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.