Two more sleeps until we head home to Iowa to see family and friends. This is going to be a fast trip packed full with places to go, people to see, and calories to consume at our favorite restaurants. To make it easier for people to meet Willa, my Mom is having an "open house" on Saturday afternoon. Nothing formal about this. We are just going to hanging out at the house with people coming and going as they can. The start time is 1pm and I really hope I can get Willa to take a long morning nap so she can show off her rather loud personality.Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Open House
Two more sleeps until we head home to Iowa to see family and friends. This is going to be a fast trip packed full with places to go, people to see, and calories to consume at our favorite restaurants. To make it easier for people to meet Willa, my Mom is having an "open house" on Saturday afternoon. Nothing formal about this. We are just going to hanging out at the house with people coming and going as they can. The start time is 1pm and I really hope I can get Willa to take a long morning nap so she can show off her rather loud personality.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Magic Number
The magic number, as determined by the nutritionist, is 26 calorie fortified breast milk. This should have Willa gaining half an ounce to an ounce of weight per day. I'm not so sure Willa likes that magic number.
Not surprising, but it took a little bit to get Willa to take full feeds after her surgery. Without having charted the feeds, we estimated she was drinking around 3 1/2 - 4 ounces per feeding. A typical day was five feedings with a small topper bottle before bed (she sleeps through the night). This means she was roughly taking 19 - 21 ounces of 24 calorie fortified breast milk.
Friday was the first day of our new feeding plan. Daycare Sharon knew what we needed to do and was ready to pump Willa full of calories. I guess we forgot to relay the plan to Willa.
Friday - 20 1/2 total ounces
Saturday - 14 1/2 total ounces
Sunday - 18 total ounces
Saturday had me worried. We had four consecutive feedings of 1 1/2 ounces or less. I freaked out and called our medical friends for advice. At their urging, I called the advice line of our pediatrician. Essentially, Willa was not showing the signs of dehydration because she was still producing wet diapers. The advice nurse said we could bring her in but wasn't sure there was anything they could do. Also, there could be two reasons for the drastic drop in feedings -
1. Increased amount of formula meant a change in taste and texture
2. The four month shots
We started having success when we dropped the amount of formula added to breast milk. We want to slowly increase the amount of formula as we get closer to her full feeds of 4 ounces. We are encouraged by how the feedings went on Sunday.
On Saturday evening I was reluctant to join friends for a bachelorette party at a local karaoke establishment. I convinced myself to go because I could make a quick run to Babies-R-Us before joining the ladies. I was shocked when I saw our nurse from the pediatrician's office out shopping with a friend. I explained to her our situation and she gave me reassurance that it was probably a combination of the shots and increased formula which put Willa in her feeding funk. It was the reassurance I needed. After that I was able to go and have a fun evening with friends.
I realize running into the nurse doesn't seem like a big deal to most. For me, it was an example of God's love and care. Right now I want to selfishly ask for you to include Willa's feedings in your prayers.
Not surprising, but it took a little bit to get Willa to take full feeds after her surgery. Without having charted the feeds, we estimated she was drinking around 3 1/2 - 4 ounces per feeding. A typical day was five feedings with a small topper bottle before bed (she sleeps through the night). This means she was roughly taking 19 - 21 ounces of 24 calorie fortified breast milk.
Friday was the first day of our new feeding plan. Daycare Sharon knew what we needed to do and was ready to pump Willa full of calories. I guess we forgot to relay the plan to Willa.
Friday - 20 1/2 total ounces
Saturday - 14 1/2 total ounces
Sunday - 18 total ounces
Saturday had me worried. We had four consecutive feedings of 1 1/2 ounces or less. I freaked out and called our medical friends for advice. At their urging, I called the advice line of our pediatrician. Essentially, Willa was not showing the signs of dehydration because she was still producing wet diapers. The advice nurse said we could bring her in but wasn't sure there was anything they could do. Also, there could be two reasons for the drastic drop in feedings -
1. Increased amount of formula meant a change in taste and texture
2. The four month shots
We started having success when we dropped the amount of formula added to breast milk. We want to slowly increase the amount of formula as we get closer to her full feeds of 4 ounces. We are encouraged by how the feedings went on Sunday.
On Saturday evening I was reluctant to join friends for a bachelorette party at a local karaoke establishment. I convinced myself to go because I could make a quick run to Babies-R-Us before joining the ladies. I was shocked when I saw our nurse from the pediatrician's office out shopping with a friend. I explained to her our situation and she gave me reassurance that it was probably a combination of the shots and increased formula which put Willa in her feeding funk. It was the reassurance I needed. After that I was able to go and have a fun evening with friends.
I realize running into the nurse doesn't seem like a big deal to most. For me, it was an example of God's love and care. Right now I want to selfishly ask for you to include Willa's feedings in your prayers.
Post-Op Visit
 |
| Waiting for the doctors |
With that being said, we did have to meet with the nutritionist a second time. Willa is still not gaining weight. I'm starting to feel like a broken record. Willa is weighing 9 pounds 3 ounces at almost five months of age. We've had no weight gain since the surgery three weeks ago. Currently, we are fortifying my breast milk with formula to make it 24 calories per ounce (breast milk is 20 calories per ounce). The nutritionist has increased the amount of formula per ounce to where we are now giving her 26 calories per ounce. We also have a goal of giving her 22-23 ounces per day. WHEW! The short version is this kid needs to eat more!
I did snap some pictures of some very special people who have been with us throughout our journey at UNC. Maya is our case worker who has helped coordinate our appointments, attended our appointments, tracked down doctors and answers, and has been a good friend. Incidentally, Maya's due date for her first baby is today! Maya asked Willa to talk to her little one about making his/her exit sooner than later. Second up is Dr Adamson sporting a beard. Dr A has always been very giving of his time during out appointments. He makes sure all of our questions are answered. He doesn't try to rush us... this might also be why he is never on time for appointments.
I would say the four month appointment at the pediatrician was uneventful. I'm not sure Willa would agree since she got three shots. And yes, I did turn away when Willa got her shots. Daren was to scoop her up for consoling.
We have a small break from more doctor's appointments. We go back to the pediatrician in two months for her six month appointment. We won't see Dr A until September.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Jerry Lee Green
Borrowed from my older sister's Facebook page -
It was 10 years ago today that we lost our dad to prostate cancer. 10 years seems like an eternity ago, and yet I can remember some of the tiniest details of his last few days, making it seem like it's only been a few years. So much has happened, and I guess what I wish for the most is that his grandkids would have been able to meet him. He passed away before any were born, but he lives on through all five. Stella has his quiet, caring personality, Avery and Regan were blessed with his curly hair. Gabe has his dare devilishness, and Willa has his strength - even at the young age of four months. Cancer sucks, and has taken away a great man. Dad found out he had prostate cancer in August, and we lost him seven months later. A simple blood test done at his yearly physical may have warned us the about the cancer, but they were never done.
I implore all my friends out there to
1. give your dads a hug! and 2. encourage them to get their prostate checked yearly after the age 50 and get a PSA test. It could save their life.
God bless you Daddy! We love and miss ya, but we know we have a guardian angel watching over us!
It was 10 years ago today that we lost our dad to prostate cancer. 10 years seems like an eternity ago, and yet I can remember some of the tiniest details of his last few days, making it seem like it's only been a few years. So much has happened, and I guess what I wish for the most is that his grandkids would have been able to meet him. He passed away before any were born, but he lives on through all five. Stella has his quiet, caring personality, Avery and Regan were blessed with his curly hair. Gabe has his dare devilishness, and Willa has his strength - even at the young age of four months. Cancer sucks, and has taken away a great man. Dad found out he had prostate cancer in August, and we lost him seven months later. A simple blood test done at his yearly physical may have warned us the about the cancer, but they were never done.
I implore all my friends out there to
1. give your dads a hug! and 2. encourage them to get their prostate checked yearly after the age 50 and get a PSA test. It could save their life.
God bless you Daddy! We love and miss ya, but we know we have a guardian angel watching over us!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
A Year Later...
That is the last picture taken of me before I found out I was pregnant. It is sad that my little bean isn't visible since I'm toward the back of the group. I believe 2012 was my 9th time playing at the Hi Neighbor Tournament in Asheville, North Carolina. Nine tries and only one tournament championship. Is it presumptuous for me to say that my pregnancy made the difference?It is one year ago today that we found out I was pregnant. It took eight months of trying, five pregnancy tests (which were all positive), a bit o' blood work and around 1:30 pm on 3/20/12 my doctor let me know I was pregnant. The next morning, Daren and I headed to UNC for my first ultrasound. It turns out I was just over six weeks.
Little did we know the journey we were about to embark upon.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Tall and Skinny
Throw in some sugar free vanilla and you have my latte order. Unfortunately, I'm not asking for a latte even though I could use one. Tall and skinny refers to Willa. At 4 months, 2 weeks, & 6 days my little girl is just over 9 pounds and 23 inches long. Disclaimer - I only know how old she is because of TheBump.com.
My friend Layna showed me the promised land of shopping - consignment sales. I've been to three of them and Willa's closet has grown exponentially. We are all set for cute dresses for this summer. Unfortunately, I'm struggling to find bottoms that will stay on due to her lack of "junk in the trunk." I was hoping that tights with jean dresses (from consignment sales) would be my easy fix but they aren't working either. Willa falls within the weight and length suggestions for these tights from Target. I don't think Target is going to be calling me up anytime soon for Willa to model their product.
I guess it is my mission in life to find bottoms that Willa can wear. This just means I have reasons to go shopping.
My friend Layna showed me the promised land of shopping - consignment sales. I've been to three of them and Willa's closet has grown exponentially. We are all set for cute dresses for this summer. Unfortunately, I'm struggling to find bottoms that will stay on due to her lack of "junk in the trunk." I was hoping that tights with jean dresses (from consignment sales) would be my easy fix but they aren't working either. Willa falls within the weight and length suggestions for these tights from Target. I don't think Target is going to be calling me up anytime soon for Willa to model their product.I guess it is my mission in life to find bottoms that Willa can wear. This just means I have reasons to go shopping.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Thankful
Tomorrow I return to work after being away for a week and a half. I am so thankful for how understanding everyone has been with our situation. I also have an amazing job which allows other to donate their sick time when coworkers don't have enough time banked. I was that needy person who received donated time. I was paid for my entire 10 weeks of maternity leave and seven days for Willa's surgery. Donating leave time is supposed to be anonymous but I know some of the folks who donated and I will be forever grateful. I cherished the time I was able to spend with Willa. I doubt the anonymous folks read this blog but I wish they could know how much I appreciated their generosity.
Willa and I did a whole lot of just hanging out this past week. I'm very happy to report that she is consistently taking three ounces per feeding. Also, those little hands are always searching for something to grab. She is starting to hold our fingers as we feed her. I'm all about her starting to contribute to this relationship and start holding the bottle herself.
Willa has also dropped her pacifier habit. She is a definite thumb sucker - or fingers, or palm, or arm. Willa was even chomping on the tape securing her IV while in the hospital after the closure surgery. They say sucking the thumb leads to needing braces. I figure this kid is doomed to have bad teeth since Daren and I both had braces so keep soothing yourself.
I was a bit hesitant to jump right back into tummy time so soon after surgery. Instead, we work on head control while Willa sits in our lap. I also thought maybe I could use the boppy to strengthen her neck muscles. Well, it didn't work out quite as I had planned. That little tushy slides down. You can see the end result. She went from sitting up like a big girl to reclining like a lady of leisure.
One final result from my time home with Willa was that Daren and I kicked her out of our bedroom. She was starting to outgrow the bassinet with her squirming. Night #1 was a success. Willa went to sleep around 9pm and slept until 630am. Hoping tonight goes just as well since we are both back to work in the morning.
Willa and I did a whole lot of just hanging out this past week. I'm very happy to report that she is consistently taking three ounces per feeding. Also, those little hands are always searching for something to grab. She is starting to hold our fingers as we feed her. I'm all about her starting to contribute to this relationship and start holding the bottle herself.
Willa has also dropped her pacifier habit. She is a definite thumb sucker - or fingers, or palm, or arm. Willa was even chomping on the tape securing her IV while in the hospital after the closure surgery. They say sucking the thumb leads to needing braces. I figure this kid is doomed to have bad teeth since Daren and I both had braces so keep soothing yourself.
One final result from my time home with Willa was that Daren and I kicked her out of our bedroom. She was starting to outgrow the bassinet with her squirming. Night #1 was a success. Willa went to sleep around 9pm and slept until 630am. Hoping tonight goes just as well since we are both back to work in the morning.
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