A Week Already?

Lily is a week old today! Each day she is growing stronger. Today she was moved to a "big girl" bassinet - no more isolette (Kyle calls it an incubator) for her! She is off of the IV and is doing most of her feedings through bottle AND we are even trying a little breastfeeding. I have brought in my Boppy pillow and her and I are practicing twice a day! What she doesn't take through the bottle she is tube fed - that is what you see up her nose in these new pics. Lily has always been able to breathe on her own, but sometimes her breathing slows way down and so does her little heart. The doctors started her on caffeine this week so that she is stimulated enough to maintain her breathing and heart rate even in a deep sleep. So far, it is working very well.

Early Arrival!

Lillian Isabelle Meade was born on March 22, 2010 at 4:32 pm, surprising us ALL by being 7 weeks early. What a shocker! She weighed in at 4 lbs and 13 oz and was 17 inches long. Since she is 7 weeks premature she has to be in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) until she can handle living outside the womb. The doctors there have prepared Kyle and I that this may be upwards of 4 weeks. While it is very difficult to not have Lily home with us, it does make us feel good that she is being monitored so closely and that she is well taken care of.

She has been able to breathe on her own since the very beginning (who didn't think she would be gifted?). While she is there she will continue to work on coordinating breathing, sucking, and swallowing and maintaining her body tempature, heart rate and breathing. She is doing great for a 33 week and 5 dayer - we have to be patient with her since she shouldn't have to be doing all this stuff for herself just yet.

Yesterday and today she has been "under the lights" for her billyrubin levels. It is a light therapy that helps her breakdown the billyrubin in her body - a very common thing for both preemies and newborns. Here she is getting her suntan!

Stubborn Child or Late Sleeper?

Lily, Kyle, and I had an ultrasound appointment this morning at 9:15. Kyle and I were awake and excited, but Lily wanted to snooze through the whole thing. Which made it tough for the tech to get great shots of her - but our tech was awesome and kept trying and let me move around to try to jostle her. She was either very sleepy (Kyle - not a morning person) or very stubborn (moi? perhaps). Regardless, the ultrasound tech got all of her measurements. She measured her head, femur, and abdomen and all are measuring right on for my due date. So no big baby worries!! And it's still a girl (I had her check since Jessica tried to scare me with one of her dreams).

Here are some of the awesome 3D pics. Who does she most look like? Kyle thinks the one with her "posing" for her pic with her hand under her chin has to be more a resemblance to me.

Carb counting

Do you know how many carbs are in a 12 oz. shamrock shake? You don't want to know is the answer - unless you have gestational diabetes, and then just stay away.

The update is that the specialist I went to see is going to let me try to manage my blood sugars using a low carb diet. I still have to test 4 times a day, but no insulin at this point. Other good news? We get another ultrasound out of the deal! We will be seeing baby Lily again tomorrow - can't wait!! Good thing tax season makes the days go by so fast. They want to measure how big she is because women with GD have a risk of bigger babies. So I will give you another update when I hear about her measurements!

For now though, please don't send me any cookies, brownies, or cakes. In totally coincidential but semi-unrelated news, a friend of mine recently entered a radio contest to win free meat. You had to write a poem about meat to win the meat. Sadly, she did not win. But I think I truly appreciated the contest prize more than most - FREE MEAT?!? I can eat that!

Apology Owed

Well it looks like I owe Fazoli's an apology. Turns out that I failed the second glucose test without their help. Sorry for the trash talking!

I was diagnosed yesterday with gestational diabetes. What does that mean? I really don't know everything yet, but here is what I do know:

- my blood sugar levels are too high. I will need to be put on a program to lower those. (Exact program TBD). Bummer side - GD Diet (and that stands for gestational diabetes diet - NOT what YOU were thinking). That means low carb or carb counting. Potential for insulin injections. Bright side - I can still eat. And Kyle said he would do the low carb thing with me!

- I will be transferred to a different doctor, one who deals full time in OB-GYN and gestational diabetes. Bummer side - I really liked Dr. Bultje and am sad to switch at this point. Bright side - Dr. Bultje is referring me to a woman she knows and likes who will be more experienced. And I like meeting new people.

- Until I get an appointment scheduled with this new doctor, I was prescribed a glucometer so that I can test my blood sugar levels. I am supposed to test myself in the morning (for a "fasting" reading) and 1 hour after each meal. If my blood sugar is high after that meal (over 140), well then I guess I know what to avoid. Bummer side - pricking your finger 4 times a day. Bright side - The glucometer comes in a pretty sweet carrying case that you can wear on a belt. Ok - this is not really a bright side, because really, who would do this? Real bright side? It doesn't hurt at all.

I will post more as I learn it. But I have been told that this isn't a big deal and that I should get used to a life full of surprises now that I am having a baby. Gotta just roll with the punches, right?

Happy Birthday Kyle!

You've grown up a lot since these were taken...um..a year ago...I know these are old pictures, but I couldn't resist showing the world. You're only as old as you act right? You will be young forever then!!

Damn you Fazoli's!

I failed my first blood glucose test so here I am at the lab doing my 3 hour glucose test. (I totally blame Fazoli's. They did tell me I could eat before the last one, but I am convinced that the pasta pushed me just over the normal limit of 130 (I came in at 150). )

So I had to fast for 12 hours before this test. Fortunately they let me come in right at 7 am so that most of this fasting time is while sleeping. I know I have plenty of reserves, but I think someone TELLING you that you can't eat makes you wake up at 4 am starving.

I got here at 7, they drew my blood (said my blood sugar level was at 95) and then made me drink this orange glucose drink. Then they make you sit and wait in the lobby. They will draw my blood again at 8:11, 9:11, and 10:11. So I have to sit here for 3 hours....awesome. For the first hour they ask that I sit in the direct waiting room since this drink can make me nauseous and sleepy. Sounds like a blast! Have already met some interesting people...

This lab looks empty at 7 am but don't worry - it fills up fast with weirdos.

Who wouldn't ask complete strangers if after they are done with their blood test if they will give them a ride home - on 28th street? (We are downtown by the way so even if you are going that way, this is a 15 - 20 minute inconvenience). She is offering $5. When I tell her that I have to be here for the next 3 hours, she asks if I can take her IN BETWEEN my blood draws. Uh, no, lady.

8:13 - Just got back from my second blood draw. Don't worry, they alternate arms (isn't that comforting?). And now I am allowed to have small sips of water. Yummy. New wave of people.

No, I am not Lorna - thanks for asking. "Push It" ringtone - classic.

If you could stop talking about what you are going to get at McDonalds when you leave, that would be awesome. Some people don't get to eat for another 2 hours.

Yes there are several open chairs but I would LOVE it if you came and sat RIGHT next to me.

Curse my love of pasta that got me into this situation!

9:18 - Third blood draw done. Getting pretty hungry now..Almost desolate here.

9:48 - wonder if it is normal to feel very sleepy right now...will Google it. Found another blogger who said she was wiped out. Guess it is normal.

10:13 - Done! Now off to get McDonalds (damn you no named patient) before I get the results.