Monday, March 31, 2014
Mon-zzzzzzzzz-day
Mattigan is 3# 5oz almost 6. She is sound asleep on my chest under a blanket. She can be picky about positioning if we hold her in our arms, like she was yesterday for Oma and Opa but she is doing great otherwise. All the same outside of that. Probably up her feeds today or tomorrow. Mama is way tired so I'll be leaving this as a short post.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
SQL Saturday
Today Mama and Daddy are volunteers at SQL Saturday. (SQL is pronounced as 'sequel'.) This is sponsored by a user group that Daddy belongs to. The group gets together to talk, teach, and learn about computer databases. Once a year the local group holds a free conference that we volunteer at. It was a lot of fun and we met a lot of interesting people. Not to mention got to brag about our girl.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Middleweight Champion
Mattigan is now......drumroll please...... over 3 lbs!
It's too early to do math so no weight conversions right now but she's about 3# 1oz. She went up 42 grams yesterday. Yippy skippy!
She was a little tight sounding yesterday and her heart rate is still a little fast so we made the decision to put her on high flow oxygen again because it is warm moist air. She's sounding better with that and after a nurse got her nose cleaned out. It might also be a bit of reflux making her congested so we have her bed tipped up a bit and I'll hold her during the next round so she'll be upright anyhow. Her heart rate we'll keep any eye on but it might be that the low oxygen was making her work a little harder (which can make her burn calories which means less weight gain). No As or Bs.
She might be moved back upstairs to the 5th floor because they don't usually keep babies in the 4th floor nursery while they are on high flow oxygen. But they're waiting on that since she's healthy otherwise. Mama and Daddy hope she'll stay downstairs because there is more room for us while visiting. But of course, whatever is best for Matti.
It's too early to do math so no weight conversions right now but she's about 3# 1oz. She went up 42 grams yesterday. Yippy skippy!
She was a little tight sounding yesterday and her heart rate is still a little fast so we made the decision to put her on high flow oxygen again because it is warm moist air. She's sounding better with that and after a nurse got her nose cleaned out. It might also be a bit of reflux making her congested so we have her bed tipped up a bit and I'll hold her during the next round so she'll be upright anyhow. Her heart rate we'll keep any eye on but it might be that the low oxygen was making her work a little harder (which can make her burn calories which means less weight gain). No As or Bs.
She might be moved back upstairs to the 5th floor because they don't usually keep babies in the 4th floor nursery while they are on high flow oxygen. But they're waiting on that since she's healthy otherwise. Mama and Daddy hope she'll stay downstairs because there is more room for us while visiting. But of course, whatever is best for Matti.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
One Month Down!
Dear Baby Mattigan,
You decided to make a dramatic entrance into this world that we won't be forgetting. You were 2lb 2oz at birth, Little One. Although you were whisked away by the doctor to get checked out, Daddy and Mama heard your first cry and Daddy snapped your first picture.
In your first month you gave us a scare when you got tired and we needed to help you breathe, but all in all it's been okay. We are tired from the long days commuting back and forth to the hospital to see you. Daddy puts in full days at work but still enjoys visiting you afterwards. Mama spends her days at the hospital with you learning the ropes of you being a preemie and getting lost in the hospital.
At 2lb 15oz you are getting heavier for a featherweight. Your hair is long enough to curl a little around your ears and down your neck. You look adorable when you wake up and it's sticking out in different directions. Your pinky fingers are still curved in a bit towards your ring fingers. Which Daddy says resembles his. So you have long fingers like Mama but Daddy's pinkies. Your ears are usually flattened to your head from the oxygen line, sorry kid. Your nose shape is a little more natural but the oxygen line's prongs still intefere with us deciding whose nose you got. We think Daddy's. And you got Mama's eye shape but Mama thinks maybe you'll have Daddy's eye color when your eyes settle from baby blue. Loving the color they are now which is a stormy blue that usually looks dark but occasionally seems bright. You had a lot of firsts this month. First cuddle with Mama, Daddy, Oma, Opa. First bath from Mama and Daddy. First kisses from Mama and Daddy. And we also had some firsts. The Khaleesi's first introductionto you via blankets with your baby smell. Mama's first (and last!) medical helicopter ride. Daddy's first night on a hospital cot.
We love getting to know you. Seeing your personality show through a little more each day in the way you look around you or smack the nurses hands away from your face. We love the way you grip our fingers with such strength, and how you nuzzle into us when we hold you, and how you sound like a kitten when you settle in but a tiger when you get upset. You are one feisty wee girl.
You tell us what you like and what you don't. You do NOT like getting the tape replaced around your feeding tube, nor the leads removed for your bath, nor being called a princess. We all know princesses are vile creatures which cage the poor dragons. But you and your valiant steed Khaleesi ride to their rescue.
So far you like being "contained" as the nurses call it. You are always more calm when you are swaddled with your weighted bean bag on your legs or bum. That bag is called a "frog" and it has two arms that are also weighted. You love the arms being tucked around you. You also love bath time duringwhich you stay calm and alert. And you love being read to or talked at, especially while we hold you. You and Mama just finished your first chapter book, "The Borrowers". If she stopped reading while you were still awake, you would lift your head, crane your neck back, and look at her as if to say, "why'd you stop reading?"
You are an amazing person and we are so lucky to have you in our lives.
Love,
Mama and Daddy
Happy 1 Month Birthday! Daddy and Mama love you very much.
You decided to make a dramatic entrance into this world that we won't be forgetting. You were 2lb 2oz at birth, Little One. Although you were whisked away by the doctor to get checked out, Daddy and Mama heard your first cry and Daddy snapped your first picture.
In your first month you gave us a scare when you got tired and we needed to help you breathe, but all in all it's been okay. We are tired from the long days commuting back and forth to the hospital to see you. Daddy puts in full days at work but still enjoys visiting you afterwards. Mama spends her days at the hospital with you learning the ropes of you being a preemie and getting lost in the hospital.
At 2lb 15oz you are getting heavier for a featherweight. Your hair is long enough to curl a little around your ears and down your neck. You look adorable when you wake up and it's sticking out in different directions. Your pinky fingers are still curved in a bit towards your ring fingers. Which Daddy says resembles his. So you have long fingers like Mama but Daddy's pinkies. Your ears are usually flattened to your head from the oxygen line, sorry kid. Your nose shape is a little more natural but the oxygen line's prongs still intefere with us deciding whose nose you got. We think Daddy's. And you got Mama's eye shape but Mama thinks maybe you'll have Daddy's eye color when your eyes settle from baby blue. Loving the color they are now which is a stormy blue that usually looks dark but occasionally seems bright. You had a lot of firsts this month. First cuddle with Mama, Daddy, Oma, Opa. First bath from Mama and Daddy. First kisses from Mama and Daddy. And we also had some firsts. The Khaleesi's first introductionto you via blankets with your baby smell. Mama's first (and last!) medical helicopter ride. Daddy's first night on a hospital cot.
We love getting to know you. Seeing your personality show through a little more each day in the way you look around you or smack the nurses hands away from your face. We love the way you grip our fingers with such strength, and how you nuzzle into us when we hold you, and how you sound like a kitten when you settle in but a tiger when you get upset. You are one feisty wee girl.
You tell us what you like and what you don't. You do NOT like getting the tape replaced around your feeding tube, nor the leads removed for your bath, nor being called a princess. We all know princesses are vile creatures which cage the poor dragons. But you and your valiant steed Khaleesi ride to their rescue.
So far you like being "contained" as the nurses call it. You are always more calm when you are swaddled with your weighted bean bag on your legs or bum. That bag is called a "frog" and it has two arms that are also weighted. You love the arms being tucked around you. You also love bath time duringwhich you stay calm and alert. And you love being read to or talked at, especially while we hold you. You and Mama just finished your first chapter book, "The Borrowers". If she stopped reading while you were still awake, you would lift your head, crane your neck back, and look at her as if to say, "why'd you stop reading?"
You are an amazing person and we are so lucky to have you in our lives.
Love,
Mama and Daddy
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
4 score and several moves ago
Mattigan moved to the 4th floor! She's now in the Nursery/NYICU in a room shared with one other baby. Matti is doing great. She is on the low flow oxygen at 25% (we breathe 21%). Eating 25 cc's at her max feed. Still eating through a gavage tube. Sucking vigorously on the pacifier and her hands when she is hungry. No As and Bs lately.
So we are moving forward to our next big steps:
- eating from a bottle
- gaining enough weight to stay warm
- breathing room air
So we are moving forward to our next big steps:
- eating from a bottle
- gaining enough weight to stay warm
- breathing room air
Monday, March 24, 2014
That's just the Weight She is
Sunday
Mattigan weighed in at 2# 13oz. Still doing well with her oxygen at the lower 1.5 level.
Monday
Mattigan is up to 2# 14oz. Went up 34 grams yesterday!
Oxygen is back down to low flow!!! (Where we just were before the PICC line infiltrated.) New nasal cannula. I'd add a photo but she's asleep so I won't disturb her. She hasn't had her morning coffee so she might be grouchy if I wake her. As the saying goes at our house... Let sleeping dragons lie.
Mattigan is now 26 days old. She'll be one month old on Wednesday. Mama and Daddy have now been in the hospital for more than one month. It has been a long stressful haul with more hospital time to follow. We don't have any idea when Mattigan will be ready to go home but she is doing very well. We are looking forward to getting her home so we can finally have some alone time with her and of course to not have the commutes to and from the hospital nor cafeteria food. I'm sure we'll be wishing we could bring at least one or two of the nurses home to help. Mattigan can smell fear and sense weakness.
Thank you to Mom and Pa for letting us (including Khaleesi) crash their house while Mattigan does her growing-feeding magic tricks. Whether it's the dinners you make, the transportation or the company you provide, it's a huge help. And we might forget to tell you every day but THANK YOU!
Mattigan weighed in at 2# 13oz. Still doing well with her oxygen at the lower 1.5 level.
Monday
Mattigan is up to 2# 14oz. Went up 34 grams yesterday!
Oxygen is back down to low flow!!! (Where we just were before the PICC line infiltrated.) New nasal cannula. I'd add a photo but she's asleep so I won't disturb her. She hasn't had her morning coffee so she might be grouchy if I wake her. As the saying goes at our house... Let sleeping dragons lie.
Mattigan is now 26 days old. She'll be one month old on Wednesday. Mama and Daddy have now been in the hospital for more than one month. It has been a long stressful haul with more hospital time to follow. We don't have any idea when Mattigan will be ready to go home but she is doing very well. We are looking forward to getting her home so we can finally have some alone time with her and of course to not have the commutes to and from the hospital nor cafeteria food. I'm sure we'll be wishing we could bring at least one or two of the nurses home to help. Mattigan can smell fear and sense weakness.
Thank you to Mom and Pa for letting us (including Khaleesi) crash their house while Mattigan does her growing-feeding magic tricks. Whether it's the dinners you make, the transportation or the company you provide, it's a huge help. And we might forget to tell you every day but THANK YOU!
Rub-a-dub-dub Daddy's got you in the Tub Matti!
Then Daddy "helivac'd" Mattigan out of her bed and into her bathtub. It was his first time lifting Matti out of her bed too - which he handled like a pro despite her size and the multiple tubes/wires you have to drag along.
The PT helped get Mattigan situated, showing Mama and Daddy how she uses a 'big' blanket to swaddle the baby in her bath.
Next, the pampering began. Mama was a little jealous. Daddy needs to rub her
hands and feet! :) Mattigan loved being spoiled by Daddy with her mani-pedi. We're pretty sure Daddy enjoyed it just as much if not more than our daughter did.
Mattigan was alert and looking around the whole of bath time. Mostly she stared at Daddy. After Daddy got her out and dried off we took turns kangarooing. It's adorable the way she'll be asleep on Daddy's chest then peek up at him when he talks.
Like father,
like daughter.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
La la la la
Yeehaw! 2# 12.5oz.
Mama and Daddy both cuddled with Mattigan today. She was peeking at Daddy while she snuggled with him. Each time he talked she would crack one eye open. It was very cute. She also was telling stories to Daddy.
She ate a hearty 23cc's of lunch which Daddy said was grilled cheese, tomato and basil bisque, with bananas foster for dessert.
That must have been a good lunch. She gained a little more weight today though we don't have the conversion handy.
Also we cut the high flow oxygen to 1.5 from 2.0. She is doing well with it so hopefully we can keep weaning her off that.
Bath time with Daddy tomorrow!
Mama and Daddy both cuddled with Mattigan today. She was peeking at Daddy while she snuggled with him. Each time he talked she would crack one eye open. It was very cute. She also was telling stories to Daddy.
She ate a hearty 23cc's of lunch which Daddy said was grilled cheese, tomato and basil bisque, with bananas foster for dessert.
That must have been a good lunch. She gained a little more weight today though we don't have the conversion handy.
Also we cut the high flow oxygen to 1.5 from 2.0. She is doing well with it so hopefully we can keep weaning her off that.
Bath time with Daddy tomorrow!
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Featherweight Champion
Let'ssssssssss get Readdddddddddddddyyyyyyyyyyy to Rummmmmmmblllllllllllllllllle!
Annnnnnd in this corner we have featherweight champion, Mattigan "Mad Matti" Barth! Weighing in at 2lb 11oz she is the reining kickboxingkungfujujitsu champion of 2014 with her epic one-hiccup defeat of Chuck Norris. Interviewed before this match Mad Matti said she maintains her physique with 23 cc's of preemie food.
Apartment for Rent
ATTENTION
NyICU Apartment for Rent
This unit is being sublet, Tenant has moved to Intermediate Care Unit.
1 BR/ 1 half Bath in Phoenix area
Special move-in offer Free Decorated Nameplate
Previous tenant, Mattigan Kensi Barth, can be found next door to the NyICU on the same floor but in the ICU. This is another step in the right direction. The ICU is for babies not in need of such a high amount of attention. She is enjoying her new bachelorette pad. Mama visited today and kangaroo'd with her. Mattigan enjoyed a couple chapters of "The Borrowers" which Mama has downloaded on her iphone. Then she promptly fell deep asleep in that sleep that only children and drunks seem to be able to accomplish.
Splish Splash
3/19/14 Thursday
Splish splash
Mattigan was takin' a bath
Long about a Wednesday noon... yeah!
I was thrilled to give Mattigan her first real bath. Up til now she had sponge baths which, let's face it, just aren't any good for splashing around.
The physical therapist talked me through a preemie bath. It's pretty much what you'd expect except Mattigan is tiny, has to have a heating lamp, bathes in a rubbermaid tote, has tubes/lines that cannot go in the water, and you aren't supposed to 'overwhelm' her. So yeah, pretty much the same thing. ;)
The PT swaddled Matti, kept track of her oxygen line and supported her head, neck, and upper body. I untucked one of Matti's arms, washed her with some good ol' Johnson and Johnson, rinsed her, and tucked her arm back in. Repeat with her other arm, legs, torso, then PT flipped her over so I could get Matti's back, and last, I washed her hair. (Which is getting longer. It actually sticks up when it's wet. Darn. I should have made it stand up in a mohawk...)
The PT picked her up and handed her to me and I got her swaddled in warmed up blankets/cloth diapers. Mattigan was wide awake the whole time and seemed to enjoy her bath. Afterwards I thought for sure she would be exhausted from kangaroo cuddling with me and her bathtime, but she stayed awake and sucking rather vigorously on her pacifier as she 'ate'.
Splish splash
Long about a Wednesday noon... yeah!
Rub-a-dub
Just relaxing in the tub
Knowin' Mama was washing me right.
Well... My nurse picked me up outta the tub
Well... My nurse picked me up outta the tub
Put me in Mama's arms, dry towels once more
Mama wrapped the towel around me
And she opened the isolette door.
And... then-a... splish, splash
And... then-a... splish, splash
I wanted back in the bath
Well... how was I to know
There was an isolette party going on.
They was a splishin' and a splashin'
Reelin' with the feelin'
Moving and a groovin'
Rockin' and a rollin'... yeah!
Bing, bang
I saw the whole gang
Dancin' on my isolette room rug... yeah...
Flip flop
Bunny was doin' the bop
And Mr. Bear had the dancin' bug.
There was Lollipop with-a Peggy Sue
Good Golly, Miss Molly was-a even there, too!
A-well-a.... splish, splash
I forgot about the bath
I went and put my dancin' preemie shoes on... yea!
I was a rollin' and a strollin'
Reelin' with the feelin'
Movin' and a groovin'
Splishin' and a splashin'... yeah!
Yes... I was a splishin' and a splashin'
I was a rollin' and a strollin'
Yeah... I was a movin' and a groovin' ... woo!
We was a reelin' with the feelin'... ha!
We was a rollin' and a strollin'
Movin' with the groovin'
Splish, splash... yeah!
I was a splishin' and a splashin'... one time...
I was a splishin' and a splashin'... woo-woo!
I was a movin' and a-groovin'...
I was thrilled to give Mattigan her first real bath. Up til now she had sponge baths which, let's face it, just aren't any good for splashing around.
The physical therapist talked me through a preemie bath. It's pretty much what you'd expect except Mattigan is tiny, has to have a heating lamp, bathes in a rubbermaid tote, has tubes/lines that cannot go in the water, and you aren't supposed to 'overwhelm' her. So yeah, pretty much the same thing. ;)
 |
| Mattigan expressing her love for her bath. This was the first photo of Matti in her first real bath. Rock on Mattigan. Rock on. |
The PT swaddled Matti, kept track of her oxygen line and supported her head, neck, and upper body. I untucked one of Matti's arms, washed her with some good ol' Johnson and Johnson, rinsed her, and tucked her arm back in. Repeat with her other arm, legs, torso, then PT flipped her over so I could get Matti's back, and last, I washed her hair. (Which is getting longer. It actually sticks up when it's wet. Darn. I should have made it stand up in a mohawk...)
The PT picked her up and handed her to me and I got her swaddled in warmed up blankets/cloth diapers. Mattigan was wide awake the whole time and seemed to enjoy her bath. Afterwards I thought for sure she would be exhausted from kangaroo cuddling with me and her bathtime, but she stayed awake and sucking rather vigorously on her pacifier as she 'ate'.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
PICC Party
For right now at least, baby Mattigan has no more PICC lines! She is "eating" enough food not to need the TPN fluid she was getting through the PICC line. Since Matti's first PICC line is the one that infiltrated and she had to get a new one in her other arm, we are thrilled that it is not going to be a thing hanging over our heads that this line might also infiltrate. So YAYAYAYAYAYAYAAAAY!
Matti is up to 20 cc's. She is eating well and digesting great. Her max feed got bumped up to 23 cc's since she's gotten bigger. So that's also a good thing. :)
Of course, Khaleesi needed some extra attention so she's making her allergies flare up to get more Mama and Daddy time as well. Ok, she isn't making them flare. Wish we knew what was, but at least she's happy playing with Cricket and Molly and sunbathing at the pool.
Matti is up to 20 cc's. She is eating well and digesting great. Her max feed got bumped up to 23 cc's since she's gotten bigger. So that's also a good thing. :)
Of course, Khaleesi needed some extra attention so she's making her allergies flare up to get more Mama and Daddy time as well. Ok, she isn't making them flare. Wish we knew what was, but at least she's happy playing with Cricket and Molly and sunbathing at the pool.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Happy St. Patty's Day
Top of the Monday t' ya. It's St. Patty's Day today and the nurses are wearing shamrock scrubs. :) Mama is wearing her Irish gear and Daddy wore a nice green dress shirt today. Mattigan is sporting her new, highly fashionable, big girl diaper that has some green in the design so I think that counts. The big girl diaper is a Pampers preemie that is huge on her but with a black belt in origami diaper folding (and possibly a degree in wedding napkin manipulation) you can get it to fit.
Mattigan is eating lots of chocolate chip pancakes, thick cut bacon, grits with butter, eggs over hard, apple juice and coffee. Or as the staff here at St. Joseph's calls it... Similac preemie formula at 14 cc's.
With a diet like that it's no surprise she's up to 2lbs 8.4oz.
Mattigan is eating lots of chocolate chip pancakes, thick cut bacon, grits with butter, eggs over hard, apple juice and coffee. Or as the staff here at St. Joseph's calls it... Similac preemie formula at 14 cc's.
With a diet like that it's no surprise she's up to 2lbs 8.4oz.
Gremlins and Grandparents
Electronics hate me the last couple of days. I'm going to pass the buck and blame gremlins. Which if you know about gremlins you never feed them after midnight and don't ever give them water. My laptop went the way of my ipod and joined the revolution of electronics-which-power-down-without-warning.
Anyhow, Matti had a very busy day - Sunday Funday. Opa, Oma, Mama, and Daddy all held her! This was Matti's first face-to-face with Oma and Opa. She kept all her levels (breathing, heart rate, oxygen saturation) in good ranges with minor d-sats. (Aka she set off some alarms but nothing nothing that she doesn't do normally so she did well being held.). I thought we might have to break out the rock 'em sock 'ems to determine who would hold her and for how long... Just kidding. Everyone had a great time and when Mattigan's mama gets Mattigan's daddy to show her how to download the photos from our camera there will be some incredible photos on this post. Or at least better than a polaroid. ;)
Anyhow, Matti had a very busy day - Sunday Funday. Opa, Oma, Mama, and Daddy all held her! This was Matti's first face-to-face with Oma and Opa. She kept all her levels (breathing, heart rate, oxygen saturation) in good ranges with minor d-sats. (Aka she set off some alarms but nothing nothing that she doesn't do normally so she did well being held.). I thought we might have to break out the rock 'em sock 'ems to determine who would hold her and for how long... Just kidding. Everyone had a great time and when Mattigan's mama gets Mattigan's daddy to show her how to download the photos from our camera there will be some incredible photos on this post. Or at least better than a polaroid. ;)
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
[Posted this Saturday but I lost it. Found it this morning so here ya go!]
Hello all,
Hello all,
Sorry for the lack of updates. I spent Thursday and Friday's blog time uploading photos so our posts back to March 9th now have photos. :). And there's more to follow soon. I'll try to upload Sunday!
To update you, Mattigan has been holding steady in most things like still on high flow oxygen. And progressing in others. She is in a new bed. It's still an isolette but without humidity so she's learning to be in our environment. Matti is now pretty much able to come out to cuddle with Mama and/or Daddy on a daily basis. Whooooohooooo! She's going up in her feedings pretty consistently. This morning we were up to 13 cc's a feed. And she had her first taste of formula Friday. We dipped her paci in formula so she got <1 drop of formula. Her eyes went wide like "Whoa! What IS that?!?" but she kept sucking on her paci so she must have liked it. She has the next size up pacifier. And she weighed in Friday night at 2 lbs 7.8 oz.
So essentially Mattigan is holding steady and progressing, if that makes sense. It makes sense to me but I'm tired. :)
Mama and Daddy are doing well. We are tired from the back and forth to the hospital and the stress of having Mattigan at the hospital. But really we are doing pretty great. We are thrilled Mattigan is doing as well as she is, enthralled when we get to see her and hold her, and more happy than tired. Long days are a small price to pay when we get a daughter in return.
I'd go on about how awesome Mattigan is (freaking awesome), how much we love her (freaking much), how lucky we are to have each other (freaking lucky), and how incredible our family is (freaking incredible), but we're headed to bed.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
2 Weeks Old
Mattigan is now 29 weeks of age or 2 weeks old, depending on how you're counting. She is simply amazing.
Started off the day with 6 cc's of food. According to my chart that is equal to 2 double bacon cheeseburgers, one small fry, and a small chocolate shake. No problem with the new PICC line and breathing sounds were good. Weighed in at 2 lbs 6 oz last night.
The night nurse was kind enough to offer, and the day nurse kind enough to allow, Mama to give Mattigan a sponge bath. It was more of a 'gauze pads dipped in warm water with a little bit of baby shampoo' bath if you want to get technical but hey, Matti seemed to like it and I sure did. I even washed her hair which there isn't a lot of but it still stuck up here and there in the cutest freaking way. I was glad the physical therapist came by to lend a hand in keeping Miss Squirmy "contained" in her nest during her bath. Matti was definitely excited - throwing her arms out, kicking her legs, looking around at us - but not overstimulated so that was good. The nurse got heated cloth diapers to use like diapers under, on top of, and tucked around Matti's head so she was all nice and warm after her spa day. She kept looking around like "Wowza! That was crazy, man!"
She was drifting off to sleep when I left and scheduled to go up to 7 cc's of food tonight. According to my chart that is equal to 2 double bacon cheeseburgers, one small fry, and a medium chocolate shake. Which, in Imagination Land, if you blended it all down into preemie food would be roughly almost 1 1/2 teaspoons.
Good night everyone!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
I'll Take Fries With That
Mattigan has been promoted to eating 2 double bacon cheeseburgers with a small fry. Which is roughly equivalent to 5 cc's of preemie formula. She has been sucking on her fingers and yesterday found her thumb to suck on when she starts to get hungry. That is awesome. She's relating the idea of sucking to being hungry. So we give her her pacifier when she is being fed to promote Matti learning that behavior gets her a full belly. She'll most likely not start on the bottle until she is 34 weeks old but sometimes they do start earlier. The nice thing is that nowadays the doctors go more with what the baby is indicating they are ready to do and less with sticking to what the textbooks say.
Matti is being switched every 3 hours between a mask and nasal prongs for the cpap so the mask doesn't push on her nose too much. (The first time right after she was born the mask and high pressure were breaking the skin on the bridge of her nose. It's still turning it red so they'll put a barrier of this fake skin that will help with that.) Today they turned the cpap down from level 6 to 5. Next stop: Oxygen line with high flow and no cpap. Then oxygen line with low flow (which is where she was at previous to all the PICC line chaos). And then off the lines altogether.
[Update: Matti's moved off the cpap and to the high flow oxygen! And Oma came to visit.]
If you didn't see it, make sure you check out yesterday's post. Daddy got to hold Mattigan last night for the first time!
Matti is being switched every 3 hours between a mask and nasal prongs for the cpap so the mask doesn't push on her nose too much. (The first time right after she was born the mask and high pressure were breaking the skin on the bridge of her nose. It's still turning it red so they'll put a barrier of this fake skin that will help with that.) Today they turned the cpap down from level 6 to 5. Next stop: Oxygen line with high flow and no cpap. Then oxygen line with low flow (which is where she was at previous to all the PICC line chaos). And then off the lines altogether.
[Update: Matti's moved off the cpap and to the high flow oxygen! And Oma came to visit.]If you didn't see it, make sure you check out yesterday's post. Daddy got to hold Mattigan last night for the first time!
Monday, March 10, 2014
Happy happy happy Daddy!
Mattigan is off the ventilator. She's on the cpap with a new mask better fitted to her face.
She went up in her feedings to 4 cc. She was sucking on her fingers, a thumb, and then her pacifier while she ate. They'll go up more soon.
And then there was this.....nuff said.....
She went up in her feedings to 4 cc. She was sucking on her fingers, a thumb, and then her pacifier while she ate. They'll go up more soon.
And then there was this.....nuff said.....
Sunday, March 9, 2014
3 ah ah ah - says the Count on Sesame Street
 |
| Mattigan and Daddy |
Up to 3 cc's now for feeding. Yeehaw!
Hot Fudge Sunday with Sprinkles and Awesomeness
Sunday morning greetings!
Saturday and last night were good. Mattigan got her new PICC line yesterday. It's in her other arm. They were able to do it very quickly. The doctor said Matti kept sneaking her foot out from under her blanket while they did the procedure and making them all laugh. She has shown time and again she will keep one foot out instead of staying tucked in. :) That's our wee feisty lass.
Matti is still on the ventilator but the doctor said she'd be coming off it and resuming either the cpap or oxygen line. That'll be today or tomorrow.
Her bili # was up a little so back under the sunshine lights so she doesn't get jaundiced. She looks so much better though since we got her fixed up from the pleural effusion.
She has started feeding at 2 cc's and is doing well with that. Whoooohooooo! Daddy says it's like a double bacon cheeseburger.
Supposedly she gained weight but it's hard to measure with the ventilator tubes so I'd say she's gained but not as much as the scale said. Realistically she is probably back to 2 lb 1 oz.
We're headed in to visit Matti this noontime with Oma and Opa.
P.s. Don't forget to spring ahead on your clocks. We don't do that in Arizona (don't ask me) so if you're on the East coast you'll be 3 hours ahead, Nebraska is 2 hours ahead, and California is now the same time as us.
Saturday and last night were good. Mattigan got her new PICC line yesterday. It's in her other arm. They were able to do it very quickly. The doctor said Matti kept sneaking her foot out from under her blanket while they did the procedure and making them all laugh. She has shown time and again she will keep one foot out instead of staying tucked in. :) That's our wee feisty lass.
Matti is still on the ventilator but the doctor said she'd be coming off it and resuming either the cpap or oxygen line. That'll be today or tomorrow.
Her bili # was up a little so back under the sunshine lights so she doesn't get jaundiced. She looks so much better though since we got her fixed up from the pleural effusion.
She has started feeding at 2 cc's and is doing well with that. Whoooohooooo! Daddy says it's like a double bacon cheeseburger.
Supposedly she gained weight but it's hard to measure with the ventilator tubes so I'd say she's gained but not as much as the scale said. Realistically she is probably back to 2 lb 1 oz.
We're headed in to visit Matti this noontime with Oma and Opa.
P.s. Don't forget to spring ahead on your clocks. We don't do that in Arizona (don't ask me) so if you're on the East coast you'll be 3 hours ahead, Nebraska is 2 hours ahead, and California is now the same time as us.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Only Rainbows After Rain
"Only rainbows after rain,
The sun will always come again,
And it's a circle circling,
Around again, it comes around."
Mattigan is doing GREAT today! Our doctor called this morning to say she is doing well and Mama is here with her. Showing signs that she is ready to come off the ventilator and back to the oxygen line. She opened her eyes and watched me while the physical therapist showed me some ways to calm her when she gets mad. (Since we can't just pick her up.)
Matti is feeding again at 1cc every three at 9-12-3-6. She's bouncing back and forth between needing low uv and not so she might do a little sunbathing, She's going to get a new PICC line in the next couple of days. We asked about the infiltration if it's likely to happen again since it did once already. It's the same chance as it was before. It happens but not often. She'll also be off the vent most likely tomorrow. She could today but we're giving her a break so she doesn't stress out too much. She does have a heart murmur but again it's a preemie thing. (I swear that's our new slogan - it's a preemie thing.). It'll most likely resolve on it's own.
P.S. Note on last night's post, it was easily the worst day of our lives watching Matti struggle so much. But when we got home Joe found that there were flowers, cards, and packages in the mail. And I found messages on Facebook and my phone from everyone. So thank you to everyone for thinking of us. Whether it is a note or a gift or a message to say we are in your thoughts, it means everything to us that we aren't alone. It will never be easy for us to leave Matti at the hospital or even for her to just be in the NyICU, but it's better when we can picture all the good thoughts winging her way like owls at Hogwarts. :)
Land, hoooooo! Port o' Rough Day Aheadddd!
Okay, we have our first (and hopefully last) bad day on the books. Yesterday Matti was still breathing fast. When I got here the nurse was turning her so we could do the rounds (diaper, temperature, clean her eyes and mouth) and she noticed Matti's back/shoulder was swollen.
The PICC ("pick") line that delivers IV fluid had "infiltrated". So the TPN fluid that should have been delivering hydration and her caffeine/protein/fats was sending that fluid into her soft tissue. This ended up pooling around her side and lung thus she was having trouble breathing. They removed the PICC line and had to put an IV in a vein in her scalp. (Looks weird but it works.)
The nurses and doctors were in and out all day. X-rays, ultrasounds, listening with stethoscopes, etc. Just after Daddy got here from work Matti started to have moments of not breathing. So it was decided the fluid needed to be drained because it was a pleural effusion. (Like we said, fluid had built up.) They gave Matti a little dose of something for pain and then the doctors took an empty syringe and drained off the fluid. They got 5 cc's. That wouldn't even make an adult have a bump but it's a whole different world for preemies. Immediately the swelling was better. We watched her for a bit and Matti was so tired from the rapid breathing that she was falling asleep and
(More to come uno momento - sorry. It was time for rounds.)
forgetting to breathe. Which as we all know is kinda important.... So it was decided by her Dr. that she needed to be intubated so the ventilator can help her. As soon as it was done, Mattigan looked MUCH better. She was crying and kicking and batting her hands around because she was pissed. They also gave her saline to get hydrated meanwhile because she wasn't peeing since the TPN wasn't getting to her.
We got another x-ray to make sure enough fluid was drained (it was) and the breathing tube was in place (it was). Our nurses shift changed and our Dr was on watching her so after Matti settled right in to sleep we decided to go home, eat, sleep, and check back in with the night shift. Mattigan was doing great, already showing that she didn't want to stay on the ventilator, and was peeing again.
Side noted: Sorry, Matti, you'll be looking back at this years from now saying 'Ma! Why did you have to tell everyone about me peeing!?!?' To which I will say as my mother said to me, "I'm your mother, my job is to embarrass you. By the way here's a picture of that one time...."
The PICC ("pick") line that delivers IV fluid had "infiltrated". So the TPN fluid that should have been delivering hydration and her caffeine/protein/fats was sending that fluid into her soft tissue. This ended up pooling around her side and lung thus she was having trouble breathing. They removed the PICC line and had to put an IV in a vein in her scalp. (Looks weird but it works.)
The nurses and doctors were in and out all day. X-rays, ultrasounds, listening with stethoscopes, etc. Just after Daddy got here from work Matti started to have moments of not breathing. So it was decided the fluid needed to be drained because it was a pleural effusion. (Like we said, fluid had built up.) They gave Matti a little dose of something for pain and then the doctors took an empty syringe and drained off the fluid. They got 5 cc's. That wouldn't even make an adult have a bump but it's a whole different world for preemies. Immediately the swelling was better. We watched her for a bit and Matti was so tired from the rapid breathing that she was falling asleep and
(More to come uno momento - sorry. It was time for rounds.)
forgetting to breathe. Which as we all know is kinda important.... So it was decided by her Dr. that she needed to be intubated so the ventilator can help her. As soon as it was done, Mattigan looked MUCH better. She was crying and kicking and batting her hands around because she was pissed. They also gave her saline to get hydrated meanwhile because she wasn't peeing since the TPN wasn't getting to her.
We got another x-ray to make sure enough fluid was drained (it was) and the breathing tube was in place (it was). Our nurses shift changed and our Dr was on watching her so after Matti settled right in to sleep we decided to go home, eat, sleep, and check back in with the night shift. Mattigan was doing great, already showing that she didn't want to stay on the ventilator, and was peeing again.
Side noted: Sorry, Matti, you'll be looking back at this years from now saying 'Ma! Why did you have to tell everyone about me peeing!?!?' To which I will say as my mother said to me, "I'm your mother, my job is to embarrass you. By the way here's a picture of that one time...."
Thursday, March 6, 2014
1 Week Old!
Wednesday, Mattigan was doing well. Little bit fast on the breathing but they switched cannulae (the nose piece) so that was better. And later at night, her oxygen flow was lowered back to what it was. She also got her head ultrasound (routine screening) and has no bleeds. Yay!
Daddy DID get to change his first poopy diaper Tuesday night. He was thrilled. No, actually I think he was. It's a good thing showing Matti is digesting some of the food. So whoohoo poopy diapers!
Feedings are supposed to increase today to 2 cc per 3 hours.
Matti was sunning under the low uv lights yesterday. She wasn't jaundiced but her bili number was close to needing the lights so we turmed 'em on for a bit.
Mama is headed off to visit for the day so think of us. :) And Daddy's knee is doing well so no more knee brace!
Daddy DID get to change his first poopy diaper Tuesday night. He was thrilled. No, actually I think he was. It's a good thing showing Matti is digesting some of the food. So whoohoo poopy diapers!
Feedings are supposed to increase today to 2 cc per 3 hours.
Matti was sunning under the low uv lights yesterday. She wasn't jaundiced but her bili number was close to needing the lights so we turmed 'em on for a bit.
Mama is headed off to visit for the day so think of us. :) And Daddy's knee is doing well so no more knee brace!
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
We'll OWL-ays Love You
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| Sign made by Mama and Daddy (with help from Oma) to hang behind Matti's isolette. |
Mama and Matti hung out today. Matti is feeding the same amount (1cc) but more frequently (every 3 hours). So yay! Mama has learned how to take Mattigan's temp, change her diaper, clean her eyes and mouth so we do that every 3 hours. Right now her rounds are at 9-12-3-6 so 9am, 12pm etc...
Daddy was just stopping by the hospital when I spoke to him so they are enjoying some father daughter time as he says hello and good night. If he's lucky Mattigan is going to let him change another diaper.
Kangaroo Care, Oma Stars on 'Dirty Jobs', Daddy Denies Car Keys
Kangaroo Care
Mama got to hold Matti yesterday. They call it 'kangaroo care'. It's skin to skin holding so she can learn our smell, feel, and touch (and vice versa for us). She just gets tucked down the front of my shirt and then snuggles in under a blanket wearing her little tuque and a diaper. It takes a little bit of fancy maneuvering with one or two nurses so we don't tangle up her heart-rate monitor, blood pressure cuff, or tubes for feeding, oxygen, and IV. But they've done it a thousand times so it's pretty well coordinated.
Here's a shot so you can see what I mean about how we get her tucked in and you can see we're wearing Daddy's shirt so she can smell him too.
It was AWESOME to hold her for the first time. Wish Daddy had been able to be there too but that'll just be another thing to look forward to - seeing daddy hold her and having daddy there while mama does. Matti and I snuggled for close to 2 hours. She did fantastic!
Oma Stars on 'Dirty Jobs'
She also made a nice mess in her diaper before Mama came back with Oma. Perfect timing as Oma was going to change her first Matti diaper! Lol. So Oma took Miss Matti's temperature and changed her diaper like a pro. Although the little stinker didn't flail her legs around much for Oma like she tries for Mama. Hmmm I feel I have been bamboozled. At least Oma also had a hard time with the velcro closings on the tiny diaper. Or maybe she was just pretending so I wouldn't feel as silly.
Daddy Denies Car Keys
Daddy stopped by after work to tell Miss Matti about his day and ask how hers went. They had a long conversation and Matti asked to borrow the keys to the car but Daddy said 'not yet'. They also discussed the talent of the Beach Boys and Katy Perry but decided that right now Matti really loves the goodnight song from "3 Men and a Baby". Good Night Song
Matti was definitely tired out a bit from all the excitement. She did have 2 As and Bs later on in the afternoon. (Apnea and Bradycardia) Basically, babies (even full term newborns) sometimes get so excited or sleepy or whathaveyou that they forget to breathe for a second. That's totally normal, especially for a premie. Which is why she has the oxygen line and nurses who stimulate her when she misbehaves (usually by touching her head or gently rubbing her breastbone). Again, totally normal. She has had a couple As and Bs since birth but not enough for any concern. They usually outgrow this by 34-36 weeks or so.
A lot of people are asking when she'll come home. We definitely wish we could tell you. :) The milestones she has to reach, assuming no other issues arise are basically these:
- accepts feedings
- gains weight and continues to gain weight
- maintains her temperature outside of the incubator (babies can usually at around 4 lbs)
- outgrow As and Bs
At that point, the doctors will consider her release and we'll be standing by the door with the car seat ready and the engine running so we can make a fast getaway. Vroom vroom!
Mama got to hold Matti yesterday. They call it 'kangaroo care'. It's skin to skin holding so she can learn our smell, feel, and touch (and vice versa for us). She just gets tucked down the front of my shirt and then snuggles in under a blanket wearing her little tuque and a diaper. It takes a little bit of fancy maneuvering with one or two nurses so we don't tangle up her heart-rate monitor, blood pressure cuff, or tubes for feeding, oxygen, and IV. But they've done it a thousand times so it's pretty well coordinated.
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| Here is she wide awake just after we got her settled. |
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| Then she fell asleep with her mouth open. |
It was AWESOME to hold her for the first time. Wish Daddy had been able to be there too but that'll just be another thing to look forward to - seeing daddy hold her and having daddy there while mama does. Matti and I snuggled for close to 2 hours. She did fantastic!
Oma Stars on 'Dirty Jobs'
She also made a nice mess in her diaper before Mama came back with Oma. Perfect timing as Oma was going to change her first Matti diaper! Lol. So Oma took Miss Matti's temperature and changed her diaper like a pro. Although the little stinker didn't flail her legs around much for Oma like she tries for Mama. Hmmm I feel I have been bamboozled. At least Oma also had a hard time with the velcro closings on the tiny diaper. Or maybe she was just pretending so I wouldn't feel as silly.
Daddy Denies Car Keys
Daddy stopped by after work to tell Miss Matti about his day and ask how hers went. They had a long conversation and Matti asked to borrow the keys to the car but Daddy said 'not yet'. They also discussed the talent of the Beach Boys and Katy Perry but decided that right now Matti really loves the goodnight song from "3 Men and a Baby". Good Night Song
Matti was definitely tired out a bit from all the excitement. She did have 2 As and Bs later on in the afternoon. (Apnea and Bradycardia) Basically, babies (even full term newborns) sometimes get so excited or sleepy or whathaveyou that they forget to breathe for a second. That's totally normal, especially for a premie. Which is why she has the oxygen line and nurses who stimulate her when she misbehaves (usually by touching her head or gently rubbing her breastbone). Again, totally normal. She has had a couple As and Bs since birth but not enough for any concern. They usually outgrow this by 34-36 weeks or so.
A lot of people are asking when she'll come home. We definitely wish we could tell you. :) The milestones she has to reach, assuming no other issues arise are basically these:
- accepts feedings
- gains weight and continues to gain weight
- maintains her temperature outside of the incubator (babies can usually at around 4 lbs)
- outgrow As and Bs
At that point, the doctors will consider her release and we'll be standing by the door with the car seat ready and the engine running so we can make a fast getaway. Vroom vroom!
Monday, March 3, 2014
3/3/14 Miss Matti Monday
Mama is visiting Matti. She is eating ok - not a "lot" yet but progress! Remember we are talking cc's of food right now.
Weight 2.1.
Has diff oxygen tube with smaller cannulae. Fits her tiny nose better.
She seemed a little cold so she's toasting under a blanket right now with a tuque (hat) but bili uv lights off so mama can hold her today! And hopefully daddy after work! Oma coming to visit after work too. Big day here. :)
Weight 2.1.
Has diff oxygen tube with smaller cannulae. Fits her tiny nose better.
She seemed a little cold so she's toasting under a blanket right now with a tuque (hat) but bili uv lights off so mama can hold her today! And hopefully daddy after work! Oma coming to visit after work too. Big day here. :)
Sunday, March 2, 2014
1 CC At A Time
3/2/14 Evening Update
Matti fell asleep pretty much right after we visited her today. She is feeding again, 1 CC of food at a time by feeding tube. This is the standard way a premie feeds in the beginning. She also gets nutrients from an IV. The doctor adjusted her weight today; they think they didn't get her weight 100% correct at birth so her new adjusted weight at birth is 2 lb 2 oz. So she weighs in now at 2 lbs. She certainly is our Little One.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Going to Storm the Castle
3/1/14 Matti asleep after Daddy sang to her
Matti is doing well so thank you for all the happy thoughts you have been sending her way. Today she was a very good girl for Daddy while he changed his first itty bitty diaper. And tonight Mama took diaper duty while Daddy took her temperature and we learned how to weigh her and clean her eyes. She did squall a bit at us interrupting her slumber but she settled down when we were thru. She likes her binkie (pacifier) and has been sucking away at it. We are hopeful they can try feeding her again tomorrow and maybe she'll suck that food down. (She's feeding by a tube right now, then when she tolerates that, we'll get her used to a bottle.) When we left tonight she was all tucked in and sleeping with visions of storming the castle on her dragon with The Khaleesi.
3/2/14
P.s. We are staying mostly at Ashley's Mom and Pa's. We'll be checking our mail/swinging by our house infrequently but for the most part we'll be in Avondale because it's half the time to the hospital. And we can see The Khaleesi who is also bunking at the Fish residence. She was very excited to see us yesterday as were we with her. Right now she is chewing hard at an elk antler. She loves those things, what a whackjob.
Also, get ready for the sappiness.... I want to shout out to my husband. Today we have been together 10 years. We've traveled a long ways both literally and figuratively in that time. And what I am lucky enough to find is that as well as I know Joe, he still surprises, frustrates, and amazes me. He inspires me with his optimistic outlook on life, willingness to try new things and meet new people, and it doesn't hurt his case that he loves me just as much. ;) I fall more in love with him every day and just when I know I can't possibly feel more twitterpated, he says our daughter's name. Love, love, love.
It's A Good Day
Friday night update
Today was a big day for Miss Matti. We know she might have bad days too but we are celebrating how great she does for everything so when I tell you we celebrate hiccups and opening eyes, we aren't kidding. :)
Matti is off the cpap breathing mask and on an oxygen line - yay!!!
She lost more weight, down to 2# 1oz but we knew she'd lose some. It is normal for any baby to lose weight after delivery.
She started feeding yesterday but there was a lot of residual food so they were resting her belly last night (they said she might be gassy from cpap) and may resume feeding later today.
I lucked out and caught them at their rounds last night so I got to change her diaper. I knew what I was doing but was glad the nurse helped me manuever her because she is tiny! And feisty man oh man. She was kicking and crying and generally throwing a fit.
Then I held her in my hands inside the incubator while they changed her sheets. And that was great. Especially when she settled down for me.
Daddy arrived and helped wiped her mouth while she ate cause she was making a mess blowing bubbles.
And the BEST part was we got to SEE her! Her hat was off, her mask is off (so just the oxygen line that runs across her face and under her nose), and her 'glasses' were off. (The foam over her eyes to protect her eyes from the jaundice UV light.) She opened her eyes for us and seemed to look for us when we talked to her. Her eyes seem to be dark stormy blue grey right now. So maybe she'll end up with brown like mama, but we're thinking more likely blue or green like daddy's. Her hair is jet black and she has quite a bit.
Today was a big day for Miss Matti. We know she might have bad days too but we are celebrating how great she does for everything so when I tell you we celebrate hiccups and opening eyes, we aren't kidding. :)
Matti is off the cpap breathing mask and on an oxygen line - yay!!!
She lost more weight, down to 2# 1oz but we knew she'd lose some. It is normal for any baby to lose weight after delivery.
She started feeding yesterday but there was a lot of residual food so they were resting her belly last night (they said she might be gassy from cpap) and may resume feeding later today.
I lucked out and caught them at their rounds last night so I got to change her diaper. I knew what I was doing but was glad the nurse helped me manuever her because she is tiny! And feisty man oh man. She was kicking and crying and generally throwing a fit.
Then I held her in my hands inside the incubator while they changed her sheets. And that was great. Especially when she settled down for me.
Daddy arrived and helped wiped her mouth while she ate cause she was making a mess blowing bubbles.
And the BEST part was we got to SEE her! Her hat was off, her mask is off (so just the oxygen line that runs across her face and under her nose), and her 'glasses' were off. (The foam over her eyes to protect her eyes from the jaundice UV light.) She opened her eyes for us and seemed to look for us when we talked to her. Her eyes seem to be dark stormy blue grey right now. So maybe she'll end up with brown like mama, but we're thinking more likely blue or green like daddy's. Her hair is jet black and she has quite a bit.
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