End of Day 4/Change We Believe In

I was discharged today after another round of bloodwork, a flu shot, and a TDap shot. Walking out of the hospital without Cayden was extremely difficult and my heart ached until we went back to see him last night. Not being right down the hall from him is miserable and makes me worry constantly that we're too far away should something happen.

We went back to the NICU around 8:00 and met Cayden's night nurse, Erin, who is incredible. We walked in and did a quick scan of the two primary monitors. One of the monitors has a number that represents the number of spontaneous breaths Cayden takes on his own. Since Friday, it's been at 0, except for one time when it went to 1. We don't want to rush the little guy, because we know he has excess fluid in and around his lungs. Well, last night we walked in to a monitor reading 10! And during our visit, it got as high as 15! So for every minute of breathing, be was taking around 10-15 breaths all by himself. We nearly started dancing a happy dance and Daddy started chanting "go Cayden, go Cayden, go, go, go Cayden. This was the best news yet, and while the blood gas they drew right after we left wasn't much improved, knowing that he's trying to breath by himself was fantastic. We were giddy the entire way home. Let's hope that tomorrow is just as good if not better. Go Cayden!

Day 4/Inauguration Day

Cayden had another uneventful night, with one slight exception-2 poopy diapers! We're told this is good news. Dr. Goldman just ordered a blood gas check, to make sure his CO2 is not creeping up again. Hopefully we'll get good news. As far as other news, we don't have much to share. Still not sure about the cause of the anemia. Cayden has a hernia, which is typical in preemies and will be corrected surgically at some point in the future. He has a PDA, patent ductus arteriosis, a heart duct that is open during pregnancy but closes after birth. It can stay open in preemies for a while. PDAs can be fixed with medicaion or surgery. Unfortunately, Cayd is not a candidate for the medication bc of his kidney functioning, but as it's not bothering him at all, it's something to be figured out later.

I'm being discharged today, but will be spending most of my time here. Thank you all for the incredible outpouring of support. We are so grateful for our amazing circle of strength and we know Cayden feels it too.

Monday 1.19/Day 3

Cayden had another uneventful night, which is fabulous. His favorite hobby seems to be blowing bubbles, which earns him lots of suctioning. I keep telling him that if he doesn't like to be bugged,he should stop bubbling, but he's not listening to mommy. Maybe daddy can talk some sense into him;)

32 Weeks and it's a boy!

Definitely thought I'd be updating more belly pics before adding baby pics, but who am I to argue with Cayden's decision to join us early. It's tough to keep up with updates via emails, so I'll try to do so here. Day 2 of life and baby Cayd is holding his own. Dr. Slagle, our favorite neonatologist, says he is making progress. Still no answer to why he was so anemic, which is the big mystery they're working on. More blood tests on baby and mama will be done this week. His edema is better and he looks scrawnier, which is a good thing. His CO2 jumped a bit today, so they turned his vent up to give him more breaths per minute and he's responding. Having Grammy here is a lifesaver and we're taking each hour/day as it comes. So far, so good.

Week 29

Saturday marked week 29, and the beginning of the 3rd trimester. I'm shocked at how fast time is passing. Good news is that the sciatic nerve pain has virtually disappeared, as I think Sprout has moved into a head down position. It's the only explanation for what I think are two feet pushing against my ribs. Upper back pain is a pain and the heartburn and nausea that are a result of my digestive system slowing and the hormone relaxin are no great fun, but it's easy to handle since the end is (scarily) in sight.

We went back East last week and got to spend some time in New York City and the Berkshires. I'm so grateful I don't have to be pregnant in New York, I thought I was going to pass out more than once trudging up and down the subway steps. And I did almost pass out in a rare moment in Whole Foods, but was saved by some ice water and shedding of layers. Thanks Er;) I also got to visit a dear friend a mere four days after she'd given birth to her babe. Hearing Ani's birth story and seeing baby Marc made me realize how real this is all is, and made me even more excited to meet Sprout.

I know the next 10 weeks will fly by, between work, a brief babymoon, a shower and a visit from mom, March 14 will be here before we know it. Until then, I promise I'll try to be better about eating vegetables though I will completely understand if I have a child who prefers Honeycrisp apples and clementines to broccoli and carrots.

Week 26 and a pain in my butt

Here are long overdue pics, of a belly at 26 weeks exactly. I'm starting to actually feel pregnant in an awkward, it's not so easy to bend over and pick up Scout's business kind of way. And Sprout is causing a major pain in my butt, literally. My sciatic nerve is killing me and seems to have gotten worse this week. I started prenatal yoga today, so hopefully that'll bring some relief. And for some bizarre reason, likely hormones, the nausea has decided it's back full-swing, and ginger ale and saltines are a staple on the grocery list once again. And pomegranate juice, no matter how diluted, is out, as it makes me feel like I have the stomach flu on steroids. It's not as bad as I make it sound, I'm very grateful to be nearing the third trimester and can't believe how fast the time is flying!

Happy V Day

Saturday marked 24 weeks and a milestone for Sprout, who now has a chance of survival outside the womb. Not that I'm planning on giving birth anytime soon, but it's nice to know s/he would have a fighting chance. So Happy Viability Day Sprout!

Feeling good, despite a freak episode this morning, wherein after I took my thyroid pill with some juice, had 2 teaspoons of my iron supplement, I promptly ran to the bathroom and threw up six times. This was the first time I've ever felt perfectly fine immediately before and after completely losing the contents of my stomach. I have no idea what was going on, but if Sprout has a problem with something I ingest, I'd rather get a few strong jabs than this morning's experience. Hear that Sprout? I'm talking to you baby!

Week 23

Okay, okay, here it is. Not so tiny anymore, huh? Excuse the blurriness, obviously we need a new camera before Sprout arrives!

Fetal Echocardiogram Photos

Today was our fetal echocardiogram. Our baby is a bit special, and has a heart variant, but we were told that it typically has no impact at all on babies' health and that 10% of all babies have this variant. You wouldn't expect a completely normal kid with these parents, would you?! The best part was the great 3D photos we got. The technician said that baby looks very chubby, so yay for pinchable cheeks! Oh, and no, contrary to Daddy's belief, Sprout is not an angel and that is not a wing, it's the placenta.

Week 21

Sorry, no week 20, as I was away in Indianapolis at a conference and didn't have Scott to take a proper pic. Not much new this week, other than lots of movement that Daddy was finally able to feel. The bella band is still my best friend, as you can see in the pictures, because I can still wear my pre-pregnancy jeans. This week also found Sprout experiencing his/her first Halloween, or at least the massive amount of sugar that I ingested at Jessie and Todd's party. Fortunately, Sprout seemed pretty unaffected, as s/he didn't budge all night, disappointing to Aunt Jessie but a relief to Mommy! Contractions started this week, a painless yet odd sensation that I've read is completely normal, but a frequent reminder of what's to come in a mere four and a half months!