We have survived the hardest and most rewarding year of our lives. It is so crazy to think that this time last year my ears were consumed with constant beeping of alarms and daily meetings with doctors and nurses trying to determine the next mile stone that Olivia needed to conquer to make her discharge from the hospital as quick as possible. Now my ears are full of wonderful babbles go ga and yes her first official word is DaDa he is thrilled. I will never forget but Im going to write it down in case I do lol as most Mom's have told me you think youll never forget but its amazing what we loose track of over the years. We were at Tepanyaki one of our favorite sushi restaurants on 10/29/13 we had just ordered some nice hot sake to sip on... just as we poured our first cup Olivia clear as can be banging her hand on the table DADA DADA two times clear as day it was perfect her daddy and I definitely cheers-ed to that....
Just a few more things to update on her time line in the next 6 months it is crazy how quickly she is learning. She sat up for the first time by herself at 8 months she was able to stand holding onto something much sooner then this but I have been told that this is common for premature babies to prefer standing verses sitting. As they were never tightly squished in the womb their flex or muscles are not as strong as a full term babies would be. She has been scooting around like crazy since about 9 months but not at a year she is occasionally getting to her hands and knees. She can crawl in this position but has learned she gets around much quicker on her belly ... She is starting to pull herself up to things and definitely keeping us busy and on our toes. Of course everything goes in the mouth. We had quite a fright the other day as it was her first choking experience Im pretty sure she swallowed whatever paper or string that was in her mouth but as a paranoid first time Mom I was ready to call 911 lol thankfully my husband was there to calm me down and talk some sense into me.
We took her to her 1 year appointment she is 14lbs 15oz so almost 15lbs. I am ecstatic she is finally on the charts for her length and that is going off her true age not her adjusted age. She is in the 8th percentile for length and we still arent on the charts for weight. She is a skinny one and she definitely didn't inherit that from me lol. The doctor was happy with her growth and is encouraging us to let her eat table foods. She is still learning how to chew and chokes every once in a while but shes really getting the hang of it.
Her first birthday party was so much fun Olivia loved opening her gifts and was so spoiled (pics to come)...
I cant wait for Christmas she is going to love unwrapping gifts she will probably be more interested in that then the actual gift lol ....
Olivia has definitely discovered her sass and attitude lol oh help us we are going to be in big trouble when this one hits her terrible two's... despite all of this I am absolutely loving being a Mother and so blessed to have such an amazing daughter she amazes me everyday. As much as I love watching her grow and change part of me gets emotional to think how quickly she is growing up and how much Im going to miss her being a baby.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
6 Months
Wow so hard to believe Olivia is already 6 months old.... she has grown up and Im loving her more everyday. We had her 6 month check up she is 10lbs exactly and is 23" long. If we go off of her adjusted age which is 3 months she is average on height but still very low on her weight. The doctor is very happy with her growth and says she is making great progress.
Olivia meets with a physical therapist and an occupational therapist once a month. They are so impressed with her fine motor skills. Remember they expect Olivia to behave more like a 3 month old then a 6 month old baby. Olivia has started rolling over. Because she hates tummy time so much she learned quickly in the Nicu actually how to roll from her tummy to her back. But last week she did her first roll from her back to her tummy it was such a mile stone I was such a proud mamma. She is chatting tons and will have full on conversations with you. She also discovered her own reflection and thinks she is pretty funny. It is such a joy to watch her coo and laugh at herself I just love it. She has great head control and is very strong on her belly I really think she will be crawling in no time at all, and she is such a busy girl we are in Big trouble when she becomes mobile.
Her big brother Spike (our english bull dog) is really taking well to his baby sister. He is so protective of her and gets really concerned if she cries hard. The other day she was in her swing bare foot and spike went over there curious as usual just as I went to tell him NO he licked her toes and she started laughing so hard they went back and forth for a few minutes it was the sweetest thing ever. I do believe they will be great friends.
Well more updates to come but she is healthy and doing so well I honestly feel so blessed and so lucky she is an amazing little girl ... I cant believe she is mine
Olivia meets with a physical therapist and an occupational therapist once a month. They are so impressed with her fine motor skills. Remember they expect Olivia to behave more like a 3 month old then a 6 month old baby. Olivia has started rolling over. Because she hates tummy time so much she learned quickly in the Nicu actually how to roll from her tummy to her back. But last week she did her first roll from her back to her tummy it was such a mile stone I was such a proud mamma. She is chatting tons and will have full on conversations with you. She also discovered her own reflection and thinks she is pretty funny. It is such a joy to watch her coo and laugh at herself I just love it. She has great head control and is very strong on her belly I really think she will be crawling in no time at all, and she is such a busy girl we are in Big trouble when she becomes mobile.
Her big brother Spike (our english bull dog) is really taking well to his baby sister. He is so protective of her and gets really concerned if she cries hard. The other day she was in her swing bare foot and spike went over there curious as usual just as I went to tell him NO he licked her toes and she started laughing so hard they went back and forth for a few minutes it was the sweetest thing ever. I do believe they will be great friends.
Well more updates to come but she is healthy and doing so well I honestly feel so blessed and so lucky she is an amazing little girl ... I cant believe she is mine
Friday, March 8, 2013
4 Month Check Up
Way over due but better late then never.... Olivia had her 4 month check up and is doing so well. She weighed 7 1/2lbs and was 20" long. Growing to be such a strong healthy girl. The doctor was very impressed with her coordination and ability to engage with us. She did receive all her vaccines and unfortunately my baby girl had an extra shot specifically to fight RSV. Grateful we have these vaccines available to us but it was so hard to watch her in so much pain. This is only the third time Ive seen her really cry with big alligator tears. It is safe to say her and I balled our eyes out for a good 10min after that rendition.
Olivia had her eye exam yesterday. Her eyes are to a phase 3, phase 4 is considered fully mature, but it is not uncommon to be where she is at her gestational age. For preemies they use what is called an adjusted age. They go off her original due date until she is 2 years of age. They figure by 2 she should be pretty much caught up and it is safe to use her real age. Im one proud mama to announce that Olivia is acting much more like a 4 month old then a 6 week old. This child never seizes to amaze me. She is so strong willed and stubborn but I will be forever grateful for this personality of hers. As I do believe it is what has pulled her threw all the trial and tribulations that she has faced. I may have a different tone about this strong willed personality at the age of 13 lol.
Olivia had her eye exam yesterday. Her eyes are to a phase 3, phase 4 is considered fully mature, but it is not uncommon to be where she is at her gestational age. For preemies they use what is called an adjusted age. They go off her original due date until she is 2 years of age. They figure by 2 she should be pretty much caught up and it is safe to use her real age. Im one proud mama to announce that Olivia is acting much more like a 4 month old then a 6 week old. This child never seizes to amaze me. She is so strong willed and stubborn but I will be forever grateful for this personality of hers. As I do believe it is what has pulled her threw all the trial and tribulations that she has faced. I may have a different tone about this strong willed personality at the age of 13 lol.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
The Day Has Come
After a long and rough 121 days of being in the hospital my baby girl is finally home with us. I had every emotion imaginable leaving the NICU. I was excited, scared, overwhelmed but above all I was looking forward to the future and being able to be with her every day and every night. To be able to enjoy all of her moods and progress, watching her grow and develop right before our eyes. One of the hardest things about the NICU was just hearing second hand how cute she was being or how happy she was and knowing I missed it, but not anymore, she is home where she belongs.
I must admit she is a bit spoiled at the moment. I dont think I have put her down other then to sleep. I know this could create bad habits but I feel like both her and I have some much needed bonding time that is way past due so for now this will have to do.
She came off oxygen 3 days before coming home and has done great here at home with no oxygen. I of course am overly concerned and paranoid, every little noise she makes or even if she goes too long without making a noise I run and check to make sure she is ok. Needless to say Olivia has slept great waking up 2x a night to eat and goes right back to sleep but mamma now that is a different story lol ... I will take all of these sleepless nights I love being a Mom and am really enjoying getting to know my baby girl.
We went to her first doctor appointment yesterday she is 6lbs 13oz and the doctor said she looks great. Her eyes are still immature we have a follow up appointment with the optomologist in 3 weeks to check their progress. We will be spending a ton of time at the doctors being that she will have an appointment every week for the next 6 weeks to track her progress but other then that we will be on house arrest until RSV season is over. We can not risk her getting sick after a third of the year in hospital I am not ready to go back anytime soon. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts we really appreciate it. I will continue to post updates and pics....
I must admit she is a bit spoiled at the moment. I dont think I have put her down other then to sleep. I know this could create bad habits but I feel like both her and I have some much needed bonding time that is way past due so for now this will have to do.
She came off oxygen 3 days before coming home and has done great here at home with no oxygen. I of course am overly concerned and paranoid, every little noise she makes or even if she goes too long without making a noise I run and check to make sure she is ok. Needless to say Olivia has slept great waking up 2x a night to eat and goes right back to sleep but mamma now that is a different story lol ... I will take all of these sleepless nights I love being a Mom and am really enjoying getting to know my baby girl.
We went to her first doctor appointment yesterday she is 6lbs 13oz and the doctor said she looks great. Her eyes are still immature we have a follow up appointment with the optomologist in 3 weeks to check their progress. We will be spending a ton of time at the doctors being that she will have an appointment every week for the next 6 weeks to track her progress but other then that we will be on house arrest until RSV season is over. We can not risk her getting sick after a third of the year in hospital I am not ready to go back anytime soon. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts we really appreciate it. I will continue to post updates and pics....
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Update
So again just a past due update, we are still anxiously waiting for Olivia's eyes to become mature. The good news is her ROP (degeneration of the nerve) is down to a stage one it was a 2 before. Here eyes are nearly mature but not quite there. Again we are waiting for this in case she comes home on oxygen. Although they did do a "room air trial" and she went 6 hours without any oxygen. She must keep her oxygen saturation's between 88-94 right now she is on an 1/8th of a liter breathing 21% oxygen which is what you and I breathe, that being said she really isn't on oxygen at all she is basically breathing room air with a little bit of pressure behind it. Why they have not developed a device that would do this at home is beyond me. Its really frustrating that for home treatment 100% oxygen is the only thing available and it is extremely dangerous for immature eyes, but just my opinion. They will do another eye exam on Sunday. I personally think she will come off of oxygen before her eyes are mature but we will just have to wait and see... It is a catch 22 because if she doesnt come home on oxygen then she also doesnt come home with monitors which will make me a nervous wreck. Dont worry her Daddy and I have already been doing our homework on some monitors just in case we are put in the predicament lol.... I will keep everyone posted once I hear some news on those little eyes of hers. In the mean time baby girl is a whopping 6lbs 5oz and getting so big and alert. She is holding her head up so well and actually rolled from her back to her side for the occupational therapist. Happy to say that the therapist said in 15 years of doing this she had never seen a baby of her gestational age be able to do this..... We deff have one strong little girl on our hands....
Monday, January 21, 2013
Dear Olivia
Dear Olivia,
Today is the day you were originally supposed to join us. Amazing to think you have already been filling our lives with joy for 13 weeks. I cant get enough of your big curious eyes and your darling mysterious smile. I wish I knew what you were thinking and you could tell me what your feeling. Your Dad and I were hoping to conceive you for three long years I cant explain to you the joy we felt when I found out I was pregnant with you on Mother's Day. It was a long and stressful process just trying to get pregnant let alone the stress this NICU situation has brought us, but Im happy to say all of this is worth it. I feel so blessed to call you my own and so lucky that I am chosen to be your Mother. I promise to do my best as a Mother and to love you unconditionally, to give you all that you deserve, to teach you to live and love passionately, to be gentle with your words and open minded. Life is too short my angel to not live it fully. Listen with an open ear and Love with an Open Heart, Know that your Mommy and Daddy love you with all their heart and will always be here for you. Strive to be the best you can be and live life day by day.
Your Daddy and I are closing on our house tomorrow that we plan to make a home when you arrive. We are looking forward to all the memories we create and good times we have in this home. As I write this you are having your eyes tested they must be mature in order for you to join us at home. As much as you and I both hate this eye testing it is very necessary and very important, because you will come home on oxygen it is essential that your eyes are fully mature. Oxygen is toxic to the eyes when they are immature so again it is essential for the eye doctor to give us the go ahead to bring you home on 100% pure oxygen.... As excited as your Daddy and I are to bring you home our first and primary priority is too make sure it is safe for you. We want nothing but the best for you... We plan to make this house a "home" that we can all share and grow in.
Today is the day you were originally supposed to join us. Amazing to think you have already been filling our lives with joy for 13 weeks. I cant get enough of your big curious eyes and your darling mysterious smile. I wish I knew what you were thinking and you could tell me what your feeling. Your Dad and I were hoping to conceive you for three long years I cant explain to you the joy we felt when I found out I was pregnant with you on Mother's Day. It was a long and stressful process just trying to get pregnant let alone the stress this NICU situation has brought us, but Im happy to say all of this is worth it. I feel so blessed to call you my own and so lucky that I am chosen to be your Mother. I promise to do my best as a Mother and to love you unconditionally, to give you all that you deserve, to teach you to live and love passionately, to be gentle with your words and open minded. Life is too short my angel to not live it fully. Listen with an open ear and Love with an Open Heart, Know that your Mommy and Daddy love you with all their heart and will always be here for you. Strive to be the best you can be and live life day by day.
Your Daddy and I are closing on our house tomorrow that we plan to make a home when you arrive. We are looking forward to all the memories we create and good times we have in this home. As I write this you are having your eyes tested they must be mature in order for you to join us at home. As much as you and I both hate this eye testing it is very necessary and very important, because you will come home on oxygen it is essential that your eyes are fully mature. Oxygen is toxic to the eyes when they are immature so again it is essential for the eye doctor to give us the go ahead to bring you home on 100% pure oxygen.... As excited as your Daddy and I are to bring you home our first and primary priority is too make sure it is safe for you. We want nothing but the best for you... We plan to make this house a "home" that we can all share and grow in.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
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