Successful surgery.......

It's been a long day but we're so grateful everything is well with Allison. Allison is regularly seen by a pediatric ophthalmologist to monitor her eye development. One of the complications that preemies sometimes face is retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) which involves issues with the retina and development of blood vessels in the eyes. On Tuesday the doctor noticed that her eyes had taken a negative turn and suggested laser surgery immediately. www.ropard.org gives a full definition.

Fortunately Royal Oak Beaumont is recognized as the top facility in the world to have this type of surgery done - apparently babies are sent here from all over the world for this surgery, so we're very fortunate to have this resource right here.

Allison had a very successful surgery. The procedure took about 2 hours start to finish and only involved lasers. She had to be put under anesthesia, but tolerated it well. The doctor figured this would be the only surgery necessary and it will hopefully take care of the issues. She should have normal vision or perhaps might have to wear glasses for nearsightedness. Thank goodness!

On another great note....Allie is off of her CPAP and is now on a nasal canula 24 hours a day....this is a HUGE step for her as she can now start to bottle/breast feed hopefully in a couple days! We look forward to her progressing even more over the next few weeks and just can't wait to have her home in our arms!

Thank you to all for your continued prayers, e-mails and calls for Allie.

3 months old!

It's hard to believe that Allie turned 3 months yesterday! She's is now 6lbs 4oz and growing! The doctor's have actually cut back her calories since she's now on track for her weight gain. She is progressing well with her breathing. Allie continues to have 6 hour canula sessions twice a day and then alternates CPAP and the canula for the other time. We found out that Allie is also very ticklish and puts on a big smile when you tickle her feet! She is a wonderful baby and we're so happy she's doing well. She's been named the "NICU Queen" as she has been in the NICU longer that any other baby at this time!

"Splish splash...I was taking a bath"

What fun! I had a day at the spa! Mom gave me a bubble bath in my new tub (thank you Nana and Shepard aunts!) It was great, I even have a head pillow! All I need now are some whirpool jets in this thing!

I am 5lbs 14oz and 18 inches long. I can fit into my preemie clothes very well now. I've been doing great on my breathing. I now use the nasal canula for 6 hours once a day and then alternate the CPAP and canula every 3 hours during the remainder of the day. I'm up to 50cc's of milk every 3 hours too. Still waiting for them to add some Nestle Quik to it!

The occupational therapist came to visit, she said I'm looking great and gave me some posture exercises to practice with Mom and Dad. The neonatologists tell me that I should be able to go home mid to late August.....Yipee!

I am so excited to go home, but will miss all my NICU friends, wonderful nurses, respiratory therapists, doctors, environmental crew and receptionists. They will never, ever know just how much their loving care, patience and knowledge has meant to all of us. They will always have a special place in all our hearts.

Love and kisses,
Allie

Little Miss Sunshine

Allison has had a good week. She's now 5 lbs 3 oz and growing strong. The doctors are really pleased with her progress. Allie is still rotating between CPAP and the canula till Monday and then they'll re-evaluate where she's at. She is starting to cry more and is getting accustomed to her feeding schedule every 3 hours. She does let us know when she's hungry!!!

Allie loves to cuddle and slept on Mom's chest for 2 hours today. We read some fairy tales too!

Hope everyone is doing well and have a nice weekend!

"I'm a big kid now!"

I'm back again! This time I had to rely on my doggie Boomer to help me out....he brought me Dad's laptop! I've been a busy, busy girl! I'm now 5lbs 1oz, can you believe that? The canula and CPAP are going well for me, I like it when I'm on the canula since there are less wires and tubes on my head!
I've been busy playing dress up - everyone likes to dress me and then a couple hours later they change my clothes.....I don't get it!
This weekend was busy, I had a new neighbor move in next door, she seems nice, but a little fussy at times! The gift shop downstairs had a sale going on, so I crawled all the way down there to go shopping....Mom says I have to learn how to shop at an early age so I can keep up with her and my grandmothers when I'm older!

I must get going, I've got my "yoga for preemies" class this morning.

Love, Allie

Great News!

Hi Everyone!

Allie is growing fast and is now 4 lbs 10 oz and is loving her new crib! We got the most wonderful news yesterday.....Allie's PDA valve in her heart has finally closed!!! After an ultrasound, the pediatric cardiologist confirmed that her heart is just fine and the valve closed on it's own, so no surgery! He assured us that her heart is just "beautiful!"

Allie continues to be on the nasal canula and CPAP alternating each every 3 hours. It's so much easier to hold and care for her when she's on the canula, we can't wait for her to go full-time!
Mom bought Allie a "princess" mobile for her crib....she's amused by the mirror on it!

A lot of people have been asking when she'll get to come home...most likely it will be close to her due date - give or take a few weeks. Her original due date was August 8th, so hopefully not too much longer. However and whatever it takes to keep her strong and healthy is exactly what we'll do. Thank you everyone for all your prayers for Allie.

Love,
Matt, Nicole and Allie

P.S. Maybe Allie will try to sneak out next time to write the blog!

OK, somebody snitched...

I don't know who on the outside did it, but somebody must have told the nurses that I've been sneaking out and writing this blog. Today they put me in a new bed, this one has bars which I think are there to hold me in. Mom and dad seemed real excited though, they say that it is a step up and the reason for the change is because I can hold my own body temperature. I'm not sure if I buy that story...I've also been a lot hungrier lately so they have increased my feeding to 48 cc's every 3 hours (a long way since the 2 cc's when I first started). I am also doing 3 hours on the canula and then 3 hours on the CPAP. So 50% of my time is on the canula. This is real good because I'm am able to be held more and mom and dad are real excited. Oh, I almost forgot - yesterday I got my first manicure!!! It was a lot of fun and I think mom and I have a new hobby. Talk to you all soon.

Happy 4th of July!

It's me again! I'm using the nurse's computer while she's on a break - HA! I'm so excited to be on the nasal canula now. They let me use it 2 times per day for about 3 hours...it is so fun being free from all the extra tubes and wires and I don't have to wear that silly hat!

The 4th of July was so much fun! Mom and Dad gave me my very first bath. I've never seen Mom and Dad get so excited over a bath.....it was very special for them to be able to do more care for me. I loved it and didn't cry one bit! I'm now 4 lbs 4 oz and getting big!

The 4th was great at the NICU.....we had a potluck dinner (I brought rice cereal with bananas and pina colada flavored pacifiers for my friends) followed by "nursery rhyme" karaoke!!! What a fun night at the NICU!

I hope everyone is well and I can't thank you enough for your calls, e-mails, prayers, cards and love. I know Mom and Dad really appreciate everything too!

I think the nurse is coming back from break....got to go!

Love, Allie

I'm 4 lbs!!!!!!

Hi Everyone!

I finally got to sneek out of the NICU again to post an update! I've been a busy girl lately....I'm now 4 lbs and growing strong! The CPAP is going really well and they've been able to ween my pressure even more. I overheard the doctor say today that they will try a nasal canula on me tomorrow. Wouldn't that be great? Then I can get rid of all these tubes and my hat and you can see my pretty face and hair. I've got to get lots of rest tonight so that I can save my strength for the canula!

The food is okay around here, they keep giving me the same milk stuff, but have increased the amount. My tummy has handled it well. I got in trouble for trying to have a pizza delivered to the NICU......that didn't go over good. I really wish the ice cream truck could come up to the 5th floor!

I've been having fun playing dress-up with the nurses. They love to put cute outfits on me everyday. I got so many new nice clothes and toys at my "Princess" shower last weekend. Thank you everyone for all the wonderful new things.

Mom and Dad have been hanging out with me and holding me quite a bit. I love to cuddle and hear them talk to me. Grandma Karen came to see me today too. I can't wait to go home and be with my friends and family.

Well goodnight to all and I'll try to sneak out again to give you an update on the nasal canula - wish me luck!

Love, Allie