Sunday, March 1, 2009

O Glorious Day, She's Home At Last!

Readers, my heart has never been swollen with more joy, nor have I ever been so exhausted in all my life! After nearly five weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit, our daughter Eve has come home! What an unimaginable journey this has been, and will continue to be, I'm sure.


in her carseat for her ride home!

Eve was originally scheduled to come home last weekend, but as Murphy's Law would have it, our pediatrician went out of town that weekend, and Eve decided to start choking on her bottle feedings, causing her heart rate to drop and her oxygen saturation levels to drop. She had been put back on oxygen to see if that would help her desats (dropping oxygen levels), which it did to some degree, but not as much as we hoped it would. After she started her choking spells, I knew she wouldn't be coming home last weekend, which made me very sad and frustrated. However, a neonatologist from Odgen came up to Logan on Thursday, and took a look at her. He has been a neonatologist for over 30 years, and he said that he thought nothing was wrong with Eve, but that she is just a preemie, and she's doing what preemies do: taking a little extra time to work things out. We've decided that her desats were caused by reflux, even though she doesn't spit up much. He thought she might be a week younger or so than originally thought, which would explain why she wasn't growing out of her bradycardia (heart rate suddenly dropping). But he suggested taking back off the oxygen and seeing how she did her feeds.

she loves her new play n' pack bassinett



with dad after her bath--note the darling, tiny ducky outfit--Eve looks pretty good too

For the most part, she feeds excellently. She will still desat sometimes, but we have oxygen here at home so that if she needs it, she can have it. She is also on an oxcimeter (spelling?) which means there's a little probe on her foot connected to a machine that will beep if she falls below a certain oxygen level. But no more stickers, tubes, needles, IVs, or anything else on her face and body! I had never seen her face without something stuck on it or in it until yesterday. And hopefully her reflux will not be a problem as she gets older. I'm am hoping she gets off the machine soon, because it beeps ALL THE TIME.

i love her preemie outfits--polka dots and giraffes are tres chic

Let's cross our fingers that we'll never step foot in the NICU again. Eve is home! I am finally a real mommy! She is home, she is home, she is home!

kangaroo care with mom--also the first day she nursed!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Renee love, I was just awakened by the snow plow and my first thought was to check on 'The Life & Times of Eve'... what delight I feel after reading your happy news!
The oxygen and beeping do seem rough, but from what you write it is clear: Eve has prevailed with her brave determination and her petite preciousness (also, her bright array of bebe fashions).
She looks to be just as in love with you and Richie as you are with her. Well done everyone!!

Robyn said...

Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! So glad she's home.

Parenthood . . . it's such a trip :) These little ones sure do havae an uncanny knack for continually throwing the unexpected our way.

Enjoy the ride. Now that you've spent time on the rapids, calm water is sure to be ahead.

Candice and Tim Peterson said...

Yeah!!! She is so beautiful! Congratulations on the next step in this journey called life. We're very excited that you are all under one roof and you can hopefully enjoy your time at home. Let us know when you are ready for visitors. Can't wait to see her!

Amelia said...

Whew! What a relief it must be to have her home, even with the beeping!

Raschelle said...

Gosh, I am just so happy for you!! It must feel like such a relief to have Eve at home now, despite the beeping. I just cant get over the fact that you're a mommy Renee!! You guys will be amazing parents. Best wishes for you both. :)

Melody said...

I was just in Ink Well this afternoon and thinking of you. I'm so glad that your little angel is finally home. Are you guys still planning a trip out here? We really want to see your little girl (... and you guys too). Love to your little family.