Saturday, February 23, 2008 - Update

Olivia and her daddy have a new favorite thing to do together that Ryan calls, 'Smell Candle.' Ryan carries her around the house and they smell the various candles that I have. Olivia's favorite is consistently Yankee Candle's Home Sweet Home.

Ryan was able to go visit his uncle in the hospital today and wasn't quite expecting him to be in the condition that he's in. From what I understand, one of his carotid arteries split during a bad coughing spell that resulted in a blood clot going to his brain. Please keep him in your prayers.

A trip to the hospital isn't complete without a visit to our 'ole stomping ground. . .the NICU. Ryan brought some pictures of Olivia and was able to briefly visit with some of our favorite nurses.

Friday, February 22, 2008 - Update

We have raised $700 for March of Dimes!

Look how well I can hold my head up!

Olivia threw up again last night. Now, when I say "throw up," I don't mean spit up. . .I mean projectile vomiting. Sometimes there is so much force behind it that it scares her a bit. Every time, however, it seems like there is something that it can be attributed to. . Phenobarb, Poly-Vi-Sol, Nystatin, etc. There has only been one time when the cause seemed uncertain. I really don't want to change her off of the NeoSure because she seems to like it (and stools quite frequently on it.) I am not convinced that it's the formula as it seems to happen regardless of which formula she is on. I just don't understand what's going on. Please pray that we get it figured out.

Today, Olivia and I listened to some of my old Kids Praise albums (My brother put these on a cd for me a few years ago.) We really enjoyed ourselves and I didn't even know that you could buy them anymore. I highly recommend them and feel so blessed to be able to share them with Olivia. I got a little teary eyed during one part where a child asks about what heaven is like. He is told that it is a wonderful place and Jesus is there. Someday I will tell Olivia that her brother is there as well.

I also wanted to ask for prayers for Ryan's uncle, Donnie. (Olivia has an uncle Donnie and a great uncle Donnie.) He went into the hospital last night because of a tingling in his arms and blurred vision. His blood pressure was high and they gave him some medicine to help that. As he was checking out this morning, he was unable to communicate so they were airlifting him to Wichita. I don't have any further details at this time.

**Update** We have learned that Ryan's uncle did suffer a stroke and right now does not have use of the right side of his body. Please pray that he is able to recover fully from this.

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - Update

My honey bunny

I went to Olivia's pediatrician's office today and they gave me some samples of Alimentum (Similac's version of Nutramigen.) We currently have her back on Neosure and we're going to stay with that for a few days to see how she does. I hate to keep switching on her. I wish that I would just be able to give her breast milk as I still have 2 freezers full. It pains me to think of all the countless hours of pumping. . .literally down the drain. I guess I'm also stressed because I keep reading how babies her age (although how old she truly is. . .I don't know) should be taking up to 6 oz each feeding. She usually takes only 2 -3 oz. Then when she throws up the contents of an entire bottle, it just breaks my heart. I keep telling myself, however, that if she continues to gain weight, I shouldn't worry about it. She's happy, she's healthy and that's all that matters.

I decided not to refill my prenatal vitamins anymore since I'm no longer feeding her breast milk as they are $35 / month. I picked up the One-A-Day All Day Energy vitamins. Hey, the people on the commercial looked like they had a lot of energy and that is one thing that I have been greatly lacking. I've had the energy of a. . . a. . giant sloth (hey, they don't seem very energized.)I took one and I gotta say. . .I do have more energy. Then, I looked on the box and it states 'This product contains as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.' Well, no wonder. . .if I just wanted caffeine I would keep popping my Excedrins. Oh well, I'll try them for awhile.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - Update

Olivia and her stuff

Do you ever feel like you're reliving the same day over and over and over again. . .just in a different pair of pajama pants? With maybe some added vomit to your hair? Do you ever feel like you're repeating yourself? Hmm. . .I really need to get out of the house. Things have been a little stressful around here. Olivia threw up all of her bottle again today and it seemed unrelated to the phenobarb. We talked to her pediatrician's office today, so hopefully we'll figure out what we can do to help her. We're having trouble finding a formula that works for her. Breastmilk is not tolerated very well for some reason, so I'm officially giving up on that. She is on Reglan, but it hasn't been weight-adjusted since she was in the hospital. We're hoping to let her outgrow her dosage. It's just been one of those weeks, so you'll have to forgive me if I don't write a lot.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - Update

My mommy says I'm a miracle.

I think Olivia is at that age where she doesn't want to sleep all day like a newborn, but she doesn't quite want to "play" a lot either. She loves sitting in her chair, but even that only holds her attention for a few minutes. Her favorite thing is being held and walking around the house just looking at things. She could literally do that all day. I love it when Ryan walks around the house with her and I hear him say, "Someday you're going to find that hilarious!" I can't wait to hear her laugh.

Have I told you how much I enjoy her 4 am bottle? It sounds crazy (especially from someone who is not a morning person) but it is my favorite time of day. First, she doesn't even wake me with crying. . .she only starts "talking" and grunting loudly. Then, she always greets me with a smile and waits patiently for her bottle. She begins wide awake, gulps down her best bottle of the day and then falls fast asleep. Oh, I can't wait for the day when she sleeps through the entire night, but then I will miss our special time together.

Monday, February 17, 2008 - Update

I love batting at my new ball!If only I could keep track of it. Have you seen my ball?

Do you ever feel like you are reliving the same day over and over again. . .just in a different pair of pajama pants? Or, is it just me? Don't get me wrong. . .I want my life to be very boring for a long time, I would just like to be bored in some place other than my house for a change.

My dad purchased web cams for all of us, so Olivia got to see Izzy for the first time last night. We still have some kinks to work out, but it should be fun. Olivia seems to have gotten really big all of the sudden. She weighed 8 lbs 6 oz on Feb. 1st. We haven't had her weighed since then, but I assume that she's probably 9 - 10 lbs. She is just growing up before our eyes.

I would write more, but I'm not quite with it today. I was up most of the night last night with a really bad headache, so my mind is a little foggy. I'm sure I'll find something a little more profound to say later in the week.

Jimmy Finally Gets A Bath

Wasn't that fun? Did you enjoy your bath, Jimmy?

I smell pretty clean, don't I?

I'm so glad you're my friend.

You're such a cute little skunk!

That's really nice, Olivia, but why am I in pink? Aren't I a boy?