We have had the most amazing outpouring of support from friends, family and complete strangers. It’s during tough times in your life that I think you step back and realize what life is really about and who in your life is truly there to support you through the tough times. This has been our wake-up call. What has really taken our breath away are the people that we barely know who have reached out with kind words, cards and even gifts for Baby Sofia. Our situation as far as being in the NICU and all the crazy things that come with that has been compounded by the fact that we were placed in the hospital 2 days before our move form NC to FL. Our belongings, my car and our puppy made the move…we didn’t!

Some great friends of ours have opened up their home to us and we have had offers from others as well if we needed it. We even have an offer from Ronald McDonald House of Durham as they were also notified of our situation. We would love to take RMH up on their offer but it’s about 40min away and being 15 minutes away has felt like an eternity. It’s difficult to not have any material possession we are used to, I literally have 3 t-shirts and a ton of PJ’s, can we say time for a mall visit?! But at the end of the day I would walk around in Pj’s and bed slippers if that’s what I needed to do because all the “stuff” just doesn’t seem that important right now.

Today Sofia is working on the letter P….ha ha ha ha haaaa! Sorry Sesame Street joke, lame I know. We are so appreciate of all the prayers and thoughts that have been sent our way, each one means the world to us and I credit that for the strength all three of us have had during this time. We were still hoping for that poopy diaper and WE GOT IT!!!! We literally cheered for a dirty diaper and high fived after 5pm change. How many bets are on the table that a year from now we will NOT be high fiving a poopy diaper? We also had to sign a consent to have her belly button IV lead switched to a PICC line. They so this sterile procedure while we aren’t there and it breaks my heart that she may be in pain and be alone during after. We asked the nurse to call us after so we knew everything went well. It did! It was in a good position according to the X-ray and they will do one 24 hours after to confirm it’s still where it should be. We also decorated her cubicle area for Halloween! Our friend Tessa (who we are staying with) came with me to help me pick out the decorations. It’s still Sofia’s first Halloween so we wanted her to be able to be “excited” about her firsts.

October 1st thru 5th

Day 1- – Sofia spent less than a full day on the ventilator. We were told prior to delivering that we shouldn’t expect to hear her cry or make any noise after birth because her lungs may not be mature enough just yet. Just as they were taking her from the room to the Neonatal team she let out just a tiny little squeak! I guess she needed to let us know she was stronger than we may expect! Later on the first day she was placed on a CPAP machine and she tolerated that really well. This little miracle is quite the little fighter. I also was able to do some kangaroo care time a little over 24 hours after she was born for about 40 minutes. That made me a really happy Mommy, it was the longest first day till I got to see her.

Day 2- – Sunday she was placed under phototherapy lights because she had raised bilirubin levels due to jaundice. We keep telling her that this just a little tanning bed experience…and that she will not be allowed to tan like this when she’s bigger. She is still doing well with the CPAP but she is NOT a fan of the headgear. She’s a feisty little thing and tries to take it into her own hands to push the mask and tubes off her face. Just a little glimpse of her personality I think. I was discharged from the hospital today and that was just about the hardest moment I’ve had so far. It’s devastating to walk out of the hospital during discharge with all of the other Moms’ who have just delivered but not be able to take your little home.   

Day 3- – Daddy got to kangaroo for the first time and he loved it as much as I did. Feeling her close is so relaxing and comforting. We hope she feels the same way! Bili levels came down and she was taken off the phototherapy session. It was a boring day in the NICU…we love, love, LOVE boring NICU days! Mimi and Papa Farsaci and Kumpa B all went home today. We were so sad they had to go but we know that they wish they could be around the corner. Sofia will miss them but knows they send their love everyday. 🙂

Day 4- – We are back under phototherapy because her bilirubin levels went up again today. So the tanning session is back in effect. She is still only digest small amounts of the 1ml of breast milk she is receiving. She has a little back up of meconium into her tummy at this point and we are hoping for a poopy diaper any day now! Her sugar levels are elevated and her blood work is showing she is hyper-glycemic. They are adjusting her fluids levels to balance this out, fingers crossed they get the right levels quickly. Glama and Grandpa Fox went home today, so now all the grandparents have gone to FL. We miss them so much and we all wish we were a lot closer during all of this. They have been an amazing support system and we know how much they love this little miracle baby.

Day 5- – Sugar levels are still elevated today so more adjustments will be made to control her levels. They have dropped since yesterday so we are headed in the right direction! Still hoping for that poopy diaper! We have had a few smears but we can tell she’s really working to pass that build up. It will be so beneficial for her after. She will get rid of more of the bilirubin and take more milk which will help her sugars and weight gain. We are still at 1lb4oz but put on a few grams from the last weight in. Daddy had his first encounter with a Bradycardia episode and boy did he get freaked out! We almost needed a heart monitor for him. It was right after he got there for his visit and he had just reached in to the isolette. It only lasted a few seconds and just a little rub on the back from the nurse got her to pop back up. This is a common preemie thing but still unnerving for us as parents. She got some Kangarooing in with Mommy and Daddy today! We love snuggle sessions with Sofia!

October 1st thru 5th

Day 1- – Sofia spent less than a full day on the ventilator. We were told prior to delivering that we shouldn’t expect to hear her cry or make any noise after birth because her lungs may not be mature enough just yet. Just as they were taking her from the room to the Neonatal team she let out just a tiny little squeak! I guess she needed to let us know she was stronger than we may expect! Later on the first day she was placed on a CPAP machine and she tolerated that really well. This little miracle is quite the little fighter. I also was able to do some kangaroo care time a little over 24 hours after she was born for about 40 minutes. That made me a really happy Mommy, it was the longest first day till I got to see her.

Day 2- – Sunday she was placed under phototherapy lights because she had raised bilirubin levels due to jaundice. We keep telling her that this just a little tanning bed experience…and that she will not be allowed to tan like this when she’s bigger. She is still doing well with the CPAP but she is NOT a fan of the headgear. She’s a feisty little thing and tries to take it into her own hands to push the mask and tubes off her face. Just a little glimpse of her personality I think. I was discharged from the hospital today and that was just about the hardest moment I’ve had so far. It’s devastating to walk out of the hospital during discharge with all of the other Moms’ who have just delivered but not be able to take your little home.   

Day 3- – Daddy got to kangaroo for the first time and he loved it as much as I did. Feeling her close is so relaxing and comforting. We hope she feels the same way! Bili levels came down and she was taken off the phototherapy session. It was a boring day in the NICU…we love, love, LOVE boring NICU days! Mimi and Papa Farsaci and Kumpa B all went home today. We were so sad they had to go but we know that they wish they could be around the corner. Sofia will miss them but knows they send their love everyday. 🙂

Day 4- – We are back under phototherapy because her bilirubin levels went up again today. So the tanning session is back in effect. She is still only digest small amounts of the 1ml of breast milk she is receiving. She has a little back up of meconium into her tummy at this point and we are hoping for a poopy diaper any day now! Her sugar levels are elevated and her blood work is showing she is hyper-glycemic. They are adjusting her fluids levels to balance this out, fingers crossed they get the right levels quickly. Glama and Grandpa Fox went home today, so now all the grandparents have gone to FL. We miss them so much and we all wish we were a lot closer during all of this. They have been an amazing support system and we know how much they love this little miracle baby.

Day 5- – Sugar levels are still elevated today so more adjustments will be made to control her levels. They have dropped since yesterday so we are headed in the right direction! Still hoping for that poopy diaper! We have had a few smears but we can tell she’s really working to pass that build up. It will be so beneficial for her after. She will get rid of more of the bilirubin and take more milk which will help her sugars and weight gain. We are still at 1lb4oz but put on a few grams from the last weight in. Daddy had his first encounter with a Bradycardia episode and boy did he get freaked out! We almost needed a heart monitor for him. It was right after he got there for his visit and he had just reached in to the isolette. It only lasted a few seconds and just a little rub on the back from the nurse got her to pop back up. This is a common preemie thing but still unnerving for us as parents. She got some Kangarooing in with Mommy and Daddy today! We love snuggle sessions with Sofia!

October 1st thru 5th

Day 1- – Sofia spent less than a full day on the ventilator. We were told prior to delivering that we shouldn’t expect to hear her cry or make any noise after birth because her lungs may not be mature enough just yet. Just as they were taking her from the room to the Neonatal team she let out just a tiny little squeak! I guess she needed to let us know she was stronger than we may expect! Later on the first day she was placed on a CPAP machine and she tolerated that really well. This little miracle is quite the little fighter. I also was able to do some kangaroo care time a little over 24 hours after she was born for about 40 minutes. That made me a really happy Mommy, it was the longest first day till I got to see her.

Day 2- – Sunday she was placed under phototherapy lights because she had raised bilirubin levels due to jaundice. We keep telling her that this just a little tanning bed experience…and that she will not be allowed to tan like this when she’s bigger. She is still doing well with the CPAP but she is NOT a fan of the headgear. She’s a feisty little thing and tries to take it into her own hands to push the mask and tubes off her face. Just a little glimpse of her personality I think. I was discharged from the hospital today and that was just about the hardest moment I’ve had so far. It’s devastating to walk out of the hospital during discharge with all of the other Moms’ who have just delivered but not be able to take your little home.   

Day 3- – Daddy got to kangaroo for the first time and he loved it as much as I did. Feeling her close is so relaxing and comforting. We hope she feels the same way! Bili levels came down and she was taken off the phototherapy session. It was a boring day in the NICU…we love, love, LOVE boring NICU days! Mimi and Papa Farsaci and Kumpa B all went home today. We were so sad they had to go but we know that they wish they could be around the corner. Sofia will miss them but knows they send their love everyday. 🙂

Day 4- – We are back under phototherapy because her bilirubin levels went up again today. So the tanning session is back in effect. She is still only digest small amounts of the 1ml of breast milk she is receiving. She has a little back up of meconium into her tummy at this point and we are hoping for a poopy diaper any day now! Her sugar levels are elevated and her blood work is showing she is hyper-glycemic. They are adjusting her fluids levels to balance this out, fingers crossed they get the right levels quickly. Glama and Grandpa Fox went home today, so now all the grandparents have gone to FL. We miss them so much and we all wish we were a lot closer during all of this. They have been an amazing support system and we know how much they love this little miracle baby.

Day 5- – Sugar levels are still elevated today so more adjustments will be made to control her levels. They have dropped since yesterday so we are headed in the right direction! Still hoping for that poopy diaper! We have had a few smears but we can tell she’s really working to pass that build up. It will be so beneficial for her after. She will get rid of more of the bilirubin and take more milk which will help her sugars and weight gain. We are still at 1lb4oz but put on a few grams from the last weight in. Daddy had his first encounter with a Bradycardia episode and boy did he get freaked out! We almost needed a heart monitor for him. It was right after he got there for his visit and he had just reached in to the isolette. It only lasted a few seconds and just a little rub on the back from the nurse got her to pop back up. This is a common preemie thing but still unnerving for us as parents. She got some Kangarooing in with Mommy and Daddy today! We love snuggle sessions with Sofia!

September 30, 2011- – 25wks4d

Sofia Isabella 1lb4oz and 13.25in

Sofia decided to make her arrival at 3:01am on  September 30th. My water broke on the 29th at 4:30 in the morning and I was put on another magnesium treatment for 12 hours. This made contractions slow down, however, about an hour after the magnesium ended active labor began. By 11pm contractions were about 4 minutes apart, strong and we knew that this was definitely going to happen. I have low blood pressure normally and the OB did not feel comfortable giving me any additional medication to slow contractions because they would lower my blood pressure even more.

This is about the time that the true depth and breath of the situation was setting in and I knew that I had to prepare myself for the inevitable…I would be meeting my little baby girl, just a little earlier than anyone expected. I opted to not have an epidural during labor because I felt that much medication in such a tiny baby would not be the best start I could provide her. I also had never gotten the opportunity to take any labor classes so this was a learn-as-you-go situation. I found my zone after some advice from my mother-in-law who had 4 natural  births herself.

My mother was able to arrive the afternoon of the magnesium treatment and my in-laws arrived at 1am just in time to meet their granddaughter. She made her arrival kicking, flailing and letting us all know she was a force to be reckoned with! She stole my heart the moment she entered this world. She is my miracle baby!

September 30, 2011- – 25wks4d

Sofia Isabella 1lb4oz and 13.25in

Sofia decided to make her arrival at 3:01am on  September 30th. My water broke on the 29th at 4:30 in the morning and I was put on another magnesium treatment for 12 hours. This made contractions slow down, however, about an hour after the magnesium ended active labor began. By 11pm contractions were about 4 minutes apart, strong and we knew that this was definitely going to happen. I have low blood pressure normally and the OB did not feel comfortable giving me any additional medication to slow contractions because they would lower my blood pressure even more.

This is about the time that the true depth and breath of the situation was setting in and I knew that I had to prepare myself for the inevitable…I would be meeting my little baby girl, just a little earlier than anyone expected. I opted to not have an epidural during labor because I felt that much medication in such a tiny baby would not be the best start I could provide her. I also had never gotten the opportunity to take any labor classes so this was a learn-as-you-go situation. I found my zone after some advice from my mother-in-law who had 4 natural  births herself.

My mother was able to arrive the afternoon of the magnesium treatment and my in-laws arrived at 1am just in time to meet their granddaughter. She made her arrival kicking, flailing and letting us all know she was a force to be reckoned with! She stole my heart the moment she entered this world. She is my miracle baby!

September 30, 2011- – 25wks4d

Sofia Isabella 1lb4oz and 13.25in

Sofia decided to make her arrival at 3:01am on  September 30th. My water broke on the 29th at 4:30 in the morning and I was put on another magnesium treatment for 12 hours. This made contractions slow down, however, about an hour after the magnesium ended active labor began. By 11pm contractions were about 4 minutes apart, strong and we knew that this was definitely going to happen. I have low blood pressure normally and the OB did not feel comfortable giving me any additional medication to slow contractions because they would lower my blood pressure even more.

This is about the time that the true depth and breath of the situation was setting in and I knew that I had to prepare myself for the inevitable…I would be meeting my little baby girl, just a little earlier than anyone expected. I opted to not have an epidural during labor because I felt that much medication in such a tiny baby would not be the best start I could provide her. I also had never gotten the opportunity to take any labor classes so this was a learn-as-you-go situation. I found my zone after some advice from my mother-in-law who had 4 natural  births herself.

My mother was able to arrive the afternoon of the magnesium treatment and my in-laws arrived at 1am just in time to meet their granddaughter. She made her arrival kicking, flailing and letting us all know she was a force to be reckoned with! She stole my heart the moment she entered this world. She is my miracle baby!