot of this will be a repeat for you, but I just wanted to take a moment and catch everyone up on what has happened the past week or so and how we are all doing.
Last Monday, after having high blood pressure readings and some disturbing results on some tests at a routine prenatal appointment, I was admitted to the hospital with "severe pre-eclampsia". After more tests, iv's, and discussion the doctors decided to try to keep me pregnant as long as the baby would tolerate it. Thankfully, my mom was able to fly in to be with us and help on Tuesday morning. Between her, Phil, and the nurses, I had amazing round the clock care. However, by Wednesday morning it was clear that they needed to start moving to getting the baby out. They tried to induce labor, and unfortunately my body didn't respond well. So, 36 hours later the doctors wheeled me in for a c-section.
Because of the drugs they had been giving me, the doctors had warned us that the baby might be very still and quiet when it came out. However, Nora Jean Ambrose entered the world kicking and screaming at 4:25pm on Thursday January 10, 2008. She weighed just 2 lbs 10 oz and was 14.5 inches long. Phil and I were so relieved to hear that first cry. Phil was able to go cut the cord and bring her swaddled over to see me. Then she was quickly wisked off to the NICU.
Once she was safe, the doctors worked to get me well again. By Sunday afternoon both iv's had been taken out and I was feeling much better. They discharged me and sent me home to recover from the c-section.
Nora, however, has a much longer hospital stay ahead of her. Since she was born at 31 weeks 6 days (almost 32!), she will likely remain in the NICU for 4-6 weeks depending on how everything goes. She had a few setbacks over the first week of her life-some lung/breathing issues and possible infection-but I am happy to report all has been resolved and she is doing wonderful. Phil and I are allowed to visit anytime day or night, and the nurses have been wonderful about letting us help as much as possible with her care. Since she is too little to breastfeed, I am pumping and they are giving her my milk through a feeding tube. She also recieves extra nutrition through a pic line (basically a "super" iv).
We are keeping a pretty intense schedule right now, trying to visit her as much as possible, so please forgive us if we are not excellent at keeping in contact. Please just keep calling and emailing and we will get back to you as soon as we can. I will try to keep our family webpage updated as things change and we get closer to Nora's homecoming. That site is: http://carmanambrose.googlepages.com/home . It has links to our family blog and photo album. I plan to have all that up to date this weekend.
All in all, we are doing good. I want to send out a thank you to everyone who prayed, wished us well, and sent encouraging emails, cards, and phone calls our way over the last couple weeks. Phil and I were amazed (and so thankful) at how much love and support we recieved.
I hope this finds everyone well! Take care,
-Carman (and Phil and Nora)
Friday, January 4, 2008
2007 Reflection
2008 is beginning and after looking through the many Christmas cards and Christmas letters, I thought it might be good to reflect a little as well.
We have had quite an eventful 2007! After Phil completed a short tour (about a month) working in Japan last winter, we had the opportunity to travel there ourselves. It was by far the most challenging and rewarding of our adventures so far. We got many great pictures and created even more wonderful memories. We feel so lucky we had the opportunity to get over there!
After returning from Japan, we just got unpacked and then started packing up again. In late April we made the decision to move off post into a little house in Steilacoom (my favorite W. WA town). The move shortened both our commutes, and gave us a great opportunity to purge our "stuff collection".
The summer was filled with changes. I started working on a graduate certificate in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), and Phil moved out of his job in Protocol to the S3 shop in the 555. We also learned, to our delight, that we would be expecting our first child in early March 2008.
The fall brought more changes for Phil- he was again moved from his job to another! Now he is working hard as the XO for the 864 Rear D. He is so happy and challenged in this job. It is wonderful to see him enjoying (for the most part) work again. We spent the Thanksgiving holiday with family in Clarkston, and had a short visit from Phil's dad for Veteran's Day weekend.
We ended 2007 quite differently than last year, choosing to stay home for Christmas time and take a short trip to Portland for New Years. After conquering the snowy pass for the holidays in 2006, we decided that it would be better for all if we hunkered down at home this year. New Years was celebrated in relaxing style with the Ortiz's (my sister and brother-in-law).
Overall, there has been so many events-too many to detail-and we have been so lucky to be home together. We are so excited to face all the new challenges that 2008 will bring and hope that this finds everyone happy and healthy.
-Carman (and Phil)
After returning from Japan, we just got unpacked and then started packing up again. In late April we made the decision to move off post into a little house in Steilacoom (my favorite W. WA town). The move shortened both our commutes, and gave us a great opportunity to purge our "stuff collection".
The summer was filled with changes. I started working on a graduate certificate in TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language), and Phil moved out of his job in Protocol to the S3 shop in the 555. We also learned, to our delight, that we would be expecting our first child in early March 2008.
The fall brought more changes for Phil- he was again moved from his job to another! Now he is working hard as the XO for the 864 Rear D. He is so happy and challenged in this job. It is wonderful to see him enjoying (for the most part) work again. We spent the Thanksgiving holiday with family in Clarkston, and had a short visit from Phil's dad for Veteran's Day weekend.
We ended 2007 quite differently than last year, choosing to stay home for Christmas time and take a short trip to Portland for New Years. After conquering the snowy pass for the holidays in 2006, we decided that it would be better for all if we hunkered down at home this year. New Years was celebrated in relaxing style with the Ortiz's (my sister and brother-in-law).
Overall, there has been so many events-too many to detail-and we have been so lucky to be home together. We are so excited to face all the new challenges that 2008 will bring and hope that this finds everyone happy and healthy.
-Carman (and Phil)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
