A much needed update on Caroline, Tom and me.

Well I'll start with me... Yes it's actually Casey posting.  I am no longer a shell of a person.  I was very out of it for the last week and well that's kinda to be expected I had major surgery and a baby that seems to demand a lot of my attention.  She of course can have it all!  So with out going into too many details the c-section was done up and down on my belly and side to side on my uterus (better to prevent further c-sections) but for increased healing and lower risk of infections the doctors left the belly incision open and then they placed whats called a wound vac inside to basically suction it closed.  Every two days they go in and change the dressing out it gets smaller and smaller until it's all the way healed.  It sucks but it cuts my healing time in half.  Other than that I am running pretty hard to keep up with my visits with her, pumping schedule and the demands of being a step mom, wife, daughter and friend.  I am sure that some of those areas are slacking a little but I know everyone understands...

Now to Tom... he went back to work today and although I am sure it's hard it's a necessary evil.  He is such a strong man and amazing father because he too is juggling having a "hurt" wife, a preemie baby, work and the girls.  He's such a trooper and deserves all of the praise I can offer!  I am a lucky girl!

Last and I'm a sure most anticipated... the star of the show Caroline!

This child is a fighter and of course my brat!  She has a small heart murmur but it's not something the dr's are concerned about.  If it is still there in a week they will treat with meds to close the valve that is partially open.  Even some full term babies have this issue so it's not something we are overly concerned about.  She is up to 2.8 lbs today... an increase from yesterday's 2.6.  She is up to 17 ml on her feedings (I'm having a hard time keeping up to be honest).  She had an ultrasound of her head to check for brain bleeds, also can be common on full term babies, and she amazingly has none!!!! Yes, I said none like as in zilch, zip, zero!  My little feisty girl!  Other than that there's not much to say.  She's just growing and the only thing she needs right now is time to do so.  We kangaroo her twice a day on most days but always at least once.  Being home from the hospital makes things a bit harder time wise but this is an important step in her care.  She rests so peacefully when she's tucked in with mommy or daddy.

With us being home now there are some things we will need and I know so many people are asking how they can help.  I will work on getting our care calendar setup so if you would like to help it will tell you how.  I can't say exactly what yet because we don't have much of a routine but that is slowly falling into place.  Thank you all for your prayers.  They are clearly working!

xoxo,
Casey

Did you ever wonder how mothers of premature babies are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint. . .give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."
Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a preemie."
The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel."
"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off she'll handle it. "I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of its own. She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."
God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just the right amount of selfishness."
The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says momma for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see, ignorance, cruelty, prejudice--and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."
"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air.
God smiles. "A mirror will suffice"

"Nursing is not for everyone. It takes a very strong, intelligent, and compassionate person to take on the ills of the world with passion and purpose and work to maintain the health and well-being of the planet."

 

Meet Amanda... My saving grace and the person that told me I could do this.  I am still debating on if I can in fact do this but she got me through the very hard days leading up to delivery of Caroline.  When the doctors came in and told me Wednesday night that I would deliver Friday she was our rock.  She answered a ton of questions and basically encouraged us.  Thursday night was my first night on Magnesium.  What a yucky necessary drug.  It makes you feel like you have the flu or worse...  Amanda was diligent about checking in on me to make sure I was as comfortable as possible.  She talked of her three daughters and gave me the strength that I needed to get through delivery.  I do have to say that several other nurses went above and beyond but it was Amanda's surprise visit two days after my c-section (although in a different unit) that sealed the deal.  She became my favorite!  I can not thank her enough but I had to get her a little gift to really express just how much she did for Tom and I.  An amazing lady that I had to tell all of you about.  Meet Amanda...

First family photos

Hello again fellow followers, it has been a whirlwind of emotions here. We are still at the hospital and Caroline is doing just fine, so is Casey. Not a whole lot of updates to give. But we would like to share some of the photos with everyone.

Casey got to hold Caroline for the first time. I tell you, I have never seen a woman so proud and happy. It's all different when you hold your child for the first time. Those of you who have children know what I'm talking about. It was emotional for everyone.

Every 3 hours, the hospital arranges a "holding time" for mother and father to come into the NICU, and you're able to hold your baby for a short period of time for bonding, and feeding in some cases. Since Casey is better able to get out of bed and be wheeled down to the NICU, she takes every opportunity to do so. We love going down there to see our daughter. I know she can tell that her Mom and Dad are there because each time we go, she relaxes more, and stays calm. Even smiles sometimes.

She even opened her eyes for us, for the first time. I guess she wanted to see what all the fuss was about. She is kind of a big deal.

She will usually fall asleep while we hold her close to our chest. This is a process they like to call, "Kangaroo parenting". You basically place her up against your chest, for warmth, and so she can smell and hear your heartbeat, which soothes her, and calms her. It works so well in the growing process that this hospital can claim that their premature infants have a 95% survival rate, where other hsopitals that dont do the "Kangaroo parenting", have a 80% survival rate. I like those odds. She is in very capable hands.

The nurses, and Nurse Practitioners at this hospital are so nice and very understanding. They do this for a living. They were even nice enough to take our first Family photo. I know we both look a little tired and worn out, but we could'nt be happier with our little girl.

Welcome to the world Caroline. You are loved by so many already.

Happy birthday kid

Day 1..... (Tom is doing the Blog for now while Casey is Resting)....

To say the least, the first day was a long stressful day. Not in a bad way, the opposite, a very good stress. It was a very emotional day, also a very physical day. Casey was taken into surgery around 9:40am for her C-section. I was there, all smocked up, sitting right next to her. At around 10:23am, Caroline Leigh was born!

After she was born, the nurses from the NICU took Caroline and I, down the hall to the NICU for further testing and observation, also Caroline's new home for the next couple months.

Casey was taken to recovery for a few hours, and I was standing bedside next to Caroline while she was evaluated. The nurses had to insert a feeding tube in her belly, and keep her on the sipap machine, but with room air.

Throughout the rest of the day, I was the go-between guy. I would go be with Caroline for awhile, then I would run to the other side of the Hospital to be with Casey, and to tell her all about our new little girl. Back and Forth all day long, taking visitors and Grand-parents to and from the NICU. All the nurses could say about Caroline was how well she was doing despite her premature age. She is a fighter.

Along with being a fighter, and I know she gets this from her mother, She is a lover... See picture below...........

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She held my hand her first day. I guess it was her way of saying thank you for all the prayers. So to all who read this, Thank you from Caroline!

More to come! Keep checking for new posts, We will be blogging about Caroline and Casey's progress, all the way until we take her home!

Happy Birthday

Sweet Caroline.....

Well ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you the star of the show, Caroline Leigh Anderson, weighing in at a mere 2 lbs, 12 ounces. But tons of love and courage. She was born this morning by C-section at North Austin Medical Center at 1023 am. She is in very good health for her premature age. The doctors have her on a breathing tube to help out her little premie lungs. They also have her on a feeding tube until Mommy Casey recovers from her little surgery. I'm sure Casey will fill everyone in on how that felt, I'm sure it didn't feel good, but all that matters is they both made it out perfectly healthy. We are still currently at the hospital so details are still coming in. Please keep a close eye on this blog, as we will try to update it as we know more! Pictures also to come, here is the first of many.

Swing Batter... Strike

Today has been a very long day of nothing... just waiting.  The doctors knocked me out last night and in my drug induced fog I apparently started talking.  Tom being the sweet loving man he is tried to calmly wake me well I apparently didn't like that and took half hearted swing at him and missed... then cried.  I was clearly not myself.

So after feeling terrible from the meds they gave I have slept as much as possible today to try to prepare for tomorrow.  I am waiting for an ultrasound that will determine if a vaginal birth is even an option.  I'm still holding on for that slight chance but more than likely because she is breech we will have to do c-section.  Tonight at seven I move over to the labor and delivery unit where I will start a magnesium drip.  From what I hear it's going to make me feel pretty terrible.  I will be on it for 12 hours before we proceed with either type of delivery so no baby before 7 am tomorrow but how things will go after I really don't have much as far as answers.

I am here with my mom and I have sent Tom home to shower and get clothes for the next few days.  I feel sorry for him because I'm normally his rock but from what I know I'll be pretty out of it.  So he's kinda on his own.  :(

A lot of people have asked if they can come tomorrow... the answer is of course yes but I can not guarantee you will get to see me but there is less likely of a chance of getting to see Caroline.  I won't get to see her for at least 24 hours and the doctors won't let guests see her before me.  So no guarantee either way. 

Lots of love and more to follow as soon as we know something.

Love,
Casey, Tom and Caroline