Uncle Matt and his scary beard!
Soon -to-be Aunt Katie
PopPop Dirk and Meena K got to hold their grandson for the very first time today too! They had to wait 43 days!
Monday, March 16, 2009
March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
March 13, 2009 - 6 weeks old!
Blake needs blood again - so today he had to get an IV put in. He hasn't had a transfusion in a month - but is in need of one now. He has been more lethargic, not waking for feeds, not interested in trying to bottle feed etc. He needs a little boost - so hopefully the blood will give it to him!
We also found out today that he has hypothyroidism. We are still learning exactly what all of this entails - but the thyroid has a lot to do with brain development and growth so it really isn't something to mess around with. So the neonatologist consulted with the pediatric endocrinologist and it was decided that it would be best to start him on medication for this. This is probably something that he will be on for a long time, even possibly for life. We will know more as time goes on and we meet with the endocrinologist etc. The good thing is, that it is treatable and we are lucky that they thought to look at these numbers!!
March 12, 2009
If you were looking for Meena C today - this is where you would have found her for most of the day! Blake got a lot of cuddle time today and really enjoyed it.
He is acting pretty lethargic today and we are hoping that he can get a blood transfusion to help perk him up tomorrow!
March 11, 2009 - Welcome to the world CeCe!!
This beauty was born today - FULL TERM to dear, dear friends of ours.
CeCe's big sister Sally and Braden were in the NICU together almost 5 years ago (and are about 7 weeks apart) - and Renee and I have been close friends ever since.
Now CeCe and Blake are 6 weeks apart and hopefully will become the best of friends like their siblings.
It has taken many, many prayers to get Miss CeCe here and we could not be happier that they will be able to walk out of the hospital with their baby in their arms. Anyone else, I might be really jealous - but for this family, I have nothing but love and happiness - not many deserve this more :) We love you guys!!!!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
March 09, 2009
Such a big day today!
So many changes - for the better!
First, Blake thinks that he is big enough for a big boy bed - so somehow - at only 2 lbs. 11 oz. he was moved into an open crib today - and he's been doing great!?!?
Then tonight, at 38 days old, Blake got to try his very first bottle. He did pretty well and took 5-7cc's of his 25 cc's and we gave him the rest through his tube. We will be slowly introducing him to the bottle as the days go on!
Then he experienced another first - an air bubble b/c of the bottle feeding. He did not appreciate this side effect! Good thing Aunt Jill was working and had the secret touch to get it to come up!!
And although these things are SO VERY exciting in Blake's life - one event today pretty much overshadowed them all! To say that my heart was very happy today would be an understatment!
See for yourself...
March 08, 2009
for the kind that they made when Braden was in here - they were so perfect.
But I've found out that Gerber doesn't make them anymore - so this
is the next closest thing. It is super long, but awfully cute ;) Gotta love Ebay!
March 06, 2009 - 5 weeks old!
Bye -Bye Vapotherm
We've loved what you've done for our little man...
but we're not sad to see you go!
March 04, 2009
March 03, 2009
March 01, 2009 - March For Babies 2009!!!
Each year 1 in every 8 babies is born prematurely. Chris and I never thought that ours would be 2 for 2.
As I sit down to write this year’s March for Babies letter – I am in a very different place than I was when I wrote our first letter 4 years ago. 4 years ago – Braden was a happy, healthy 9 month old. We had just gotten out of the PICU with lung issues and continued to face those, but for the most part – he was perfect. We had been through the NICU experience, we had had the 1 lb. 11 oz. baby – but we were on the other side – waiting to see what the future would hold for our little miracle – and it looked bright.Each year as I sat down to write our letter – it was hard to relive the experiences that we went through with Braden. It was hard to remember the days spent watching him through his incubator, unable to hold him at will, to touch him, to feed him. But after remembering the 77 days we spent going back and forth to see our son, I could look at him sitting next to me – or running down the hallway – or doing flips in the living room, and know he was doing great.
This year is no different for Braden. As far as we can see, he has overcome his rough start with few scars to show. He was taken off his daily steroids and inhalers last summer and has done wonderfully without them. He has had a great winter thus far (knock on wood) and only missed one week of school in the first semester due to illness. He goes to pre-school 3 days a week and loves it. He is all boy – if you get my drift – but he is doing much better at completing tasks, listening and following directions. He is a great friend to everyone and does not like to see others left out or sad. He is never stingy with his kisses and “I love yous”. He is obsessed with Transformers, Monster Trucks and John Deere and has an imagination that I hope follows him far in life. He has also taken on a new role this year as Big Brother Braden, and even though he has been a big brother for over 4 weeks now, he still has not met his brother face-to-face. He only knows him through our stories, pictures and videos. But he knows he has an important role to play, and I know he will be ready when he finally gets his chance.
As for his little brother…Blake Joseph was born 12 weeks early on January 30, 2009. Together, we made it through 4 weeks of hospital bed rest, and he arrived bigger and stronger than anyone thought. He weighed 1 lb. 6 oz. and was 11.25 inches long. He fought hard during those 4 weeks, and continues to do so. He has his brother’s fighting genes and prayers from around the world; and he is making the most of the chance he has been given. So here we are – again looking at our son through a plastic box. We have been here 31 days so far – with no end in the near future. We have to drive everyday to see him, ask if we can hold him (usually only once a day), change him and bathe him. Looking at the big picture, he is doing wonderfully, he has gained a pound and grown 1 ¾ inches this month. He is cute as ever and has wonderful people who we trust and love caring for his every need, but we cannot wait for the day when we can be the ones to provide him with everything he needs.
To write this letter in the beginning (maybe middle!!) of this journey is hard. We know that Braden is one of the lucky ones; so far he has left prematurity behind him and will most likely continue to lead a healthy, carefree life. We hope and pray for the same outcome for Blake, but in all reality, we just don’t know. Many people believe that premature babies are just “small babies that need to get bigger”, but this is not true. These babies face so many challenges by being born prematurely and for many the fight does not end when they walk out the NICU doors. Some will go through years of therapies and a common cold can mean hospitalization and major health complications.
Without the March of Dimes, our lives with Braden and Blake would not be possible. Both boys received artificial surfactant at birth, and without this substance - developed by research funded by the March of Dimes - neither of our boys would be here today. I know there are many, many, MANY worthwhile charities out there. I am sure we would like to donate to them all!!! In financial reality, we have to pick and choose the one or ones that are closest to our own hearts. This is the one closest to *my* heart. This is the one closest to *Chris’s* heart. This is the one closest to *my family’s* hearts. Prematurity does not just affect the baby - it affects the entire family! We all need to understand that placing resources with the March of Dimes...a time tested organization who's never failed a mission yet...will be an investment...not just in our families, but in our country's future.
This is our 5th year walking –and our name has officially been changed to Team Miracle Monsters –since Blake decided he wanted to be included! Over the past 4 years, our team alone has raised over $10,000 for the March of Dimes. I think that is amazing and only possible with the kindness and generosity of all of you. In this year that we have been so blessed by family and friends, it is hard to ask for more. But as I sit here in Blake’s room and know that my two boys are here because others before me walked and raised money – I will ask.
Our walk this year is May 2, 2009. If you would like to come walk as part of Team Miracle Monsters, we would love to have you! Please let me know and I’ll get you all set up with your own fundraising site! If you would like to donate to our team and help support the March of Dimes, you can do so at www.marchforbabies.org/miraclemonster or send cash/check donation to me1!
Our goal this year is to reach $2450 – which is $50 for every ounce that the boys weighed at birth (27 oz +22 oz =49 oz X $50 = $2450).Thank you for your continued support of our family and our fight against prematurity! We never thought our boys would have to start their lives the way that they did. We are thankful that through the power of God, the doctors and nurses and the March of Dimes – they have been able to have the fighting chance they deserve.
Love,Carissa, Chris, Braden and Blake
Team Miracle Monsters
"We may grow them small, but we grow them strong!"
We are selling Team Miracle Monsters T-shirts this year!
Minimum $20 donation for short sleeve
Minimum $30 donation for long sleeve
Email me for details on how you can get yours!!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
February 28, 2009
February 27, 2009 - 4 weeks old!
Today my great friend Denise drove up from Kansas City to see us! Braden wanted to take her to Arby's for lunch?!?! So we went there and then hung out with him for awhile then headed down to the hospital so she could meet Blake!
She had these shirts made up for the boys "I *heart* my Aunt Dee" for my baby shower that I missed in Kansas City when I was on bedrest! - So cute! Then she got to meet Mr. Blake! He even was awake when we got there so she got to see his beautiful eyes! Thanks for coming Denise, it means so much to us!!! Love ya!
When I got home last night this is where I found the other 2 boys - Braden was sound asleep in daddy's arms. They had been listening to the Beatles on the computer and Braden crawled up and fell asleep! It was so cute - and we got him to bed no problem after that - he was zonked!!
Comparison Time...
Here is Blake in the onesie of the day - at 4 weeks old...
Here is his big brother in the same onesie just a few days older. Braden fills it out a little better - he does have some length of Blake, that's for sure! But I think they both are pretty darn cute in it!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
February 25, 2009
Science Center of Iowa FUN!
Today Braden and I got to spend some fun time together with Jill and Gavin. We took the boys to the Science Center - and they had a ball! They have a lot of hands on stuff for them to do and they ran around for about 2 1/2 hours! They were both wiped out afterward!!
Bubble Making fun!
Peek-a-boo Braden
Electrifying!
After all that fun I spent the evening down with Blake! This was the outfit he was in when I got there. It is again one of his brothers...it is a onesie, but fits him more like a one piece pant suit :) I'm sure he's wondering what the heck we're doing dressing him in all this stuff!
Then after his bath tonight I dressed him in his VERY OWN (his first non hand me down!) little shirt. Meena C found some great deals at Carter's on the way up last weekend...this shirt looked so tiny on the hanger ;) We had to double the sleeves up, but he does look pretty handsome in blue and brown, if I do say so myself :) and look he even coordinates with his bedding - wow, he is a fashionista!
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