12/18 NICU Day 117


 Yikes. Missed a few days! It’s been a pretty stressful week…and very busy with work. In my last post I mentioned Olivia’s decrease in desire to eat. It was awful. Several days of tears and frustration from both Kevin and I. The feeding tube conversation always made me anxious. I never ever imagined any of this for my child. On Friday 12/17 she had started to slowly increase her intake but was still only taking 50% of her feeds orally. Before heading into the hospital Friday, I had a giant cry session with my mom. 

When I got to the hospital Olivia wouldn’t stop holding my hand. Of course I was emotional all over again thinking of the relationship I have with my mom and how I am longing for the same with my daughter. Olivia ended up taking 77% of her feeds for the day. 

I was (and am) over the moon. I also was approved for maternity leave AND found out Olivia’s eye exam went perfect. No more eye exams except routine. The retinopathy is completely healed. Today the doctors decided to start ‘ad lib’ eating. Basically Olivia has to hit a minimum amount in 24 hours. She can eat every 2-4 hours as she wakes up and acts hungry. So far she has finished one whole bottle today! Oh and her little feeding tube is out! I’m sure I’ll get some good pictures for posting tomorrow. I get to have a sleepover tonight to help get through the ad lib eating. 🥰

I’m trying to keep this short and full of facts. But the doctors did make it sound like Olivia may be home as early as this up coming week. We will see how the eating goes today. I WILL be updating tomorrow. So sorry for being so far behind! 


Please stay diligent with prayers! God has continued to show goodness and faithfulness. His timing has not been my timing but I have been taught a lot of things-especially patience. I am thanking Him for Olivia. Being able to hold her and snuggle her. Thankful for how well she has been doing over all. Thankful that a baby who was given slim chances is essentially thriving. Continuing to pray she comes home soon and without any sort of feeding tubes or oxygen…comes home soon a healthy baby! 


Popular posts from this blog

Last Days of Summer

Image
Being in North Carolina provides some decently warm days well into the end of September and even part of October. We have been lucky enough to soak in a ton of sun during these last summer days. We started September off with an impromptu trip to the beach-just the three of us. It was so much fun being able to just pick up and leave. It wasn't long ago that we were tethered to oxygen lines and equipment.    We also spent many days at the local "water park" beating the heat and hanging out with her older cousin, Branson. Both babies love the outdoors. Olivia has gotten to a point that she knows when shoes are going on her feet-we are going outside. It's been a blessing to have such nice weather and so many nice parks close by. We will have to get really creative with activities once the weather starts to cool off! Disclaimer-no she cannot reach the peddles, but she likes to climb on the bike and be pushed around the yard. She's getting big but not that big yet!    M...
Read more

12/28 DISCHARGE DAY!

Image
  I think I’m still in shock that we are actually in the car…driving Olivia home! Of course I’m not driving-I’m just snapping all the pictures.  This is a huge appreciation post to all the staff at the NICU, friends, family, strangers, coworkers…people who prayed for us, advocated with us, listened, cried,  and laughed with us, held our hands through the difficult times, and celebrated the wins.   As we were wheeling through the halls…back tracking the way Kevin and I came speeding up over four months ago…so many emotions. When we arrived…Olivia was given  60% survival chance.  The day she was born that percent had jumped to 80%.  And here we are today…a living breathing miracle and proof of the power of God. This is not the birth story I hoped for, or the first four months of motherhood I envisioned-but I would never ever take back what I’ve gained. We are so thankful for Olivia!  Thank you to everyone again for support and prayer, kind words and...
Read more

8/23 Baby Girl's arrival

Image
 8:12 AM on Monday August 23 baby Olivia made her unexpected arrival into the world. She came into the world in a fury of fists and kicks and attempt at loud cries that surprised all the doctors being that she was only 24 weeks and 3 days gestation. Let me briefly begin with how we got here... August 19, Thursday, I started to notice very mild cramps midday. Being a first time momma I have my OB on speed dial. They scheduled an appointment for Friday and suggested I take it easy but continue to monitor everything. Nothing was intense or constant. No bleeding or abnormalities. I had been on my feet all day and very busy at work, I didn't think much of it either. I got home, pounded water, rested on the couch and everything subsided. The next morning while in the waiting room of the office my cramping came back out of no where. The midwife who evaluated me figured maybe I had an infection and had me prepped to check. Within minutes though, she had me get dressed and was preparin...
Read more