Packing Up!!!

Not sure I could be happier right now, I can not stop smiling! We are packing everything up, because Jacob is coming home!!! I can not wait to be together as a family, and have my cute little ones and Mike and I all under the same roof. And Jacob has been taking almost all of his feeds by mouth, with us having to push very little in through his little feeding tube. The cardiac nurse practitioner thinks that he may only need it a few more days, and hopes that with us being home (at a slightly lower altitude) and than with him hopefully having the NG tube out, he will not even need his little whiff of oxygen. It has been really something to have had this experience. The nurse practitioner (who also took care of Ryker) said that this day is truly the silver lining, and boy does she have that nailed head on. Anyways, I need to finish packing everything up, so I will sign off. Next post from home!!!

The "H" Word

We are nervous to even say the word, but there is talk of our being able to go home this weekend. So we were moved to the infant surgical floor yesterday, which means I get to be a full time Mommy to Jacob *smile*. He is doing really quite well, although since moving to a higher altitude, (from the 2nd floor to the third floor) he has needed just a little whiff of oxygen. We are hoping that once we get to go home, to a lower altitude, that we will be able to discontinue the oxygen. He also has a feeding tube (an NG tube.) We feed him what he will take, which is anywhere from 20-30 ml typically and than feed him the rest through the NG tube. I actually learned tonight how to put one in. It scared me spitless, but was actually not bad. I am thinking we may be home by tomorrow. I am not 100% confident in this, but I have a feeling it will happen. The hydrops/congenital chylothorax has so far been a non-issue. And Jacob was able to get his chest tube out today, along with his PICC line. So in the last three days he has had his ventilator out, his IJ line, an arterial line, an IV, a chest tube, and PICC line all removed, and now gets to work on moving off the oxygen and feeding tube. He will come home with the NG tube (hence the reason I was taught how.) We also passed off giving his meds along with Jacob passing his car seat trial. He is our little miracle.

This last Wednesday was Ryker's third birthday. I feel bad because we did not get a chance to celebrate Lilly's or Ryker's birthdays, so once we get home, we will have to do something special in their honor. We miss Ryker, although I do not think there has been a day that has gone by that he has not been on our minds, especially being somewhere that our only memories of Ryker linger. I know he and Lilly have watched carefully over their family, especially Jacob. We love you Ryker and miss you.

I will try to be better about posting, but things are busy and about to get busier. Thank-you for the prayers. They are very much needed, appreciated, and just a wonderful support. I would also like to ask for prayers for my little brother's wife, my sweet sister-in-law Lindsey. She found out this week she has thyroid cancer, and I know they could really use the added prayers.

Poor Little Guy

 Our little Jacob had his heart surgery this afternoon. They were able to successfully remove the narrow part of the aorta. The surgery went perfectly, and seeing him was not nearly as bad as going to see Ryker after his heart surgery.  It was pretty hard to hand him over for surgery and so many emotions resurfaced of saying goodbye to him that we experienced with Ryker. I do not think it gets any easier sending a child to surgery.

 He was still under the effects of the anesthesia when we were allowed to go back so he was pretty snockered. He will rest tonight and than first thing in the morning they will start trialing him off the ventilator
, and than start removing lines through the day. There was scar tissue in his lungs so the surgeon had to actually loosen his lung from against the wall of his chest. He feels it is from all of the drainings and than shunt placement. All the nurses and doctors assured us that he is doing perfect and that with this surgery, these little ones are typically home in 3-6 days. I could not believe that we could have Jacob home next week.

We brought Collin up to see his little brother Monday night. We will not be bringing Collin up again before Jacob comes home, because Collin is not the best PICU/CICU visitor. Hopefully things will go more smoothly once Jacob comes home, but I know it is going to be an adjustment. I will update more tomorrow but hopefully Jacob will sail through everything and we will be back to feeding, holding, and loving on our little guy. So

mnnmnm

Jacob is in Surgery

Just wanted to update that Jacob was taken back to surgery a little after 4 pm. They had a hard time placing an arterial line and central line, so they made the incision at 5:30 and expect the surgery to take around 3 hrs. 

Another Update

I know I have not updated and I know that it this should have pictures. But sadly the internet in the hospital is slow. Once I am home tomorrow I will update pictures since I think our little guy is so cute! Nurses keep walking by telling us how beautiful he is and apparently there are many volunteers to hold him. Jacob is doing awesome even on the prostaglandins that keep his little PDA open. Ryker had to be intubated at this point, but Jacob is proving to be once tough little guy. He has also been able to eat, and sometimes does awesome, sometimes, does okay. He has eaten pretty well this afternoon and made up for the sleepiness during the day. He usually eats around 20-25 cc's, and seems to really be getting his role in eating down. We love feeding him. He came off the bilirubin lights today so now we can freely hold him. He loves to be held. We will know more about when the surgery will be on come Tuesday and hopefully will be talking with the doctors tomorrow about everything. The surgery is pretty cut and dry. Jacob will have to be intubated, but hopefully will only be intubated for 1-2 days. And than hopefully will be able to resume feedings and we will be able to come home soon after. We love our little Jacob. It will be hard coming home tomorrow and not to be able to bring him home. But our separation will be short. I had better get to bed. We have been going over to feed our little guy every three hours and I am pretty exhausted. Thank-you for the prayers. I will probably post pictures tomorrow once we are home!

Quick Update and Pictures

Our little guy, giving a tiny little smile!

After 15 plus hours of waiting, finally getting to see him before he made 

his way to Primary Children's Medical Center (PCMC.)

Mike visiting our sweet boy and giving love from both Mom and Dad!!!

We still are stuck between Oliver or Jacob, but our little boy is doing pretty well. He was on the CPAP for about 4 hours and came off of it just fine. He loves his pacifier and loves to be talked to and touched. We still have not been able to hold him, but he was also sent over this afternoon to PCMC to the CVICU to be watched and evaluated. We are not sure about the surgery but will hopefully know more by tonight. He is beautiful. He has a head full of blond hair and is just so sweet and peaceful. I am still on strict bed rest (no getting up) so the only time I have had a chance to see my sweet baby is before they transferred him. I am going to be able to come off the nasty medications tonight and you bet I will be over seeing my baby. We will let you know any updates!

Our Little Guy Came a Bit Early!!!

I am off to bed, but just wanted to let you know our little guy made his grand arrival into the world last night! He was born at 11:03 pm, at 36 weeks and 4 days. He weighed 7 pounds even and is kind of a little solid chunk. He has blond, blond hair and although he came out screaming with APGARS of 8 and 9, he still needed some C-PAP. Will post more tomorrow! Just so excited to meet our cute boy!

Down to a Week

It is unfathomable to be that next week this time we will be holding our little guy!!! Still no name, so I think we will just have to wait and see him before we decide. I have been on bed rest (something I am not always the best at) and it has been a bit hard to try and stay down. I think my doctor very nearly came close to having me deliver yesterday, something I did not want to happen since it was Lilly's Birthday. So understandably I was pretty adamant about not having another baby that day. My blood pressures were pretty high, and the doctor was worried since I started spilling protein again.  The only reason I even got to go home was agreeing to strict bed rest and pretty much a fluke blood pressure (the ones before were 130-140 over the 100's) when we got one reading of 100/47. I did not say anything and the midwife working triage knew my feelings and knew that  I would be compliant. Tomorrow, the lab that makes the most difference will be finished and will dictate what happens (or doesn't.) I would like to wait till next Tuesday, because these are my last days of feeling our little baby wiggle inside, get hiccups, and just enjoying the little moments I get to have with him. Hopefully the lab will come back fine, and there will be no changes in the plan.

I am scheduled to have another amniocentesis on Monday, but my OB and his partner (who is covering while my OB is out of town) both agree the amnio should not even be done and they should just go straight to the c-section that is scheduled. They feel like with the preelampsia and than my "morning sickness" ( I have lost 4 pounds int he last week) that it is time to just deliver. I am okay with that. I have had enough of big needles and have had my fill of them. Not for me to decide, but if they want to know my opinion, I will happily share it. That is about it. Collin turns 20 months this week, and we will be celebrating Lilly's birthday tomorrow (since Monday was not the best day.) Cannot wait to share pictures of our little miracle!

One Amazing Woman!!!

This blog totally belongs to my wife Emily. She created it, She writes the posts, and she adds the pictures.  I hardly ever post because my wife is so creative.  Today is a very special day and so that is why I chose to post, today is Emily's birthday and I felt she deserved a special post in her honor.  Emily is one to never really take credit form her accomplishments or acts of service.  I know what an amazing person she is and my life has truly been blessed because of her.  Next month will mark our 6th anniversary and we have truly had ups and downs in our marriage.  It takes an extremely strong and accomplished women to have been through what Emily has and still keep a smile and bless others lives.  Emily's greatest accomplishment I feel our her three children, she is more than happy to stop and share our story with anyone who is interested.  She has a great love for Ryker and Lilly and is always honoring them and their accomplishments. 

                                           One of Emily's greatest joys was being able to spend time with
                                           Ryker and hold him and sing to him. He always seemed so calm
                                           soothed by her voice. 

Emily's greatest joy is her son Collin he is a 100 % mommas boy, any time she leaves the house he waits by the window and yells for joy when she pulls back in.  She would give anything for this little boy and loves his hugs and kisses.  Emily also loves all of her nieces and nephews and will drop anything she is doing  to spend time with them, Emily always brags about being the favorite aunt. 

                                           These pictures are from the day we brought Collin home
                                           we could not have been happier.                                                    

My life would not be complete without Emily and she is the love of my life.  She has made so many sacrifices for this family in order for me to continue with my schooling and work.  We have laughed together, cried together and have loved every minute of our marriage.  To know Emily is to truly feel and know of her love for her family and friends.  So  to my amazing wife and friend Happy Birthday and I love you, here is to many more years to come and many happy memories. 

    

                                                                       

The Great/Crumby Update

We had our second to last ultrasound today. Our little guy is doing amazing! He has no fluid around his lungs (with still no shunt to be seen or found.) His heart looks pretty good and he is measuring a week ahead (I am 34+ weeks and he is measuring 35+ weeks!) He is estimated to weigh 5 1/2 pounds, which if I can carry until the scheduled c-section means he will probably be right around his brothers' weights (and yes I said brothers' because Ryker and Collin were both 6 pounds 15 ounces at birth.) He was wiggling all over and sucking his little fist. And probably the best part (besides no fluid) was that he breathing up a storm in there. The perinatologist was actually impressed with how much he was breathing (really it is more practicing breathing since he is swimming in amniotic fluid) but his lungs were moving just like they will be once he is born.

The crumby part of the appointment was being diagnosed with preeclampsia. I have had a high heart rate for at least the last week. I probably have had the higher heart rate for about 2 1/2-3 weeks but did not really pick it up. So Friday, while at work, my heart started racing. I had my blood pressure taken (I work at a local hospital) and it was pretty high, 152/103. I sat down for 20 minutes and took it again, and it was 136/98. It was not high after that, but I talked to another perinatologist and she ordered some labs. My labs came back okay, with my protein levels high. I have had some more high blood pressures, so I talked to the perinatologist and he is really concerned. He wants me to go on moderate rest, to not work, and to rest as much as possible (I laughed at that one.)  He is worried that the preeclampsia could easily turn severe and our little guy would have to come out. So they will probably not perform the amnio, just go for the scheduled c-section on the 26th, and sooner if needed.

The good news is that Friday marks 35 weeks, our little guy is not dealing with the fluid anymore, he is measuring larger for his age, has had the steroids shots, and is practicing breathing. I do not want him here early, but I am thankful for those blessings/miracles. I told Mike that I wished I could be done, but while I say that I am not ready either. I am not trying to be selfish, but I have not felt good (not just the end of pregnancy blah) but a 9-day headache mixed with a high heart rate/blood pressure makes me literally feel like crap. I have been so emotional, just crying and crying. I am ready to be back to my normal self. So please do not think me selfish for wishing to be done. I am just taking things one day and one moment at a time.