Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Mom and baby, together at last!

Well finally after 36 days, Mommy got to hold her baby. Today over Pam's lunch break, they let her do "skin-to-skin" holding with Riley for well over an hour. It was long-awaited, and I know Pam thoroughly enjoyed it. We were hoping I would get to hold her tonight, but they don't want to do it more than once a day. So I'll have to wait until tomorrow....

Riley has been doing very well with her oxygen lately, remaining stable and consistently low with her O2 needs. They are keeping the chloro-hydrate (sedative) treatments regular at about 6-8 hours apart, which is likely a major part in keeping her O2 stable. Very few incidents of steep oxygen de-saturation, and they haven't had to bag her in a few days now. In addition, she has gained a bit more weight and is up to 3lb 9oz. She's looking cute in her new clothes too. Feedings are at 30mL (1 oz), and will keep increasing as she gains weight. Hoping to get that ventilator out in a few weeks, and might be able to start bottle feeding at that point! It seems like she has really hit her stride and is making huge improvements every day.

Here's the picture the nurse took a few days ago, when Riley was very alert. Sorry for the grainy quality, it was scanned in.

Our nurse took this one last night, with Riley showing off her new clothes.
I took this one last night too, she looks so much more like a full-term baby than she did a month ago!

And here's the proud Mommy holding her daughter for the first time.

Check back soon, I'll post pictures after I get to hold her.

5 comments:

  1. WOW! I bet that felt so good to have baby on mommy's chest! And I'm sure you will love that feeling, too. Glad to hear the good news. I tried calling to chat with Pam today. . . but I see she had much more important things to do! :)

    Christal

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  2. I'm soooooooo happy for you, Pam, to be able to hold our little angel!!! She will actually feel the love you have for her!
    Love, Grandma Ginni

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  3. She looks amazing!!!! :) Our little angel is progressing so well! *yay*
    The pictures of her are great. It's nice that the nurses take pictures of her for you.
    Can't wait to see her in 2 weeks!
    Love you all
    Aunt Jill

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  4. Melissa KimmerlingJuly 10, 2009 at 10:16 AM

    You should change the "blog" picture to the close up of her face. I love it! I am so glad you are finally getting to hold her! Can't wait to make another trip down and hold her myself eventually. :)

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  5. Joey and Pam,

    She is absolutely gorgeous!

    Rachel Steiner

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