Wednesday, August 31

David had today off and we had a very late start to our morning.  Arianna didn't sleep very good again last night so we got up around 8:30. It was nice to sleep in but it made me feel as if I was running late all day. The three of us went out for breakfast this morning at Richard Walkers which we hadn't done in such a long time.

I didn't get to see Isaac until 2 this after noon.  He has lost weight again.  He is just under his birth weight.  However they said it is most likely because they took off all of his head gear when they weighed him.  This is the third day in a row that he has lost weight.  Please pray that his weight loss turns around and he starts gaining weight.  They truly think it is because he is a mover and a shaker.  He constantly moves his limbs in his isolette and therefore burning too many calories... His moving around is a good sign of his fiestiness, however he can't keep the weight on if he has his red cape on and flying all over the place! lol  Sooo, we need to have him settle down just enough so he can put on a few pounds(or ounces)!

This is Poppa Iverson here....just got back from seeing our Isaac.  He is looking good.  Spent most of the time reading to him, praying for and laying hands on him.  I even got a few smiles from the joyous one!  The honeymoon or newness of him being in the NICU has definitely worn off and at the moment it feels like a daily grind.  Not that we dread going to see him at all.  In fact we look forward to it!  It would just be easier to see him at home versus the hospital 15 minutes down the road.  We love our nurses and doctors and pray for them constantly to have wisdom and declare that they are anointed by our heavenly Father to care for our precious boy. 

We cherish your prayers and are eternally grateful to those who have reached out to us in a practical way.  We love you and appreciate you walking with us during this season in the Ivy League.  It's just a season.  Just like King David said in Psalm 23, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me."  It's only a shadow,....only a season, BUT God is with us.  Peace.

Tuesday, August 30

Another day of double holding... Me in the morning and David tonight.  When I arrived this morning they mentioned that Isaac had lost 15 grams from yesterday.  However, they removed is pick line which was what helped him get extra nutrients.  Since they are increasing his breast milk (today @ 22 ml every 3 hours) they said he didn't need the extra nutrients.  They told me today that they think that his being fiesty and moving around so much is what is causing him to lose weight.  However, today's nurse talked to the respiratory specialist about the C-PAP.  Since they adjust it so much in order to keep it bubbling it is causing him to be agitated.  The specialist said that it doesn't need to bubble all the time.  Therefore, when the nurse left him alone when it wasn't bubbling he still stayed at the levels that his vitals needed to be and he wasn't as agitated.

So we are believing for Isaac to gain weight consistantly and to progress as he needs to.  I am going to try going to church for the first time tomorrow night since August 24... I have been able to watch it online but it isn't the same as being in a service.  However, since I am tired by 7 PM these days, we'll see... All I know is that sometimes this new lifestyle that I am living is numbing.  I don't feel as if it is really me who is doing this regiment... get up in the morning, take ari to the babysitters, go to the hospital, come home, work for a few hours at home, go back to the hospital, go to bed...oh and in the middle of all that, pump every 2 hours...one day I will look back and really think it was all a dream as I chase my little man around the house, send him off to his first day of school, watch his first athletic competition and so on!!!  Needless to say.... I cannot wait for that day.  sniff....

Monday, August 29

I have been trying to get new pictures to post but our camera is having issues.  Hopefully soon.. as I am sure you are getting tired of looking at the same old pictures.

We were able to hold Isaac 2 times today!  I went in the morning and held him for over an hour and David held him tonight for an hour.  Isaac really does well with the kangaroo holding. He falls fast asleep and is all tucked in with his legs under him and his arms outstretched.  So precious.  David and I both notice that he is getting fiestier when the nurses are adjusting his C-PAP.  You can actually hear him cry when they are moving it around on his nose.  He sounds like a little puppy but he is nonetheless frustrated with them.  They say that he needs to gain some weight in order to help his breathing and then to move him off the C-PAP. He gained a little more today so we are on the right track. He looked a little pale to me today but his blood levels came back normal so it must be an over concerned mom???  David also got to change one of Isaac's diapers for the first time!  Way to go daddy!

I had a dream last night that we had him home in his isolette... I was happy to wake up and find it was but a dream.  Although having him home would be tremendous, he has some growing to do.

Sunday, August 28

We visited him only one time today and we were able to stay for quite some time (thank you MacKinneys!).  I was able to kangaroo hold him for over an hour.  He loves it!  He tucks his little legs under him and his hands go by his face and he sleeps peacefully. 

He is still having some C-PAP problems.  He is a fiesty one I tell you.  When they start to adjust the prongs in his nose he puts his hands up and tries to push them away.  His legs start to too.  He does not like his nose messed with.  I told the nurse to watch out for his strong right hook.  They are feeding him again.  I was surprised they were back to the 18 ml every three hours.  But evidently he showed good signs after they gave his nose a rest. He seems a little agitated but when David put his hands over him (to make him feel as if he were still in the womb), he calmed down and was peaceful.

Arianna is such a happy girl.  Today she was singing Jesus Loves the Little Children in the car. We love to hear her sing.  It makes David and I smile!

Thank you for the prayers.  Isaac is doing so much better today.

Saturday, August 27

My parents did actually go home today and I was exhausted by 7 pm tonight.  We were enjoying a restful night at home when I received a phone call from the NICU.  Isaac was having quite a few breathing desaturations when they found that his tummy was bloated and he was pale.  They had to pump the air out of his tummy and stop his feeding for the night to give his tummy a rest. They think the C-PAP was pumping him with too much air. They are also doing a blood test to make sure he doesn't have any infections.

Needless to say it woke me up and caused me to fight the thoughts of how fragile he is.  He has been doing so well for so long that I wasn't prepared for this setback.  Thankfully the nurse that has him until 11 PM tonight is one of my favorites and I have not doubt that he is in good hands.  As well as I know that God is holding him in the palm of His hand and He will not let Isaac's foot slip, fall or fail.  Praise God for His word and His supernatural peace!

I would appreciate prayers for his complete healing and for the nurses and doctors to have wisdom of how to help him.

Thank you~Talinda

Friday, August 26

Okay, so I think that my parents will not be leaving my house ever... Arianna said to grandpa on her way up to bed "I love you Poppy (her name for grandpa), I love my Poppy".  My dad beamed from ear to ear... so I guess she knows who to charm!

Isaac had another good day today.  He is up to the 18 ml every 3 hours and is now up to 2 lbs 8 1/2 ounces.  Way to go Isaac!  Finally well above his birth weight! Tonight he was off his C-PAP again so we could see his dark hair and his entire face.  They moved the feeding tube to his nose to give his throat a rest.  He was so peaceful sleeping on daddy tonight.  When the nurse went to remove Isaac from David, his legs were spread way out on either side of David's body. Isaac was sleeping on David with his mouth open. 

Sometimes it is hard leaving him there, but thankfully time will go quickly and in a year or so we won't even remember how difficult this is.

Thank you for your prayers and I hope you are enjoying the updates!

Papi's Precious One

Just got back from seeing our little man today.  He has nearly tripled the amount of food he is taking in per day.  He is almost eating as good as his dad!!  His little body is definitely filling out and he looks so full of peace.  I know that God is with him even when Talinda and I can't be there.  There is another baby in the NICU that came in weighing 10lbs.  Isaac is just a fifth of that.  I mean the kid looks like a small watermelon!  But anything is big compared to our "child of promise".  Even though he may be small in stature physically, there is such a quiet peace and strenght in him.  Watch out devil, this little guy is already kicking your tail!  You tried to take him out once and that will not happen again!

I truly am fortunate to have such a wonderful family!

Thursday, August 25

The weeks are going by so fast I have to admit.  It was a difficult night last night leaving a quarter of the family in the hospital.  David & I both shed some tears...I was able to go this morning and hold him kangaroo style.  He sure loves that and sleeps so peacefully when we are holding him that way.  They are up to feeding him 15 mls every 3 hours.  He should raise up to 18 mls tomorrow.  He is keeping his food down and he has gained a little bit to where he is just over his birth weight.  I think, wow, with all that growing that he is doing, it is no surprise that he hovers above and below his birth weight.  They said that is common. 

I struggle with thinking that I can do everything but my body is not letting me.  I have been reminded by friends and family that I had surgery 1 1/2 weeks ago and after staying in bed for 3 weeks I will not be myself and to give myself some grace... that is so hard for me as I am not one to take naps or sit for long periods of time... uggg! Also, I have to remember that I did just have a baby and therefore my hormones are changing as my body adjusts to not carrying our son any longer. I am tired by 7:30 pm every night and don't feel like waking in the morning..however, a 2 year old calls around 6:30 am every morning and therefore I am up and starting my day..

Yesterday David had a bandaid on one of his toes.  Last night he put a bandaid in the same spot on Arianna.  I was woken up twice last night to her crying "I want my bandaid on my toe".  The first time she played with it so much it came off.  After I put the damaged bandaid back on her perfect toe, it once again fell off by the morning.. she wanted to be like her daddy... in the morning I looked at her toe and asked "how does it feel today."  She said "It is all better."  Too cute!

I hope everyone is having a good week.  The weather here in Illinois is beautiful!~ Talinda

Wednesday, August 24

This morning Isaac is back on the bubble C-PAP but he looks so much better then before. They performed another brain scan and it is confirmed that there is no blood on the brain!!! yippeee.  They have increased his food intake to 12 ml every 3 hours.  He is gaining on me!  I need to pump, drink water, pump, drink water, pump oh and drink water! He is hovering still right at his birth rate.  Looking forward to when he stays at gaining weight.

David & I are off again to see Isaac for our nightly reading to him of Goodnight Moon and Guess How Much I Love You while Arianna stays home with Nena and Poppy.  There is never a dull moment as they  dance, sing and she "bakes" them cookies.  She truly doesn't care that we leave her and visit Isaac.  She typically says "I'll miss you mommy & daddy."

Again, thanks for reading the update~ Talinda

Tuesday, August 23

Isaac is looking better everyday.  They upped his food intake (which goes through a tube into his tummy).  They are now at 9ml every 3 hours.  He is keeping the food down but lost a little bit of weight today.  The took the bubble C-PAP out of his nose to give his nose a rest.  So his head and face are now very visible.  Looking into that face makes us fall in love all over again.  David held him tonight and his eyes kept opening up to look around.  He was so happy being held. When they put him back in his isolette he was on his back and looked so content.  He was still asleep like he didn't know he had been removed from his daddy.  There is nothing like holding him.  His body is as big as both of your hands.  He rests nicely inside a shirt... we are tempted to make a run for it and see how far we could get.  He is so tiny, I don't think anyone would notice... for about 10 minutes.  Then all of the monitors would beep and rat us out... so we are patient and wait for him to grow grow grow so we can take him home without all of the tubes and monitors.

Monday, August 22

I went to see Isaac two times today.  This morning they had a time with his bubble C-PAP.  It took them about 20 minutes.  Isaac took it better than I did.  He gained some weight so he is just over his birth weight at 2 lbs 5 1/2 oz. 

I read on babycenter.com about what his body would be doing if he were still in utero.  "His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is getting bigger to accommodate his growing brain – which is busy developing billions of neurons. Every day, about 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton, which is now hardening. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that your baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester."  Therefore, since he isn't in utero any longer he will be getting these nutrients from my breast milk and any man made nutrients.  Please believe with us that this will all be sufficient for his body.

He looks great and seems to be taking his food well.  The food is fed through a tube which goes directly to his tummy.  He is being fed 6 ml every 3 hours.

Thank you for reading! ~ Talinda

Sunday, August 21

We went to visit Isaac this afternoon.  David was able to kangaroo hold him again.  Our first day to hold this was on Wednesday.  It is documented that if the preemie is held skin to skin they actually cry less, have less apnea and have more restful sleep.  Needless to say I think this will do the same for David.... Isaac has trials of apnea where he stops breathing which causes his heart rate to go down below the normal level.  He simply needs a rub on his back to get him to start breathing again.  This is common in preemies. I heard tonight he will need 5 straight days of no apnea episodes before they will send him home.  They are not talking about sending him home anytime soon, just something to pray for that he will grow out of it well before it is time to bring him home.

Arianna continually amazes me.  She has been such a trooper over this past month.  The flexibility of a 2 1/2 year astonishes me.  From moving into a toddler bed (because mommy can't lift her out of the crib due to surgery), to having temporary "live-in" grandparents for the past 4 weeks, to still keeping us laughing.  She is a strong little girl.  She has picked up pouting though which although adorable, needs to stop.  She sure can work that lower lip.  So here's to my wonderful little girl!  I love you tremendously and am so proud to be your mommy!

Tonight Auntie Lois is taking care of him. The nurses are fabulous and are so caring and kind.  They will answer any of our questions and have been such an encouragement through this past week.

First Post

Thought I would start a blog where we can keep you updated on Isaac's progress and what led to his delivery.  I was hospitalized on August 25 with a leaky uterus along with a it bulging and my cervix 3 cm dialated.  I was put on bedrest and stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks & 4 days until I started to progress to birth.

The progression to birth was nothing more than miraculous.  I spent 1 1/2 days in labor that I didn't know was even happening.  I wasn't sure if they were contractions since they were relatively painless.  I thought it was nothing more than gas at the beginning (smile). On the morning of August 12, I was already 5 cm dialated when they wheeled me into the labor & delivery room.  I had intended on taking pain medications because my true wish was to have a vaginal birth. Once in the labor and delivery room I had progress from 5 cm to 10 cm without much pain.  Therefore I was encouraged to move on to delivery without any medication.  Everything was going fine until one series of pushing led to unexplained bleeding.  I was then whisked off to the operating room to delivery our sweetheart. Disappointed, I waited for my spinal tap.  The nurses and my doctor were nothing less than wonderful. David arrived at my side just before the surgery began.  During surgery I started crying and letting David know that this was it, I did not want anymore children.  After 2 cesareans I truly want to be finished.  After an unknown timeframe I heard a little cry. Then 2 cries.

Isaac Mathias Iverson was born on August 12, 2011 @ 11:26 A.M. weighing in at a whopping 2 lbs & 5 oz and 14 inches long.  He was born after 27 weeks and 4 days in utero.

I have been home since August 16 and now recovering from a major surgery and getting my life back in order after the 3 week hospital stay.  Although it felt much faster than 3 weeks, my life needs to be put back in order and the Iverson family will once again rise with strength from a challenge that it never thought would happen.

This is where my blogging begins, 8 days after his birth with the newest family member having continuous sleep overs in the NICU with his temporary family .  I hope you enjoy the updates.  I look forward to sharing God's miraculous strength and presence in my family's life. Thank you to everyone for your prayers, gifts, love and just plain encouragement during this time.  We love you so much!