I am posting from the Children's Hospital Surgery waiting area. Sweet baby M had to have an emergency shunt replacement this afternoon. She is in surgery now and I'm asking for prayers and healing thoughts to be sent out for her. I will update as soon as I am able.
Thank you!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Doctors...doctors....and more doctors
Hi all!
Boy you'd sure think I'd have tons of free time to blog what with not working an all. This little girl really keeps me running! Between trying to keep the house as clean and germ-free as possible and getting her to all of her doctor appointments, there's not time for much else.
Overall, M is doing pretty well. Her sleep has improved some, however, she is battling a nasty cold so that complicates things a bit. I looked back and there have only been 4 days since we've been home that we've not gone to a doctor appointment. We're getting her established and getting to know all the doctors and specialists. So far, I love them all!! We are so blessed to have access to some of the finest medical professionals and facilities in the nation.
E is doing great, too. He is learning, although not happily at times, how to share Mommy's and Daddy's attention. He is the best helper I could've ever asked for. He is always asking me what I need and running to get diapers, wipes, the "booger sucker", toys, blankets, you name it. He's not super cuddly with M yet, which during the cold and flu season is probably a good thing. (Oh - and no, it was not his birthday or anything. I made him a cake and we had a "Big Brother Party").
While I'm pretty worn out at the end....who am I kidding....the beginning, middle and end of the day, I'm finding it so incredibly rewarding to be a mom to two beautiful children. I've been subject several times over the last two weeks to the "you are such a saint" comment and I just want to say - we adopted the children that chose us. Yes, they have special needs, yes they were born into unfortunate circumstances. We do not claim to be saints, nor do we feel like our lives are any different than anyone else's lives with two children. The only difference I see is that we manage our time a little differently, and have more appointments to manage and resources to employ. The thing is, it's all we know. So, thank you, I know you mean well, but we really are just a couple of people who wanted children. We have been blessed beyond imagination with the two we have and look forward to adding K to our family also.
Alright, I know why you really came here and for your patience, you will be rewarded. Here's some of my favorites from this week:
Boy you'd sure think I'd have tons of free time to blog what with not working an all. This little girl really keeps me running! Between trying to keep the house as clean and germ-free as possible and getting her to all of her doctor appointments, there's not time for much else.
Overall, M is doing pretty well. Her sleep has improved some, however, she is battling a nasty cold so that complicates things a bit. I looked back and there have only been 4 days since we've been home that we've not gone to a doctor appointment. We're getting her established and getting to know all the doctors and specialists. So far, I love them all!! We are so blessed to have access to some of the finest medical professionals and facilities in the nation.
E is doing great, too. He is learning, although not happily at times, how to share Mommy's and Daddy's attention. He is the best helper I could've ever asked for. He is always asking me what I need and running to get diapers, wipes, the "booger sucker", toys, blankets, you name it. He's not super cuddly with M yet, which during the cold and flu season is probably a good thing. (Oh - and no, it was not his birthday or anything. I made him a cake and we had a "Big Brother Party").
While I'm pretty worn out at the end....who am I kidding....the beginning, middle and end of the day, I'm finding it so incredibly rewarding to be a mom to two beautiful children. I've been subject several times over the last two weeks to the "you are such a saint" comment and I just want to say - we adopted the children that chose us. Yes, they have special needs, yes they were born into unfortunate circumstances. We do not claim to be saints, nor do we feel like our lives are any different than anyone else's lives with two children. The only difference I see is that we manage our time a little differently, and have more appointments to manage and resources to employ. The thing is, it's all we know. So, thank you, I know you mean well, but we really are just a couple of people who wanted children. We have been blessed beyond imagination with the two we have and look forward to adding K to our family also.
Alright, I know why you really came here and for your patience, you will be rewarded. Here's some of my favorites from this week:
Monday, November 9, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Our little miracle......
I guess it's time to spill the beans......
A couple of weeks ago, we found out about a little girl born in Louisiana. We spent days pouring over her medical records and searching our hearts to decide if she was our daughter. She was....and now, she is!
Baby M was born at just over 25 weeks - 1 pounds 7 ounces. She suffered Respiratory Distress Syndrome and a Grade III-IV Intraventricular hemorrhage. Subsequently, she developed hydrocephalus. She was on a vent for a little over a month. In her second week of life, she was transferred to the NICU at Children's Hospital in New Orleans where her care was managed for the next 14 weeks.
Little M had a temporary reservoir placed to drain her excess cerebrospinal fluid while she grew and became stronger. When she was big enough, she had a permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placed. The shunt functioned well and despite one minor revision about 2 weeks ago and a couple adjustments, she has not encountered any difficulties.
M did great while in the NICU and was a favorite of many of her nurses. This is evidenced by the fact that she really does not tolerate being put down......EVER! :) She continued to grow and thrive and was discharged to us on Monday, November 2nd.
It is unsure what the future holds for M with regard to her physical and mental development. She will certainly have some obstacles to overcome secondary to her prematurity, hemorrhage and hydrocephalus. The good news is that she has amazed all of her doctors and right now at just under 40 weeks gestational age, she is doing everything that a child her age should be doing.
So, here were are, in our hotel in Metairie, LA, hanging with our girl. We're praying that ICPC goes through tomorrow and we can return home on Friday. There's a little boy at home missing his mommy and daddy and a mommy and daddy in LA missing their little boy something fierce! I cannot wait to scoop him up in my arms again!It's a little scary to be travelling with a preemie who is so susceptible to colds and infections, but she is one tough girl!
Our camera and computer have decided not to play nice this week so unfortunately, I only have one picture to offer right now. There will be many, many more after we return home and get settled back in.
Without further adieu......
A couple of weeks ago, we found out about a little girl born in Louisiana. We spent days pouring over her medical records and searching our hearts to decide if she was our daughter. She was....and now, she is!
Baby M was born at just over 25 weeks - 1 pounds 7 ounces. She suffered Respiratory Distress Syndrome and a Grade III-IV Intraventricular hemorrhage. Subsequently, she developed hydrocephalus. She was on a vent for a little over a month. In her second week of life, she was transferred to the NICU at Children's Hospital in New Orleans where her care was managed for the next 14 weeks.
Little M had a temporary reservoir placed to drain her excess cerebrospinal fluid while she grew and became stronger. When she was big enough, she had a permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placed. The shunt functioned well and despite one minor revision about 2 weeks ago and a couple adjustments, she has not encountered any difficulties.
M did great while in the NICU and was a favorite of many of her nurses. This is evidenced by the fact that she really does not tolerate being put down......EVER! :) She continued to grow and thrive and was discharged to us on Monday, November 2nd.
It is unsure what the future holds for M with regard to her physical and mental development. She will certainly have some obstacles to overcome secondary to her prematurity, hemorrhage and hydrocephalus. The good news is that she has amazed all of her doctors and right now at just under 40 weeks gestational age, she is doing everything that a child her age should be doing.
So, here were are, in our hotel in Metairie, LA, hanging with our girl. We're praying that ICPC goes through tomorrow and we can return home on Friday. There's a little boy at home missing his mommy and daddy and a mommy and daddy in LA missing their little boy something fierce! I cannot wait to scoop him up in my arms again!It's a little scary to be travelling with a preemie who is so susceptible to colds and infections, but she is one tough girl!
Our camera and computer have decided not to play nice this week so unfortunately, I only have one picture to offer right now. There will be many, many more after we return home and get settled back in.
Without further adieu......
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