First Week at Home

Savannah's first week home was spent at Grandma's house!!! 

Nicole thought it would be best to stay close for the first few days just to be sure everything went okay.  Then, when she was ready to go home on Thursday, she was postponed because Cody ended up sick.  In fact, he ended up in the ER getting fluids pumped into him.  He was so dehydrated that he couldn't get off the couch and his nephew Josh could tell he was very pale.  They aren't sure if he was sick because of exhaustion, heat exhaustion, food poisoning, or some combination of all.  Anyway...Cody and Nicole thought it better safe than sorry and Nicole stayed for another day and a half!

Savannah has done pretty well.  She continues to struggle a little with nursing, but in a different way now.  Since her tongue was clipped she's had a hard time latching on.  Once she is latched on, she feeds faster and does great, but she gets so upset at first.  Nicole also has the challenge of keeping Savannah upright for at least 20-30 minutes after her feedings, to help control the acid reflux.  However, the medicine has done wonders.

Nicole journeyed home Saturday afternoon with Dad, Mom, and Tim in tow!  Dad and Tim only planned to stay one night, but Mom will stick around for a few days to help Nicole adjust once again to a new scene.

Here are a few pictures:

We call this face Diaper Face...she makes it when she is concentrating on her diaper!

The "O" face...she makes this one A LOT!

Love the folded arms. She ALWAYS has her hands touching each other or her face.

 

 

Graycee came to stay with Tiffany for a couple days and got to see Savannah.  She is SO funny.  She tells everyone about her new Baby "Sister"...hahaha...don't think she quite understands the "Cousin" thing yet!

Graycee and Savannah

 

Baby Savannah...

I am transferring all of the Baby Savannah posts to Cody and Nicole's blog within the next couple days.  If you would like to continue to read and see pictures, please check it out on their blog...www.cnlakefamily.blogspot.com!

First doctor visit...

Savannah had her first doctor visit today!  After two days of Savannah fussing just after feeding and a lot of spitting up, it was time.  The doctor confirmed that her signs and symptoms were consistent with acid reflux.  Savannah was given a prescription and hopefully it will help her to feel better very soon!

She weighed in at 6lbs, 4oz...with her clothes on!  The doctor said she looks great!

Aunt Tiff

I had the joy of spending much of yesterday and last night with Mom, Nicole, and Savannah.  It was SO fun!  I was able to play with her...as much as you can play with a 4-week old..., dress her, feed her, and just enjoy her!  I am seeing a lot of FUN and JOY in the future!!!

Savannah is released!

Well, things didn't go as smoothly for the 24 hour check as they should've, but the hospital still allowed Savannah to be released late Monday afternoon (June 20, 2011).  Most of the issues that caused the 24 hour check to go bumpy were due to the hospital staff...waking her between feedings for various things, the excess iron supplement causing irritability and constipation, the suppositories to try to counteract the iron, and so forth.   They are now thinking that there is a possibility that Savannah could also suffer from acid reflux.  The doctors told Nicole to just watch and take her to the doctor for medication if necessary!

Here are some pictures of her big day and first adventure outside the hospital!

Savannah patiently hanging out in the swing while we got everything together and loaded up! 

Cody, Nicole, Tim, and Mom trying to get her dressed and ready to go!

Cody and Savannah

Carolyn and Savannah
Carolyn was the nurse on duty when Savannah was released.  She was Savannah's nurse many times.  Nicole really enjoyed Carolyn.

Getting buckled into the car seat.

Cody, Savannah, and Nicole headed out.

Nicole, Cody, and Savannah just outside the hospital.

Savannah's first time in the car.

Nicole carrying Savannah into the house.

Savannah

Savannah hanging out on the kitchen table at Mom's house!

Savannah did very well on the car ride home!

Savannah was released 2 weeks ahead of her projected schedule...she progressed more quickly than expected from the beginning...well, after the first 20 minutes of her life!  Her current weight is 5lbs, 15oz.

We are SO grateful to have Savannah home!!!   

Awesome news...

Kevin and I returned from our cruise to some awesome news...IF all goes well throughout the night, Savannah will be released from the hospital on Monday afternoon!!!

While Kevin and I were gone...

Savannah had a very eventful week!

She continued to do well with her feedings. She quickly went from 3 to 4 oral feedings per day. Oh man, talk about a belcher...she will give any adult man a run for his money on that one!!!  She also HATED her feeding tube.  The nurses planned to take it out this morning...if all went well Saturday night.  However, Savannah had other thoughts and plans...she pulled it out Saturday night...so they just left it out.  She probably successfully pulled it out at least 15 times during her 4 week stay, but...attempted far more!

A blood test found that Savannah was anemic, so doctors raised the amount of iron she was receiving.  Well, this proved bad when her body recovered and produced the proper amount of iron, but the supplements were not discontinued.  She has been suffering for the past few days with irritation, constipation, and stomach cramps.  It is SO sad.  She curls her little legs up and just cries.  Nicole and Mom have found that if they curl her legs up, place a warm pad on her belly, and wrap her tight it seems to relieve just a little of the pain.

Savannah was tongue-tied.  Nicole finally asked the doctor about it today.  They said that it probably helped her learn to nurse because it held her tongue down, where most premies keep it on the roof of their mouths.  However, now that she is nursing, it could cause problems with time and amount of the feedings because tongue-tied babies struggle to suck.  The doctor said he would take care of it (which is new in the past 5-6 years. The doctors didn't used to do it.  Nicole was tongue-tied when she was born and had to wait a few years to have an ortho doctor cut it.)   Nicole said that Savannah didn't seem too bothered by the procedure...besides the fact that the doctor had his hand in her mouth.

The doctor also told Nicole that the bump on Savannah's head has calcified.  Basically that means that it will not go away, but he said that she will grow into it.  The bump will not grow as she grows, so it is no big deal.  Plus, it is far smaller than it was!

They said that Thursday was the ultimate turning point for Savannah as she suddenly began telling them when she wanted what...feeding, attention, etc.  She definitely knows what she wants and she wants it...NOW...or five minutes ago!!!

Hopefully things will go well tonight and Nicole will be bringing her home tomorrow!!!

Good and Worrisome...

Savannah has had her ups and downs this past week.

The Worrisome...

 Tuesday as Nicole was feeding Savannah she suddenly stopped breathing for a few seconds and her heart rate dropped to 120bmp (her normal is 160).  They picked her upright, patted her back, bottom, and feet.  She began breathing again after a few seconds, which doesn't seem like too long, but it is terrifying!  The nurses said that they would watch her very carefully and put oxygen on her if necessary.  She was able to recover herself with a little time and nothing more had to be done.  We found out that this is fairly common for premature babies...that is why they are in the NICU.

Doctors also found on Saturday night that Savannah had a heart murmur.  An echogram was scheduled for Sunday to determine the next steps.  The echogram showed that the murmur was caused by the opening flap in the heart that EVERYONE has until birth.  At birth, the flap typically shuts permanently.  However, sometimes with premies it takes longer to close AND there are actually about 10% of people that live their entire lives without the flap permanently closing.

So, although there was a little more worrisome news...it all worked out in the end!!!

The Good...

A new ultrasound was conducted at the beginning of the week to check on the bleeding on Savannah's brain.  The ultrasound came back normal....Yahhhh!!! 

Savannah is up to just over 5lbs.  She is up to 48mL per feeding, as well.  As of Thursday, the nurses upped Savannah to 3 oral feedings per day.  Typically this consists of 2 times of nursing and 1 time of a bottle.  Savannah will be required 2 bottle feedings per day for a while in order to add a tsp of calorie rich formula to her milk so she can continue to gain weight and grow!

The massive knot on Savannah's head is beginning to get a little smaller by collecting together a little more and sticking out...a good sign!

So, overall...Savannah continues to make great progress and we look forward to bringing her home!!!

Pictures of Savannah

Just a few pictures of Savannah taken between June 3, 2011 and June 8, 2011!

So cute in that red outfit...and check out the stretched out leg...must be the one she always kicked Nicole with!!!

First picture of Mom holding Savannah!

Savannah's milk warming cup for her feeding tube.  The nurses always drew cute little pictures on them.

All wide-eyed!

Thank You Cards

Last week I took a Photoshop class through the school district.  I thought it would be fun to learn, it was cheap, AND I got continuing education credit for it...can't go wrong there!  Anyway...I had to do some kind of project at the end of the three days to prove I'd learned something.  It didn't take long for me to decide to make a Thank You card that Cody and Nicole could send out in place of hand written cards since Savannah arrived so soon after the baby shower and things are so busy for them.  I tried to use MOST of the different elements I'd learned over the workshop.  I chose Nicole's favorite picture to date.  The two biggest accomplishments had to be making the picture black and white with Savannah in color and taking the feeding tube out of her nose.  I was really pleased with how it turned out...for a first attempt at Photoshop!  The whole experience was FAR more worth it when I saw Cody and Nicole's reaction.  They loved it!  I hope it helped make their lives just a little easier in this crazy time.
Take a peek:

One to Remember

Savannah continues to make progress.  She is still working on the nursing, but getting much more consistent and showing signs of understanding the process!  She is also up to about 4lbs. 11oz.

Savannah is also making a name for herself in the NICU!  You mention her name and everyone knows who she is.  The past couple days, she has woken up at 4:30am and (more or less) demanded to be carried around and given attention!  She certainly is feisty and lets you know what she wants.  Laura Allen says that at least she was born to the right family...since we are all determined and maybe a little vocal!!!

A funny little story for remembrance:

Nicole has been going in to nurse at 10:30am and 7:30pm.  When she goes in she takes Savannah's temperature, changes her diaper, gets her ready to nurse, nurses, and pumps.  Well, Nicole said this morning when she went to change Savannah's diaper she was in the process of pooping,  so Nicole waited.  After a couple minutes, she changed her...just to have Savannah poop right in her hand.  Hahahaha!!!

Just a couple pictures from the past couple days:

The next picture is just to prove to Savannah how large the bump on her head is...

the picture doesn't give it justice, but the poor little sweetie...

The bump is no longer the colors of a bruise and the doctors continue to watch it, but are not worried about it...so...hopefully it will just go away soon!

Moved Again...

Savannah was moved again last night (Tuesday).  This time to the NICU Overflown on the fourth floor!

She continues to do well.  The poor little one still has a HUGE goose egg on her head though.  She is still working on the nursing thing too.  She just gets so tired that she can't stay awake.

When Nicole and I got to the hospital last night, the nurse had already changed her and bundled her back up so she was not happy when we tried to wake her up to nurse...

She didn't fuss for long...or nurse (only about 2 mL)!  She quickly fell back asleep.  

While Nicole pumped and Savannah was tube fed, I had my very first opportunity to hold the little sweetheart!

 She is SO tiny and SO sweet.  

Savannah can sure make the faces...and LOTS of them.  She grunts and squeaks while she's eating!  It looks like she has Nicole's lips.  She also LOVES to stick her tongue out...just like Nicole!!!