Surprise!!!!

Today: All bundled up at home

We got a HUGE surprise yesterday!!!!


I decided to head to the hospital to visit Ethan yesterday morning. Mady was being fussy and it was nearly nap time, so Casey agreed to stay home and go later in the day.


When I came in around 11 am, the nurse came up and told me how well Ethan was doing. As I changed Ethan's diaper and started to feed him, the nurse told me that he would get to go home as soon as the Dr made rounds sometime before 1, and also once discharge papers were ready. I decided to stick around and hang out with Ethan.


I starting frantically texting Casey to get Ethan's going home clothes ready. They were already picked out, but not with me. After all, we weren't expecting him home until Monday at the very soonest.


Casey and Mady arrived just in time for rounds. The Dr stated how impressed he was that we were going to get to go home so soon, and how quickly things had turned around. They are only recommending an appointment with his pediatrician this Monday or Tuesday for follow up, and an appointment with a cardiologist to follow up on the murmur they found as a result of a thickened valve. We trust that this has already resolved, but of course will follow the recommendations.

Mady met her brother for the first time before we left. Hey, she's kind of loud sometimes and we had decided it was for the best (for Ethan and the other babies). She just couldn't stop staring and saying "baby!".


We were out of the hospital and on our way home in no time.


Abby (our dog) just smelled Ethan for a good hour, and then gave his feet kisses. Rocky (our cat) just wants to snuggle up to whoever is holding the baby. Can you say JEALOUS?!


Today, Mady is wavering between competing for attention and loving on the baby. She has already figured out how to give the baby kisses and "be easy" as she says. Occasionally she has a confused look about something, such as burping the baby. She is really dealing with Ethan ALOT better than we had expected.


Before I go, I will share a quick funny with you. Casey changed Ethan's diaper, and it was his first poopy diaper with Ethan. Let's just say... Suddenly Casey screams and says, "Get it off of me, get it off of me!!!" It seems as though little guy was not quite done filling up his diaper.

Open crib and eating well!

Daddy's Wedding Ring and Ethan

Ethan is now in an open crib. The IV has been COMPLETELY been removed and oxygen is still out.


Donna, the Nurse Practioner present for Ethan's birth, was assigned to him this evening. She states they aren't doing anything for him that we cannot do at home for Ethan. He's just eating, sleeping and requiring diaper changes. The nurse says they have to wake him each 4 hrs to eat. Donna said she didn't see any reason why Ethan wouldn't be coming home early next week, she said she thinks he will be sent home by Monday. However, we will know more when the time comes.


I did get to feed him and change 2 diapers tonight. He ate almost 2 1/2 ounces, which is twice what he took in the feeding last night. That's all for now!

Update on our Ethan's progress

12/2 Thursday about 10 am & 8 pm

Yay! Oxygen has been removed!

Ethan is still doing well. The nurse was able to remove his oxygen and leave it off. I did get to feed Ethan, and he finished off the bottles I had just brought in. He only has an order in to have 20 ccs every 3 hours. He had 50 ccs from the bottle! The nurse got permission to disconnect the iv fluids, and he won't need them anymore as long as he continues to eat so well. They did leave the iv needle in though.... just in case.

He will be moved to an open crib as soon as one is available. For now, they have opened the top of the incubator so as to stimulate an open crib.


The nurse also mentioned (and I did notice) that he has a bit of jaundice, but she wasn't quite sure what was going to happen there. She thinks that either they will let it resolve on its own or he might have to have 1 to 2 days of light therapy. This is very minor, and of course, very common.


It was great spending so much time with my Ethan today.


Now, the next goal is for me to get some rest! Good night all.


12/1 Wednesday 7:30pm


Ethan is doing EVEN better! He has been feeding by bottle a little bit and they tube feed the rest. Oxygen flow was turned down and is still at 21%. I did get to hold Ethan for a bit, and even got to feed him a few little "bites".  He seemed a lot more like a "normal" baby and was not anywhere near as cranky tonight.

He kept yanking out this oxygen, so when I was leaving they decided they would try to take the oxygen off and keep a close eye on him for an hour or so. If he tolerated it, they will keep the oxygen off. I am sure he did just fine last night because when he would take his oxygen off I would look up at the numbers and see that he was still doing just fine.



We did ask about what would need to happen to see Ethan discharged yesterday. Thanks to the help of my friend Tasha. They are intending to send him home without any monitors as far as what I can understand.



11/30 Tuesday 10 am



I got a much more informative update during rounds this morning. Dr. McQueen states Ethan looks much better. The dr is still unsure on exactly what caused his breathing problems- they are saying it was either Congenital Pneumonia or immature lungs.

Last night they reduced his oxygen from 30% to 28% and all stats are looking good. They want to make sure that they complete 5 days of antibotics and 5 days of steroids with recovery time before release. He has to be off the oxygen and eating via nipple or bottle before leaving. They are considering putting him in an open crib soon. They are also starting to tube feed him later today. At this point, he should be less fussy and not require the blankets and such over him.

Dr says if Ethan follows what he thinks will happen, we will be released early next week.

Dr reviewed repeat chest and stomach xrays that were done this morning and yesterday. Chest looks much better, and stomach xray was to check to make sure his intestines were ready for feeding. The neonatalogist states he is ready for 10 ccs feeding each time.

11/30 Tuesday 5 pm

Nurse states they were able to take the oxygen from 28% to 25% then to 23% to 21% with periods of 2 hours that Ethan's oxygen was just  fine. Once he was at 21% for 2 hrs, they turned down the volume from 3.5 to 3. For those who aren't sure, 21% oxygen is the air we breath on a normal basis.

He woke up fussy again from his sedation with Verset (spelling), and nurse gave him 1 cc of breast milk by mouth. He was very happy about it, and fell back asleep and did not require more sedation.

Ethan's weight is at 6 lb 1 oz. We did not hold or touch him since he was resting peacefully and had been so fussy.



Everything is looking up. At 6, we headed to the NICU discharge class!!! WOOHOO!



Our Sweet Baby Ethan!



Update on Ethan

Per the doctor's recommendations and those of the doctor where they sent me for my 32 week ultrasound, I am now getting weekly ultrasounds and weekly appointments with my OB. This was recommended after finding that Ethan's abdomen is measuring 2 weeks behind, which COULD signal some issues may be occuring. Also, the doctor is suggesting inducing labor at 38 to 38 1/2 weeks due to Ethan's classification as "Small for Gestation".


I have researched what the ultrasound has found, and I have discovered everything from something minor (aka an error due to the baby's positioning) to major issues which I have no control over.


The ultrasound for the next 2 weeks are to check the blood flow to the baby, movement, positioning, and fluids. This week's appointment went well, and Ethan is finally head down instead of transverse (sideways). At 35 weeks, approximately 2 weeks from now, they will do measurements again to see how things are looking.


We did calculate that if I am induced as suggested, we will have new baby boy sometime the week of Thanksgiving! What a great gift to be thankful for!!!!


We are confident that God's hand is in this, and Ethan will arrive as a happy and healthy baby!

It's been a little crazy lately....

It has been awhile since I have posted anything, so I have some updates.

Ethan

All seems to be going well with Ethan. I have another appointment the first week of October. Then another appointment is scheduled for the following week at the ultrasound place to check on Ethan's growth at 32 weeks. We are feeling confident that all will be ok, and he won't be TOO big nor too small.


He has been moving around quite a bit lately. I had forgotten (and so quickly) how much these little ones move around! It's awesome.

Madyson

Madyson is doing great! She is walking about 99% of the time, and her hair seems to be growing in much thicker and longer! YAY! Can't wait for hair accessories!


Yesterday and today was picture day at daycare. Yesterday, the majority of the kids were not cooperating because it was nap time when they decided to take pictures. We all know how kids are with routines. They KNEW it was nap time and were tired! And today.... well apparently today, it was just Mady that did not cooperate. I guess the process freaked her out. They were unable to get her to say still without holding out her arms begging to be saved from the camera.


Also, Mady is finally back to her healthy and mostly happy self again after a rough few weeks. She had a sinus infection one week, then hand foot mouth disease, and latest was an eye infection. Poor girl. Soooooo we started her on a kiddie vitamin and V8 Fusion is now the juice of choice in our home. Trying to keep her as healthy as possible on all levels.

Casey

Casey is starting a new shift next week, which should be interesting, but definitely no complaints. It will be a good change for awhile. He got put on the squadron jet at work, so that's a bonus as well. He feels honored to be on it, and I am VERY proud. :)

He is sick at the moment. It appears he has the same eye infection type thing Mady had last week, and the doctor gave him the same eye drops but they didn't work. Now the other eye is starting to get super red, and he feels miserable due to fever and congestion etc. Long story short, the guy who never ever goes to the doctor has been twice this week. This time, he opted for Urgent Care.

My Mom, Tammy

My mom had her 2nd surgery, and has received some pretty good test results from that surgery. She just started back to work on Wednesday for partial days. She still isn't feeling quite herself, but she's being a tough cookie for sure!


They are still awaiting a doctor's appointment to discuss further treatment options.


I wish more than anything I could be there to help her out. I know everyone is taking such good care of her, but wish I could pitch in as well. Not that I really could anyhow... my belly is getting in the way of me taking care of my own house.


And finally....                                           

Me

I am doing well. I can't complain........ too much. ;) Just this darn big belly gets in the way of every day activities now, and naturally is also taking its toll on my back and overall feeling of wellness. However, this is nothing out of the ordinary, and this is just a part of getting our sweet Ethan here.


I have definitely found my limits lately, tested them, and failed. I am having to rely more on Casey to do certain things and not to overdo it too much.


My nesting stage is also in full swing. It's been difficult keeping myself from doing silly things like cleaning out closets all day on my days off, and recognizing that days off are meant for resting. Either I can SLOWLY work on organizing projects or the closets will have to wait. :)

Madyson and her rocking chair

Mady loves her rocking chair. She really cracks me up. She learned quite quickly how to get the chair to rock, and now she hardly gets out of it.

Health/Healing

Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.
Jeremiah 33:6 (NIV)

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11 (NIV)

"But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds," declares the LORD, "because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares."
Jeremiah 30:17 (NIV)

I will not die but live and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
Psalm 118:17 (NIV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

Todd "Ethan" Gilbert

August 4, 2010

Just a quick update after my doctor's appointment today. All is well. I will be having another ultrasound at 32 weeks to check on Ethan's size to make sure he isn't still on the small size or (heaven forbid) on the large size. I sure don't mind another opportunity to see him and know that he is still doing well. :)

July 23, 2010

Ethan is due on December 6, 2010. That's approximately 19.5 weeks away. Here is our first picture confirming he is ETHAN rather than Miss Gilbert #2. hehe. They said he is a little small for the estimated due date, about a week or so off probably, but its likely a miscalculation in the due date. :)

July 8, 2010

Yep, its definitely a boy! Yay for technology. I also went on a mini-shopping spree for our little one. Casey was so nervous that this one was going to be another girl. Having him there for the ultrasound was PRICELESS, as was his reaction to the gender. He was such a proud daddy!