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NICU LIFE AND THE HOLIDAYS

Gabriella has officially doubled her birth weight (920g) and we are counting up to 5lb. The RN mentioned that they are scoring her for feeding cues and would possibly try oral feeding in around 2 weeks. We are feeling thankful that she is fighting so hard and thriving. She is still breathing on her own with a smidge of O2 blowing into the isolette. I know she is supposed to grow out of her apnea moments, but I took a guess and bought the owlet sock monitor while it was on sale for when she gets home. They have been able to wean the caffeine and talked about weaning the prolacta supplement from the breastmilk coming through the NG tube. She is more and more like a recognizable baby when I hold her. I love to rest my chin on her soft head and see her sucking on the pacifier. She started cooing randomly on Aarons chest a few days after her cpap was off. Those little noises are so reassuring as she cannot communicate and to me, it means she is content. 

I got a call from Akron the other day. My stomach always drops when I answer because I’m trying to decide if it is Akron Childrens hospital where Gabriella is, or a robot for Akron Children’s on Trimble asking me to complete a satisfaction survey. They are nice enough to tell me everything is ok right away, but this time, they did have an update on her eye exam. The first exam 2 weeks ago showed that vessels were still immature and had not started forming yet. This second time, they see that she has stage 2 ROP (retinopathy of prematurity). The first stage of ROP is a demarcation line that separates normal from premature retina. Stage 2 is a ridge which has height and width. They did say 12 of the 14 babies they assessed that day had stage 2 or more of ROP, so it is common and expected for a preemie. Typically they don’t let it get past stage 3 before they intervene. It sounded like there were options and there is possibility for it to resolve. She will now get an eye exam every week. That is sad for me because I watched the first exam and it seems so stressful for her to have her eye lids pulled open with a tool, then bright lights shined straight in. 

Now that I have become comfortable driving back and forth to Akron, we have found that it is easier to have one of us come alone. Ronald McDonald House tends the feel like the walls are caving in after so long and the switching off of mom and dad  in the room feels so hard and emotional. Leaving home without Hannah doesn’t feel any easier, but at least it is one time and we can tell her it’s only for 1-2 nights. This Thanksgiving break has been nice because we figured out a way to keep Hannah at home the whole week with at least one of us with her. I have been anxious about being away from the hospital long periods of time, but having a Hannah day at home when Aaron is at work has been nice. 

We are thinking about many things we need to do around the house to get ready for a premature baby to live with us as well as get our puppy back home. It has been easier said than done because we are always only home for so many hours at a time. With all of the sickness going around, I have chosen not to have a baby sprinkle or shower. Andrea Blythe has been super sweet and helpful to not only create the GoFundMe, but create an online way to shower us with encouraging words and share a registry. I will share it here for those of you that are interested: 

https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/babyhoptry

There is so much to be thankful for this year even though it has been the most difficult yet. The groups on Facebook have really put it into perspective for me with the complications, health problems and family conflict that goes on during the times a baby is in the hospital. I can’t imagine life without Aaron, am so thankful that Hannah’s sickness has been minor and feel very blessed with the way things are going with Gabriella. Even though I have only had the chance to write out 5 thank you notes, I am so grateful and thankful for the ways that family, friends and the fire families have reached out to give us help and love. I hope everyone makes room for some time to enjoy the special moments this busy holiday season. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 

Have a look at our Cutie Pie and Turkey photos of Gabriella. She is swimming in the newborn onesie just to get an idea of how tiny she is still. 🥰






















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