When we arrived at the hospital today, Dr. Boxwalla was in Emerson's room along with the daytime nurse, Nikki. Dr. Boxwalla explained that we did have room to increase Emerson's calories, and since his weight gain has been a little slow, they upped his feedings to 26cc. He also gave results of the brain ultrasound. The brain ultrasound is usually performed for premature babies at 10-12 days. With Emerson's low platelets and being premature, there was a possibility of brain hemorrhaging. He was happy to see that there were no brain bleeds. YAY! He also explained how they measured the brain ventricles. We are very familiar with this because we had a dilated lateral ventricle on our anatomy scan at 18 weeks. And thankfully, the brain ventricles are measuring 2 and 3 cm, which is the normal range :)
Nikki told us that the ultrasound was actually performed by the same person that did our ultrasounds through the entire pregnancy. When she described her, I said that was Meryl! Nikki was saying how Meryl was telling her how she was the one who did the ultrasound when the ventricles were first dilated, and followed us through each new issue that came up. She said she couldn't wait to come and meet Emerson and she got tears in her eyes when she saw him. This put a huge smile on my face. She was so great to us through the whole pregnancy. It warms my heart to know she was the ultrasound tech on Emerson's brain ultrasound today. She was one of the many people on the amazing medical team that helped us through this hard pregnancy!
The next tests coming up are the hearing and eye exam. The hearing test will happen when Emerson is out of the isolette and in a crib. And the eye exam will happen at 4 weeks, so 2 weeks from now. So looking forward to those results soon.
Emerson feedings were incredible today! Even at the increased amount of 26cc, he still was able to nipple his bottle feeds at 2pm, 5pm, 11pm!! Amazing! Back to back bottle feedings - that's my little fighter! Nikki was talking to us today about how IGUR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) babies are so strong. They fight to survive in the womb, so naturally are fighting when they are out. That is Emerson, all the way!
After Emerson's 5pm feeding, we spent some time doing some Kangaroo Care. He snuggled right on up to me and was passed out! An hour and 45 minutes passed by in what felt like 15 minutes! I could seriously do kangaroo care all day. One of those amazing moments you don't want to end. I didn't want to wake Emerson up, but had to pump for his next feeding. He belted out a big cry when Grant put him back in the isolette. Awe, so sweet, but also broke my heart at the same time! Love my little man! Those kangaroos are a smart animal! Kangaroo care is so healing for baby and mama!
Tammy, the night nurse, asked what we thought about leaving the isolette top off. The isolette temp had been at 28 or just under 28 for most of the day, and Emerson's temperature has been pretty consistent in the normal range. She explained that with those two things, he could probably do well turning the isolette into an open crib. Also, with having him outside the isolette for an hour and 45 minutes, and still having a normal temperature at his 8pm vital check was a great sign that he may do well out of the closed isolette. So we gave it a trial run. Officially at 7:15 he was in an open crib. He was dressed in a plain white onesie, with warm pajamas over that, they included little footies. He also had a hat on and was swaddled in a blanket. The only thing they could add to him was a blanket over top of him. I'm curious to see how he does through the night.
Everything is going so well, and happening so fast. Makes me a little nervous that a relapse may happen soon. But I have to let that go because I don't need to manifest anything negative! Positive thoughts all the way!
Notes from MyPreemieApp:
September 20, 2013 – Today Emerson Robert Goulet is 1 week and 6 days old and weighs 3 lbs 7 ozs. The nurses taking care of Emerson Robert Goulet are Anne, Nikki and Tammy.
We made progress. Out of isolette: Isolette top came off at 7:15!!!
Another big event. Feedings: Feedings are now up to 26cc
Medical procedure: Head Ultrascan - everything looked good. Brain Ventricles are measuring 2 and 3 cm.
Melissa is feeling Happy, Peaceful and Proud.
Melissa is looking forward to: Seeing how Emerson did out of the isolette overnight.
Melissa is grateful for: Emerson's brain ultrasound being normal!!!
Nikki told us that the ultrasound was actually performed by the same person that did our ultrasounds through the entire pregnancy. When she described her, I said that was Meryl! Nikki was saying how Meryl was telling her how she was the one who did the ultrasound when the ventricles were first dilated, and followed us through each new issue that came up. She said she couldn't wait to come and meet Emerson and she got tears in her eyes when she saw him. This put a huge smile on my face. She was so great to us through the whole pregnancy. It warms my heart to know she was the ultrasound tech on Emerson's brain ultrasound today. She was one of the many people on the amazing medical team that helped us through this hard pregnancy!
The next tests coming up are the hearing and eye exam. The hearing test will happen when Emerson is out of the isolette and in a crib. And the eye exam will happen at 4 weeks, so 2 weeks from now. So looking forward to those results soon.
Emerson feedings were incredible today! Even at the increased amount of 26cc, he still was able to nipple his bottle feeds at 2pm, 5pm, 11pm!! Amazing! Back to back bottle feedings - that's my little fighter! Nikki was talking to us today about how IGUR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) babies are so strong. They fight to survive in the womb, so naturally are fighting when they are out. That is Emerson, all the way!
After Emerson's 5pm feeding, we spent some time doing some Kangaroo Care. He snuggled right on up to me and was passed out! An hour and 45 minutes passed by in what felt like 15 minutes! I could seriously do kangaroo care all day. One of those amazing moments you don't want to end. I didn't want to wake Emerson up, but had to pump for his next feeding. He belted out a big cry when Grant put him back in the isolette. Awe, so sweet, but also broke my heart at the same time! Love my little man! Those kangaroos are a smart animal! Kangaroo care is so healing for baby and mama!
Tammy, the night nurse, asked what we thought about leaving the isolette top off. The isolette temp had been at 28 or just under 28 for most of the day, and Emerson's temperature has been pretty consistent in the normal range. She explained that with those two things, he could probably do well turning the isolette into an open crib. Also, with having him outside the isolette for an hour and 45 minutes, and still having a normal temperature at his 8pm vital check was a great sign that he may do well out of the closed isolette. So we gave it a trial run. Officially at 7:15 he was in an open crib. He was dressed in a plain white onesie, with warm pajamas over that, they included little footies. He also had a hat on and was swaddled in a blanket. The only thing they could add to him was a blanket over top of him. I'm curious to see how he does through the night.
Everything is going so well, and happening so fast. Makes me a little nervous that a relapse may happen soon. But I have to let that go because I don't need to manifest anything negative! Positive thoughts all the way!
Notes from MyPreemieApp:
September 20, 2013 – Today Emerson Robert Goulet is 1 week and 6 days old and weighs 3 lbs 7 ozs. The nurses taking care of Emerson Robert Goulet are Anne, Nikki and Tammy.
We made progress. Out of isolette: Isolette top came off at 7:15!!!
Another big event. Feedings: Feedings are now up to 26cc
Medical procedure: Head Ultrascan - everything looked good. Brain Ventricles are measuring 2 and 3 cm.
Melissa is feeling Happy, Peaceful and Proud.
Melissa is looking forward to: Seeing how Emerson did out of the isolette overnight.
Melissa is grateful for: Emerson's brain ultrasound being normal!!!
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