quote:She's under a bili light and has to wear an eye mask and she hates it. She has figured out how to push it off and has the poor nurses running all day and night to put it back
That is indeed adorable. Mine removed her wrist ID bracelet three times and her ankle ID four in the three days we were there. We said she was either going to be an escape artist, or didn't want to be part of our family!
quote:I'm being discharged today with very mixed emotions.
They're discharging you already? You must indeed be doing well! Good for you. And the mixed emotions are understandable, but remember that they love to have mommies in the NICU. You're still going to see her, and she's not going to forget who you are. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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That is the best news I've had all week! Congratulations to your family.
It was so hard for me to leave the hospital with Stephen in the NICU but I spent all the time sitting in the chair next to him that they would let me. They made us leave at shift changes and I did go home to sleep but slept with the phone next to me with promises they would call me immediately if there were any problems. Thankfully there weren't.
So grab some fluffy comfy slippers, its perfectly okay to wear them in public and have fun sitting and gazing at your new baby girl. What wonderful news! I am so very happy she is okay.
Posts: 1132 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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You know, I bet you could get some crafty stuff done while you're talking to and looking at her. Do you do crafty stuff?
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Woo! Congratulations! What great news! I LOVE that name by the way. It's pronounced "Air-in", right?
Posts: 1401 | Registered: Jun 2004
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Oh, man, I'm late to the party! Congratulations! September 12th is my wife's birthday. We're all very very glad things are going so well!
quote:(Is anyone else impressed that she posted on Hatrack that soon after a c-section?)
Jen was the same way - they're done differently than in the past so it's not as bad as my Mom tells me every chance she gets. Jen was cleaning her room the next morning in the hopes they would spring her early. We're so happy!!!
Posts: 5422 | Registered: Dec 2001
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One of the things I did, Mrs. M, was keep a tape recording (and tape player) handy for the nurses to use for those hours they insisted I go sleep in the parent room down the hall.
On the tape I had soothing music interspersed with my voice reading stories and saying prayers and singing silly songs.
They also got really good at letting me help out with the day-to-day care of my little guy in the PICU. I helped with some of the treatments, daily care, and spent time just gently stroking some lotion on those tiny feet and hands and forehead.
*hugs to all*
Posts: 20 | Registered: Jun 2005
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Just wanted to give y'all one last update before Shabbos. Aerin is doing remarkably well. Her reports are short because there's nothing new to tell, which is always a good thing in preemies. She's finally getting good sleep now that the bili light is off and her mask is gone.
She's doing so well that they're putting a PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) in way ahead of schedule, so that they can take out her umbilical lines. This is a basically an IV line used to provide nutrients and medicines into a vein. The risk of clots and infection is much lower with a PICC line.
We're getting on a blanket exchange, where I sleep with a receiving blanket next to my skin and they wrap her in it so that she can smell my scent. Then I give them another one and they give me back the one that she slept in so that I can smell her scent.
We're starting a blog for her, so that I can keep everyone updated without having to email all day long. I'll let y'all know when it's up.
Thank you for your support, comfort, prayers, and good thoughts.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Oh, I'm so glad she's doing so well! You and Andrew and Aerin will continue to have our love and prayers. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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I can't even imagine how small a PICC would have to be for a 26 week preemie. <-- used to be a marketing secretary at a peripheral access company
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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pooka, I asked my mother about that PICC. She's an infusion therapy nurse and puts in about a dozen PICCs a week. She said she didn't know they made them that small!!
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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Aerin is still doing well. She's back under the bili light, but she's tolerating it much better. She had another blood transfusion today, which went well. She spends most of her time sleeping peacefully, which is the best thing for her.
We had her naming in the shul today. Her Hebrew name is Sela Shoshana bat Keren Miriam. Sela means rock, with a connotation of strength. Shoshana means lily or rose. She's named after Andrew's aunt and grandmother.
CT, they do use kangaroo care. They encourage it, in fact. I am really looking forward to the time when I can start. Both of her neighbors parents were doing it today and I was a bit envious.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Oh wow. I didn't realize until I got to the photo with the hands how very, very tiny she is. I mean, I knew, and I've seen babies under 2lbs, but it's still a shock.
It's wonderful that she's doing so well. Prayers and good wishes to Aarin and her Mommy & Daddy.
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Me, too! She's so gorgeous, you are a very lucky woman, even though I know this will be a long road. I look at those pictures of her with her eyes open, and I can just tell that she's got a strong soul, and she's happy to be here. She is so precious. It's hard to look at her and remember how tiny she really is-- she's a "whole" baby, you know? But she'll grow. She's a tough one, that little girl. She's going to thrive with all the love I see in those pictures and expressed here. (((hugs)))
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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She is very small, but as you said, she looks like a real baby - all perfectly formed and beautiful.
My twin cousins were very premature (24 weeks) and one looked like a monkey and the other like a very wizened alien. On the bright side, they are now two perfectly healthy, only slightly small for their size, bright, bubbly 4 year olds. I am sure Aerin will do just as well. Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Thanks for posting pictures Kira. She is so lovely, my heart is glad for your cute little family. She has the look of a willful, beautiful girl and I know she'll be just fine. Thanks for sharing her with us a bit. Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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It is wonderful to see pictures of her! She is so precious and tiny. Glad to hear things are going well. Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
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Wow, tiny! And cute! Hmm, I was going to say "I want one of those", but then I realized that maybe it's a little too soon for me... o_O
Posts: 4519 | Registered: Sep 2003
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Oh, Mrs.M, she's so beautiful. I know this may be a strange comment, but her little hands look so elegant. I hope you and your husband will be able to hold her soon. Hahaha... I bet she has him wrapped around her little finger. May she grow in strength everyday.
*hugs* to you all
Posts: 822 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Oh, man, I don't know when I got so soft (the first time I saw my daughter on the ultrasound, I think), but every time I open this thread I get tears in my eyes.
She is a beautiful little girl. I'm so glad she has such loving parents and such good medical care.
Posts: 5957 | Registered: Oct 2001
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I didn't realize in the pictures either how small she was, until the picture with the hands! So cute, thank you for sharing your pictures with us Posts: 3636 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Oh Mrs. M, After all the time you've worked and waited for her to come, to think that she would rush the last few weeks.
Congratulations, I envy you even though the road ahead will certainly not be smooth for at least the near future.
Posts: 12591 | Registered: Jan 2000
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Hehe, wouldn't it be a blast for her, when she's older, to read all of these posts of love? I know it would be for me Posts: 147 | Registered: Jun 2005
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She is indeed beautiful and Mrs. M, you look fabulous too. In fact, you looked in such good color/health that, before I read the caption, I thought you must be the nurse.
Congratulation and good wishes again.
Posts: 2425 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Thanks, y'all. I am going to print out this thread and put it in Aerin's baby book (which will probably be ready right before her wedding).
Aerin's blog is up, but it's not nearly up-to-date. I have put updates from the past few days up, so y'all can see how she's doing without waiting for me.
BTW, some of you might notice that there's a post dated this past Saturday. I didn't post on Shabbat, it lets you pre-date things.
Now, I know you're under a lot of stress. And I don't want you to feel like I'm pressuring you or anything, Heaven knows you don't need that! But reading about her sucking reminded me to wonder if the nurses have showed you the breast pump and discussed freezing whatever you're able to express for her later use. I just want you to know that that's an option if you're interested.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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and (((hugs))) for my newest niece. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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Congratulations! What great news! I LOVE that name by the way. It's pronounced "Air-in", right?
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Jen was cleaning her room the next morning in the hopes they would spring her early. We're so happy!!!
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What wonderful news! It's so exciting to hear that Aerin (and you!) are doing so well!
