Brooks: The Big Brother

Brooks absolutely LOVES his little sister. Here are the pictures and video to prove it.

Delaney is Home!

Sunday afternoon we came home from a visit with Laney and were just hanging out when we got our daily call from the NICU doctors. This conversation was a little unexpected. The doctor gave me a report followed by, "So, there's no reason to keep her here any longer. Looks like she can go home tomorrow." I panicked a little trying to wrap my head around what he was saying. Everything was happening so fast! So, after 10 days in the NICU, our little girl was coming home. We spent that night in the NICU suite and Laney stayed with us. Nurses came in throughout the night to check on her and make sure everything was okay. She had to eat well during the night and pass her carseat test and then she could come home.
It was such a wonderful and terrifying night bringing her home.



And now she's home and doing well. She's dropped her weight just a little, but is still above her birth weight. She is eating better each day and she continues to sleep well being feedings. She is a very sweet little girl.

Laney's First Week

Day 1: Laney enters the NICU and gets all hooked up.

Day 2: First time in Mommy's arms.

Day 3: Birdie comes to visit.

Day 4: Still all hooked up to everything.

Day 5: First time in Daddy's arms.

Day 6: No more tubes on Laney's face! Plus she started wearing clothes and sleeping in an isolet. The bow was just on for the cute picture.

Day 7: First time to breastfeed. Not a huge success, but she did great for such a tiny little girl.

October 22, 2010

Here she is:
Delaney Ann
4lbs 8oz
17.5 inches


Spending some time with our girl...

Just so you can get an idea of how tiny Laney is...

First time in mom's arms...

Holding on to Scoops...

What?!

That was a small sliver of my reaction when they told me that they would be delivering Laney within the hour. Here's how the day went...
My doctor was on call all day and came and checked on me and said that my 24-hour urine sample was fine so she thought I should be okay throughout the weekend. She mentioned that she would be gone the following day because it was her birthday, so I couldn't have any problems because she wasn't going to be around. Why did she have to say that? Oh course that would mean there was bound to be problems. Dr. Irvin had finally granted me outside privileges (which I used the day before) and I decided I would go for a wheelchair ride in the afternoon when Brooks came to visit. Little did I know that my blood pressure would keep me indoors. I wasn't going to the bathroom enough plus my blood pressure was spiking so they were on me like crazy to drink plenty of water and really rest. Like I hadn't been resting? I was stuck in a cubicle/hospital room...what else was there to do? Things were calming down and looking better by the time Chad and Brooks came for their daily afternoon visit. We ate some yummy hospital food and watched a movie on the computer. It was nice and cozy on my twin sized bed. Chad took Brooks home for bed and my mom stayed to watch the Rangers game with me. I think that's when my blood pressure started to go up again, so they increased my meds and it came back down. My mom left in about the seventh inning so she could get home and watch the end of the game (Rangers were about to make it into the World Series for the first time). They were monitoring my blood pressure often, and it was starting to go back up. They gave me more meds....nothing. They gave me some meds in an IV...no change. All the while I was laying on my side and my blood pressure continued to be high. Finally the doctor (not my doctor - remember, she was out celebrating her birthday) came in and told me that it was time. Here's how the conversation went:
Doc: I'm recommending that we go ahead and deliver the baby since we can't seem to get your blood pressure under control and I don't want you to have a seizure.
Me: So, like, we'll be delivering tomorrow?
Doc: More like tonight.
Me: So, are you talking, like, in the next 3 hours or so?
Doc: I would say that we'll have the baby out in the next hour.
Me: Can we wait until my husband can get here...he's not here...I need to call him.
Doc: Of course, we won't deliver until he gets here.
Me: Okay. Well, we're going to have to wait until this inning is over.

I kid you not. The doctor sat on the edge of my bed and waited for the last two outs of the Ranger game so I could see them clench the pennant. Then it was mass chaos. I called Chad - he panicked and raced up to the hospital. Nurses were flying into my room. People were undressing me, shaving me (yep, I said it), hooking me up to IV's, taking my blood pressure, getting my catheter inserting, asking me questions and having me sign my life away...all at the same time...all before Chad and my mom had even arrived. They went ahead and started my magnesium drip to make sure that I didn't start having seizures. Of course my BP was sky high with all the "excitement" so I was shaking uncontrollably. I was terrified. Laney was only 34 weeks gestation - that's six weeks early! It seemed like forever before Chad and my mom arrived and someone was finally there to hold my hand. They wheeled me back in the room with the bright lights overhead.

I sat up and leaned forward so the anesthesiologist could do his thing. Now, of course, I didn't know I was having a c-section this particular night, so I had just eaten an ice cream sandwich (yum). I warned the nurse that I wasn't feeling good, but it was too late. I just started throwing up all over her and all over me. It was the lowest moment of my life. It was completely disgusting and completely embarrassing. It was short-lived and I was soon lying flat on the table waiting for them to cut me open and take out my precious baby. Things went smooth during the c-section and then came the best part...my baby girl's cry.

Oh - it was the most perfect sound. I was worried since she was so early, so hearing her cry made me feel a bit better. Chad went over to watch her with the nurses while the doctors sewed me up.

They brought her by my head for me to see her real quick before they took her to the NICU.

4 lbs 8 oz of pure beauty. I was instantly in love. Chad left with her again and met my mom in the NICU to watch over the nurses as they got Laney all hooked up and assessed.

What a trooper she was from the beginning. God has a special plan for this little girl.

Going Strong

I'm still here! The latest results came in this morning and the doctor said that I am good to go a few more days (at least). We'll repeat the tests again for the weekend and get a new plan on Sunday. I'm really hoping we can hold off delivery until at least Tuesday, but obviously the ultimate goal is still November 9th. Tuesday I will be 35 weeks. A 35 week delivery means that Laney will only go into the NICU if she needs to. Anything before then would be an automatic ticket to the NICU. We did take a tour there, just in case, and the nurses were very information and comforting. We're just hoping that we still don't need to end up there. After 35 weeks she might pop in there for a check and then head on over to the nursery with all the other babies. My mom has been here through the whole waiting process, washing baby clothes and blankets, making meals at the house, helping with Brooks, etc. Tomorrow she'll be helping Chad paint Laney's room and hang up her wooden letters on the wall. I wish I could be there to help, but I know that between the two of them, everything is in good hands. Chad's mom will be joining us soon for an extra pair of hands. I'm almost "worried" that people are going to run of things to do around our house. What if Laney stays put for another 2 weeks?! What if this time is just like the time before with Brooks?! The doctor's don't seem to think so, but I'm starting to get more hope that this could go all the way until November 9th. Unfortunately, there are just so many "ifs" in the equation, and so many little things that can change in a day. My doctor seems to be gaining a little bit of confidence, however - she is now allowing me a 30 minute wheelchair ride to the courtyard daily! I think I'll wait and go with Brooks today. He usually comes up every afternoon after school to hang out with mommy. We usually color in bed or watch a cartoon and share some yummy hospital food together. I'd love to be able to go outside and watch him run around a bit. I miss those little things. I especially miss tucking him in at night and waking him up in the morning...those are his most cuddly times of day. I just keep telling myself that this is all temporary and all worth it.
I'll try and report on Sunday to give "the new plan". Keep praying for Laney to grow strong and have more time inside my belly.

In the hospital

Looks like preeclampsia is back with this pregnancy and I'm back on bedrest in the hospital. I'm 34 weeks, as of today, so I lasted a little bit longer before being sentenced to bedrest. Right now it's a day-by-day thing as to how long I can actually keep this girl growing inside me. We're shooting for November 9th, but the doctor doesn't seem to think we'll make it that far.
The good news:
> Preemie girls seem to do better than preemie boys.
> Preeclamptic babies' lungs seem to mature faster than other babies.
> The NICU nurse said that often babies born at 34 weeks only have to stay a week.
> Although we might have some health issues upfront, long-term health risks for Laney are minimal to none.
Be praying...
...for more time. Every one day in the womb is like 3 days living in the outside world. Each day counts.
...that my levels stay stable and amaze the doctors once more!
...for Delaney's growth. Lets hope she's growing strong inside so she can do well on the outside.
...for Chad and me. It's not an easy time imagining Laney so little and helpless.

Overall I feel a huge sense of peace with the whole situation. I know God is in control and He will see us through this. I feel so comforted by His presence with every new test result and doctor consultation. I'll do my best to keep things updated. They are running more tests everyday to try and stay on top of things.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I'm blessed to have such a great group of friends and family surrounding us...thank you.