Chicago

Tonight Annemarie had another family dance at her school. I stayed home with Mia and Scott and Annie went on a date. She was very excited and it gave her an opportunity to wear her American Girl outfit that she got in Chicago. Speaking of Chicago.......

For Christmas this year, my mom and dad paid for the girls (Christina and Samantha, my nieces, and Annemarie) to spend the day at the American Girl Place in Chicago. It was a really cool place and the girls went crazy!! It was fun being in, as Annie kept saying, "The Big City". It is a big city, especially compared to where she now lives!!

Christina, Annie and Samantha in Front if the American Girl Place. They were really good about this picture because it was REALLY COLD and WINDY!

As part of the package, the girls were able to have their pictures taken with their dolls. Annie was able to buy a matching outfit for herself with some Christmas money from Nana and Papa. The picture was then turned into a magazine cover and given to the girls. This is Annie with her doll, Nikki.

Christmas Hats in February

Mia in her reindeer hat from Auny Cathy on December 3, 2006

Mia in her reindeer hat today-and it's tight!!

Hopefully there won't be too many typos-I've got Mia on my left shoulder while I'm trying to type this. I had posted an update last week and then accidentally deleted it. I knew I would be blogging today, so, I figured I would just put everything in at once. Mia is 4 months old today. She had her check-up today and....(wait for it)........ 6 lbs., 13 ozs!!!!!! Wa-hoo! And 20 1/2 inches long! She is just about the same size Annemarie was when we brought her home from the hospital-Mia's actually a little bit bigger! Last Friday, Mia had some labwork done to check on her liver function and everything came back normal! Thank you God!! She will have to have (hopefully) just one more round of labwork in a month, just to check. If that comes back normal, then we're done with that!! She's still taking medication for her reflux and liver (just for 2 more weeks). We have a home visit with the county health nurse next week as part of the Birth to Three program and another eye appointment. So, things, for Mia at least, are slowing down. Scott has started his Spring classes and I am trying to finish fall classes and have enrolled in Spring classes--not that Ive necessarily done any work!! Scott and I have also been busy with the teen program at church. We started out the year with 2 teens and now average 9 every week! That is such a blessing and we love our kids very much. Please hold them up in prayer-for regular teen issues, but more importantly that they would all come to know Christ as their Saviour. I would also like to ask for prayer for a baby that is still in the NICU at Meriter. Her name is Khia. She was born a few weeks before Mia and is still in the hospital. She has had some major issues and has just recently gotten off her vent and stepped down. I have been praying for Khia for a long time but have failed to mention her on the blog and I feel horrible! Her mom's name is Beth and I know Beth could use alot of prayers, too! Aubrey is off her monitor and only needs oxygen at night! Thank you for praying for her. She's doing great!

SOMEONE PLEASE STOP MY MOMMY FROM TAKING ANYMORE PICTURES OF ME!!!!!!

I'M TIRED!!!!

This post was stared on 1-31, but was not finished until 2-5....surprising, huh?

The first BIG snow we had a couple of weeks ago. This is looking down our street from our front porch....

Annie on her way out the door to school in her vest that Nana made her (which she LOVES to wear).

Annie wanted me to post and blog her in her new princess jammies

She looks so sweet and innocent ;-)

Mia in her Moses basket that her Aunt Cathy got for her. This comes in VERY handy on doctor days. Mia is still too small for her infant carrier car seat so she is in a car bed (which doen't come out of the car). So, we bundle her up in her basket, take it to the car, put her in her car bed and then bundle her up to take her into the doctor's office. Our doctor days can sometimes be long so this is nice to have because it gives her a place to sleep and a nice place to hide from all the germs floating around the doctor's office! Well, as usual I'm about a week behind! We went for Mia's weigh-in last Monday and she was 5 lbs., 2 oz. Todays' weigh-in......5 lbs., 15 oz! I guess I don't need to worry about her gaining right now!! She had her second RSV vaccination last week and I think she is just now getting over the effects of that (a slight temp, upset tummy...). It's been FRIGID here with temps at -15 with a wind chill of -30. They even cancelled school today because of the cold. So needless to say, she still is not venturing ANYWHERE, except to the doctor's. This week is relatively quiet-Mia and I will stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Madison on Thursday night because we have to be at UW Hospital at about 7am for labwork before her appointment with the Pediatric GI doctor. We have stopped waking Mia to eat-we are letting her wake on her own. I was very nervous about this at first because I was afraid she would want to sleep more than eat--not so. Her eye exam was last week. Each eye got a little bit better with the left eye being worse than the right. The good thing is that we don't have to go back for 3 weeks now! Hopefully, it's just a matter of her growing and the rest of us trying to adjust to her world! As always, thank you for your prayers. I've been in touch with Aubrey's parents and please keep them in your prayers. Aubrey is beautiful and growing but is still on oxygen and a heart monitor. She will go back to the doctor next week and we're really praying that she will no longer need the oxygen and monitor. Thank you again!! God is Good!

Look who's getting bigger....FINALLY!!!

I love my thumb more every day!!JAZZ HANDS!!Well, I realize this is a bit late, but....Mia gained 6 ounces last weekend!!! The new formula seems to be working for now. All week, I have been talking with insurance companies, doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists and Enfamil formula company to find the best way to finance Mia's new formula. Walgreens charges $376 for a box of 100 packets of formula (about a 12 day supply). Yes, that's three hundred and seventy six dollars. It's called Human Milk Fortifier and is used for premature infants to give the breast milk more calories (which Mia REALLY needs). But, God worked it out-as HE always does. This morning the charge nurse from the NICU at Meriter called and was able to talk with the nursery's rep from Enfamil. Enfamil has a program called Helping Hands that donates formula to needy families--which we are.... :-) SO, Enfamil will be suppliying Mia's formula FOR FREE!!!! Thank you God! What am awesome God--we should never worry.

OK, OK, Here they are......

THIS POST WAS WRITTEN LAST NIGHT-SUNDAY----OK. so I had these great intentions to blog from Christmas to now in chronological order, blah, blah, blah....I think that I had just better get some pictures on here before I get disowned from my families! Mia is doing well. Much better this weekend than the entire time she has been home. She has been weighed at least once a week since she came home. She came home at 4 lbs., 1 oz and as of Thursday is only up to 4 lbs., 4 oz. Her doctor changed the type of formula we add to the breastmilk and also put her on Zantac-he thinks she has reflux. And I think he is right! Almost immediately (and I am not kidding!) we noticed a difference in Mia's sleeping. Before she would grunt and groan so much I wasn't getting much sleep and I know that she wasn't either. After her very first dose of Zantac, she slept so soundly I actually checked her a couple of times to be sure she was breathing! Her spit-up (which was projectile and often) has also gotten sooooo much better! The hope is that now that she can sleep and keep her food down better SHE'LL GROW!!! She has to sleep to grow.....we've had one eye exam since she has been home--her eyes have stayed the same, which is good--not any better, but not any worse! She'll have to have eye exams every two weeks until either they get better or they get worse and require treatment. I think the Retinopathy will heal on its own, though, as she matures. We're also seeing a Pediatric Gastrointestinal specialist in Madison to follow Mia's liver function. Her most recent blood work showed a much lower direct bilirubin (3.3) but elevated liver enzymes (I don't remember the exact names). She had an ultrasound of her liver also and that looked fine. We go back to see that doctor in about two weeks for more blood work. We have a physical therapist coming to the house on Tuesday just to evaluate Mia. Because she was born so early, she is automatically enrolled in Wisconsin's Zero to Three program. It is a state program that provides services for special needs children from birth to 3 years old. They'll follow Mia's progress and help us locate any resources she may need. Annie is doing quite well with everything. I notice some tendencies to act out a little more, but Scott and I are trying to make some time to do special things with her. Friday night, Annie and Scott went on a date-dinner and a movie--and today Annie and I went out to lunch after church (Scott stayed home with Mia). Mia only leaves the house for doctor's appointments right now. Anything else would really tire her out and we don't want to expose her to anything that might land her back in the hospital. Thank you for all the love and prayers, as always! I will try to blog much more often to let you know how we are all doing. God is great and I thank Him for everything!!

Mia had to pass a car seat test before she could leave the hospital. She had to sit in her car seat for 1 hour and not have any spells. She passed with flying colors. She was (is) too small to be in her car seat, but the hospital policy is to test them in a seat. Next is Mia in an open crib. This was the day before she left the hospital--luckily I took a picture of her because she was only in an open crib for about 36 hours before she left. And this is "Graduation Day" and Mia is in her going home outfit.....

Here we are in front of the Christmas tree in the hospital lobby on our way out the door....

and in front of the Meriter (the name of the hospital) sign in the lobby......

before heading out and putting Mia in her car bed. And yes, I sat next to her the whole way!!! She loved being in the car and still does...as long as the car is moving. After awhile she will fuss if I just deccelerate. Hopefully she can get in her big girl car seat, soon. A few more ounces and inches to go......

And this is what happens when Mia is done in her swing. (And just for those aunts and granmas out there...I didn't let her cry for longer thatn it took to take this picture, OK?) The doctor doesn't believe me that she will really CRY. Whenever he sees her she's half-asleep from throwing a fit because she hates being weighed. Well, here's proof that she is just like any other baby--able to reach a fever pitch in less than 2 seconds! And this is Mia in her bouncy seat....an explosion of pink! :-)

This is Mia in an actual outfit, which I love. I love all the little sleepers she has, but this time, we were actually going somewhere (the doctor's, of course!) and so I took advantage of the situation and put her in an outfit...too cute!! She was also very awake....something that she is doing more and more each day. We read or have some tummy time. She loves her bouncy seat and swing, too. But only in short durations. She still gets overstimulated quickly, so we try to watch for her cues that she is done and move her before she shuts down. That way, she will get the most out of each situation without tiring out......

Here is a close-up of Mia in her swing......

and with her Sissy.....

and Sissy's very good friend, Caitlyn

UNDER CONSTRUCTION.....

I am working on getting caught up on blogging...I literally have hundreds of pictures to sort through, edit and blog. I am trying to go in chronological order, so that is why there are not any new pics of Mia (yet!). FYI-she's doing well. Lots of doctor's appointments and I certainly don't remember being this tired with Annemarie, but it's worth it!

Annemarie received so many wonderful gifts from all our friends and family. I tried to take pictures of her opening heach one, but I was distraction by my exhaustion and trying to keep track of my coffee!! :-) Annie's favorite gift from my Dad and Diane are slip-on shoes! (No work to put them on--just what Annie loves!!). Thank you Dad and Diane! The last picture is of Annie, Samantha and Christina receiving their gift from my Mom and Dad-a trip to the American Girl Place in Chicago!! Thank you Mom and Dad!!

Scott's family sent some wonderful gifts (as always) for us. This is Annemarie enjoying the VERY soft sweater from Scott's family. She loves anything soft!

Scott's mom made Annemarie a vest and matching purse. The vest has pictures on the front pockets and the purse has pictures on each side. Annemarie loved both of these, especially becasue they are "matchy-matchy".

This shirt was quite appropriate because we did not have ANY SNOW while my sister and her family were here visiting! It did snow, but it didn't stick! Of course, last night we got quite a few inches....figures!

This is my sister, Cathy, holding Mia for the first time. I thikn we both did pretty well....I was able to hold back the tears (for a minute...and then I was pretty good about hiding them!) and so was Sis. It was so nice to have her (and Tony and the girls, of course!) here with us. I love living in Wisconsin, but I REALLY miss you, Sis....... And, the last picture is Mia surrendering....I just think this is a cure picture of a nice big stretch! It's taken me so long to blog, though, that she already looks so different!

It's been awhile...

And alot has happened. But the most wonderful thing is that MIA IS HOME!!!! I can't get to my pictures right now, but I am so excited that I didn't want to wait for my pictures to blog! It happened really fast. The doctors mentioned it Thursday and she came home Sunday night! Needless to say, we REALLY didn't think she would come home before mid-January so we had to go buy more diapers and, luckily, my sister and mom gave me my baby shower on Thursday night and Mia received many beautiful and useful things from everyone that loves her so much.... Mia will have to follow up with a Gastrointestinal specialist for her liver problem (the direct hyperbilirubinenemia) and an Opthamologist for her ROP. They will also be watching her calcium and potassium levels. During a recent liver function screening, the doctor's noticed that these two levels were high. It COULD be a sign of osteopenia (kind of like brittle bone syndrome). They took an x-ray to check for any bone fractures (there were none), and are hoping that by supplementing her calcium and potassium that this will just pass. We go back to Madison next week for appointments with both specialists. Mia had an appointment with her pediatrician today to be weighed (she gained 2 1/2 ounces!). She's now 4 lbs., 4 ozs!! Also wonderful news, Mia's NICU neighbor, Aubrey, went home Saturday night. Melissa and Corey looked so happy! Thank you to everyone who has held this family up in prayers. Aubrey is on oxygen and a monitor, but I know that Melissa and Corey are just happy to have her home! God is good! And we are so thankful that He has blessed us with so many terrific and powerful prayer warriors who prayed us through! I'll get the pics on soon-I PROMISE! HAPPY NEW YEAR AND LOVE TO ALL!

A very fun day........

Mia and I had a very fun (and tiring!) day today. This first picture, however, is from yesterday. This is just one of Mia's Christmas outfits. She is in a sleeper now in her isolette--just like a big girl! Today, though, we had a lot of fun!! First she nursed for a bit (and she is doing very well with that--8 ccs!), then I let her sleep because at 1 I gave her a bath (which she REALLY needed! She was a little stinky!). She loved her bath again and the nurse showed me how to wash her back-without getting her face in the water--not easy. We really scrubbed her head for cradle cap and her skin was really flaky. The nurse showed me just how aggressive I could be and we got her all spic and span! She is of course VERY awake in this picture-fuzzy hair and all! I wanted to put on a onesie that I had bought for her and get a picture before she grew out of it. Then, we dressed her up in a Christmas outfit that the nurses provided. We propped her up and tried to pose her....but she was very relaxed from her bath and promptly fell asleep! But, she was really cute anyway! After all that, we still tried to give her a bottle (the first one I've been able to give her!) and she took in 13 ccs! Then we put the rest of her feeding in her tube and Mia and I rocked while the rest of her feeding went in. It was a very busy day, but a good day! She's up to 3 lbs., 7 ozs. and 30cc per feeding. She is offically a "feeder and grower". All she needs to do now is feed and grow! She's a little jaundice looking and her direct bilirubin is up to 4.1 (from 3.9 last week). Still not enough to worry about-they'll check it again in a week or so. She had another eye exam and has had some progression of abnormal blood cells in both eyes. They will repeat the exam next week and just watch things for now. It is still very possible that the ROP in her eyes will clear up completely. It's getting to be that VERY busy time of year so I will really try to keep up on the pictures and blogging. Thank you for all your prayers..........