Merry Christmas!

We're Still Here!

Wow! It's been a long time since I have updated! We got home safely, but the internet on our Blackberries has been out now for almost 2 whole weeks at our house! Isn't that awful? It's starting to come back in sporatically, so hopefully I'll be able to update from it more often.
Austin is perfect. He never cries, he eats a TON, and we finally got the go ahead to start breastfeeding! He will still need a couple bottles of fortified breastmilk every day, but the majority of the time, he may nurse! I saw the lactation consultant today, and we are ready to roll!

A has been to the pediatrician twice now for weight checks. On Monday he was up to 5 pounds, 1o ounces! Great! He grew over night. Literally. One day some of his preemie clothes fit, the next day they didn't! One day his preemie diapers fit, the next they didn't! He is wearing some preemie and smaller newborn clothes now. His feet and head are still too small for hats and socks, so I try to use pants with feet and I have to roll all of his hats up! I'm not ready for him to grow up, but I am ready for him to be able to wear socks and hats and they not fall off every 5 seconds.

And I'm ready for that part when they sleep through the night. OMG. That's all I will say...

So for the most part, everything is perfect! I'm just exhausted! :)

We're Going Home!

YAAAY We're going home Friday! Austin has done swimmingly at holding his temp and gaining weight. He weighed 5lbs 15ozs tonight. My little boy is going to be 5 pounds! So crazy! I really need to be sleeping right now since it'll be the last night that I can. But I wanted to yell it from the roof tops! We're going home to start out lives as a new family together!

I won't have internet access much anymore. I've been using my mom's laptop here in the hospital. I plan on emailing in updates though, and I update my personal Twitter a lot. Like 100X a day. Please email me at katie@babybumbleb.com if you'd like that link!

I just can't believe it. God has truly blessed me and I am the LUCKIEST girl in the world. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. They mean the absolute WORLD to me!

Here is your daily Austin. Not the greatest pic, but let me explain! Marketing wanted to do some marketing/PR spots for the hospital with A's neonatologist Dr. Sheppard (amazing Dr. btw!) and he picked Austin to be in the pictures with him! This is a quick pic I took. A is in the isolette, Dr. Sheppard is crouched behind, and there is the phtographer! The pictures were AMAZING! Austin may be on a billboard soon! How exciting is THAT?!

Also, Patti at Crazy Lady Creations made me a new Baby Bumble B graphic for the blog! I'm sure you noticed the difference! Isn't it adorable? It was FREE and so easy to get! Just register for the site. They don't send any emails or bug you about anything! Then just send them your pics and they'll make whatever you want! They do way more than just siggies too. They do icons, stationary, websites, all KINDS of things! Please stop by if you're interested in some really cute personalized graphics. These girls are amazing!

Pass and Fail

Last night Austin gained a whopping 60 grams! Today he maintained his temperature all day! It was in the 98s every time we checked! Tonight he gained another 30 grams, putting little man at 4 pounds 12 1/2 ounces! He's getting so fat! His skin looks so great because it's not so transparent anymore with his fat and he's more awake because he's weighing so much more so he's not using his energy to just LIVE like he was before. He can use it on more stuff, like being a real baby!

Since he is doing so well with the weight gain, temperature maintenance, and being just plain the cutest thing ever, the neonatologist has started getting some tests done so that we can LEAVE! He has his hearing screen tomorrow (where they check his hearing I guess LOL) and today he had his car seat test.

The car seat test... They do this on all preemies. They put the baby in a car seat for and hour and a half and make sure the baby's heart rate doesn't change, pulse ox doesn't go down, etc yada yada. Austin did not pass :( His pulse ox went down to the 70s once. The nurse said it wasn't that big of a deal and that they'd just do it again tomorrow. I am pretty disappointed though. It's scary to know that your baby didn't breathe right, even for a split second. I am really looking forward to talking to his nurse tomorrow about it. She explains things a little differently than this night nurse does so it'll be nice to hear 2 different explanations. I need some reassurance that Austin is okay and it wasn't really a big deal.

Big he's making his way closer to the door! We should be home very soon I hope!

Christopher and I went to Once Upon A Child today during Austin's car seat test. I got a Baby K'Tan baby sling for $8.50! They retail new for $60! It's black and so so soft and I'm SO excited about it! Mine (ours...) is black and I can't wait to put A in it and go about town (when he is up to 40 weeks that is! Don't want my preemie getting germies!)!

I also got a wipe warmer for $6 and two onsies for $1.50 each. I wasn't looking for clothes onsies, I was looking for fleece pajamas, but I found these and couldn't resist!

This trip out of the hospital wasn't bad. The last one I felt awful seperation anxiety. This time I felt a lot more cool and collected. I was very antsy pulling out of the parking lot, but once I got to shopping for my little man, I felt much better!

Thanks for the continued prayers and support!

Here is your Austin pic of the day! His grandma (my mom!) made this hat for him! Isn't it CUTE?!

Evicted!

Austin has been evicted from the isolette! He is now in an open crib.

Let me rewind a bit.

Yesterday Austin ate like a horse! He ate more than 2 ounces every feeding and gained 50 grams! He now weighs 2070 grams, or 4 pounds, 9 ounces. He's been keeping his temp up just fine, actually getting too hot. All day they lowered the temp in the isolette and finally after his last feeding they said we could leave him out! He's bundled up so so tight. His face is all scrunched up hes wrapped so tight!

He has been very awake and smiley! I just love him so much!

Please pray he continues to gain weight AND maintain his temperature at the same time. THAT is what is keeping him in the hospital. Like I said before (and a million times it seems! lol) he does NOT have to weigh a certain number. He just has to consistently gain weight whilst keeping a 98 body temperature.

I've been doing okay. I have had some fleeting chest tightness separation anxiety moments here and there. It's hard to believe that Austin is almost 2 weeks old and it feels like he isn't really MINE. I can't wait to take him home! What will I do with him!?

Your daily Austin fix!

Baby Steps

Bumble B and I are making baby steps.

A has gotten over his lazy feedings and is now eating between 50-70ccs a feeding (2 ounces is 60ccs)! He is so alert in the morning feeding (8am) and it's so cute to see the sweet funny faces he makes. It's nice that he's on such a great schedule. Once he gets bigger and healthier I probably won't be so lucky, but he's pretty predictable now. He always poops in the middle of a feeding, so he gets two diaper changes. One before and one during/after. The milk fortifier that is adding calories to the pumped breastmilk makes his poop stink though. Yuck! I'll be glad when it's just plan breastmilk again!

Yesterday A and my favorite nurse took care of him. She and the neonatologist said I could hold A as long as he was in his little bundle and up against me. He had 2 hats on, his pajamas, a long sleeve shirt under the pjs, blanket, and then snuggled with me under my fleece jacket. It was absolute bliss. I was the happiest girl on the face of the earth!

A lot of people have been telling me I needed to leave the hospital and do something. So Christopher and I went to Target. On the way out he said "Well I hope you don't burst into flames. He opened the door to the Jeep and said "Now this is an AU-TO-MO-BILE." When he turned on the radio he said "Now this is a radio. There are NOT more people in the car." Hehehe he makes me laugh!

I was good for a little while. Then halfway through Target I felt just completely and utterly depressed and DONE. I was ready to go back. We stopped to get chinese. Once we got back to the room I felt a little better. We ate and I went to my little man. That was not fun. I did it, and I won't again. I'm not leaving this parking lot without my baby again, at least not for longer than a couple minutes. It's so unnatural and was just really hard.

On a may be down note, A only gained 10 grams yesterday. He's gained 10, 40, 40, and then 10 again. I guess he was keeping himself warm a little while I was holding him. So it looks like the isolette treatment today. I told his nurse that I understand he needs to be in the isolette today, but I will hold him after his feedings until he falls asleep. Anyone that knows A knows that he only eats and sleeps. He falls asleep within 20 minutes of eating. I feel like I am abandoning him when I put him in the isolette still awake and I'm not holding him. I don't think that's too much to ask for, and so I made that clear this morning and his nurse seems fine with it.

Although he didn't gain much weight, he did keep his temp up. Plus when he was in the isolette, his temperature was in the 99s instead of the 98s. So he's maintaining his temp a little better and still gaining a little weight. I think that is a good baby step forward. I am looking forward to talking to the neonatologist today and talk to him about that and see if he agrees or if I'm being TOO optimistic...

I have something even BETTER than a dailt A pic. I have a VIDEO! Lucky duck ;) You'll probably figure out his name as well if you're smart enough lol

Ups & Downs

Sorry I skipped yesterday! I was so incredibly exhausted... I'm waiting now for midnight for A's next feeding and then I'm going to bed!

I'll start with the Downs since the Ups are so much more fun

• Yesterday I was told I couldn't hold A for more than 30 minutes to eat.
• Then it was shortened to 15 minutes
• Then I was told I couldn't even open the isolette and touch him
• I had a major meltdown in the nursery with tons of other parents in there. Ooops.
• I forgot to put the bottle on one of my pumps and pumped into my towel in my lap for 20 minutes
• I have a major migraine. I didn't have any while I was pregnant. Makes me miss being pregnant just for that reason... And no, hydrocodone doesn't touch it. Blah
• A patient on this floor screams all night.
• I accidentally pushed the bottle too far in A's mouth today and he threw up. A lot. Mom of the Year.
• Christopher worked Monday through today and still has to work tomorrow.
  

UPS!

• A has gained a total of 80 grams since my last post. He's now 4lbs 7ozs!
• A is eating so much better! He's had over 2 ounces all day!
• Yesterday was a much better day with that nurse
• Today we had our FAVORITE nurse, and she let me hold him all I wanted
• After I held him for 3 hours his temp was up almost a whole degree from 98.0 to 98.8
  
• Pumping is getting so much easier and I can go a little longer if needed and its not painful
• A's bilirubin is staying down
• A isn't getting as tired during his feedings
• Christopher only has to work for a couple hours tomorrow so he'll get to spend more time with A.
• Christopher HAS a job!
• I still have this awesome courtesy room and I'm so thankful to be close to my little man.
  
• I've had a lot of really sweet visitors and am really feeling the love from my friends and family.
  
• I had the cafeteria's chicken tenders today! Yum!
• I look thin ;) LOL
• We watched Home Alone on the TV
• The neonatologist is really confident about me being able to breastfeed before we go home! I hope she's right!
• God is great and is answering my prayers!
  
• I have the most beautiful baby and sweetest baby ever!

I've gotten the question When Can A Come Home? or How Much Does A Have To Weigh To Go Home? A LOT!
There is no set weight that has to weigh. He just needs to have enough fat to maintain his own temperature and not lose weight. He needs to stay in the 98s by himself without the help of the isolette. When we start weaning him out of it he can't lose any weight. Maintaining temperature uses his energy and calories so he needs fat.

Keep the prayers coming. They are doing amazing work! I am so happy to see my little man growing and thriving! Tomorrow I may venture outside of these hospital walls and hit up Target for some things I need! Wish me luck! LOL

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Jinx!

My skinny baby does not love to eat.

A would not eat at all today. We had to force feed him every time. His 5 oclock feeding he spit up a lot of and his 8 oclock feeding was a joke. He drank like half and the nurse had to force feed him. He's just sleeping through it. He doesn't want to wake up.

They have added a milk fortifier to his milk. It has 100 calories, which doesn't sound like much, but just imagine a 4 pound baby eating 100 extra calories! LOL. Hopefully that will help too.

It's been a GREAT day on the pumping front though. I'm pumping more and more milk and the time (pain, comfort) between sessions is becoming manageable. I'm making about 3 times more than he eats and I had to send 66 ounces home with my mom to freeze today because I filled up the nursery freezer!

I've heard that the NICU can be a rollercoaster. The neonatologist and some nurses told me things can go great and great and then one day it doesn't and it all changes. I was hoping this wouldn't happen. I was hoping we would be able to go home this weekend, but now we've been pushed back at least a day because today was so unproductive and if he lost more weight than we've gone back even more. He gained 10 grams yesterday, but I don't know how today will turn out.

I'm getting frustrated and trying so hard not to get upset when I do have A. I don't want to take the time we have together for granted. It's really hard to be down there and only be able to hold him long enough to feed him and be upset the whole time. Then I DO feel guilty because that IS my fault.

Anyways, thanks everyone for the continued support and prayers. They mean a lot to me. Knowing so many people love A is so so so special to me and really makes me feel so happy. I'm going to go down to the nursery in a bit to try another feeding and see what his new weight is.

Daily Bumble B, Saying Good Morning! He smiles when he sees me. I love it.

My Fat Baby Loves To Eat

Bumble B's bilirubin was 5 this morning! Praise the Lord! Thank y'all so much for all your prayers yesterday. Knowing so many people are praying for my little man is so incredibly amazing and humbling. It makes me so happy. And thanks for those spare prayers for myself. I have been much less emotional today. I could blame the hydrocodone, but I'm sure it was y'all ;)

So he is off of the light today. He did lose 2 more ounces however, which puts him at 4 pounds 3 ounces. Almost ALL newborns lose weight after birth, but for an 8 pound baby to lose 5 ounces is not as big as a 4 pounder. Baby is teetering toward 3 pounds, and we definitely don't want that. So today he was still in his isolette with the heat up. The temperature inside is 88.7 degrees F (thanks to a Twitter friend for that conversion! The isolette is in Celsius!).

He's also eating like CRAZY. So now we are just feeding him what he wants and not restricting it. Through some experimenting today we see that little B eats about 2 ounces! That's how much he lost last night, so I jokingly suggested to weigh him after he ate LOL. So we are feeding him lots so he gets some fat to keep his little body warm.

This kid loves eating. He eats so fast he forgets to breathe and we have to stop and make him catch his breath! I told him that this food isn't going anywhere, so slow down. He's done a little better about it the last 2 feedings. He's a great burper too, and poops as soon as he's done eating! Such an EASY baby so far. Hopefully he'll keep it up, but I'll try not to count on it ;)

We'll start breastfeeding later when he gets his weight on and he's about to come home. Breastfeeding will take more energy and burn calories and I want him to conserve all the energy he can for making fat. Some people have also asked me about his pacifier. This baby is still 34 weeks gestation. I am making him happy right now and keeping his vitals as high as possible so that he will finish growing and be able to come home to me. When he's home and stable, we'll talk, but for now, what makes Bumble B happy is exactly what we'll do. And if a pacifier while we're changing him waiting to feed him keeps him from burning 20 calories crying is what we need to do, that is exactly what we're going to do. If me pumping every hour because all those babies in the nursery make me absolutely miserable (if you know what I mean) is what it takes, then I'll do it. I don't have to breastfeed yet. He needs fat and if drinking it out of an easy bottle nipple is easier and cause less burnt calories, that's what I'll do! I want my man home.

I've gotten along great with all the nurses in the nursery. They are really great people and I really like them all. They really care about the babies and they call Bumble B by his first name, which they don't on any other babies. Christopher made him a name card with his name, some bumble bees, and a palmetto tree. The neonatologist even called him by his first name! At shift change they were talking about what babies they wanted and they called them each by their last name except mine ;). I've had a good time with them all and I feel so confident with his care.

Thanks again for all of the prayers, thoughts, support, comments, tweets, visits, presents, and well wishes. I am getting them all and LOVE them all. I'm sorry if I don't respond or respond really fast. There is so much going on and I'm rarely sitting still. I can't BELIEVE I got this post done at all!

Daily Bumble B fix ;)