MAGGIE SIMPSON?

Lillie's big day...

I went to Lillie's 2:30 feeding after work. Draven got out of school early so we made it just in time. As you know, she has been starving! The day nurse told me she was going to try to get the doctor to let her eat more. When I showed up the doctor had her on 42 cc's plus she got a 20cc snack and... she can breastfeed as much as she wants!

Big day!!!

Then she informed me that even though she hasn't made it to her weight gain, she can move into a crib!!! She had maintained her temperature for the past few days so they let her move in to a big girl bed. I went up there at 5:30 to check on her and breast feed. She was doing so well. They kept her incubator hooked up just in case, but when I came in this morning they said they moved it because she doesn't need it.

Just keeps getting better!!!

This morning I got a phone call from the NICU. The nurse said bring her car seat up today because she will be going home any day. I also had to get her a doctor's appointment scheduled for next week. I ran up to the hospital and they said they couldn't wait for me to do the discharge class on Monday. I needed to do it today! She also said that when she makes her weight requirement (hopefully in the next day or two) they will schedule our room in. Right now, they plan on us rooming in with Lillie at the hospital on Sunday night. Chris and I will take care of her like if we were home, but the doctors and nurses check in on us. Monday morning we take her home! She lost a little weight last night, but we hope to see her gain over the next few days. The breast feeding burns calories. She has tonights weighing and tomorrows. They said she will be ready for the room in as early as Saturday night or no later than Sunday night. Better be Sunday. Chris and I planned a last date night before she comes home. We are going to Le Cep's in Edmond for dinner then to a movie. It will be the last time we go out together for a long time.

It is now Friday at 3pm. Draven and I are at home and will go back up to the hospital in about an hour. We want to see how she does on her carseat challenge. I will let everyone know what happens...

Slow going...

bath time...

She got Valentines bedding last night.  She looks so sweet in her new clothes.

They still haven't increased her food.  No calories, and no added fat after today.  My girl is starving!  She is still at 34 cc's of food.  Last night she only gained 20 grams (1740 grams 3 pounds 13 ounces.)  Hopefully, they will increase her today.  She got to wear her new outfit from Aunt Sis.  She looked so cute, we took tons of photos.  We also got to give her a full bath last night.  She did not love it.

SOME REAL UPDATES...

I took these pictures before I went to work this morning. She was a mess. They have not increased her food and took away the extra calories. She was starving! She tried to sleep but couldn't get passed her hunger. Finally a sweet nurse came by with an extra 5 cc's of milk. Don't tell the doctor.
Lillie yawing.
My fuzzy headed baby.

I have been so busy! I get up pump, take Draven to school, go to the hospital, go to work, then pick up Draven, go back to the hospital... you get the point. When I was up there this morning the nurses said to get ready for her to come home. The plan is as follows. She is now at 1720 grams. Needs to be at 1800 to go home. She gains an average of 25-30 grams a night. That would have her ready to move out of the incubator by Friday or Saturday. Once she is in a normal bed they will watch her for 24 hours to make sure she is keeping her temp up. If so, we start getting ready. She has been keeping her temp up for the past 3 days. The incubator is at it's lowest setting. She is doing all of the work already. Once she makes it through the first 24 hours we do a car seat check to make sure she can sit in the car seat a mininmum of 30 minutes without her airways becoming blocked. Little babies heads fall forward in regular infant carseats. Then I meet with a lacation consultant to try to breast feed. On Sunday, we will spend the night at the hospital with her in a room with us. That way we have all of the doctors and nurses at our finger tips if we have questions or concerns. Then Monday morning we will do a discharge and cpr class. They will teach us how to deal with such a tiny baby in our home. Man, I am tired just thinking about the next few days. It will be well worth it.

JUST GOT BACK FROM 8:30 VISIT. SHE IS UP TO 1740. THEY STILL HAVEN'T INCREASED HER FEEDINGS. 34 CC'S FOR THE 3RD DAY. SHE IS SO HUNGRY!

UPDATE...

SORRY, been so busy!!! Back at work, plus going to the hospital all the time. Lillie is great! She is up to 1720 grams, only 80 more grams to go and she comes out of the incubator. We have our discharge class on Monday, but she might be ready to come home before then. So much to do! I will give more of an update when I find time. To sum it up, she is growing fast, maybe too fast. Doctor has slowed down her calorie additive and is not increasing her milk. This weekend we hope to get her out of the incubator and in a crib. We will also do a car seat check and talk about rooming in at the hospital so she can go home. They have the parents spend the night at the hospital before they can take the baby home. I also have to met with the lactation consultant again. That is about it for now. Lillie is starving, hope the doctor increases her food and calories today.
Oh, 1720 grams = 3 pounds 12 1/2 ounces!!!
One more thing... after the scrawny baby post, she gained 100 grams that night!
Crazy baby.

My scrawny baby...

Chris has been referring to Lillie as a "Scrawny Baby." Don't take offense, we just tease around our house. It is our coping mechanism.
Speaking of scrawny babies...
I went to Lillie's 8:30 to get her weight update. The nurse said she didn't have time. That made me so mad! She wanted to weigh and give Lillie her full bath at 11:30 (when I wouldn't be there.) We always do bath and weight at 8:30. It is what we look forward to all day. So, I asked her to at least weigh her. We did it quickly, she had lost 25 grams. I couldn't believe it, so we did it again. Still... 25 grams. I was so upset. She just gained 25 grams the day before. To loose 25 in a day seemed like a big loss. It would be one thing if it was 10 grams or less, but.. 25!!! I am going up at the 11:30 to see if the doctor has any concerns. God, I hope not. I had a bad dream about her last night. I really need her home soon.

SATURDAY NIGHT...

We went to see Lillie at the 11:30 feeding and the nurse had already fed her. That is always frustrating. Lillie's Nanna and Don came to see her. They hadn't seen her since she was just a little girl. Ok, she is still a little girl.

After the visit, we went to babys r us and bought her some new bedding. We were going to use the cute ivory bunny stuff from Nicole, but then we found a bargain! We got a crib set with an extra sheet for $50 dollars off plus 10%. Chris and I love a deal and we loved the pattern. We needed some more color. We also ordered her dresser, but it won't be here for a week or two. She might beat her dresser home! Once we got home we worked on the house. Now all of us are nesting! I got closets cleaned and more laundry done! After that we went back up for the 5:30 feeding. She ate way too fast (as usual.) Then Chris kangarooed. After the hospital we took Draven to cotillion. He is such a good sport about that class. They worked on setting the table and learned the Cha-Cha. So far that is one of his favorite dances. Chris and I went to Belle Isle Brewery for dinner. That is one of my favorites. Last night was the worst service ever. We ate upstairs in the bar because the restaurant had a 20 minute wait. Big mistake. It was smokey (like dirty ashtrays) and loud. I think our waitress forgot about us. Chris left because he had a birthday present to buy at the book store. I stayed and waited on the check. After about 20 minutes, nothing. I finally had to find someone to get me the check. I guess that saved me $6 on a tip. So far a pretty good weekend. Going back to work on Tuesday, I am nervous I will cry talking about Lillie. Chris is having a superbowl party at our house with his bible study guys. I hope he can get the house ready in time. I plan on using today to catch up with some girlfriends I haven't seen in a while. I will update later. Oh, and since we weren't there for the 8:30 feeding last night, I should have two weight gain updates for today. Come on, big gain!!!!