Another big milestone has been reached. When we first checked in here they showed us a picture book of premature babies and what the NICU and other conditions would be like to help prepare us for what babies at different gestational periods look like and go through. Well they had a couple pages on 24-26 weeks. Today Melissa asked to see the book again to look at the 27-31 week pages. It was really nice to turn that page.
While the most critical development weeks have past we now enter the large growth spurt where the weight increase is exponentional. Hopefully we can hang around for a while to allow Bea to pack on the pounds to give her strength and stamina for life outside of the womb. I'm a little extra tired today and ready for bed and to wake up in the morning refreshed with one day further removed from 27 weeks and one day closer to 28 weeks.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Tuesday February 27th
One of the first days after we checked into the hospital in Minneapolis Melissa's mom (Liz) mentioned that it would be nice if we could make it until today which is Melissa's grandfather's birthday. Neither Melissa or I thought anything about it because it seemed so impossible and unlikely to make it this far, but apparently Melissa filed away the date in the back of her head with a little glimmer of hope. While tomorrow is the big 27th week day today is more symbolic to Melissa because it's really 27 on the 27th on her grandpa's birthday.
Tonight is also the first night I haven't stayed at the hospital. I have to be up early in the morning for work, Melissa's doing really well so there's less urgency to be with her all of the time, and it's most important that she sleeps well. I would have woken her up by getting up early and there's simply no need for that right now.
It'll be really weird sleeping in our own bed, and sleeping in the bed alone. Our dog Bullet is very much wondering what I'm doing hanging around so late and he'll be really confused when I sleep here tonight, and don't sleep here tomorrow night.
All is well in Minneapolis tonight.
Tonight is also the first night I haven't stayed at the hospital. I have to be up early in the morning for work, Melissa's doing really well so there's less urgency to be with her all of the time, and it's most important that she sleeps well. I would have woken her up by getting up early and there's simply no need for that right now.
It'll be really weird sleeping in our own bed, and sleeping in the bed alone. Our dog Bullet is very much wondering what I'm doing hanging around so late and he'll be really confused when I sleep here tonight, and don't sleep here tomorrow night.
All is well in Minneapolis tonight.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Monday February 26th
Wednesday will be 27 weeks for Bea. This morning the doctor indicated that Wednesday she'll go from extremely premature to just premature. Extremely has been a not so good word lately. We'll be very happy to shed this use of the word.
On the otherhand (our dog) Bullet is extremely fond of the snow. With the temperature being so warm (near freezing) he hunkers down in the snow, using it as insulation, and he just doesn't want to come in. It looks like I'm going to have to drag him in from the yard so I can get to the hospital.
On the otherhand (our dog) Bullet is extremely fond of the snow. With the temperature being so warm (near freezing) he hunkers down in the snow, using it as insulation, and he just doesn't want to come in. It looks like I'm going to have to drag him in from the yard so I can get to the hospital.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Sunday February 25
Another day has inched buy with nothing exciting to report. Melissa is in good spirits except for the wrong basketball team won today.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Snowy Saturday
Today marks the second week Melissa's been in the hospital. I tell her it's actually the 15th day so that makes it two weeks and one day (every day counts). The doctors said not very many people make it more than two weeks after a water rupture so we're finally on the good side of the odds. Some people make it 10 weeks so there's no reason we can't do that. Melissa's rupture was likely caused by the surgery, so it's my theory that her sac has a small isolated tear as opposed to a large structural tear other women may have before leaking. Thus Melissa and Bea are much more structurally sound and should be capable of going for quite a while. Her uterus and Bea's vital signs have been very stable all week so there's no reason for anything but optimism.
The nurses and doctors have consistently been very happy with Bea's heart rate tracing and indicated she's well ahead of her time. I'm starting a new theory that Melissa's diligence with aerobics and my persistence of just about every sport I can participate in (I've announced that no one can beat me on the eliptical) hopefully have passed a strong cardiovascular system to Bea. I never thought about how good physical genes and diligence from parents could possibly make an impact at a time like this when Bea's strength and stamina will be tested more than at any time in her life. It might not make any impact but you never know.
Melissa indicated the view outside the hospital is like a snow globe. I said that's fine as long as no one shakes her real hard. I actually took Bullet for a walk and he looked like a polar bear when we came back in.
The nurses and doctors have consistently been very happy with Bea's heart rate tracing and indicated she's well ahead of her time. I'm starting a new theory that Melissa's diligence with aerobics and my persistence of just about every sport I can participate in (I've announced that no one can beat me on the eliptical) hopefully have passed a strong cardiovascular system to Bea. I never thought about how good physical genes and diligence from parents could possibly make an impact at a time like this when Bea's strength and stamina will be tested more than at any time in her life. It might not make any impact but you never know.
Melissa indicated the view outside the hospital is like a snow globe. I said that's fine as long as no one shakes her real hard. I actually took Bullet for a walk and he looked like a polar bear when we came back in.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Friday February 23rd
Nothing new to report. We're supposed to get a big snowstorm this weekend, around 10 inches maybe more. Melissa jokes that she's been waiting a few years for a good snowstorm to skip work and this one won't do her a whole lot of good. She can't enjoy it at all. Maybe I'll slip a snow ball in her gown when she's sleeping. Then she'll notice the snow a little more and maybe it'll help her through a hot flash. Melissa jokes that she hopes the doctors can make it to the hospital this weekend. Well actually they have a peri-natal doctor in the hospital at all times and we're attached to the Children's Hospital where the NICU unit is. I'm actually very happy that Melissa and Bea will be tucked in safe and sound at the hospital.
The big excitement this weekend will be looking forward to the Wisconsin vs. Ohio State basketball game. Wisconsin's loss versus Michigan State this week took a little excitement out of the #1 vs. #2 game but it'll be definitely fun to watch. We have an agreement where if our college team isn't playing (Wisconsin or Minnesota) we have to root for the other team (Wisconsin or Minnesota). I play along to be nice, Melissa plays along because I'm really grumpy when the Gophers loose - especially when they lose dramatically, but we're not going to dwell on the past. We've got a new football coach and I'm sure Flip Saunders will be signing on any day to coach the basketball team (I say this with much sarcasm and false hope).
My recommendation for the weekend is any Twin Citians who shovel should buy the shovels with the bent handles. With my back surgery I really notice the difference with the ergonomic design.
The big excitement this weekend will be looking forward to the Wisconsin vs. Ohio State basketball game. Wisconsin's loss versus Michigan State this week took a little excitement out of the #1 vs. #2 game but it'll be definitely fun to watch. We have an agreement where if our college team isn't playing (Wisconsin or Minnesota) we have to root for the other team (Wisconsin or Minnesota). I play along to be nice, Melissa plays along because I'm really grumpy when the Gophers loose - especially when they lose dramatically, but we're not going to dwell on the past. We've got a new football coach and I'm sure Flip Saunders will be signing on any day to coach the basketball team (I say this with much sarcasm and false hope).
My recommendation for the weekend is any Twin Citians who shovel should buy the shovels with the bent handles. With my back surgery I really notice the difference with the ergonomic design.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Thursday February 22
Nothing much to report today. Last night about two hours after we ate our celebratory pizza Melissa realized that she got really bad acid reflux from red sauce (spaghetti) the night before we went to the hospital here in Minneapolis. She realized it because of all of the red sauce she ate from the pizza. She had acid reflux all night. The cupcakes seemed to go down just fine and Liz and I had no complaints with the pizza.
I'm late for the hospital so I need to run.
I'm late for the hospital so I need to run.
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