Our Little Peanut May Be On Her Way Home

Siena & I had such a sweet snuggle session today.

The pneumogram game back abnormal. They noticed that while she slept there were times she stopped breathing, then would start back up. It's called "Periodic Breathing". Here's an explanation I found: What one observes about the very young is that in sleep, a newborn tends to maintain rapid & shallow breathing for a period of maybe 15-20 seconds & then she pauses. The pause lasts just a few seconds & then the breathing starts again. This phenomenon is simply a reflection of the baby's immature breathing control center in the brain. It is over-responsive to CO2 concentrations in the bloodstream. The shallow rapid breathing "blows off" or flushes the CO2 from the bloodstream, & the brain's automatic respiratory drive shuts down temporarily until the CO2 level rises again. Then the cycle repeats. This reminds us of the immature nature of newborn breathing regulation & serves as a good reminder why back sleeping is so strongly recommended for infants. Interestingly enough, they are given caffeine for this. It doesn't make them jittery- it's just suppose to increase breathing frequency. Dr's say it's something she'll outgrow within 1-6 months. She'll also continue taking the Reglan for her reflux. The Dr's want to send her home with a monitor. We will have to go through a training on how to use it. She'll have sensory wires attached to her chest that measures the chest movement & breathing rate. An alarm will go off if there's no breath for a set # of seconds. Unfortunately, there's a lot of false alarms- just to give us already-scared parents numerous heart attacks.

I have such mixed feelings about her coming home. On one hand, I hate only being able to see her 2x a day- I miss her terribly & want her with her sister. On the other hand, seeing my daughter turn blue on more than one occasion & the fact that she seems so small has made me a bit uneasy with her. I'm sure this will just take time. Especially the being so small- she's eating soooo good & as of tonight, she's back up to 4 lbs 11 oz!! (Born @ 4-13, got down to 4-5)

Sara got a visit by her cousins today that think she's "sooo cute"!

Got Milk??

My sweet friend JF captured this cute pic of Siena while we were visiting her. I have such great friends! SB came over to watch Sara, while JF took me to the Dr. (I have a horrible rash from the tape & iodine they used for my surgery. UGH!) We then went to see Siena & watched her get her hearing test done- she passed!! :)

I'm bummed to report that Siena had another episode last night that she did not "self-resolve" from this time. She started to turn a little "musky" & so the nurse had to help her levels go back up. She hasn't done this since Sunday so it's pretty dissapointing. The nurses were acting like she was on her way home- the CPR class yesterday, carseat inspection, etc... I think she's telling us she's not quite ready yet. We're waiting for her test results that she had last night- a 12 hr. test called a Pneumogram. It's an overnight recording of her breathing effort, heart rate, oxygen level and air flow to the lungs as she sleeps.

Daddy went back to work today- hopefully he'll find something permanent soon or can stay on his contract job for a while longer. This is not the right time for us to be unemployed!!! We worked in shifts last nights so we could each get some sleep & it seemed to work well. Sara's been sleeping well since we put her in her carseat after she eats. (Knock on wood!)

We also had visitors from Auntie EG who brought me lunch (and Jeff a cookie! lol) and Auntie LG who brought us a yummy dinner & lots of cookies!! Thanks so much everyone for all your help. Especially Grandma!!! XOXO

Happy One Week Birthday Sweet Girls!!

We still aren't positive what was wrong, but poor Sara was up crying on & off (mostly on) from midnight til 5 am!!!! Daddy and I were crying too! lol We each took turns going downstairs to sleep for a while and once again tried everything to make her feel better. Fortunately things finally settled down and we "slept in" til 9ish. Then, Sara had her very first appt. with her Pediatrician! We're so happy that she's back in the 5 Pounder Club! She was 5 lbs, 1/2 oz (up from 4 lbs. 13 oz. when she left the hospital). She was such a good girl in the Dr's office and the Dr. said she was doing great and to bring her back next week.

Siena had another 4 episodes today, but again, corrected herself. The nurse said they increased her reflux meds and really thinks it's all related- that she hasn't been digesting her food well which makes her heart rate & oxygen levels drop. She said she's super sweet and she "fell in love with her this morning". Apparantly, she's been eating even more than her sister at home, so I guess we'd better increase Sara's intake! lol It will be funny if Siena ends up bigger than her. As of now, she's gone from being born @ 4 llbs. 13 oz to 4 lbs 5 oz. The nurse said she'd be shocked if doesn't weigh more tonight! Grandma & I got to go visit her & in the afternoon and Uncle Scott came over @ night so Daddy and I could go back. Tomorrow we go to the hospital and take an infant CPR class.

Siena got moved to a Big Girl Bed!!

(Since I haven't been able to post since they were born, I'm gonna go backwards & act like I did a little @ a time.) Went and saw Siena this am & she was moved into a Big Girl Bed! Thank God- I hated seeing her in that isolette & only being able to put my hands in through those openings- too sad. Daddy fed her (she loves her hands up by her face!) & she's continuing to eat great. We know the more she eats, the stronger she gets. Spoke to the Dr. & he said she had thrown up a few times last night so he put her on meds for reflux. He also said until she doesn't have any more heart-rate episodes for 3-5 days, we won't even discuss when she'll come home. Fine with us- we want her there until she's as healthy as can be. She also got visits from Grandma & Grandpa and a volunteer that is part of the hospital's Cuddle Program- so sweet. We also got to see her again this evening. Thank God for the help of my family to be able to watch Sara so we can go see her.

Auntie SS came by for a visit & brought us a few meals & adorable dresses 4 the girls! We're all so spoiled & well loved.

Her sister Sara is being an angel- just eating, sleeping & looking around quietly. After a tough 1st night home, she slept great last night!! :) Daddy took over & I stayed downstairs so I could get some much needed rest. I've been doing far too much for someone that had major surgery less than a week ago. (Is anyone surprised?!) To see my hubby with our daughters is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

What an Introduction to Parenthood!!!

We had our 1st night at home & we had only ONE of them!!!! lol Sara definately gave us a crash course in the No-Sleep Club!! So far since she was born, she's barely made a peep. Until now. Besides having to wake up to feed her every 2 1/2 hrs, she was crying on & off from 4-6 am. We tried everything!!! Rocking, pacifier, swaddling, etc.... We had to chuckle through our 1/2-slit eyes. Then? I cried. How am I possibly gonna do this with TWO & Daddy back @ work?? Holy ----!

Fortunately, G-ma came over to let us nap & go visit Siena. We were very sad to hear that she had 2 more "episodes", where her heartrate dropped really low. She hadn't done this for 2 days & we had hoped she had already gotten past this. The nurses told us the good news is that she self-corrected & didn't need any help. We'll talk to the Dr. in the am & find out more. I was so happy to be able to feed and snuggle with my little Peanut today.

Had to take this adorable picture of the little Piglet tonight. Snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug. (She loves her Miracle Blanket!) I swear all her food is going straight to her cheeks! :) (Am I really just biased or does she have the sweetest face?)

Such a Bittersweet Day

Grandpa A & Auntie Cherie came down today & met the munchkins. It was so nice to see them. I just know A was thrilled to meet Sara, who reminds us so much of Jeff's Mom.

We were finally released from the hospital today but having to leave Siena was heartbreaking. I know she is in the best hands, but I want her home healthy and safe. Hopefully soon.

Sara missed older little sister in her pretty bassinet. Looking so cute in her Boppy pillow. Let's hope our 1st night as parents goes well!!

Get well soon, Sweet Siena!!!

I never thought in a million years that I would be visiting my daughter in the NICU. Siena had two more "episodes" today, meaning her heart rate & oxygen levels dropped & she needed to be stimulated to get them back up. They also had to pump her little tummy & do a ton of tests. We talked to one of the NICU Dr's & he said they ruled out anything major wrong with her- something in her brain, her heart, lungs & stomach. Thank God for this. Now, we just wait and see how she does. She was put into an isolette, which broke our hearts to see her in. She looks like a little bird, although she's one of the bigger babies in the NICU. I feel beyond blessed that she's so much better than some of the other little babies in there. We love you Little Peanut!!!!

On a happy note, Sara is doing great! She seems to be really peaceful- just sleeps, eats and looks around. Here's a great pic of her & Grandma. We had fun dressing her up with little headbands (although only 1 was small enough!)