Baby Lauren's weight is now up to 4 lbs, 15 oz, and is still drinking up to 70 cc's at a time. They did a hearing test on her today and she failed it. The nurse said that it was not too uncommon for a preemie to fail the first or second hearing test. It is apparent to us that she can hear us, since she turns to look at us when we speak to her, and if she is crying and we talk to her, she will stop and look at us. They said that we should worry if she fails three or four of them. They did one last ultrasound of her brain to make sure she has not developed any bleeding. The scan did not show any bleeding, but the radiologist said he thought he saw what looks like some sort of cyst. The neonatologist had them do a CT ("CAT") scan of Lauren's brain to make sure it is nothing serious. The results have not come back yet. We brought in the car seat that she will use to go home in so they can do a car seat test with her tomorrow. They put her in it and watch her for an hour to see if she keeps up her breathing, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. The plan is for Lauren to be discharged home Sunday afternoon or evening.
01/26/02 11:30PM:
Baby Lauren is now taking up to 90 cc's each feeding with very little coming back up. She now weighs 5 lbs, 1.2 oz!!! They had her in the car seat when we left and she was doing just fine. Baby Lauren's butt is very irritated from the contact with her stool. They are using a cream called "butt paste" which protects and relieves pain. The neonatologist did not mention the results of the CT scan, so it appears that there was nothing there to worry about. They told us today that Lauren will be coming home on a special formula that contains 22 calories per ounce. "Normal" baby formula contains 20 calories per ounce. We are so very excited to hopefully be bringing our baby home. We are also a little nervous.
01/27/02 9:40PM:
Mommy and Daddy went to the NICU at 7:30PM expecting to be able to pick Baby Lauren up and bring her home. Big Brother Preston and Grandma Nidia also went along. We were all very excited. When we walked into the NICU Daddy noticed everyone got really quiet. When we got to Baby Lauren's bedside the nurse had some news for us. She told us that they normally don't discharge babies during the night shift and that she was very sorry but that the paperwork wasn't fully together. She then told us that all else was ready and we would be taking her home by 8PM!!! Her last official weight was 5 lbs, 2 oz. We signed all the paperwork, bundled her up, and took her downstairs. Daddy carries her downstairs and then handed her off to Mommy. The NICU nurse went along with us to make sure everything was OK. Daddy got the car and put the car seat in it, then Mommy put Lauren in the car seat and strapped her in. Lauren cried at first, but then Preston started singing nursery rhymes to her and she fell asleep. When we got home, we took her straight to her room and it was time for her first home diaper change. Mommy did a perfect job of it and just as she picked Lauren up she stopped, looked around, and said: "I think she just pooped again." Sure enough, Miss Lauren had, in fact, pooped again. After the change, Mommy held her and rocked her for a while, then put her in her crib expecting that she would drop off to sleep. Nearly an hour later, she is still up, looking around but not crying. Lauren would like to thank all those of you who have kept up with her progress during her stay in the NICU, and invites you all to continue to visit her here at her "Home on the Web." Daddy will continue to chronicle her progress, although probably not daily. Lauren has her first appointment with her pediatrician on Tuesday, so look for an update then.
01/29/02 11:50PM:
Baby Lauren is doing fine at home. She is pooping and eating and doing everything else well. She had her first doctor's visit today and she weighed 5 lbs, 5 oz. She got four shots today so she was a litttle sore but did not complain much. Her butt is much less irritated. She sleeps well and enjoys looking at all the colorful stuff in her room. We are sooo happy to finally have our girl home. Daddy promises to have lots of pictures up on the web within a day or so. Lauren looks beautiful!!!