Free at Last

Tuesday (6/7) marked Kylee being two months old.  On one hand it is hard to believe that she is already that old and on the other hand it feels like she was born yesterday.  If she was born on her original due date of May 28, she would only be eleven days old at this point.  Seeing as we brought her home before her due date, it has us thrown all out of whack.

Today was Kylee's two-month check-up and we are happy to report that all is well.  Kylee now weighs 7 pounds 6 ounces (3.345 kilograms) and is 20.25 inches (51.43 centimeters) long.  Kylee enjoyed her visit with the doctor up and to the point that it was time to get vaccinated.  Kylee got three different shots this afternoon which she took like a champ...well...that is if you disregard the screaming and crying.  Honestly, I'm not sure if Kylee or Natalie cried more during the shots, but that's a separate issue.....hahahahaha.

Now that Kylee has gotten her shots, we were "released" from captivity and are free to take her out like a normal baby.  Obviously, Kylee is supposed to avoid sick people....but I'm fully grown and I avoid sick people too....so that isn't that big of a deal.

For Kylee's first outing, she made an appearance at church.  Tonight was the last night of Vacation Bible School and the environment was more relaxed.  We carried Kylee around in her car seat from presentation to presentation while she slept soundly.  Everyone was glad to see her and we were glad to be able to bring her with us.

Tonight has been slightly more challenging as Kylee has been extra fussy after getting poked three times this afternoon.  She got her shots in the thighs and those are somewhat tender for now.  We were finally able to put her to bed, but Natalie swears that Kylee is more restless than normal and is horrified about how the rest of tonight will go.

I know I have said numerous times before, but we really appreciate the love and support we have received during the past few months.  Now that we can travel at will, we can't wait for everyone to meet Miss Kylee!!

Adjusting to Home

The past week has been an all out crazy time with Kylee.  We are starting to get things figured out and making our little routines.  There has definitely been a steep learning curve for both Natalie and I as we learn how to care for a newborn.  We are definitely glad to have her home and are constantly "winging it" when it comes to what we should do in certain situations.

We had a visit on Wednesday from Early Childhood Intervention Services, or ECI, and they assessed Kylee to see if she qualified for services.  ECI is a program funded by the State and they provide various services to the families of children who may be experiencing developmental delays, etc.  Kylee was automatically referred to this program for evaluation due to her prematurity and that took place Wednesday.

The evaluators looked at several areas and spent about 45 minutes with Kylee doing different things.  Based on their evaluation, they determined that Kylee does not qualify for services and is doing the things she should be doing for her adjusted age.  Kylee wasn't supposed to be born until tomorrow (5/28), so her age is adjusted to as if she were at birth.  While it may sound bad that she doesn't qualify, it is actually a good thing!!!

The only area that the evaluators expressed any concern was feeding.  They merely suggested that we try a "slow flow" nipple and try a technique called pacing to help Kylee eat more efficiently.

We are counting down the days until we can take Kylee out into the world.  Natalie and I are ready for everyone to meet her, yet we want her to be healthy and not get sick if we can avoid it.

It is quite apparent that Kylee is a little daddy's girl.  She could be screaming her head off and if daddy picks her up....she is calm within ten or fifteen seconds.  It amazes Natalie that I have this effect on her....and well...it amazes me too...hahahaha.

I took Kylee and had her weighed earlier this afternoon.  We were somewhat concerned about her weight gain; however, she was 6 pounds 7 ounces and is continuing to gain weight.

We're excited to have Kylee home and will post more updates...and pictures....as they become available!!!

Necessary Adjustments

These past few days have really flown by as Natalie and I make the necessary adjustments to having a newborn in our house.  Well, it used to be our house, but it has now been transformed into Kylee's house with all of the stuff that has accumulated all over the place in a short period of time.

We took Kylee to her first doctor's appointment on Wednesday since her discharge from the hospital.  She is up to 6 pounds 3 ounces and is doing quite well.  Our next appointment is in three weeks and it will be Kylee's two month check-up and immunizations.  It is hard for Natalie and I to believe that in three weeks....Kylee will be two months old already!!!

Getting Kylee to fall asleep was quite a task for us to figure out how to do.  After much trial and error, we figured out that she needs a little music, some motion, and a swaddle in order to fall right asleep after eating.  We were about ready to pull out hair out for a while, but luckily that isn't necessary.

Natalie and I are learning slowly but surely how to keep Kylee happy and maintain a bit of our sanity as well...hahahah!!!

Kylee's Homecoming

Yesterday marked the end of Kylee's 39-day stay in the hospital since her birth.  After Natalie got the final word from the doctor that she would be discharged, Natalie didn't waste any time waking me up to drive to the hospital.

Kylee was dressed in a coming home outfit that has been in her family for many years.  I'm not up on all the history of this outfit, but I know that Natalie was dressed in it when she came home from the hospital over 25 years ago.

After getting dressed to come home, we strapped her up in the car seat and began the journey into "the outside world."

After driving the 37 miles from the hospital to our house and setting a world land speed record of 30 miles per hour, Natalie and I just walked around in awe that we actually had her home.  Rather than taking the time to just sit and enjoy Kylee's company, I walked around the house feeling like I should have been doing something.  I never actually did anything, but I walked around feeling as if there was work to be done....hahaha.

We quickly discovered that Kylee is a fan of the nifty swing that we got for her.  We strapped her up and let her sleep until it was time to eat again.

Last night brought both sides of the family to the house to welcome Kylee home.  It was a rather informal event with lots of happy folks.  Shelby, my sister, had not gotten to see Kylee since....mmmmm....a day or two after she was born and last remembered her with tubes and wires and never got to hold her before having to return to school.

Well, Shelby finally got to hold Kylee and seemed to instantly enjoy the fact that she is an aunt.

Last night was....well....in a word.....rough.  It took us quite a while to figure out why Kylee did not want to sleep as she cried when put down.  We changed her diaper.  Still cried.  We shifted the bed around.  Still cried.  We tried the pacifier.  Still cried.  We let her cry figuring she would stop.  Still cried.  Finally, we decided to try and feed her even though it was still slightly early before her next feeding time.  She sucked the bottle down and fell asleep as soon as Natalie put her in the bed.  Problem solved....at least for a few hours....

Hopefully, tonight will go slightly smoother than last night as we are now experts at deciphering what she wants......hahahahaha......ya right.

I do know that tonight will bring the family over again for an official welcoming home party for Kylee.  I will try my hand at grilling, which is something I will likely be doing lots of in the future.....

Home at Last!

Kylee is home!!!!!!  Natalie and I just arrived home with Kylee and she is currently taking her first bottle at home like a champ.  There will be pictures and more details later; however, we just wanted everyone to know that Kylee is doing well and is now at home.

We thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support as we anticipated Kylee's homecoming!!!

Just Add Baby

Well, I think Natalie and I are about as ready as we can be to bring Kylee home.  We have done our final shopping and bought those things that Natalie deemed as vital for us to have before bringing Kylee home.  All we need to do now is just add the baby and we'll be good to go.

Kylee's feeding tube was removed today for good and she has been taking all of her bottles in record time.  Kylee has gotten to a point where they are letting her drink as much as she wants, up to a certain point, as long as she takes a minimum amount.  Kylee's minimum amount is 48 cc's, but she has been taking up to 60 cc in one feed.

Unfortunately, we missed getting to speak with her doctor today, but are planning on being there earlier tomorrow.  As for any discharge date, we don't have one yet because Kylee hasn't been gaining any weight lately and has actually lost some.  They have boosted Kylee up to 24 calories per ounce feedings from 22 calories per ounce.  This doesn't seem like a drastic change; however, with small babies this makes quite a difference.

A Mind of Her Own

Natalie and I just returned from the hospital not too long ago and are puzzled by Kylee's behavior.  We tried to feed her at 9:00 and it went okay, but they still had to give her the remaining amount she did not take through her feeding tube.  If I remember correctly, Kylee is getting 53 cc (1.79 ounces) per feeding and is hit or miss on whether or not she finishes it all within thirty minutes.  Oh, speaking of her feeding tube, she pulled it out again on her own this afternoon

We got to watch the nurse give Kylee a bath and she gave us some pointers on how to bathe an infant.  The nurse told Natalie that we could give Kylee a bath next time, under supervision of course, as it is important for us to learn these skills.  Kylee didn't enjoy being lathered up too much; however, she did like getting rinsed off and sitting in the basin full of warm water.

We were there when Kylee got weighed tonight and she is still hovering in the neighborhood of 5 pounds and 3 or 4 ounces.  Everything is measured in kilograms and I can't remember her exact weight in order to convert it myself.

Right now...we are still in a holding pattern and waiting for Kylee to eat!!!

Natalie and Kylee on Mother's Day