Today was a bit stressful.
Sydney had her first doctor's appointment this morning. After taking her measurements, we discovered that she has broken 7 lbs! Just when we thought she was really big, they gave us a printout of how she compares to other 7 week old baby girls. She is in the .68%tile for her weight. I thought for a second that it was the 68th percentile...nope, she is less than 1%. For her head circumference and height she is the .06 %tile. She is now 19.25 inches long and her head is 13.6 inches around. They took her hematocrit again and she has dropped to 30. She was 35.6 about 1 week ago.
After her appointment, we stopped at the hospital to see Ethan. I ran in and said hello while Doug sat with Sydney in the car. On the way home I rolled down the window to grab a breath of fresh air. It was really hot in the back seat with Sydney. Conveniently, the window did not roll back up. We need to get that repaired because the babies car seats don't fit in Doug's car. (in our spare time)
Doug dropped us off at home and went back to see Ethan. While he was gone, Sydney thought it would be great to keep me on my toes and skip some breaths and gasp for air while I was holding her. After a few minutes of listening and rubbing her back to get her to breathe, I laid her in my lap and her breathing normalized. Didn't need that Sydney.
I went to see Ethan tonight and discovered that he and Sydney both have increased their feedings at the same time, although separate. They are both taking about 4 ounces each feeding. A few days ago it was 2.5 ounces. Wow. Amazing how they are in sync when they are miles apart. Ethan melted into my arms while I held him after feeding him. I can tell he misses us and Sydney. My heart aches for him feeling to alone there. We are visiting him as much as possible and yet it doesn't feel like enough. I've thought on more than one occasion that I'll keep this blog as a record to show him that we visited him as much as we could!
When I saw him this evening, he looked bigger to me. He has moved back downstairs into the Special Care nursery. He is still on target to be home with us Saturday. He had another brady tonight when I was feeding him, but he recovered marvelously on his own. We don't have to weigh him before and after feedings anymore because he doesn't have any issues with getting enough to eat. He's one to give himself a belly ache from eating too much!
Here is a quick video of him tonight. We take videos because they don't require a flash. They are pretty startled by camera flashes.
4 comments:
Tough challenges mean even greater rewards! Don't be too hard on yourselves about not visiting Ethan more often, and remember what the nurses told you about how often most parents come to the hospital- you guys way surpass the norm! The Lord will make up the difference when you can't be with him. Today is a new day, so watch for little miracles. What a blessing it is to have little Miss Sydney home and doing so well. You guys are such amazing parents, and I doubt there are any other parents out there who love their children more than you love yours. Love you all so much!
Just think if they had been full term they would have been 14lbs worth of baby! They are right on schedule with their due date size. So very sweet.
Aw, the first of many days to come just like this one! )I know- I'm encouraging, right? Haha...sorry.) I am thirlled for you that Sydney is home and sad for little Ethan, too. But just like Joy said, don't be hard on yourself. You are doing the best you can (and better than most parents).
love you heather! it's so great that as of now, ethan will be home with the two of you in just a few days! keep hanging in there! you're doing so great through it all! love ya! kate
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