Today I went in for Brooklynn's 2 month appointment (even though she is only 6 weeks old). I did it ALL by myself (got her, Isabella, and myself ready) without assistance from my mom. Her weight is now 10 pounds 6 ounces, which makes her go from 75% to 55%. Her length is 22.5 inches, which is still 75% ile. Her head went up a whole inch to 16 3/4 inches, which places her even higher on the growth curve at well above 95%ile.
A few things that were brought up today that we are going to have to watch/change in our routine. First off, I can't allow her to sleep the 6-7 hours a night she has been sleeping because of her loss in weight percentile. I can't let her go more than 4-5 hours at night so I am going to have to be a little more sleep deprived than I have been - oh well!! Her congestion that she is still having could be a strain of viruses, or could be caused by reflux. So am going to be starting her on her reflux medicine Prevacid tonight to see if that helps with the congestion and her irritability when she falls asleep. She has some white on her tongue - which I have to watch and see if it spreads to her cheeks because she might be getting thrush (GREAT :(!!!).
She received her 2 month immunizations today - poor thing cried like crazy. Isabella was so sweet and telling her "Brooklynn it's okay!". And after it was all over Izzy wanted to see her sister to make sure she was really okay!
Due to her head growing an inch and her percentile going up, we have to go back in 1month to get another head circumference done. If it continues to go up on the curve we might have to start being concerned about hydrocephalus. He said more than likely it is just big heads running in the family, but every once in a while he gets that case so we want to be careful.
She still has a murmur - very soft, he could only hear it with the cardiac stethoscope but he will continue to monitor it. He said I only really need to be concerned if she starts sweating during feedings or turning blue - which she has not done so hopefully it is completely benign!!
Well, other than those worries everything looks pretty good. I felt bad because I was hounding him question after question. I feel like I am asking so many more questions with Brooklynn than I ever did with Isabella - but I feel much more comfortable with this pediatrician than I did with Isabella's when she was younger! Well, that is it. Hopefully everything continues to go well and my girls continue to stay on the healthy track!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
My first Blog Award - Thanks Christina!
I got a blog award!
http://bridgetownbabymomma.blogspot.com/ stopped by and liked what she saw!
Thank you Bridgetown Baby Momma!
The Rules of this award are...
1. Put the logo on your blog within your post.
2. Pass the award on to up to 12 bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.
The blogs I would like to give the award to are:
http://webethesmith3.blogspot.com/
http://ithoughtilovedyouthen.blogspot.com
http://mamafabulous.blogspot.com
http://bridgetownbabymomma.blogspot.com/ stopped by and liked what she saw!
Thank you Bridgetown Baby Momma!
The Rules of this award are...
1. Put the logo on your blog within your post.
2. Pass the award on to up to 12 bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.
The blogs I would like to give the award to are:
http://webethesmith3.blogspot.com/
http://ithoughtilovedyouthen.blogspot.com
http://mamafabulous.blogspot.com
The never ending wheel of questions...
So when you date someone for a while the question on everyone's mind is "When will you get married?"
Then the day comes and you decide to get married (for us 4 years after getting together)....the next question is "When are you going to start your family??"
With us it was 3 years after being married we started trying, and when we got pregnant and had our first little girl, the next question was "When is your next one so you can try for that boy??"
We waited 2 years this time and had another beautiful little girl! Now the question we get asked is "are you done having children??"
Well, this is the question of the century for Sam and I. Would I like to be done having kids?? No way!! I love everything about being a momma, and even with all the complications I love being pregnant. To think that I will not be pregnant ever again depresses me beyond belief. But...
I am not a woman whose pregnancies are easy or go as planned. I have complications in my pregnancies that effect my life emotionally, physically, mentally, and unfortunately financially. Have both my pregnancies ended well?? Yes they most certainly have. But am I tempting fate to say we should try again??
Sam and I both are in an agreement with this topic. We are not completely ruling out being pregnant again. We are, however, going to wait at least 2 years before we approach the topic in a serious manner. That is if God has that plan for us and doesn't give us a "Whoops" baby! Both of our little girls have been planned so I wouldn't be surprised if He plays a joke on us and gives us one that is unplanned. Would we survive?? Yes...Would our bank account?? Not so sure :).
Next time we decide to get pregnant, however, maybe I won't have to be off work for 15 weeks again?? Yes? No? Maybe?? Only time will tell.
That is my thoughts for the day :).
Then the day comes and you decide to get married (for us 4 years after getting together)....the next question is "When are you going to start your family??"
With us it was 3 years after being married we started trying, and when we got pregnant and had our first little girl, the next question was "When is your next one so you can try for that boy??"
We waited 2 years this time and had another beautiful little girl! Now the question we get asked is "are you done having children??"
Well, this is the question of the century for Sam and I. Would I like to be done having kids?? No way!! I love everything about being a momma, and even with all the complications I love being pregnant. To think that I will not be pregnant ever again depresses me beyond belief. But...
I am not a woman whose pregnancies are easy or go as planned. I have complications in my pregnancies that effect my life emotionally, physically, mentally, and unfortunately financially. Have both my pregnancies ended well?? Yes they most certainly have. But am I tempting fate to say we should try again??
Sam and I both are in an agreement with this topic. We are not completely ruling out being pregnant again. We are, however, going to wait at least 2 years before we approach the topic in a serious manner. That is if God has that plan for us and doesn't give us a "Whoops" baby! Both of our little girls have been planned so I wouldn't be surprised if He plays a joke on us and gives us one that is unplanned. Would we survive?? Yes...Would our bank account?? Not so sure :).
Next time we decide to get pregnant, however, maybe I won't have to be off work for 15 weeks again?? Yes? No? Maybe?? Only time will tell.
That is my thoughts for the day :).
Saturday, April 10, 2010
My thoughts for the day
So there are a few things I wanted to say now that I have a few minutes.
Having a 2 year old and a 1 month old are crazy hectic and has made me learn some things in life...
1. It is okay to leave the housework for later - the carpets will get vacuumed, the dishes will get cleaned, and the laundry will be washed eventually. However, if you obsess about these things you might miss a few things like...
The way Izzy gives her little sister kisses every time she sees her or
The way Brooklynn smiles in her sleep or
How Izzy has learned problem solving and watching her mind turn in circles trying to figure something out she did not know the previous day
2. It will take twice as long (sometimes three times as long) to get everybody ready and out the door at a descent time. I used to schedule doctors appointments for 10am...now I do it in the afternoon to make it on time!
3. Life is short, kids grow fast, and before you know it your 1 month old turns into a 2 year old who is ever so independent and constantly learning and always wanting to try something new.
But to take a second and enjoy it when your independent 2 year old comes up to you and gives you a big hug and say "MOMMY!!!!"
4. Don't read books and worry that your parenting skills aren't up to par all the time!
Yes I allow my 2 year old to sleep with us sometimes when she wakes up in the night - she won't be 2 long and who cares if it teaches her to come in bed with us!! Soon she will turn 16 and she won't want anything to do with her momma!
No I don't consistently keep my 1 month old on a schedule - WHO CARES!! She will get on one eventually and it will be one that works for our family.
5. My life would be a WHOLE LOT harder if it wasn't for my wonderful mother and supporting family!! My mom has helped me through the hardest times of my life - and my parents are ALWAYS there to watch my children grow! I never had a grandparent as a consistent fixture in my life - and I love that we are giving that to our girls!
6. Life will throw you lemons, so as the old saying goes - make lemonade! And enjoy the best things in life - such as your beautiful children!!
Well those are my thoughts for the day - hope you enjoyed it!
Having a 2 year old and a 1 month old are crazy hectic and has made me learn some things in life...
1. It is okay to leave the housework for later - the carpets will get vacuumed, the dishes will get cleaned, and the laundry will be washed eventually. However, if you obsess about these things you might miss a few things like...
The way Izzy gives her little sister kisses every time she sees her or
The way Brooklynn smiles in her sleep or
How Izzy has learned problem solving and watching her mind turn in circles trying to figure something out she did not know the previous day
2. It will take twice as long (sometimes three times as long) to get everybody ready and out the door at a descent time. I used to schedule doctors appointments for 10am...now I do it in the afternoon to make it on time!
3. Life is short, kids grow fast, and before you know it your 1 month old turns into a 2 year old who is ever so independent and constantly learning and always wanting to try something new.
But to take a second and enjoy it when your independent 2 year old comes up to you and gives you a big hug and say "MOMMY!!!!"
4. Don't read books and worry that your parenting skills aren't up to par all the time!
Yes I allow my 2 year old to sleep with us sometimes when she wakes up in the night - she won't be 2 long and who cares if it teaches her to come in bed with us!! Soon she will turn 16 and she won't want anything to do with her momma!
No I don't consistently keep my 1 month old on a schedule - WHO CARES!! She will get on one eventually and it will be one that works for our family.
5. My life would be a WHOLE LOT harder if it wasn't for my wonderful mother and supporting family!! My mom has helped me through the hardest times of my life - and my parents are ALWAYS there to watch my children grow! I never had a grandparent as a consistent fixture in my life - and I love that we are giving that to our girls!
6. Life will throw you lemons, so as the old saying goes - make lemonade! And enjoy the best things in life - such as your beautiful children!!
Well those are my thoughts for the day - hope you enjoyed it!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Pictures of Brooklynn's Hospital Stay
So as you all know from previous blogs, Brooklynn was in the hospital for 5 days with RSV. Looking back on it now it was a short amount of time, but it had felt like a lifetime going through it. I have so much more respect for the moms and dads who have children in the NICU where I work - it is the hardest thing to see your child sick and you not being able to help and make it better! Sitting back on my hands and letting someone else do the work was very hard for a nurse to do!! I am very grateful for my wonderful family support and the nurses who cared for my baby girl every day while she was there. Here is her story through pictures.
They had started an IV at the Urgent Care Center since she was having such trouble eating. Luckily they never needed to use it after the transport because she started picking up on eating pretty quickly.
They had started an IV at the Urgent Care Center since she was having such trouble eating. Luckily they never needed to use it after the transport because she started picking up on eating pretty quickly.The first time I saw my baby with oxygen on her face, my heart dropped! But I had to keep reminding myself it could have been worse and she could have required more support than that. 
Since Big Sister Izzy was also sick, she could not come to the hospital to visit. So instead, I tried to keep her active as I could by allowing her to participate by writing a letter to her baby sister and purchasing a gift from the gift shop.
This is a picture of her suctioning equipment and oxygen that they used while she was there.
I always told parents to not "watch the monitors", but it is very hard to do when it is your child. I kept watching her oxygen levels and would start getting nervous when her levels would drop below 88% (they want them greater than 92%). Her average the first few days was between 88-93%. For those who don't know - the green number is her heart rate (normal for a baby is 110-180 depending on awake or asleep), yellow number is how fast she is breathing (can get up to 60 without really worrying), and blue number is her oxygen level.
Sam was a big support through all this. He was not able to take off work, but hewould come straight from work and stay until nine or ten every night. I think he got less sleep than I did.
We were able to have Izzy come see us in the hospital, just could not have her in the room. So I would have lunch with her every day either in the hospital cafeteria or outside. The Child Life Specialist gave me a doll to Izzy that she could play with that had a hospital gown and other hospital supplies so she could get an idea of what was going on with sister.
The doll came with markers so she could draw on it which she loved to do.
After 4 days we were finally able to take off the oxygen, and I was so excited!!
Here is Nana P holding Brooklynn, my mom got to hold her the day before and I am a slacker and did not get a picture of it (it was my mom's birthday too).
No oxygen and ready to go home!!
She knew today was the big day and could not help but smile in her sleep :).
Since Big Sister Izzy was also sick, she could not come to the hospital to visit. So instead, I tried to keep her active as I could by allowing her to participate by writing a letter to her baby sister and purchasing a gift from the gift shop.
This is a picture of her room - it was meant to be a double room but since she was RSV positive and there weren't very many patients she was able to have a room to herself so I got a "luxury suite".
This is a picture of her suctioning equipment and oxygen that they used while she was there.
I always told parents to not "watch the monitors", but it is very hard to do when it is your child. I kept watching her oxygen levels and would start getting nervous when her levels would drop below 88% (they want them greater than 92%). Her average the first few days was between 88-93%. For those who don't know - the green number is her heart rate (normal for a baby is 110-180 depending on awake or asleep), yellow number is how fast she is breathing (can get up to 60 without really worrying), and blue number is her oxygen level.
Sam was a big support through all this. He was not able to take off work, but hewould come straight from work and stay until nine or ten every night. I think he got less sleep than I did.
We were able to have Izzy come see us in the hospital, just could not have her in the room. So I would have lunch with her every day either in the hospital cafeteria or outside. The Child Life Specialist gave me a doll to Izzy that she could play with that had a hospital gown and other hospital supplies so she could get an idea of what was going on with sister.The doll came with markers so she could draw on it which she loved to do.After 4 days we were finally able to take off the oxygen, and I was so excited!!
Here is Nana P holding Brooklynn, my mom got to hold her the day before and I am a slacker and did not get a picture of it (it was my mom's birthday too).
No oxygen and ready to go home!!
She knew today was the big day and could not help but smile in her sleep :).
Thursday, April 1, 2010
YAY!!
We are home, we are home, we are home!! After 5 long days in the hospital, Brooklynn was finally well enough for us to bring her home!! That is all :).
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Still Here....
Nothing has really changed over the last 2 days. Brooklynn is still requiring a little bit of oxygen, and every time they try to take her off she drops her saturations to the upper 80's. Her secretions are starting to clear up a little bit, but she still has quite a bit of thick stuff!! They are still having to deep suction her every once in a while before feedings!! She is picking up on a feeds better than when we first got here which is a positive! It is hard sitting back and having the nurses do all the work - I am so tempted to get the catheter and deep suction her myself so that I can feed her the minute she is ready!! Everyone is telling me that it seems like now it is more a lung oxygenation issue than her secretions causing her desaturations! I just want my baby girl to get better soon - but looks like we are headed for a week stay!! They want her off a full 24 hours of oxygen before they will let her go home - so I bet we are here at least until Friday unless by some miracle she just takes off this afternoon.
Izzy is getting better which is good. I am able to see her about 2 hours a day which splits the day up nicely. She is getting so big and I am able to carry on conversations with her which is AMAZING!! I love my little family! It makes life a little better!!
Izzy is getting better which is good. I am able to see her about 2 hours a day which splits the day up nicely. She is getting so big and I am able to carry on conversations with her which is AMAZING!! I love my little family! It makes life a little better!!
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