Wednesday November 30

It has been one full month that Isaac has been home. It has been quite an adjustment. Sometimes fun and other times not so fun.

I called the pediatrician yesterday because I believe the sleepless nights have gotten worse. Although I know newborns don't typically sleep through the night I used my instinct and called. After telling the doctor about his symptoms she mentioned she thought it was reflux and prescribed a medication for reflux. Not convinced I reviewed the symptoms online. What I read he has about 7 of the 10 symptoms. We started the meds last night and today was worse than yesterday. There are times that he doesn't want to eat and cries in pain. I reflect back and he showed early signs of reflux and I believe it worsened since being home. The NICU had tested for it about a week before he was discharged and it showed that he didn't have it. It is difficult to see him cry that hard and not be able to soothe him. I called the doctor again today to make sure that this med will mix well with the others since I felt today has been the worst yet. She said it could take up to one week to see results. The crying affects his eating and his sleeping, the two major things that babies need! We are praying and believing for there to be more immediate results! When he starts crying I have been praying through it sometimes with tears and other times with anger. I am so mad that he has to go through this! I keep telling him that his dad and I have not given up on getting him to feel better! We won't stop until we see results!


We would appreciate prayers for his healing! Thank you so much!

Monday, November 28

One more week left on my maternity leave.  I can't believe that it has gone by so fast. 

I had two ladies who came by today from the Early Intervention Program from the state of Illinois.  They evaluated Isaac today and asked a lot of questions about his health and history.  They determined that he doesn't qualify for intervention at this time because he is doing so well.  I am thoroughly proud of my son. I think he is doing exceptionally well in the area of breathing and eatting and gaining weight.  He is holding his head up very well these days and turns from side to side sometimes when he wants to follow you around the room. I can have them come back and reivaluate him in three months to see if he can qualify at that time.

On the sleeping front Isaac is still not sleeping well.  It was bad and now it is even worse. For the past two nights he has slept only 3 to 4 hours which means so am I.  It has been difficult on the entire family. I have tried so many things and some work one night but they don't the next and so on.  I was getting so tired physically and mentally.  The ladies today gave me some new ideas that I hadn't tried yet.  They suggested that I keep him swaddled still and make sure he is warm.  I have noticed before that when I pick him up at night his hands are cool.  so we brought up the heater from the basement and put it a few feet from his crib.  we will try that tonight and hope it will work.  I thought he was upset when he was swaddled as he is starting to stretch out of the swaddle.  I have a good swaddle blanket that I used with Arianna that has velcro that will keep him strapped in.... smile...They believe that helping him regulate his temperature will help him not wake up in the middle of the night.

He is still off of oxygen.  He has been saturating well since Friday.  I removed the circles from his cheeks yesterday.  Wow, is his face cute!  I can't stop kissing those cheeks!
Arianna just asked David "do you know I love you?"  oh my, could she be any cuter...

Friday, November 25

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I know we did. We ate too much, laughed a lot and shopped a little....

Isaac's nurse came by again today. He now weighs 7 lbs & 8 ounces. He has also been saturating really well. So David and I discussed turning his oxygen more. This turned it down to only 1/64 of a liter. So as I was talking to the nurse today I asked what she thought of taking him off to see how he does... Well we did. He has been saturating as if he still had the oxygen. She said to watch when he eats too and check to see if he saturated well while eating. Again, he saturated just as if he is still on oxygen! One time he started to decrease and decrease in saturation while just laying there. His color was still really good. Then I realized the monitor was off of him...he also went to his first black friday shopping experience. He did very well! Slept through most of it. But please know we only went for an hour and it was 1 in the afternoon.

Please still pray for our sleep. He is getting up a lot at night and can keep me awake for a three hour period sometimes in one night. Also, we are believing for his cough to disappear as well. It is due to extra drainage from the nasal canula which is from the oxygen. Drainage gets caught in his throat and makes him have a very loud and icky cough. Sometimes it bothers him more than others. He has had it for a while. Even when he was in the hospital.

Have a great night!

Tuesday November 22

The nurse came by again this morning. Isaac is now 7.5 lbs. He gained 4.5 ounces in 3 days. WOW! He has had a lot of nasal drainage for the past two days. I purchased some saline drops for his nose. The nurse even tried but that stuff is sure stubborn!

Arianna has just woken up from her nap and she and grandma are making pumpkin pie! She had the largest smile when grandma asked her. She has been practicing her baking with the cupcake app on the iPad. She is dazzling grandma with her skills!

I am so happy to have my parents here again. I can now get a little bit more sleep with grandmas help.

If you dont hear from me again before thursday have a great Thanksgiving. We are thankful for so much this year! Our family has grown by one and so much more!

I hear Ari in the kitchen encouraging grandma. Grandma is cleaning the oven as the pies have spilled over....have to go help!

Tuesday November 22

The nurse came by again this morning. Isaac is now 7.5 lbs. He gained 4.5 ounces in 3 days. WOW! He has had a lot of nasal drainage for the past two days. I purchased some saline drops for his nose. The nurse even tried but that stuff is sure stubborn!

Arianna has just woken up from her nap and she and grandma are making pumpkin pie! She had the largest smile when grandma asked her. She has been practicing her baking with the cupcake app on the iPad. She is dazzling grandma with her skills!

I am so happy to have my parents here again. I can now get a little bit more sleep with grandmas help.

If you dont hear from me again before thursday have a great Thanksgiving. We are thankful for so much this year! Our family has grown by one and so much more!

Sunday, November 20

I hope you enjoy the new photo. It was difficult to get a good one. I originally had a fabric pumpkin hat on him but he didn't like it too well.

Last night was one of the best nights of sleep David and I have had in a long time! So thank you to everyone who has been praying for us. He also has nursed really well all day. We had a great family day today. We had a great breakfast made by chef David and spent the entire day together. We went grocery shopping. Can I just say that David is such a great dad! It was time for Isaac to eat while we were in the grocery store. David fed him and then carried him around the store in one hand while pushing the stroller in the other. Ari and I had moved on to get the job done. David is so proud of his children!

I am excited to have some family in this week for Thanksgiving. I have two more weeks of maternity leave. I think I will have practice getting ready on time the week before I go back!

Saturday, November 19

Well it is official...Isaac has red hair! It is a beautiful color but I never thought I would have child with red hair. I always thought that my children would have brown hair. His eyes are a dark grayish blue. He is also as of yesterday 7 pounds and half an ounce. My has he grown since August 12. He is still in newborn sized clothes and diapers. However I look for him to be out of those very soon.

I am extremely tired as he doesn't sleep very well after midnight. I am beginning to think that the NICU had parties every night between midnight and 4 am. He generally sleeps for about 15 minutes or less between those hours. Needless to say it is wearing on me. I Have tried many differnt things to try and get him to sleepfor at least an hour at a time to no avail. He also has a difficult time nursing now. I am kicking around the idea of stopping but the benefits of breast milk are so great. I am nor certain if these two issues are due to his prematurity or just him. I know arianna cried a lot the first month but I don't recall it being like this. If anyone wants to take a night shift for me please let me know!

Have a great rest of the weekend.

Wednesday, November 16

Today Isaac weighed in at 6 lbs 15.5 ounces! He is almost 7 lbs. The nurse said that he is on the high end of then weight gain for a preemie. He hasn't had any episodes either which has caused his monitor to go off! This morning I looked at his monitor and noticed it wasnt blinking... Then I remembered that I had shut it off the night before to change the sensors that touch his body. Praise God he didn't have anything happen. I will never let that happen again!

Arianna still amazes me with her flexibility and willingness to share her parents with her brother. She doesn't complain when I ask her to wait for something while I am tending to him. On our iPad David bought her a game where she can bake and decorate cupcakes. She has been asking "Can I play with the cape-cups". She also has taken to a Shirley Temple video. The entire video is of Shirley dancing. arianna loves to watch it and has started to dance like Shirley. You should see the smile on may face.... I love that girl!

Tuesday, november 15

It worked!Isaac slept an additional 2 hours in the swing last night. It made for a happier mommy! Tonight he ate two times what I feed him! So he ate 4 ounces in one sitting! Oh no! I think David better get a second job just to pay for his food! The nursing continues to be a challenge. Isaac sometimes nurses really well but other times he just eats for a few seconds and then just cries. I think that he is impatient with the flow between the bottle and me. He has to work harder when he nurses than when he eats out of a bottle.

we do not have any appointments for him this week. Other than the nurse coming over three times this week. He is now down to 1/16th of a liter on his oxygen. His saturation is contenting at 95 which it was this level at 1/4 liter. So I am beginning to wonder if the monitor is working properly....smile.

Someone said to me the other day that he thought that Isaac will be a very strong boy. One who does not give up and overcomes every challenge. I have thought all along that he is destined to be a doctor, lawyer or a business owner. I know that he will do great things. He already has at the great old age of three months!

Have a great night! I need to learn to sleep when they sleep!

Sunday, November 13

We are two weeks into having Isaac and we are still thriving! It was really nice to have David home last night and not to have to leave early in the morning to go to work. He really helped last night with Isaac and his frequent crying in the wee small hours of the morning. Isaac seems to do so well from bed time until about 1:30 am. Then after that he wakes me up with his crying and or grunting (which if I haven't already written, I was informed it was a preemie thing to grunt)! He does this until about 5 am.

I am happy to say that I have found a new best friend! The baby swing! LOVE IT! I have read that babies can swing in it for up to 8 hours. Although tempting at times I think that would be considered neglect. Isaac does pretty well until he starts having words with the monkey who swings from the bar above Isaac. For some reason they just don't get along which causes Isaac to start screaming and asking me to get him out. So I come to the rescue.

I guess that November 17 is National Preemie Awareness Day! Who knew there was such a day. I never would have paid attentionn to a day like that had I not found myself in this situation. Overall though Isaac is doing remarkably well. He is still on the lower amount of oxygen. I can actually carry the oxygen tank up by itself and then take up Isaac while he isn't hooked up to it and he doesn't even know it.

This is week 3 of my maternity leave. I am going to start doing more things around the house now that I know Isaac will stay in the swing and be content. Good news about the monkey is that he can be removed from the swing. This would leave the giraffe. He doesn't say much so Isaac is alright if he stays....smile!

Have a great week!

Thursday, November 10

It has been longer than I thought since I last blogged. We took Isaac to the pulmonologist on Tuesday. He wanted us to start lowering his oxygen intake. He came home on 1/4 liter and we lowered it down to 1/8 liter. While he was at 1/4 his saturation was hovering around 95. It should be anything above 90. After lowering the oxygen it is still at 95. We will stay at this amount for a week and then try lowering it again until we have weaned him off of it.

The opthomolgist appointment brought good results as well. His eyes are progressing the way they should be. We go back again in two weeks for another check up.

The at home nurse came by yesterday and I a happy to report that he is now 6 pounds and 10 ounces. I am very pleased that he continues to gain weight at a steady pace.

Today was my first day by myself during the day. It went well overall. I had some friends come and visit so that was nice. However, I could tell arianna didn't get enough mommy time. My sweet girl is going through some changes but she is strong and I know she will make it. Sometimes I scoop her up and just remind her that she is still Loved and very special!

I called our insurance yesterday. We are maxed out with both our deductible and out of pocket for Isaac and me. It is a good thing as the bills have started rolling in.

Have a great night!

Monday, November 7

Well today is my original due date. Instead I spent it changing Isaac's diaper, conversing with the in-home nurse and setting up appointments with the Early Intervention staff from the state of Illinois. I would like to thank all of those who alive in Illinois and pay taxes. Without your tax money Isaac wouldn't get some of the plans they have to offer. I have been advised by other moms to take advantage of any program he qualifies for. This is due to the fact that some symptoms may show up later and the programs can prevent further problems. Watching him though you wouldn't even know that he was early. I looked at the problems they look for in a three month old and Isaac already shows signs of being normal. Now his age is adjusted from today. In a month he will be considered a one month old instead of the actual 3 plus months that he truly is.

Tomorrow we have two appointments one with an opthamologist, who is another member of our church. Once again talk about how God goes before us. The next appointment is with the breathing doctor. I am hoping that he will try to start weaning him off of the oxygen (my third child-it follows me everywhere I go). I hope they don't take off the sticky circles on his face that hold the cannula. It has taken me three sets of new circles to get it right!

Please pray for me and David as we get used to being on our own with the two kids. Due to the nature of davids job he has to go to bed so early every night that I am left finishing up down on the first floor in order to get another feeding for Isaac before we go to bed. I am hoping that I don't get too exhausted as tonight he Isaac cried for about two hours...unfortunately his fussy time can move from early afternoon to evening with no warning at all!

I am getting very sleepy so good night!

Saturday, November 5

Almost a full week of being a parent of two (@ home that is)! I think it is going well but I huts can't seem to get up too early in the morning. I don't know if it is because I am not getting enough sleep or that I don't have anywhere to go for the day. It is nice to be home to just take care of my family and house. My mom & dad have really helped out a lot! They shop and cook for me which are two major time consuming things. I am taking on more things and all I can say is that I am so glad that my healing has taken place from the c-section

Arianna seems to be doing a really good job as a big sister. As of today she seems to be adjusting really well. I wonder how she will be without mom and dad here and the attention they give her. the time is coming near when they will have to leave. I know people do it all the time and have two young children. Some even have worse situations than me. I'll make it work! My planning self will have to just relax and go with the flow for a while.

Isaac is doing really well. I had him on his tummy this afternoon and he is already lifting his head and moving his knees as if he was going to roll over. He is more alert and spends his awake time looking around. He even will sometimes look to find those who are talking. He wasn't even due to be born until Monday!

We think that he really likes to be home! I know David is happy to have the entire family under one roof.

As Arianna says...."Go team Iverson!" We are going to make it as a family of four!

Thursday, November 3

Hello everyone! Thank you for your patience as we figure out how to be a family of four! The week has been good and challenging all at the same time! Isaac is doing really well and is fitting in well. The first two nights were sleepless more due to a crying baby in our room. He would wake up every hour. I think it was hard for him to adjust to the quietness and darkness in our room. Then we noticed that he is stopped up in his nose and figured out that we need to prop him up in order to sleep better and to help him with a clear nose passage. Last night he slept about four hours in a row.... Wow was that nice! Also, the monitor is meant to wake him and his parents if he has a low heart rate or stops breathing. I quickly found out that the monitor only wakes ME and Isaac! Ari and david sleep right through it! Ari asks to hold him every hour. I have made her my diaper helper! She loves it! I am wondering if the novelty of him will wear off. Today I asked her to help and she told me she was busy...

I forgot how a newborn keeps you busy in so many ways. We have had a nurse stop in two-times this week! It was nice as she weighed him and he has gained 3 ounces already! I think that by association I have earned my nursing degree and by the end of his first year my MD.

So in summary I have been sprayed almost everyday as I change his diaper, our water bill will be cheaper as I haven't showered everyday, the oxygen and monitor are our 2 other children as they follow us everywhere we go and our room has 3 new pieces of furniture(a rocker, ottoman and bassinet)!

Oh and this is the first day I have been on a computer since Sunday!

Goodnight from the Iverson family of four!