After 86 long days in the NICU, a PDA ligation surgery, battles with an infection, and too many needle sticks, tests and monitor alarms, our feisty 26-week'er is coming home!!!
Since her birth on 12/31/06, Lauren has more than tripled her weight. Although she was born a tiny 2lbs 1oz 'extreme preemie', she's now just under 7lbs! She is sucking down bottles and breastfeeding like a pro, gaining weight steadily, exhibiting no A's or B's (apneas or brady's), and breathing very well on her own. She went over 1.5 hours on a 'room air trial' last week, meaning she didn't have any assisted oxygen. We've been told that if we lived at sea level, she would be off oxygen completely. However, our mile high altitude means that Lauren's lungs have to work a little harder. She'll come home on just 1/32 of a liter of oxygen, which is the lowest setting her little tank allows. Hopefully she will be weaned off oxygen completely within a few short months.
Yesterday was an emotional day as I bid farewell to my collegues at EDAW for awhile to begin my true maternity leave. I plan to take 3-4 months off before returning to work around August. I also gave my teary farewells to all of the amazing nurses and doctors who have been taking such great care of Lauren these past 3 months. They were so excited to receive the NICU bean bags that my EDAW friends had made (thank you Heather, Andrea and Vaike!)
This experience has been the most difficult of my entire life. But thanks to the support of our family and friends, we have made it through with flying colors!!! It will feel SO good to have my precious family of four under the same roof tonight!!
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6 comments:
Wishing you much joy and peace of mind during this new stage of your adventure! We are so excited and happy for you all. What a wonderful, wonderful time.
Love, Lor, Bill and Oliver
Besides the excitement of Lauren's homecoming, I am thrilled to hear that Kaia will be able to take several months off work in order to be with Lauren during her early days at home. I will sleep better tonight (unless Connor wakes me up!) with that news.
Armed with several dinners to share, I can hardly wait to see Lauren in her own home. ALL Lauren's grandparents are cheering her on today!
Love, GranD
We simply couldn't be more pleased and excited for you all! Yay Lauren! Yay Nesbitts!
I sincerely hope that you maintian the blog - it's been such an incredible journey. We are humbled and honored to have been privy to this most difficult chapter in your family. We look forward to sharing better times ahead!
Love, Kristin and Mark
Congrats! We are so excited for you all. It is wonderful that Lauren is doing so well, now she can try out that new wagon with her big brother (well maybe in a few weeks :)) The adventure is just beginning!
Love, The Witts
I'm so thrilled for you all. I know this has been a tough, tough road for you all and hope that this wonderful new beginning brings you much joy and happiness. I look forward to seeing pics of Lauren at home and to one day meeting her.
xoxo,
Diane Hudek
Grant, Kaia, Connor, and Lauren,
Yipee!! The mighty foursome home together. We hope your first night was a good one. Best wishes for many joyful days ahead. May the peace of the Lord be with all of you. Keep well sweet girl.
Love,
Susan and Gary
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