Newborn Photos

These beautiful pictures were taken by Megan Turley. I am so bummed we weren't able to get any pictures with Hyde and Delle. Hyde of course was throwing a fit the entire time Megan was here, and for the first time since Delle has been home he wanted nothing to do with her! It was his first and really only off day from adjusting. It was just too bad it had to happen during photos. But I'm so happy that Megan was still able to capture the four of us despite Hyde being upset.

Delle's Homecoming!

Delle is home! We are so thrilled! It's only been a week and she feels like she's been with us forever. And so far, life with a newborn and a 2 year old hasn't been too hard. Delle is on a great schedule from the NICU still, she sleeps about 3 and 1/2 to 4 hours, eats, then sleeps again. And Hyde has adjusted really well to "bebe sidder" coming home. He is obsessed with her! The first time he saw her was the cutest thing ever. As soon as he saw Sean carrying in the car seat he yelled "BEBE SIDDER!" and wanted to see her. He was so excited! He instantly started rubbing her head and giving her loves and kisses. And then he wanted to hold her. He seemed so proud while he was holding her! It is by far my favorite memory. And Delle is handling all of Hyde's loves fairly well. Every so often (when he lays his entire body on her to give her a hug, when he smothers her with his hair while giving her kisses, or when he "tickles" her) she'll let out a little cry. He's a hard lover and it's hard to tell him that giving loves to baby sister is wrong! He's learning to be softer though. He can't go more than 5 minutes without giving Delle a kiss. Her head is usually pretty sticky and she smells like whatever it is Hyde has eaten. He rarely asks us to put her back (in her mamaroo) and he likes to help get her diapers when we need them and knows that she needs her "baba" when she cries. He is the best big brother!

After 10 and 1/2 long weeks, it is such a relief to have Delle home. Not going back and fourth from the hospital every day (sometimes multiple times a day) has been so nice. And she finally feels like our baby! No more looking to doctors and nurses to see if this and that is okay to do. And cuddling her whenever we want is the best! We don't exactly get our lives back, but we get to finally be in control (as much as we can be) of this new life with two kids. 

We are extremely lucky to have had the experience we have had. Although none of my pregnancy/delivery was ideal, we got the best situation we could have had. Delle is perfectly healthy and home! It's a miracle that everything turned out so well. We have two amazing kids, and I can't wait to start building new memories as a family of four. 

Delle's NICU Journey -- Week 11

Day 70:

10 Weeks!

Delle is up 20 grams! 6lbs 7oz still. 

If she keeps up the good weight gain (at least 15-30grams a day) and she doesn't have 

any more apneas, she gets to come home on Friday!

And she got to meet her Aunt Sue today!

Day 71:

6lbs 9oz!

And she is eating really well still! 

I've stopped nursing for now, just so she can get consistent amounts of food

 and gain weight so she can come home! She is still getting fortified breast milk through bottles.

Delle is hilarious, she loves to burrow herself under the blankets to sleep.

Day 72:

Delle is up to 6lbs 11oz!

She randomly had a bad eating day today. She's just really sleepy, so she is back on 

oxygen to hopefully help her eat more. And hopefully she will still gain weight! It's really 

important for her to have good weight gain the two nights before she goes home, or the doctor won't let her go! And the doctor on this week is really conservative, he likes to see 30 grams of weight gain each night.

Day 73:

Delle only gained 20 grams last night. She's still 6lbs 11oz.

We're hoping she has good weight gain tonight so she can come home tomorrow!

Day 74:

Today is Delle's last day in the NICU! She gained 25 grams last night and is 

now 6lbs 12oz. And the doctor approved her to come home! We are SO happy and excited!

Sean and I took Hyde out to breakfast to celebrate "bebe sidder" coming home and our last morning of just the 3 of us.

This is one of Delle's primary nurses. Jayme and I worked together at Nailed, so
 it was fun/comforting to have someone I knew taking care of Delle! 

Delle's NICU Journey -- Week 10

Day 64:

9 Weeks!

Delle is 6lbs 4oz and is off oxygen! She is doing great on room air, even with feedings.

Day 65:

6lbs 5oz!

Delle had her hearing screen today and passed it.

She is also po ad lib now! (She gets to eat when she wants, and how much she wants. 

They just don't let her go longer than 4 hours without eating. And 

she has a minimum volume of 170ml that she is supposed to take in every 12 hours.)

Day 66:

Delle lost weight last night, she is down to 6lbs 4oz. (Which is normal for just barely going po ad lib)

She's still doing great on room air! But they are giving her oxygen with her feeds.

And she had her heart test toady and passed!

She's on a count down from her last apnea (Saturday). She has to go 7 days without having an 

apnea before she can go home. So, if all goes well, she will get to come home on Saturday! 

Day 66:

Delle is down 5 grams today, still 6lbs 4oz.

She is using a Dr. Brown bottle now and is doing so much better with that! But she is still getting oxygen with feeds.

And she had another head ultrasound today that came back completely normal.

Day 67:

Up 15 grams, 6lbs 5oz.

Delle had a moderate apnea this morning, so she is back on oxygen for now.

 And her countdown restarts, so she won't be able to come home tomorrow. Hopefully next friday!

Day 68:

37 Weeks!

Down 5 grams.

They have raised her bed again because she has pretty bad reflux and they believe the apnea 

episode yesterday was a result of her reflux.

And because she isn't having great weight gain, they have increased the fortified breast milk to 27 calories.

Day 69:

Happy Easter!

Off oxygen again!

And she's up 60 grams! So she is 6lbs 7oz now.

She's taking bottles really well, about 60ml every 4 hours.