Emily Isabel Roe

Please note, this blog is one continuous post. Please click "read more" when you get to the end of a page.

May 12, 2012

We had a baby shower for Elma & Jeremy with their San Antonio friends and family (and cats). At this time, we are all excitedly awaiting August 26-Sept 1, the predicted date of birth for Emily.

June 4, 2012

Elma & Jeremy are excited about getting the 4D ultrasound and have no idea that later that day they would be in the hospital and 24 hours later would have no need of an ultrasound

Monday morning in the Dr's office - still clueless

June 5, 2012

Elma developed severe pre-eclampsia, and was going into renal failure when she was taken in for a c-section, two and a half months before we thought she would become a mama.

Soon-to-be-Daddy, minutes before delivery - dressed to go into OR

At 4:00 p.m., Emily Isabel Roe was born, crying her way into the world. She weighed 1 pound, 14 ounces, and was 13.5 inches long.

Very first picture of Emily, taken at 4:45 PM

Happy Dad Jeremy and Grandy all scrubbed and gowned, ready to go in to NICU and visit Emily. Grandpa is taking the picture, but he's gowned, as well.

June 6, 2012

When we visited Emily on the morning of June 6, we happily stumbled across her doctor performing rounds. When he noticed us there, he converted from Doctor-speak to words we could understand. He said that Emily was in great condition, and was right where she should be at 28 weeks. He explained to us, as preemie newbies, that preemies are at the condition they would be in if they were still in the womb, and she is "beautiful" and "smart" in that she is doing everything she should be at 28 weeks.

You can get a feel for how tiny Emily is in this picture with the doctor's hand and the stethoscope.

Emily's beautiful mama the next morning after her birth.

Jeremy and Sandy, peaking in at this beautiful and miraculous gift from God.

Elma was finally able to get out of her hospital bed and visit her daughter. The UV lights had been turned on for Emily.

June 7, 2012

When we next went to visit Emily, she was enjoying the benefits of the UV lights. Unfortunately, her mom's first view of her was under these lights, which really distort the baby's natural coloring. On their next visit, Jeremy convinced the nurse to turn the lights off and take her eye and ear protection. Then she looked much more natural. Mom and Dad both got to reach through the portholes on mom's first visit, and touch their daughter.

Later that day, the big ventilator was removed and Emily was breathing mostly on her own, but with the help of a cannula. Several other tubes were removed, as well.

June 8, 2012

Emily was taken off all ventilators and is breathing on her own. Her nurse reported to Daddy Jeremy that Emily does NOT like getting her diaper changed. She kicks, flails and screams every time they change her. Dad tried singing and talking to her to calm her, as did Abuelita, but the only thing that worked was a little preemie pacifier. They don't want to leave the pacifier in too long, as she can't breathe and suck at the same time, since this breathing on her own thing is new to her.

Dad took Emily's pillow (Baby Strawberry Shortcake) and the nurse wrapped it in saran wrap and put it at the foot of her isolette. He also sat and read to her from a collection of Little Golden Books we bought for her, The nurse commended Jeremy for doing so, as research shows that preemies that are read to learn to read earlier and do better in school later. Dad also was able to touch her again through the porthole, and reported that when he touched her hand, she grasped his finger. Mom Elma was not able to come to the hospital to visit her daughter, as she was battling effects from the surgery. Her blood pressure and leg swelling is still serious, but she is beginning to conquer the issues with medication and diuretics...and plenty of doctor prescribed bed rest.

June 9, 2012

Emily with no tubes....sleeping peacefully. The nurses told Abuelo (who took the picture) that Emily is very "enojada", which basically means she gets very angry when they change her diaper. It's great to hear that she is behaving like a normal baby. Mom and Dad are probably hoping that she outgrows this before they bring her home.

Mom is hoping to be able to come visit this evening, and was told that she can hold Emily in a day or two.

Elma & Jeremy enjoyed an evening with Emily, where Emily grasped her daddy's finger.

Emily responded well to mom's voice as she read to her, and the parents report that she seemed to be in a good mood.

The umbilical IV had been removed that day, and the picc line inserted. This line will be used to take blood as needed, and administer medications as needed, as well.

June 10, 2012

The nurses have Emily sleeping on her stomach today - helps with the digestion of the milk she is getting. Not to sound like a bragging grandmother, but I wanted to share the story of today, when Jeremy asked one of the NICU nurses if it was normal for Emily to be breathing room air so soon. He was told no, it's not normal and that she was surprised at how quickly Emily got off all breathing assistance. That's our girl!

Emily at night. How peaceful.

June 11, 2012

Elma's doctor appointment this morning went well. The doctor is pleased with how much the blood pressure has dropped, but swelling is still the issue. Will return on Thursday to see if another round of diuretics is necessary. The swelling is down, but it's still got a ways to go.

The doctor also shared with Elma and Jeremy just how severe her pre-eclampsia was. Normal protein levels are 300 in 24 hours, and Elma's was 14,000. How grateful we are that the doctor was able to catch this in time, and how grateful we are for all the prayers that have been sent up for Elma's and Emily's safe recovery.

Emily is back on the cannula - blood oxygen levels were dropping, but they say that's normal.

Yesterday, they tried feeding Emily mom's milk, but the stomach is still not developed enough yet. They have her on azythromycin, which in this case is not an antibiotic, but actually serves to jump start the digestive system, which they know is working, as she has had several poops. Awwww,

Emily had a "new" nurse this morning, or at least he was new to Emily and mom and dad. Jeremy says that he, the nurse, was so excited to meet Emily and to meet them and was just plain excited about life. He gave Jeremy and Elma a couple of "souvenirs" to take home, so they wouldn't be going home empty handed. He gave them a diaper (clean) and a pacifier. The picture below puts the size into perspective.

As they were preparing to leave the NICU for the morning, Jeremy was putting away the chairs, while Elma was talking to Emily, and Emily opened her little eyes. Just for a quick moment, but Mom got to see Emily's first time of opening her eyes. And how fitting, Emily, for your first sight in this big world to be your beautiful Mama!

June 12, 2012

Emily's 1 week birthday! Happy Birthday, little angel!

To help Emily breathe a little better, and to help her oxygen levels build up, she was put on a little preemie CPAP machine.

Look closely, and you'll see her peaking out. She doesn't open her eyes a whole lot, but it's becoming more frequent. Dad says she is waving at the camera.

June 13, 2012

Mom & Dad visit Emily this morning, and Emily is crying. Elma sings to her, and she stops crying. Elma stops singing, and Emily starts crying again. Elma sings to her again, Emily stops crying and mom and dad see her smile a little smile and then fall asleep.

June 14, 2012

Continuing to do better, Breathing well with the aid of the CPAP.

June 15, 2012

Emily is off the CPAP and back on the cannula. Mom & Dad were able to be at the hospital for morning rounds. The doctor was pleased that she was gaining weight (two pounds now). (Wish MY doctor were pleased that I was gaining weight!)

Beautiful blanket made and donated by the Winter Texans.

Elma's little hand, with Emily's even smaller hand

June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day, Jeremy!

Emily is now weighing 2 pounds, 2 ounces.

Emily is now tolerating mother's milk, and this afternoon was increased from 1 ml every six hours to 1 mil every 3 hours. Yay!

June 18, 2012

Emily is graduating to more milk. They are adding .5 mil every 12 hours. So this morning, she was on 1.5 mil every 3 hours, at noon she went to 2 mil every 3 hours, and at midnight, she'll be on 2.5 mil, and so on...........