Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Tubby Time~

Victoria had a great time with her bath~



Monday, December 29, 2008

Eye Exam

Victoria just had her eyes checked and the stage 3 on both eyes is the same. She has 1 and 1/2 clock hours of Stage 3 in both eyes. She has a small area of hemorrhage on both eyes that was there last time, but it hasn't gotten worse (that should clear on its own) No plus disease so she will get another exam in 5-7 days. Good news is it hasn't gotten worse, But we still don't know which way she will decide to go.

If she gets more Stage 3 and shows signs of plus disease, then surgery will be required. Right now she does not need surgery. Thanks to everyone for all the prayers.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

12 Weeks Old

Happy Holidays Everyone! Sorry we haven't posted any updates as Mommy was sick over Christmas and unable to see Victoria. Mommy and Daddie spent the afternoon with Victoria today and she is doing well, She is now 3lbs 13ozs (1740 grams) Doctors took her off her diuretics yesterday and hopefully she will not need to go back on them. She gained 90 grams today and another 60 grams last night, (a little much....) but we will see how she does. Daddie has been giving her all her bottles over the last few days and she is doing great with her feedings. Thank you to everyone who sent gifts for Victoria over the Holiday week.

Victoria will have her eyes checked again in the morning and hopefully they haven't gotten any worse. Here is a picture of Daddie holding Victoria after her feeding today.

Monday, December 22, 2008

11 Weeks Old

Victoria is now 11 weeks old and graduated to Room #1, She is 3lbs 5ozs and eating 27 cc's every three hours. Doctors have added protein to her diet and not sure she is liking it too much. She has had more destats than normal and watery stools since Friday. They are going to watch it for another day or so, but may need to remove it from her diet. Victoria will have an eye exam tomorrow, we hope that the Stage 3 has not gotten any worse. Here is a picture of Victoria smiling last night and a picture of big brother Nate enjoying the snow we got this weekend.


Friday, December 19, 2008

35 Weeks

Victoria is 35 Weeks Gestational Age today and weighs 3lbs 2oz's (1410 grams) She is doing well off her nasal cannula and is up to 27 cc's of milk every 3 hours. Her nutritionist feels Victoria needs more protein in her diet and this will be added as a powder mix to her milk. Victoria had her eyes checked today and has areas of Stage 3 ROP, She will now be checked every 3-4 days. Daddy was finally able to see Victoria yesterday, but now Mommie has been home sick for two days :(
Please continue to keep Victoria in your prayers.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

3 Pounds & Off Nasal Cannula!!!

Victoria is now 1350 grams (3lbs!!!!!) and they have removed the nasal cannula to see how she does. So far she is breathing comfortably and likes the freedom. Mommies first day back to work is today, So we will post pictures tonight. Miss you Victoria, Love Mommie~

Monday, December 15, 2008

10 Weeks Old

Victoria is now 10 weeks old and weighs 1300 grams (2lbs 14 oz) she is 40 cm long (15.7 inches)
She continues to stay on the nasal cannula and doing well. Doctors have discontinued her daily dose of caffeine as she is now 34 weeks corrected age. She is now eating 23 cc's every three hours and takes one bottle a day. Victoria had her eyes checked on Friday and she has more Stage 2 ROP in both eyes. She will be getting them checked every week (unless they get worse, then she will be checked every two days)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Bottle Feeding

Victoria is 2lbs 11oz and eating 14 cc's every two hours. We are giving her a bottle a day to teach her how to eat. She is getting pretty good at it, but when she is very hungry - She forgets to breathe. She was able to latch on yesterday and does better breastfeeding than with the bottle. See below pictures of her taking the bottle, Sorry - the breastfeeding pictures are not being published (I will spare you). Daddy and Nate have been sick so they aren't able to visit. Hopefully this weekend everyone will feel better.



Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Victoria is now 2lbs 10oz's and eating 14 cc's every two hours. She had her two additional vaccines today. Tracey moved her feeding tube from her mouth to her nose so Victoria could continue working on feedings. While kangarooing, Victoria seems to inch her way down my shirt and wants to breastfeed, We will try later this week as she gets very mad when I don't let her go where she wants.

We received a notice today from Yale NewBorn Special Care that due to the number of RSV cases they are asking everyone to limit the number of visitor's that come to NICU. Anyone who wants to visit should not have any symptoms of respiratory illness (e.g. cough, sneezing, fever, etc).

Monday, December 8, 2008

9 Weeks Old

Victoria is 9 weeks old, She had 1 of her 3 --->2 month vaccines on Saturday morning. She wasn't herself yesterday, so the doctors decided to hold off on the other two to make sure she wasn't coming down with something. On Saturday night and most of Sunday Victoria was having many episodes of Apnea. The doctors were keeping a very close eye on her to determine if it was the vaccine or an infection. Today she was doing better and the doctors feel that she should be ready for the 2 additional vaccines in the morning.
Here is a picture of Victoria smiling this afternoon.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Graduated to Room 2

Victoria had another eye exam today and it showed Zone 2 Stage 2 Retinopathy of Prematurity. The Doctor will continue to exam her eyes every 7-10 days. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), is a disease of the eye that affects prematurely born babies. It is thought to be caused by disorganized growth of retinal blood vessels which may result in scarring and retinal detachment. ROP can be mild and may resolve spontaneously, but may lead to blindness in serious cases. As such, all preterm babies are at risk for ROP, and very low birth weight is an additional risk factor. If Victoria progresses to Stage 3, she may need laser surgery.

Victoria is 2lbs 8 ozs (1130 grams), she is doing well on the nasal cannula and the doctors have decided that she can graduate to room 2 (the closer she gets to the door, the closer she is to coming home).

Please continue to keep Victoria in your prayers.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Victoria's First Bottle Today!

Victoria had a very productive day today, we started off the morning still breathing a little fast, so the doctors increased her diuretics in hopes that if her lungs were a little wet that this would help. (If it doesn't they may need to put her back on CPAP again.) Victoria is starting to show good signs of wanting to feed so Tracey gave her some milk this morning (see video), Victoria loved it and did very well so at 4pm we tried her first bottle feed. She had 5 cc's of milk from a bottle and gave us a nice loud burb. She didn't get that she had to suck, swallow and breathe all at the same time so we had to help her a few times. We will try again in a few days once we can get her breathing under control.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Victoria is now 2lbs 8ozs, She is enjoying her tummy time more now that the scuba gear isn't pushing up on her nose. Tracey (her primary nurse) gave her a little taste of milk today with her binky and she loved it. We may try to start feeding her in a week or so, She was breathing a little heavy at times today, so we need to see how she does over the next few days. Her next eye exam is later this week and she will be getting her 2 month vaccines soon. Victoria is currently 8 weeks old ( 32 weeks gestational)

Monday, December 1, 2008

Nasal Cannula!

Victoria did really well on CPAP over the weekend so Doctors decided to try her on just a nasal cannula. She has been on the nasal cannula since Sunday morning about 11am. She is on about 23% - 25% oxygen. She definitely likes them better on her nose since they fit better than the scuba gear. She has had a few more episodes of apnea so they increased her caffeine to help her. As long as these episodes don't increase she can stay on the Nasal Cannual. She is now 1080 grams - 2lbs 6oz's.


Friday, November 28, 2008

CPAP

Victoria transitioned well from NIPPV to CPAP today, She has been on room air for oxygen and up to 13 cc's of breastmilk every two hours. Victoria weighs 2lbs 4ozs and loved her visit with Nate, Mommie and Daddy. Victoria was fussy while we were changing her and Nate insisted that she wanted him to hold her hand. Nate gave Victoria his finger and she held it and quickly settled down, he was right! Victoria loves her big brother.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving

From our Family to Yours -

We wish everyone a healthly, safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.

I never knew Thanksgiving until I had children of my own. They have given me such a blessed feeling, Which changed all I thought I had known. At one time, Thanksgiving was a day to go to football games, eat turkey and pumpkin pie and to take a few moments to say, We're glad for this or that in our lives. But now this holiday leaves me spouting endless words of thanks and joy and reminds me how gracious God can be with each smile of my baby girl Victoria and little boy Nathan. Our endless love goes out to Anna Rose and Ella Nicole which will forever be in our hearts.

Thank you to all the Doctors, Nurses and Staff at YALE who are Victoria's Guardian Angels and watch her everyday. Thank you for everyone's continued thoughts and prayers.

Love Always -
Lou, Paula, Nathan & Victoria

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Victoria's blood gases came back good last night so the doctors made a wean on the NIPPV. She is now 2lbs 20z's and doing well with her oxygen. She is currently at 24% (which is about room air). They will be going up on her feeds today, 12 cc's every two hours. Please continue to keep Victoria in your prayers.

Monday, November 24, 2008

7 Weeks Olds


Victoria is now 7 weeks old. She is doing well on NIPPV and weighs 2lbs 1oz. Doctors wean her settings every other day and she doesn't seem to mind it. She is currently up to 11.5 cc's of breastmilk every two hours. Victoria took her first bath yesterday and Daddy, Mommie and Nate all got to hear her cry for the first time. Victoria had her first eye exam on Friday afternoon. She was NOT happy and was pretty mad when I came in to see her. Victoria's eyes are currently at Stage 1 Retinopothy, Zone 2, and follow up exam will be done in 10 days to follow her.

Friday, November 21, 2008

2 Pounds!

Victoria is now 2 lbs! She had a very good day yesterday on NIPPV and doctors are weaning the settings today to see how she does. She has been in about 30% oxygen and will remain on 11 cc's of milk every two hours. Hopefully she will continue to put on some weight (although it isn't something she seems to like to do). She is scheduled for her first eye exam. Victoria is 31 weeks (gestational age today). She also loves her binky. Daddy was able to hold Victoria last night for a few hours and she did well with her new gear. Nate is very upset that he hasn't been able to see his baby sister and asks for her all day long. (He has a cough and can't go see her until he is 100% better).




Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Victoria is doing well with her NIPPV, Doctors have increased her feedings to 11cc's every two hours. We let her rest today and didn't take her out to kangaroo. Will update everyone tomorrow and include pictures.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Extabated

Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. Victoria was extabated at 9am, She was put on NIPPV (looks like scuba gear) this gives her oxygen and breathes through her nose. She is still 1lb 15oz.

Monday, November 17, 2008

6 Weeks Old

Victoria did well overnight (better than Mommie) with her Primary Nurse Tracey. She stooled in the early morning and tested negative for blood in her stool. Phew, finally...... She then tested negative for all others today and was doing well. Mommie was able to kangaroo with Victoria for a few hours and Doctors weaned her settings on the ventalator, They will be running blood work tomorrow morning - Victoria weighs 1lb 15ozs... Doctors will continue to watch her closely and hopefully try to extabate later in the week. Please continue to keep Victoria in your prayers! Here she is in one of Mrs Vinagre's outfits.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

NEC Scare

Received a call from Victoria's Doctor on Saturday morning, Nurse found a trace of blood in her stool. Doctor's were concerned that Victoria had either an infection or NEC (Necrotizing Enterocolitis). NEC is a gastrointestinal disease that mostly affects premature infants, NEC involves infection and inflammation that causes destruction of the bowel (intestine) or part of the bowel. Doctors immediately took Victoria off feedings and ordered an xRay, put her on an IV and ran blood work. The xRay came back clear and Doctors felt that she could resume her feedings later that day and they would watch her closely for any other signs of infection or NEC. Victoria on Sunday still tested positive for blood in her stool, but was doing well overall. They were continuing to watch her very closely for any further clinical signs of infection.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Goal Remains the Same.....

Here are some pictures of Victoria resting today. She is now eating 10.5 cc's every two hours in hopes that she will gain weight more consistantly. We had to go up on her oxygen today (it has been between 35% - 40%), So Doctors have increased her diuretics to help clear her lungs.
She is currently 830 grams (1lb 13oz). The goal remains the same, Growth and Weight Gain before trying to extubate. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.


Thursday, November 13, 2008

Pictures

A few misc pictures from the week....


Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Thin is NOT in!

Victoria is doing well today, After two weeks of not putting on weight she has decided to give in just a little. She is now 1lb 12oz. Doctors have up'd her feedings to 10 cc's every two hours and she has liked that change. They are going to continue to let her put on weight and grow for a few more days before trying to remove her tube. Here are a few pics of her resting today.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Monday Update

No pictures today, Mommy and Victoria had a quiet day at Yale NICU. She is 1lb 11oz and taking all her feeds. Still on the vent for breathing support (but on low settings) Doctors want to see her grow a little more before trying to take her off again. I held Victoria today for a few hours and changed many wet diapers. She is eating 9cc's every two hours and loves to sleep on her belly.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Daddy, Nathan & Victoria

Today Daddy got to hold Victoria and Nate was able to come in and spend sometime with her outside her isolete. He wanted to hold her and kept asking why he couldn't, but was finally happy holding her hand and touching her back.



Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Thank you Mrs. Vinagre!!!

Victoria and her beautiful dress hand made by Maria Vinagre. She also has wonderful shoes to match and a soft blanket. Thank you so much Mrs. Vinagre and as she wears each outfit we will share with everyone. She is the best dressed little girl in room#4.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Daddy & Victoria

Here are a few pictures of Daddy holding his little girl....

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Mommie & Victoria

Mommie gets to hold Victoria for the first time...


Monday, October 13, 2008

Saying Goodbye to Ella Nicole

Today was Ella's Memorial Service, we had a Mass of the Angels at St Francis Church at 9am, Ella will be forever in our hearts, minds and souls. Below is a poem shared with us by Kathleen (Ella's Cousin) and read at the service.

To Mommy and Daddy


Daddy please don't look sad,
Mommy please don't cry,
Because I'm in the arms of Jesus
And he sings me lullabies.

Please try not to question God,
Don't think he is unkind,
Don't think he sent me to you,
And then changed his mind.

You see, I am a special child,
And I'm needed up above,
I'm the special gift you gave him,
The product of your love.

I'll always be there with you,
So watch the sky at night,
Find the brightest star,
That's my halo's wonderful light.

You'll see me in the morning frost,
The mist on your window,

When you feel a little breeze,
From a gentle wind that blows,
That's me there kissing your nose.

When you see a child playing,
And your heart feels a little tug,
That's me giving you a hug.

So daddy please don't look sad,
Mommy please don't cry,
Because I am in Jesus' arms,
and he is singing me lullabies.



We love you Ella!
Love Always -
Mommie, Daddy, Nathan & Victoria


Monday, October 6, 2008

October 5, 2008

Victoria Marie and Ella Nicole were born on October 5, 2008 at 5:45 pm.


Ella Nicole passed away a few hours before delivery. She was 1lb 5oz.






Victoria Marie was born second at 1lb 7oz.