Houston is 1 month old

Houston turned 1 month old yesterday on October 3rd. This has been the longest month of my life, but also the shortest. I am praying October is a good month for us and we have more ups than downs. Here is what has been going on with Houston in the last few days.
Saturday, October 2nd he required a blood transfusion. Jason and I were both at the hospital when the doctor delivered the news. I just broke down crying thinking that this is such a set back. We have been here for 4 weeks and he's been doing so well and all the sudden he needs a blood transfusion. When you tell someone their baby needs a blood transfusion you immediately think the worst, like this is the worst thing that could happen to him and us. As I am crying, the doctor and nurses proceed to tell us why he needed this. Houston's anemia level was 23, normal level is at high 30's or low 40's. His little body was not producing enough red blood cells which carries the oxygen through his blood. This low anemic level and little red blood cells was causing him to also have more spells (stop breathing while sleeping). So he really needed this blood transfusion to help with his spells and just make him feel better. He had three sets of red blood cells through a 24 hour period. The red blood cells he was given was around 2oz. split up in three separate syringe. So no bags were involved. The last syringe was given last night and when I went to visit him today he was doing AMAZING. His color was back to normal and he only had one spell within a 12 hour period. So the transfusion seems to have worked. During the transfusion they had to stop feedings and give him food through IV during this time. So today they started back this feedings to half and will start full feedings tonight.
So needless to say the last two days have been an emotional roller coaster
Some good news also happened during this time. He had another brain scan and it came back normal with no brain bleeds. His vision screening came back great as well. As soon as his IV is out tomorrow and back to full feedings they are going to move him upstairs to the Lily Pad which is one step closer to going home.

His weight is up to 3lbs 1oz (he lost an ounce during the transfusion) and his length is 16"

Houston at 1 month old

 Nana and Houston

 Sweet angel sleeping in Nana's arm's



I thank God for this miracle baby and all the good he has done through Houston, but I also still have lots of questions and doubts. I don't know why he brought this sweet baby into the world so early and I am still trying to cope with all the questions I have for him and all the ones I would love to have answers for. During the transfusion I kept asking why us, what did I do, why does he want to punish us? Houstin is just a little innocient baby who did nothing to deserve being born so early and having to go through the weeks and months of a hospital stay. I was MAD, very MAD, but today has been a good day and all I wanted to do was just hold my baby.

3lbs and ready to start a new month

We had a milestone two days ago with Houston, he hit the 3lb mark. As of last night he weighed 3lbs 1oz. I am so happy to leave September behind and go into October. I feel that October is going to be our biggest month with milestones. When Houston weighs 3lbs 8oz he can start to wear clothes, which at the rate he is gaining weight should only be in 2 weeks or less. When he starts to wear clothes his temperature monitor comes off and the clothes will help him regulate his body temperature. This month he will also start trying to take a bottle. Usually the NICU likes to start bottle's at or around 34 weeks gestation and Houston will be 31 weeks on Monday, so hopefully in 2-3 weeks we can start bottle feeding him. We hope and pray he takes the bottle easily, for most preemie babies the bottle is what holds them back from going home later than sooner. I also think they will move him up to the 8th floor to the Lily Pad which is the last room babies go to before going home.
Next week Houston will get another brain ultrasound. It's routine that babies get one when they are 2 weeks old and then another at 4 weeks old. His first one came back normal. He will also get a vision screening next week which is also routine. So I pray his vision is normal.
His oxygen went down to 1 liter. This just helps keep his lungs open and helps him breath a little better while his lungs try to mature. He is still breathing on his own, but still having little spells, about 2-3 a day which is normal.
I cant believe that September has come and gone and Houston will be 1 month old on Monday. September will always hold a special place in my heart ;o) I am still trying to cope with my emotions, but it gets better every day and were starting to finally get a routine with Landon, hospital and home life. It's getting easier for me to talk about our situation with everyone. I have been avoiding public places in our community just in case I see someone I know that knew I was pregnant and gives me that look of I thought she was pregnant or she doesn't look big enough to be in her third trimester and then I have to explain how he came early while holding back tears. So I have finally ventured out and when people ask I am able to tell them about Houston and how well he is doing without crying and making them feel uncomfortable.
Landon has been amazing and getting excited for Houston to come home. He keeps asking when he is coming home and is looking forward to helping mommy with baby Houston. Cold and flu season started today so Landon will not be able to see Houston till he comes home. Anyone under the age of 12 is not allowed and only parents or grandparents are allowed in the NICU.

Were taking Landon camping tomorrow so were all looking forward to getting out of the house and enjoying the start of fall weather. He are staying local of course, so we can still visit Houston everyday.

For now I will leave you pictures of my sweet boys

Landon's 1st dentist visit and update on Houston

Today Landon had his first dentist appointment. I had every intentions of taking him, but I was at the hospital with Houston, so Jason picked him up from school and took him. We both were a little worried about today. Wasn't sure how he would handle someone poking around his mouth and brushing his teeth. Jason called me after the appointment and said Landon did awesome. That he could have not been better. He let the dentist count and brush his teeth, he also let them pour the water in his mouth and have it suctioned out. I was completely shocked at the news of how well he did. Since Jason took him of course there are no pictures so I had to get one afterwards.

Showing me his clean teeth

 Silly boy

 The dentist did ask if Landon sucks his thumb or still takes a pacy. We said that he still takes a pacy (boo). He noticed Landon's front teeth are starting to stick out and get an overbite due to sucking on a pacy. He only takes it at nap or night, but i guess it still effects his teeth. So I guess we are starting cold turkey tonight and taking away his boo. Going to be a LONG night. Pray for us. ;o)

I visited Houston this morning. He is still doing AMAZING. As of last night he is 2lbs. 13.5oz. and is up to 24cc's a feeding. No new changes all he has to do is sleep, eat and grow.

When I left him this afternoon, this is the position he was in

All your prayers are working. His progress has been amazing so the power of prayer works. Keep praying prayer warriors!

And congratulations to our friends John and Heather. They welcomed baby girl Sula Elizabeth this afternoon. Mom, baby, dad and big brother Colt are all doing well. http://wineanddiapers.blogspot.com/

Houston is 3 weeks old

Today Houston turned three weeks old. I cant believe we have been on this journey for that long. The last three weeks have been the longest three weeks of my life and also the fastest. The last three weeks have been the happiest weeks of my life, but also the saddest and most defiantly the most challenging. Like any mom who just had a baby and especially a baby who was born very premature, I have my ups and downs or what I call them my mommy moments. It's still hard to leave the hospital without Houston and I really don't think that will ever change until I actually get to leave with him in my arms. I still have to believe that he was born at 26 weeks 5 days for a reason. A woman who I have never met, but have mutual friends had a premature baby at 30 weeks last year wrote me a very encouraging email. She said that everything that happens to us and our children always passes through the hands of God first. I have to believe that all we are going through is for a reason. We may not know the reason today or tomorrow, but one day the answer will come to us somehow. Its just very difficult when I want answers now.
I want to leave you with a few pictures from today and a few stats on Houston up until today.

Just chillin'

Weight: 2lbs. 11oz. (over birth weight)

He had to start a high calorie formula for a few feedings a day. I am just not producing enough milk for the amount of feedings he is taking.

I am able to hold him for up to 1 hour a day; o)

Moved to a different isolate today for babies that are not in critical care ;o)

Feedings are up to 23cc (30cc in 1oz)

Happy 3 weeks Houston. We LOVE you!!

Bath time and rock star

Today Jason and I were able to give Houston a bath. This was not his first bath, but the first time we are there for bath time.

Loving his warm bath. He just fit right in the bucket perfectly.

 Drying off. He was so awake and alert during his bath time. I think he really enjoyed the warm water ,getting out of his isolate and hanging out with mommy and daddy.

He kept looking around and wanting to see everything that was going on around him

This picture cracks me up, because it was right after bath time. He got a clean diaper and clean leads (heart monitors on his chest) and I think he was just wore out from all the excitement. He slept for the next 3 hours and did not move one inch. haha ;O)



The doctors made their rounds early today while Jason and I were both at the hospital. I really like this doctor and she was super sweet, great personality and seemed to be very smart and knew what she was talking about. Anyway, after she looked at his charts she came to us and said "Houston is a rock star". She said that his lungs are still clear along with his belly and heart. He's breathing on his own, mild spells and taking feedings like a champ. She was very impressed how well he was doing with only being at this point 29 weeks gestation. She just told us all he needs to do right now is grow and gain some weight. That's our little ROCK STAR!

Speaking of weight, as of last night he is past his birth weight and now weighs 2lbs. 9oz. 

LOVE HIM!!

Keep the prayers coming, prayer warriors!!

Houston is 2 weeks old

Just a little update on Houston's progress from the last few days.

Last night they weighed him and he is back to his original birth weight to 2lbs 7oz. In the last 2 weeks he has grown 1/2 inch so his length as of last night is 15 3/4 inches.

Today when the doctor's made their rounds one of them mention to me about giving Houston 22cc's of high fat/calorie formula twice a day. One 22cc's in the morning and one 22cc's at night. He eat's 8 times a day (every 3 hours) so 6 of those feedings are my milk with fortifier in it and the other 2 feedings are going to be the high fat/calorie formula. Since breast milk is like drinking skim milk he needs something more high calorie to plump him up. Im not a fan of him having formula this early in his life, but it makes since and we really want him to gain the weight he needs to come home. Since he missed out on all the 3rd trimester growing he needs the extra calcium, iron and fat that I cannot provide him. So I guess we are going to start the 2 formula needs soon.

Emotionally today was an ok day. I did have one little mommy meltdown moment as I was leaving the hospital. It just does not get easier to leave him behind everyday. It's just not natural for mommies to leave their babies in the hospital. I hate that he is there and I hate driving downtown everyday in traffic, but I know he needs me and I need him.

Another day closer to taking him home. Hopefully in November!

First family photo of 4

Today Landon was able to see Houston for the first time. He was so interested in him and wanting to hold his hand and give him kisses. Landon was so well behaved in the hospital and was proud to be a BIG brother. This will probably be the last time he is able to see Houston before he comes home. Since cold and flu season is from October thru April no one under the age of 12 can visit the NICU. We show Landon pictures of Houston everyday and he understands that he is not in my belly anymore and is in the hospital, but will be home very soon. 

Landon seeing his little brother for the first time.

Holding hands with baby brother

First family photo of 4



Emotionally today has been a good day. I have not cried today, just because I know Houston is in good care and healthy. His doctor came by this afternoon and checked his lungs and belly again. All was clear and all his little organs are working like they should. He is digesting my milk very well and was upped 20cc's of mommy milk today. He has gain a few ounces in the last few days. As of last night he was up to 2lbs. 5oz., only 2oz. away from being back up to birth weight. Every Sunday they measure his length so I will be excited to see how much he grew this week.

It's still a hard drive to downtown and takes a good 45 mins or more with traffic and then back again. When I am with Houston I feel guilty about not being with Landon and when I'm with Landon I feel guilty about not being with Houston. I have not found a good balance yet between dividing my time with both boys. I don't think any of this will get easier as time goes on in the next few weeks and months.

I'm still having a hard time realizing that I am not pregnant anymore when I should be. It's still very hard seeing women come out of the hospital with their babies while I have to leave mine behind. It's still hard to see women who are having baby showers, baby bump pics and weekly updates.

This month has been the best month of my life, but also the worst. The best because my 2nd son was born and the worst because I had to deliver him at 26 weeks and have our lives turned upside down.

I am still working through my emotions about this whole experience we have been put on so suddenly. I just keep thinking how I have a tiny little guy who is HEALTHY, who needs me to visit him everyday, who needs me to hold him everyday and who is coming home to a family that LOVES him more than anything.

Happy 2 weeks Houston!!