2.5 Weeks at Home

Well, 2.5 weeks go by fast! I wanted to update the blog several times, but never had time or was too tired...as you can imagine :) So...the update: At Luke's 2 week at home check up last Thursday, he had gained to 5 lbs 6 oz. We were thrilled as he is gaining weight faster than expected! Remember, 14 days before when we brought him home, he was only 4lbs 2.5 oz. He has grown 3 inches longer as well and is up to 19 inches long. I'm proud to say he is growing out of a few preemie outfits, but some of them are still too big...ha! His cheeks are starting to puff out and his tummy is definitely expanding. His arms and legs are still so thin. Poor thing has baby acne pretty bad. He is a great nurser and possibly a little piglet as he spits up after most feeds.

Luke is doing good overall. He still sleeps a lot, but does have some wake time. He loves to listen to Alex and David's voice. Unfortunately, he cries randomly at night so I am getting very little sleep :( Also, he eats every 3 hrs during the day still, but wants to eat more often at night :( I'm still just thankful he is not at the hospital, but praying he figures this night thing out soon! Please pray with me as I'm super sleep deprived. I drank coffee this morning as last night was the worst; I slept about 2.5 hrs. However, I had a great day today with all three kiddos probably due to the awesome weather allowing us to be outside most of our morning.

Thankfully, Alex and David are adjusting so much better than expected. Yes, they still have meltdowns occasionally, but it is nothing like when I brought David home from the hospital. Alex melted constantly back then. They have each other to play (and fight) with now so they are not so jealous of Luke. There are still times of crying and wanting to be held while I nurse, but not every day :) They both love Luke and are super sweet and gentle with him. I am thankful for that as Alex at 21 months old bit David's toe and drew blood when he was less than 6 weeks old! She is so motherly with Luke, wanting to read to him, give blanket, pacy, kisses, etc.

We are very thankful. Luke is 7 weeks old and one day. Everything has been an extreme blur, so trying to savor our time now. We have been receiving meals every other night for over 6 weeks (tonight being the last). It has been amazing! Thank you again to all who brought meals. It was a huge blessing and scheduled perfectly. Also, I was released to drive last Monday, but we are still not taking Luke out for a bit longer. However, I got out for my first Girls Night Out tonight in the first time in months. It was great! :)

Papasan sleeping...how we survived his first few nights at home.

In bouncy seat a couple of weeks after the above pic. I can tell he has gained here, but don't be deceived. He is still tiny weighing in just over 5lbs here.

My sister, Robin, holding Luke.

David loving on brother

Fighting over Luke...notice David pinching Alex - ha! 

Posing for camera

Being silly

I know about the "Back to Sleep" campaign, but my kiddos love sleeping on their tummies. We monitor him during the day and he does great. We don't do it every nap, but some. He does have tummy time in which he is strong enough to lift his head and turn a different direction. 

Alex aggravating David and not letting him play with the toy phone that they pulled out of the baby toys we have stored.

Then, they play so sweet that I wonder how could they ever fight. ha!

Cutie Pie

Our stand up deep freeze is almost full of frozen breast milk...every drawer and most all shelves. 

Thankfully, I have weaned from pumping, but have tons of milk in which a good bit will probably go to waste :( I looked into donating it, but it was too late as a screening had to be done before freezing the milk. O well, we'll use some for Luke's cereal one day.

Luke came HOME yesterday!!!

How wonderful it was to wake up this morning to our whole family under one roof. Well, maybe I didn't wake up since I had been up for a while :) Yeah, I didn't sleep much (~2.5hrs) last night with little man trying to figure out a new place and his nights. The lost sleep was worth it though! So glad I am not going to the hospital today!

The coming home story...

Luke had a great Wednesday night in which he ate good, gained weight, and regulated his temp well. Therefore, he got to go home Thursday! We made it home about 1:30pm. I skipped going for his 9am  feed that morning to work on the house a bit more and run some last errands before Luke was to come home. When we got to the hospital, they were waiting on us to discharge! We were shocked as we were expecting to have to wait a while to be discharged. It was awesome!

Alex and David adjusted well and enjoyed Luke (and Mommy) home yesterday. Luke definitely knew he was in a new place and preferred being held or placed in light where all the action was. I think the noisy, bright NICU left it's mark on him. Hopefully, we can train him to like sleeping in the dark. Today, Alex and David had a few meltdowns (1 each before 7:30am!). I think we have some adjusting to do!!!

We are all so thankful to be together under one roof. I felt total relief yesterday afternoon when I looked around and saw everyone at home and realized that I did not have to go to the hospital anymore to visit Luke. Whew! I think the last 4.5 weeks have been a blur. Luke is supposed to be in my belly for another 4-5 weeks. ha! The Lord knew he would exit the womb early. Now, He is helping us learn life with a preemie, a toddler and a preschooler.
 

Leaving the hospital WITH Luke :)

 

Little man's first ride in the carseat

mmm...is this a foreshadow of their future relationship?

Much better :) Alex couldn't wait to hold Luke. Within a minute of being inside, Alex asked to hold him.

Daddy teaching Alex to hold Luke's head... only under close supervision (and clean hands) do the kids hold Luke.

Daddy and Luke

Our sweet little man...

Alex and David opening gifts "from Luke"

Luke napping with his gifts from Alex (a teddy bear) and David (a stuffed football rattle)

David was so sweet peeking in at Luke.

Me and my precious babies

I am so thankful and blessed to be a mom! What a huge responsibility! 

Am I really old enough to have kids? Ha!

Luke is in an Open Crib!

Luke reached 4 pounds yesterday and 4 lbs 1.5 oz today! He was put in an open crib today. If he maintains his temperature (b/w 97-99) and continues to gain weight, he can go home Thursday. I'm excited, but not getting my hopes up. I want Luke home, but am praying that God will allow it when it is safe for Luke. I don't want to rush things.

Luke started out in the open crib where his incubator was. The picture doesn't show, but he looked so much smaller in the open crib.

Luke made it into a second outfit today after he spit up on the first. He also had 3 poos in 1 hour. I think he's functioning just normal.

So sweet...

Because the NICU was almost to capacity with babies, Luke got moved to a private room. It is awesome! It is quieter, much more private, and there are no bright lights blaring in his eyes. So thankful!

Luke still has a window view in his new room :)

Thank you to all for continuing to pray. Only through God's strength have we endured the last 4.5 weeks. He has sustained us all even though Alex is so ready for our family to be "normal" again. She lets me know that with wimpers, whines and/or tears every day :(  Unfortunately, she has started having tee tee accidents again, too. I think the stress is affecting her in many many ways. Hoping her stress goes down when Luke comes home. Pray that we can all get more sleep/rest. We are all sleep deprived for various reasons.
Thank you!
 

Life at the NICU

Several people have asked me what my day looks like. Currently, my mother in law or mom (whoever is here that week) takes me to the hospital for Luke's 9am feed. Then, we go right back home. Then, a ride comes to pick me up at 11:15am so I can make it in plenty of time for his noon feed. I then stay at the hospital for his 3pm feed. Then, I leave about 4pm each day. This is the overall view. 

However, if you have never been in the NICU, many steps must happen just to go see your baby. So, getting to the hospital early is important to get it all done (especially in time for a feed :)

Step 1: Sign in at desk (and sometimes have to show ID)

Step 2: Grandaddy scrubbing in - Visitors to NICU should wash/scrub hands up to elbows for 3 minutes with scrubber and special soap. Needless to say, my hands are sooooo dry and rough after doing this multiple times a day.

Step: 3 - Putting sterile gown on over clothes

Then, I can walk back to Luke's little corner with a window view to visit him.

Our little area where I visit and nurse. Screens are put up for privacy when I nurse. Recently, we were moved closer to the window to let another baby have his above area.

Looking at and talking to Luke through the little door on his incubator. Notice he is on a special gel pad to protect his head.

Wiggle worm Luke often gets off his pad and ends up perpendicular to it!

Stretching

After I nurse each day, I go to this small, narrow pump room to pump milk as mama moo cow makes a lot more than little man can eat!

"Fun" at home with Alex and David

First time ever that a kiddo has written on walls :( I will say it wasn't on purpose though. The kids were coloring with markers and started playing chase. I told David to put the markers down before he kept running. He did not obey and when he ran by the wall (twice), he was holding them out and it made a line down the wall.

First Setback

Luke had his first setback last night. He had an apnea and brady last night. This is most likely due to being taken off caffeine 4 days ago. Also, he went to all breastfeeding and bottles yesterday, but didn't eat as well through the night. Lost a little weight, too :( Pray he gets endurance and strength to breast and bottle feed all 8 feeds/day and doesn't have anymore apnea spells (where he forgets to breathe).

I increased breastfeeding him 3 times a day today. He did well so I am going to try 4 times tomorrow. Praying he takes more from the bottles that he will get tonight.

I'm at the hospital a lot more as I am increasing the number of times I breastfeed. I miss Alex and David terribly while there, yet I cry when leaving Luke. It is a catch 22 and it stinks. I miss whoever I am not with. I just keep telling myself that this is a temporary phase in our life. Alex and David have done much better this week, but I hate being away from them this much. Whew.... Praying the Lord sustains us all.

Conquering the Feeds

I cannot believe Luke has been in the NICU for 3 weeks and one day. Thankfully, the time is going by fast even though it has been chaotic. He is now 33 weeks and 6 days old gestational. Luke has continued to gain weight (currently ~3 lb 12 oz) which is an answered prayer especially since we have increased the number of breastfeeding to 2-3 times a day. He successfully took his first bottle tonight also (took 30cc which is 3cc more than his scheduled tube feeds :) As hesitant as I was about them introducing the bottle, I have learned that it is necessary for NICU babies to expedite coming home. He has to be able to take 8 feedings/day by bottle or breast and still gain weight to be able to come home. Of course, I cannot be at the hospital for all 8 feedings so the bottle was inevitable. Thankfully, I have also learned that preemies do well switching back from the bottle to breast and vice versa. Once we get him home, I'll be able to breastfeed all his feeds...we just need to get him home!

To be able to come home, he must meet ALL of the following criteria.

Luke must:

1. be 35 weeks gestational age (next Wed, July 30)

2. be over 4 pounds

3. be able to regulate his temperature outside of incubator

4. be able to take 8 feedings/day by bottle or breast and still gain weight.

So, the earliest he could come home is July 30. We are hopeful that he will depart the NICU sometime next week!!! Please pray for him to be able to meet the above criteria to come home.

Also, please continue to pray for us to find ways to make Alex and David feel super special as we are gone often. They have never been away from us this much. I notice them being more clingy, fussy and sometimes distant. David even told me while I was changing his diaper tonight "miss you, miss you." it was so sweet, yet sad. I'm usually gone from 11:15am-4:15pm and some nights so they definitely feel this. As much as I want Luke home, I'm already praying for ALL of our family to be prepared for it. It will be a whole new challenge with Alex and David then as I will be spending so much time caring our little newborn. Please start praying for their adjustment and how I will handle it all when Luke does come home.

Updates: Alex and David are 100% better. Luke's eye seems to be better as well.

I looked into the scheduling website and got a bit overwhelmed with it. So, I'm just going to throw out there that if you are available to drive me to or from the hospital, please comment here, email, call, text, or facebook me. Currently, I need a ride to pick me up at 11:15am to go and then someone to pick me up from the hospital at about 4pm to bring me home. I'd like to try to add one more shorter trip there a day to get a 3rd feed in, but don't know when or how yet as David and Alex need me, too.

I think that is all for now. I'm exhausted as I do not rest with the kids in the afternoon anymore since I am at the hospital. Gotta go pump and try to get in bed soon.

Love Y'all,
~rebecca~

I love this pic of Luke reflex smiling even though it is a bit distorted because of the angle making him look chubby. ha! There is not anything chubby about him. He is so narrow and tiny!

Mimi holding Luke for the first time
Mimi is mine and the kiddos' babysitter for most of this week.
Thanks Mimi for helping in so many ways with the kids and house!

Grandaddy holding Luke for the first time

Playing in the rain and it's aftermath one afternoon with cousin Amber and some neighbors

They had a blast!

Rough Week, But Some Bright Spots

The week started with David running fever on Monday which meant that he only wanted Mommy to hold him most of the day. So, I did not get to go see Luke this day which made me very sad :( I was glad to be able to take care of David, but missed my other lil man.  On Tuesday night while visiting Luke, my mom and I noticed his eye matted shut and green guke eventually leaking out as the nurse cleaned it with a warm cloth. He now has eye drops to help with his eye infection :( When I picked up Alex from Kids Day Out on Wednesday, she was running fever and still was when she went to bed tonight :( 

Amidst this rough week (in which the tears came back), I did get to try to breastfeed with Luke for a second time today. He latched on Sunday, but didn't really suck much. However, today he did great for his second try (major bright spot!). He latched and sucked off and on for over 30 minutes. The lactation nurse was there today to offer any support I needed in nursing a preemie. She was so impressed with Luke that she left after about 5-10 minutes as he was doing great. She said it was normal for him to take lots of breaks while nursing in the beginning as he would get tired easy. So, I was not concerned at all that he took a 3-5 minute break after each sucking session. The tricky part about starting to nurse is that he has to work for his food and will most likely lose a little weight in the beginning as he is burning calories to eat. The goal is to be able to breast feed and gain weight at the same time. Please pray for that progress. I can only try once a day with him until they see his weight continue to increase.

Other bright spots have been the meals we receive every other night. It has been a huge blessing and help as our days are chaotic. Many evenings we are returning from the hospital just in time to receive a meal. Thank you so much to those who have brought or sent a meal so far! We are so grateful! Encouraging cards, texts, etc have made our day, too! Thanks everyone!

Many of you have asked how you can help in other ways. Currently, I need transportation to the hospital during the day. It has been quite complicated organizing childcare and transportation for me. I might try a scheduling website that a friend suggested to me. So, stay tuned if you would like to sign up to help in those ways. Thanks to all who are so willing to help during this time. And yes, that even brings tears to my eyes often!

I so look forward to bringing Luke home (probably in about 2-3 weeks) as I miss him when I am not there. Yet, I miss my other kiddos when I am there. This is definitely an emotional roller coaster! However, my rough week was brought into perspective when I met a mom and a grandma who had babies in the NICU. Both of their babies were born very early (22 and 24 wks) with problems in which they needed surgery or were still on the ventilator or had setbacks, etc. This made my "rough" week seem like cake and made me so thankful for my Luke and his amazing progress. Thank you Lord!

Prayer Requests: Please keep praying for continued positive progress with Luke even with the initiation of breastfeeding. Pray he continues to learn, gain endurance and get better at breastfeeding. Also, please pray that his eye infection heals soon and does not affect his vision. Pray for Alex and David to get well and that Chris and I do not get their "fever bug." Pray for us to have wisdom in how to work out the logistics of childcare and transportation. Finally, please pray for our family during this time. Pray for each of our kids to feel special and loved even though we cannot be with them as often. David and Alex are definitely extra clingy (and sometimes more fussy) when we are around as I still think their security is being rocked with our trips to the hospital. Pray that our family time together is maximized when all together. Tonight we took a break from going back to the hospital to have a family movie night. I think that was good for us all, but of course, I missed Luke, too. Thanks for praying everyone! We so feel it.

Looking at Mommy. Luke is often alert when we go to visit him.

Grandmother holding Luke for the first time. Grandmother has been a huge help at the house with the kiddos, laundry, dishes, transporting me, etc.... Thank you Mom!

Little Man sleeping like a rock after our first successful
breastfeeding session today :)

Notice the ipod playing in the background. We just added the alarm clock that charges and plays the ipod at the same time as the other speaker's battery was dying every 24 hrs and the ipod was running out of juice often. We hope the incubator and ipod together will help drown out all the beeps and other babies crying in the NICU. fyi... Luke does not cry anymore now that he got his CPAP off a while ago :)