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.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
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!!!
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!!!
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| Natalie and Kylee on Mother's Day |
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Eight Bottles and Counting
I think Kylee is just as ready to get out of the hospital as we are because she pulled out her nasal feeding tube on Saturday and the doctors decided to leave it out. Kylee is now being fed eight bottles per day and it is basically a "sink or swim" type situation since she yanked out her tube.
In addition to being fed eight bottles per day, they have also increased the volume she is receiving. The nutritionists determine how much she needs to get based on her body weight...which is slowly on the rise!!
Natalie and I are going to see Kylee later this afternoon and celebrate Mother's Day; however, the real celebration will happen when we get to bring Kylee home.....
In addition to being fed eight bottles per day, they have also increased the volume she is receiving. The nutritionists determine how much she needs to get based on her body weight...which is slowly on the rise!!
Natalie and I are going to see Kylee later this afternoon and celebrate Mother's Day; however, the real celebration will happen when we get to bring Kylee home.....
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Bottle by Bottle
Friday brought us one step closer to bringing Kylee home. Natalie and I attended an infant CPR class and learned an important set of skills that we hope we'll never need to use for real. After our class, we went to see Kylee and Natalie got to feed her a bottle at 3:00 PM.
Kylee took all of her bottle successfully and Natalie is starting to get the hang of feeding her. Natalie used some tips and tricks that were passed along by an occupational therapist...whatever that is...and they seemed to work. One of Kylee's doctors walked up as she was eating and told us that they have increased her to six bottles per day. If Kylee takes all six bottles per day successfully, that is wonderful. If she doesn't, well...she is at least getting the practice she needs.
Kylee's doctor seemed confident that we would be able to bring her home sometime next week if she continues to progress at her constant steady rate. Only Kylee can decide when she wants to come home and we are hoping and praying that it is this coming up week.
Kylee now weighs 5 pounds 3 ounces and is developing quite the personality. It is nice to see her awake for longer periods of time and more alert as well. The bigger and stronger she gets, it is like she is turning more and more into a "baby" rather than a "preemie."
Natalie and I have been present at the hospital to see two or three babies get sent home and we're patiently waiting for our turn.....
Kylee took all of her bottle successfully and Natalie is starting to get the hang of feeding her. Natalie used some tips and tricks that were passed along by an occupational therapist...whatever that is...and they seemed to work. One of Kylee's doctors walked up as she was eating and told us that they have increased her to six bottles per day. If Kylee takes all six bottles per day successfully, that is wonderful. If she doesn't, well...she is at least getting the practice she needs.
Kylee's doctor seemed confident that we would be able to bring her home sometime next week if she continues to progress at her constant steady rate. Only Kylee can decide when she wants to come home and we are hoping and praying that it is this coming up week.
Kylee now weighs 5 pounds 3 ounces and is developing quite the personality. It is nice to see her awake for longer periods of time and more alert as well. The bigger and stronger she gets, it is like she is turning more and more into a "baby" rather than a "preemie."
Natalie and I have been present at the hospital to see two or three babies get sent home and we're patiently waiting for our turn.....
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Kylee's New Wheels
Each passing day brings us one step closer to bringing Kylee home for good. She has officially reached the five pound mark...although she's not too much over five pounds....hahah. While this is a significant milestone, it does not have any bearing one way or another on when she will get discharged.
Something that does have a bearing on when she will come home is the fact that she took another whole bottle tonight for dinner. Kylee is becoming more and more alert as she gets older and is developing quite the little personality. As far as her eating goes, I asked the nurse to articulate our ultimate goal for feeding. She explained that Kylee gets fed eight times per day or every three hours. She has to be able to take all eight bottles within about twenty or so minutes for several days before they will feel comfortable sending her home.
They say that her main problem right now is not having the endurance to drink as much as she needs to at regular intervals. The nurse said that the babies tend to just "wake up and smell the coffee" one day and that when the change happens, it is quite noticeable.
On a side note, Natalie and I picked up a new set of wheels for Kylee to come home in today. Natalie's previous vehicle, if you want to even call it a vehicle, was barely fit to be driven and definitely not worthy of bringing Kylee home in!! Kylee will be chaffered around in a 2010 Toyota Highlander with all the bells and whistles. I will put up a picture as soon as I am able to take a good one.....
Something that does have a bearing on when she will come home is the fact that she took another whole bottle tonight for dinner. Kylee is becoming more and more alert as she gets older and is developing quite the little personality. As far as her eating goes, I asked the nurse to articulate our ultimate goal for feeding. She explained that Kylee gets fed eight times per day or every three hours. She has to be able to take all eight bottles within about twenty or so minutes for several days before they will feel comfortable sending her home.
They say that her main problem right now is not having the endurance to drink as much as she needs to at regular intervals. The nurse said that the babies tend to just "wake up and smell the coffee" one day and that when the change happens, it is quite noticeable.
On a side note, Natalie and I picked up a new set of wheels for Kylee to come home in today. Natalie's previous vehicle, if you want to even call it a vehicle, was barely fit to be driven and definitely not worthy of bringing Kylee home in!! Kylee will be chaffered around in a 2010 Toyota Highlander with all the bells and whistles. I will put up a picture as soon as I am able to take a good one.....
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Car Seat Test
Each day that passes brings us one step closer to bringing Kylee home. Today, we met with a car seat expert from Texas Children's Hospital who took steps to ensure Kylee would have safe travels. After ensuring that I properly secured the base of the car seat in the car, we made sure that Kylee fit properly into the seat as well.
She is now up to 4 pounds 14 ounces and technically was too small for the current seat we have because it is rated for babies five to thirty-five pounds. This won't be a problem when it is time to bring Kylee home as she will likely gain two whole ounces between now and then. Once we got Kylee all strapped up in her seat, her nurse began the "Car Seat Test." This intense test consists of Kylee remaining strapped in for an hour and being observed. As long as her heart rate and oxygen saturation levels remain constant, she has passed this grueling evaluation!!
As far as any expected date for us to bring her home, that is still up in the air. We have been told that her reflux problem is not what is keeping her in the hospital, but rather her unwillingness to feed solely from a bottle. Reflux is an issue that healthy, full-term babies experience and something that they eventually "outgrow."
One of Kylee's night nurses told us that she took an entire bottle during one of her feedings the other night; however, this has been a one-time thing so far. They are doing a rotation where she will get a bottle two or three times a day and be tube fed two or three times a day. Obviously, the goal is to be able to remove the tube completely and just feed her with bottles.
Natalie and I keep reminding ourselves that Kylee should not even be born yet so it should not be a huge surprise if she has a few issues to work through. Luckily, Kylee does not have any severe problems that won't self-correct with time. This is one of those instances where patience is a virtue.....
She is now up to 4 pounds 14 ounces and technically was too small for the current seat we have because it is rated for babies five to thirty-five pounds. This won't be a problem when it is time to bring Kylee home as she will likely gain two whole ounces between now and then. Once we got Kylee all strapped up in her seat, her nurse began the "Car Seat Test." This intense test consists of Kylee remaining strapped in for an hour and being observed. As long as her heart rate and oxygen saturation levels remain constant, she has passed this grueling evaluation!!
As far as any expected date for us to bring her home, that is still up in the air. We have been told that her reflux problem is not what is keeping her in the hospital, but rather her unwillingness to feed solely from a bottle. Reflux is an issue that healthy, full-term babies experience and something that they eventually "outgrow."
One of Kylee's night nurses told us that she took an entire bottle during one of her feedings the other night; however, this has been a one-time thing so far. They are doing a rotation where she will get a bottle two or three times a day and be tube fed two or three times a day. Obviously, the goal is to be able to remove the tube completely and just feed her with bottles.
Natalie and I keep reminding ourselves that Kylee should not even be born yet so it should not be a huge surprise if she has a few issues to work through. Luckily, Kylee does not have any severe problems that won't self-correct with time. This is one of those instances where patience is a virtue.....
Monday, May 2, 2011
One Pound
Kylee is officially up to 4 pounds 13 ounces and that is exactly one pound more than she was when she was born. Kylee's weight gain is definitely encouraging; however, she is still having some problems with spitting up/vomiting on an unpredictable basis.
Kylee seems to be having some reflux issues and this is a problem that is rather common among even full-term, healthy babies. The fact that Kylee is premature doesn't help her out much when it comes to this issue. Kylee is being given a medication to hopefully help control this problem, but the doctors also seem to believe that time will also do wonders for Kylee and this problem.
As of right now, we still don't have any tentative "coming home" date as we need to get this reflux issue figured out.
Sorry for the gaps in postings. I do much better at keeping things updated on my days off from work...and lucky for y'all, my days off just started!!!
Kylee seems to be having some reflux issues and this is a problem that is rather common among even full-term, healthy babies. The fact that Kylee is premature doesn't help her out much when it comes to this issue. Kylee is being given a medication to hopefully help control this problem, but the doctors also seem to believe that time will also do wonders for Kylee and this problem.
As of right now, we still don't have any tentative "coming home" date as we need to get this reflux issue figured out.
Sorry for the gaps in postings. I do much better at keeping things updated on my days off from work...and lucky for y'all, my days off just started!!!
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