Just some cute photos....

Get that tube outta there (temporarily).

So, Rowyn's still continuing to improve daily. She's up to 4lb 5.4oz and she's taking a fair amount of her bottle. I was able to get her to take a whole bottle (50cc) tonight, although she didn't take down that much earlier today so I think she must've been pretty hungry. Ro still has a little bit of the bum rash that she's had for a while now, but it's looking a little better each day.

Yesterday Rowyn got a little fed up and yanked out her feeding tube from her nose. The good thing about that is that we got to see her without ANYTHING on her face. No tubes, tape, etc... She's so darn precious!

-Chris

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone out there reading this has a great Christmas today! We're spending ours here in the hospital, but things are going good! Rowyn is up to 4lb 2.4oz as of last night, so she's growing as she should. In the mornings she can put down a whole bottle of milk (48cc), but she tapers off during the day. She just took 18 at noon. Otherwise, things are progressing like they should with her. Still no word on a departure date, but we probably won't know until a day or so before its time.

Of course we wish we could've had our little gift with us at home this Christmas, but as long as she's healthy and happy, we'll celebrate wherever we need to. She's in great hands in the NCCU, so we know that she's as healthy as she can be right now. I have to give many thanks to all the doctors and nurses that are giving up their family time this holiday to be with our families. It really means a lot to us.

Merry Christmas to All!
Chris and Katie

Sleeping like a baby!

>4

This is just a quick update. Rowyn tipped the scales at 4lb 0.6oz! She's still hit or miss with the bottle feeding, but she's definitely holding her food in. She has had a bit of a booty rash for a few days, but they're finally getting it under control. Hopefully that will be completely knocked out before long. Oh, and her umbilical cord stub finally fell off today. They saved it for us, but that's just gross! So we just kept the clamp (less gross) instead.

-Chris

Back up there.

Rowyn made it back up to her birth weight yesterday (3lb 14.6oz). Yay! She still seems to be doing better everyday. We just saw her and fed her a decent amount from her bottle (20cc). She's starting to get the hang of it, but she gets pretty tired quickly. Unfortunately it's looking like Rowyn is going to be a morning person. That doesn't bode well with me (daddy). Looks like momma will get the sunrise shift!

We took a little preemie class yesterday morning and learned a ton from it. It's amazing what you have to be aware of. A lot of the little noises and signs the we think are cute can actually be signals of stress and may wear out our girl. So, we're going to have to be very aware of her signals and more attentive to her needs. At least we now know what to look for, but it's going to be tough.

We also found our pediatrician yesterday. Thanks to Nathan and Michael for the recommendations....we REALLY like the practice and our doctor. We know she'll be in great hands after she leaves the hospital.

-Chris

Getting beefy!

So Rowyn is coming along nicely. She still isn't quite sure about the bottle feeding thing yet, but she sure can take down that milk via feeding tube! She's up to 3lb 14.0 oz. Almost back up to her birth weight of 3lb 14.6oz. Katie is trying to get a lot more kangaroo care in. She wants to try it daily (they're doing it as I type this). Apparently this method helps babies mature quicker. Plus it's rewarding for both mother and daughter to get a little "touch" time in.

We're still not sure about when she's coming home. I think it'll be another week or two. Hopefully sooner, but we don't want to rush her.

-Chris

A little Kangaroo Care and Nursery is almost there.

Today Rowyn is 34 weeks.  She took a little more milk from the bottle and was introduced to breastfeeding.  She seemed really interested, but will just need more practice over the next several weeks before getting it down completely.  After she ate this afternoon, Rowyn and I had 'kangaroo care', which is when she lays on my chest, skin to skin.  It's great bonding and will help her thrive in the weeks to come.  I could feel her heartbeat and her little legs moving up and down...it was great!

While Rowyn has been busy growing and getting stronger, Chris and I have been keeping busy at the house - putting away all of her clothes, bottles and diapers and putting the final touches on the nursery.  It's not fully complete, but it's almost there!  We can't wait until she's home!

- Katie

Eat, Sleep, Poop, Repeat...

Tonight Rowyn was awake when we came to visit her.  She's usually sleeping when we see her, but she was awake and looking around her little room.  She weighs 3 lbs, 11 oz, up one oz. from yesterday.  The nurses say an oz. a day is good for her size.  Rowyn's also tolerating slightly more of her bottle feedings, although she's still getting most of her milk through her feeding tube.  She still  has a ways to go before she's drinking solely from the bottle.  Tonight, we both held and her tried to feed her from her little bottle.   She's getting the sucking motion down, but looks a little unsure about the swallowing part.  She was able to swallow a few sips - maybe she'll soon realize milk is a good thing!  After her feeding, she fell back asleep, and we just watched her peacefully nap.  She's doing well for 10 days in this world :)  At this point, she'll need to continue to eat more to up her weight.  The nurse commented how easy going she is...doesn't fuss or cry too much.. Hmmm, I'm sure that's temporary.  The first night we bring her home will be the true test.  It's still so hard to be separated from her, but the time we spend with her each day makes it all worthwhile...

- Katie

Another big day!

Rowyn graduated to a crib (out of that ole incubator)! The nurses also got rid of some of the sensors, so she can now wear real clothes. She looks so precious in her itty-bitty onesie. Also, now that she has less wires attached, we can move her around and hold her more. We're still trying to get her accustomed to bottle feedings, but she just can't quite figure that thing out yet. It's a bit early, but she'll get it soon enough. They're also letting us change her diaper now. Ro had a really nice welcoming "present" for my (Chris) first diaper change. Thanks girl!

Rowyn also had her feeding tube moved from her mouth to her nose. It looks weird and probably feels weird, but this got rid of the tape and stuff that was keeping us from seeing her pretty face. Finally, we can see what she really looks like for the first time. She's absolutely beautiful!

-Chris

NCCU today!

Baby Rowyn is doing well today. The billy blanket has been removed since her bilirubin levels are down to normal range.  Also, she's tolerating more milk during her feedings and was introduced to the bottle today!  Katie was holding her and holding the bottle to her mouth.  Rowyn opened both of her eyes and kept looking around and followed our voices.  She looked confused but excited about the bottle...just trying to figure it all out!  She's not quite ready to take a bottle since her suck-swallow-breathe reflex usually develops at 34 - 35 weeks and she's now 33; we just wanted to introduce the concept to her.  However, we'll continue to attempt bottle feedings over the next week or so and see how she does.  Another positive step is that she's moved out of the NICU and into the NCCU, or Neonatal Continuing Care Unit.  This is where preemies go when they're ready for the next step of care.  She has a bigger 'room' with more privacy and less noise.  Rowyn loves to sleep her days away, so this will help her continue to have good, long naps!  She also had a nice big poop today, so we know she's digesting her feedings.  In the next day or so, the nurses will dress her in outfits, so she'll be able to show off more that just her diaper.  We'll bring some outfits for her and take pictures - stay tuned.

We are blessed today for many reasons.  Rowyn is getting stronger daily.  She has wonderful NICU nurses and doctors who take wonderful care of her.  They are our heroes.  We are thankful for advances in medicine to help her grow as if she were still inside the womb.  We are thankful for all the thoughts and prayers from friends and family over the last week - they've helped!  And finally, we are grateful for all the precious gifts we've received at showers and beyond!  We have plenty of little outfits that Rowyn can wear in the months to come.

However, we can't post today's blog without mention of the terrible massacre that happened in Connecticut today. As a non-parent, this news would have broken our hearts and left us wondering how anyone could commit such a horrific crime. Now that we're new parents, I cannot fathom what those parents are going through tonight and the days to come.  Today we have proof that it's a scary world out there, and you never know what tomorrow will bring.  We are thankful for our new baby girl and are praying for all the families who lost loved ones today.  May God give you the strength to get through this tough, tough time.

Katie & Chris