Many of your have asked how big our sweet girl is, this is Matt's hand beside her. Her feet are tucked in, so next time she is on her back, I will get a picture of her beside his hand again or something else, we will have to see.
Emma Claire sleeping yesterday. She loves to be on her side or on her belly. We will have some hard habits to break WHEN we bring her home! I love to read all of your comments and they are a source of encourgement for me.
Yesterday was another good day for us (I take everyday as a GOOD day). Her head ultrasound came back good. The Grade I brain bleed they had found (unilateral) is walling off and there was nothing else on the scan! PRAISE GOD!!!!
The chest ultrasound Emma had showed her PDA was opening up a little bit more, so they have started her on Neoprofen to close it. This will in return reduce the amount of fluid which is on her lungs. She is still on two different antibiotics for her chest infection and they will give her a few more rounds of those. Her levels of the antibiotics in her blood stream came back good and they have no need to increase the dosage. They did a blood test called CRP to check to see if the infection was localized or spreading and the number came back as 0.2 which is indictive of the infection is still localized and the doctor's were happy with that. Emma's WBC is a little high, and they are watching that to see if it gets better as she gets more antibiotics.
She continues to gain weight and yesterday she was 10 grams over her birth weight. She is still 1 lb 7 oz, but she is 650 grams.
God continues to reveal himself to us and continues to provide us blessings among the storm. I know he is here by our side step by step and day by day. When I am at the bedside of our sweet
baby girl, I continue to feel his peace surround her.
Many of you have asked how we are doing. I definitely have a roller coaster of emotions at times during to hormones and having a tiny one in the NICU. I definitely have more good and than bad days and I know those bad days are just the attack of the enemy trying to get me down. I have also had some ups and downs with pumping and staying encourged in this area can be hard for me at times. I think the stresses of everything halts my production sometimes. I continue pray for a better supply for our little girl and she is getting about half of her feedings with breast milk.
Please continue to pray for healing for our little girl as well as strength for us as we continue down this path. We cannnot wait to bring our sweet little girl home and watch her grow.
Here's a stranger sending your family best wishes. (I found you through Book of Kells)
ReplyDeleteI used to follow the blog Confessions of a CF Husband, and when his daughter was in the NICU (she was born at 25 weeks, I believe) he used to take weekly pictures of her next to the same stuffed dog. It was a good way for him to track her growth. As an idea for you.
Wishing you all the best.
My supply was slow going at first too. There are prescriptions available for you to help increase your supply. I think Reglan (a drug often used in the NICU to help with tummy trouble) is the one I used. There is also a natural herb called Fenugreek (not sure that is the correct spelling, but I spelled it how it sounds). If you haven't already tried them, you might see if it will help. It did me, and I was able to pump for 4 months. I could've pumped longer, but I had a hard time finding the time to when he came home.
ReplyDeleteJudy Krebs sent me the link to your blog. I'm praying for Emma and for your entire family. Emma is a precious little angel.
ReplyDeleteEmily, what a beautiful little girl you and your husband have. I am praying for your family every evening and hoping to see Emma Claire gain ground each day! May God wrap His arms around you and your family during this special time in your lives. From Marilynn in Pendleton, OR
ReplyDeleteEmily, Miss Emma is beautiful blessing from above. She is in our thoughts and prayers. Kari
ReplyDeleteEmily, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your beautiful family. I'm certain that little Emma Claire feels all the love that has been sent her direction from God, loving parents and everyone who has been introduced to her in person and through your writings. (I've even managed to read your blog on my Blackberry without your help ;-)
ReplyDeleteYour family is awesome and your faith an inspiration.
God bless.
Steve and Carol Storm
Matt and Emily,
ReplyDeleteI am a friend of Brandy Shockley and she gave me you blog address so I can follow Miss Emma. She is just beautiful! I am a former NICU Mom myself, I had twins born at 27 weeks. I just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers daily!
Ashley Mayhall and Family
Matt And Emily:
ReplyDeleteShe is a gift from god. I hope you know that I am praying for your family everyday. Things will work out, god will see to that. Cameron says for me to tell the dumpster man he sure does have a pretty little girl.
Matt and Emily:
ReplyDeleteSteve and I are thinking about you all the time and praying that everything is going well. We love you and we are always available if you need us for anything.