LCBride2007

correct - please read these rules and let us know if you have any questions!

She actually wore REAL clothes for the first time today! stupid wires had to go somewhere! makes her look lke she's a plug-in baby. another video: Gwen waking up slowly

Quote: Originally Posted by Raeka How is she liking being a Grandma or is it Nana? I think she's grandma! Paul's mom has always gone by Nana - and I think my mom is just a plain ol' grandma. She loves it - she's so proud, especially since Gwen is named after her mom (my grandma). Quote: Originally Posted by Leia78 Seems like she's a great eater Ann, so I'm sure her bili will go down again soon enough. That's great that you're breast feeding her too! Those baby steps are milestones in my book. I'm glad she's cruisin' along and gaining weight. Take one day at a time and stay positive. I'm glad your mom is here with you, that's a huge comfort. Keep, keepin' us updated! She's off the lights again! I guess she just needed a quick dose. So now my mom can spend a little more time with her. Thanks for the pep talk!

YAY! Congrats, Maureen! This is awesome news.

Quote: Originally Posted by Tlseege When does Paul leave or did he already? Where are you guys staying? He left yesterday morning - so he's in MN getting the room and house all ready! My mom came in yesterday too - so she's here now. We're staying at a Residence Inn in Pleasant Hill, CA - it's not too far from the hospital, which is nice. And it has a little mini-kitchen, which has been great. Quote: Originally Posted by DougsGirl so glad she is a kicker, looks like she'll be a little futbol superstar as well! YAY! exactly!

remember - these weekly results are just the week-to-week change ... it's meant to help you each week. the final result is the starting weight vs. the ending weight.

Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to Alyssa! Happy Birthday to You! (you'd much rather "read" me sing than actually hear me!)

Quote: Originally Posted by Leia78 She looks so good Ann! I was just reading over this thread to catch up on what I've missed. Everything you described in your latest update is completely normal w/ premies. She's just doing her thing and trying to figure out the world around her. I'm glad her coordination w/ her suck/swallow/breathing is coming along. If she does have any apnea and/or bradycardia w/ feeds, thats normal too. She'll grow out of it. I'm so glad the IV is out too! I'm sure holding her has become less challenging. Also, I loved the pic of Paul "kangaroo-ing" her...bonding time w/ dad is always good. hang in there, June will be here and you'll be home soon. That's so great to hear from someone who knows! She does have an apnea here or there, and I think a brady or two. But not much at all, and half of the time it's when she's feeding and chokes or something. She's back under the lights - her levels went up again. I'm not too excited about that, but if there's a setback, I guess this is one I can handle. In the last 24 hours she's actually taken a couple full meals directly from me - which is great. And then a couple where she got a partial meal via the tube. Also some where it was totally via the tube - but they keep telling me she's doing great! I can't help but feel disappointed or sad when she needs the tube. But at least I get to hold her and cuddle with her when she's being fed. Quote: Originally Posted by Janet Thanks for the update -- and the good news! She is soooooo cute! What a personality already. Can you even picture her hanging out in your belly all these weeks? It's crazy! She's constantly kicking - and I keep telling Paul that that's why I was complaining all the time. She's a kicker!

Sorry for the delay ... but here are the weekly results! For those of you that are frustrated with not losing, or even gaining, as you can see you're not alone. So keep up the work - don't give up! Congratulations to .... babyg (Terri)-2.492% DanielleNDerek-2.288% lucy106 (Stephanie)-1.368% dancingdolphin (Laurine)-1.017% alyssa-0.848% Robyn Mumford-0.305% JessicaM-0.257% lauren c. 0.000% Maura0.000% Sandra E. (Sandra) 0.000% twinkletoes (Christina)0.000% xandrafaye (Alex)0.000% Yari0.000% LadyCheese (Jessica)0.242% cessyboston (Erica)0.319% froggie1013 (Kristy)0.641% Sblake (Sarah)0.725% Opice34 (Shannon) 0.737% Janet0.826% amyrak (Amy)0.906% TA Jill1.098% Nrvsbride (Glenda)2.186% can't wait! (Karla) <didn't receive anything> Denise40<didn't receive anything> ErinB<didn't receive anything> msam007562 (MarieSam)<didn't receive anything> nueland (Nicole)<didn't receive anything> Saraha<didn't receive anything> ButlerGirl08 (Alex) <didn't receive anything>

Quote: Originally Posted by Sarah I just can't get over how huge she is Ann. What does she weigh now. Is she gaining yet? I'm so happy with how things are going. Like you, I'm cautiously optimistic. But, I have to say, things seem to be going really well so far So happy for you guys! She was down as far as 4lbs 13oz, but is slowly gaining it back, she's at 4lbs 15 oz. now. But at the rate this girl poops, she'll have a hard time packing on the pounds. I think she has Paul's metabolism, which is a good thing. She has a reputation already ... if she has a sign of a poopie diaper, you have to shield the bottom - she can shoot poo like silly string! That's how I am Sarah - all of the nurses say how well she's doing, and that she's doing everything she should be doing, plus some. The lactation consultants tell me how amazed they are that she's eating so well. I'm just scared to get too "comfortable" that everything is ok ... there's still some milestones she has to meet. And she was a preemie to a diabetic mother - so those are strikes against her. But right now all is well. I just hope it continues!

I haven't received weigh-ins from the following people ... amyrak (Amy) ButlerGirl08 (Alex) can't wait! (Karla) cessyboston (Erica) Denise40 ErinB Janet JessicaM msam007562 (MarieSam) nueland (Nicole) Saraha

it does look like he's breastfeeding - too funny! he was holding her while the nurse changed her bed since she had another explosive poo incident. and then today she ripped one that would have made any grown man proud. seriously - this girl is nuts! i was laughing so hard while trying to breastfeed - she got a milk shake instead!

Not too much has changed since my last update, which I guess is a good thing. Paul and I have kind of settled into a routine here. Right now, Gwen is on a feeding schedule where she eats every 3 hours. We go see Gwen for her 11am, 2pm, 5pm, and 8pm feeding. She is no longer under the lights as of yesterday, which is great, especially since now we can hang out with her for longer periods of time. She is totally off of her IV fluids - she had the IV removed a couple days ago. That's awesome news! That means she's getting enough milk and doesn't need the additional nutrition. They had been slowly decreasing the IV and increasing the milk for the last few days - and yesterday she met her goal. We've got a pretty good eater on our hands! Since the IV was starched into her belly button, removing the tube required removing the stitches and pulling the tube out. I think it was harder on Paul than on Gwen. Monday they also put a tube in her nose to assist with feedings. At times she gets too tired to really finish her feeding, so this was put in in case we can't get her to take her whole meal orally. They had told us from the beginning that this was going to happen, and it's totally a sign of normal progression, but I had a hard time seeing it go in. Basically, she's so little and young that she sometimes gets too tired to suck for an entire feeding. We still will try to feed her orally every time, and on those times she doesn't want to finish she will get the rest of the meal via the tube. The nurses continue to tell us how well she's doing, and that she is WAY ahead of where they'd expect her to be - most "32 weekers" would have had the tube a long time ago. She is doing extremely well with her feedings; the suck/swallow/breathe coordination isn't something that they normally have at this age, and she's been doing great. There have been a couple times where she struggles, or where she just is too tired to work at it - hence the tube. But we're hopeful it won't be in for long! She took her whole 8pm meal directly from me tonight - so she's really doing great! Paul is going home this weekend to get the baby's room set up, and finish a few other items that we had left undone. His parents will drive up from Chicago to help, and bring the crib and items we had received from our baby shower. My dad, as well as some of our local friends are pitching in as well. Some of my friends were able to paint Gwen's room this past weekend, as well as check a few items off of our list, which was a huge help. Right now we still expect to be here until she hits her "full term" date, which is roughly mid to late June. Honestly, we could have been stuck somewhere much worse. It's been sunny and mid-70s lately, which does help the situation. We even had dinner at a friends house the other night; it was great to get a home cooked meal and hang out with their family. I've been taking lots of pictures, and even found a way to take mini-videos on my camera. And Paul bought a video camera today. I think I've also figured out how to load the videos in such a way where I can just give you a link to my "share page" and you can check in any time you want. Also, here's a link to the Shutterfly album where I"ve been loading all of her pictures. Videos: Ann's Share Page Pictures: Shutterfly Album ~ Gwen Just a few more pictures to show off my little preemie!

awww - she's gorgeous! and she's just 2 days younger than my little preemie girl, Gwendolyn!

tammy, those really are amazing shots. it makes me want a pup of my own!

I am so excited! Jackie was one of the first people I "met" on this forum - Tammy, TammyB, Sarah ... I feel like one of the seniors is finally getting her diploma! Happy Wedding Day, Jackie!

there's a funny story behind that newest nickname ... i'll have to post it soon. to do it justice, i need to give a little background. let's just say it involves explosive poo!

I am awful - this girl is going to hate me for all of the times I am up in her face taking pictures. Oh well - I can deal with that! lol Here is another video - she had the hiccups, and they're just too cute! I'm an awful mom! lol Gwen has the hiccups ~ 5/25/08

Quote: Originally Posted by Sarah Ann I showed Jeff the pics/video in the emails you sent me. He was just sooo excited. He's heard your entire story, and it reinforces to him that we want to wait to find out what baby S is Honestly, having done it this way (not finding out) - I wouldn't change a thing. For us, it just made it that much more exciting. And we're really not planners, so we didn't have the need to know. Oh, good thing we're not planners ... seems Gwen isn't into following a plan! Quote: Originally Posted by CourtneyV Ann this is such great news to come home to!! I can't believe Nugget is here already; I was not ready to see this thread yet!! I'm still working my way through your shutterfly album, but she's amazing. She's so beautiful. Congratulations Ann (and Paul!)!!! Thank you! And I wasn't ready to post this thread! lol But I am happy I got to - even if it isn't under the ideal situation. Quote: Originally Posted by ErinB Ann, she is so beautiful! I can't get over it! I love all of her hair and perfect baby skin. My MOH's premie was a little bumpy and blotchy. She was 7 weeks early and is precious and doing fine now. Thanks for sahring the pics and video! I love hearing those "succes stories" and it seems they're quite common. We're cautiously optomistic so far ... I just hope she keeps doing so well!

try doing a search for threads with "Caletas" in the title ... so many brides have posted their photos, and many of them used a photog that works with Vallarta Adventures. they work with several photograhers, but i can't remember all of their names!

i think everyone knows what i am doing! we thought we'd spend the weekend in sunny northern california. but we actually are going toa friends house for dinner tonight, which will be nice.

though I am surprised it still lets you buy it. maybe i can look into that.

AMY! He's absolutley adorable! Isn't it just the most amazing experience?! Congratulations to you and your new family. I think he has daddy's smile!

I think that option was diabled so that the performance of the forum wasn't compromised. Though I could be thinkng about the wrong feature.

I do it - but I am so NOT a germ-a-phobe and that stuff just doesn't bother me. But I honestly hadn't thought about it, it's a good point.