August 29, 2008 12:30 pm

My first bath in a real "tub"!

I loved my bath!

Saying my bedtime prayers!

Asleep at last!

Hello everyone! The RNICU gave Laurie a big 2 month birthday surprise by moving her down to the Continuing Care Nursery (CCN) at shift change last night! We were expecting this move by the end of the month, but yesterday afternoon the unit got very busy and they needed space for more critical babies. We were blessed to be the most stable of the critical babies! Laurie has had several good weeks and we felt much more comfortable with the move this time.

Since Laurie changed to the nasal canula on Wednesday, she has been having more frequent de-sat and bradycardia (slowing of the heart rate) spells. However, the doctors are watching her closely and giving her a chance to adjust to the nasal canula. She has not quite reached the three pound mark yet, and weighed 2 lbs. 14 oz. last night. We have also been changed over to the nurse practitioner service where Laurie will have the same nurse practitioner and attending for the rest of our time here, rather than changing interns, residents, and attendings each month. Hopefully, this will provide more consistent care for Laurie!

I had the opportunity to hold Laurie again last night and rock her in an actual rocking chair! After rocking, I was able to give Laurie her first "real" bath! She loved being able to sit in the "tub". I realize that these two events are nothing new for most two month olds, but were BIG baby steps for us! I am definitely learning a new appreciation for the "little things".

Thanks for your continued prayers and support! We are seeing prayers being answered each day! Please pray for travel safety for Todd and Cole as they come to Birmingham tonight for the long weekend. As long as there are no changes with Laurie, I will probably not blog again until late Monday afternoon when they go home. I hope you all have a great Friday and a safe holiday!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 28, 2008 2:45 pm

Laurie is two months old today! She did not quite make the 3 lb. mark last night, but is very close at 2 lbs. 15 oz. Maybe at tonight's weigh-in she will get that extra ounce! The doctors have increased her feeds again to 20 cc every 3 hours. Laurie continues to do well on the nasal canula, but does still have her usual de-sats. We pray that she will be able to continue to hold her own with the nasal canula! Today is yet another quiet day for her to grow! Please continue to pray for Laurie's lung development and wisdom for Todd and me has we make decisions about her care.

Gabe Sims's surgery has been canceled for now. There is still uncertainty about how to best proceed with his treatment. As you can imagine, this is very difficult and frustrating for his parents. Please continue to remember their family in your prayers.

Love to all!
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 27, 2008

"They're out! Did anyone see me do that?!"

"FINALLY! Nothing on my face!"

"Now, if they would just leave me alone! I can do this by myself!"
(As my brother Cole has already taught me to say!)

"They just won't leave my nose alone, but at least these tubes are shorter!"

"Now I can breathe!"

Good morning everyone! Laurie has had enough of the C-pap and let us all know it this morning! During rounds the doctors decided to try taking her off the C-pap and putting her on a nasal canula. This is simply a small tube in her nose giving oxygen, but with her breathing on her own. Before the orders could be put in the computer, Laurie had pulled out the long C-pap tubes three times. On the third time her nurse decided to leave them out and see how she would handle this. Fifteen minutes later the respiratory therapist came to change her over to nasal canula and realized that Laurie had done most of the work for her! After her first feat of getting the tubes out, she was in the process of attempting to take off the C-pap face bar too. However, the therapist did have to assist her with the bar. As you can see from the pictures, there is nothing on Laurie's face but the canula and feeding tube!!! I know she must feel so much better! She has been fighting with those C-pap tubes for weeks now! In addition to her breathing improvements, Laurie also continues to gain weight. She weighed 2 lbs. 15 oz. last night. She has almost added another pound! We are so thankful for Laurie's continued improvements! God is good!!!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 26, 2008 1:15 pm

Hello from wet Birmingham! Laurie is having another great day with no changes. Her doctors do not seem to be in any hurry to rush her off the C-pap. They are just giving her time to become more consistent with her breathing and to have fewer de-sats, although Laurie sure would like to have the C-pap out of her nose. She has learned how to wiggle and push her head back to get them out and has shown us several times already this morning! She weighed 2 lbs. 12 oz. last night. Her eye exam yesterday continues to show only immature vessels, which is good at this point.


Gabe Sims's surgery was moved to Thursday, August 28, 2008 due to scheduling issues for the doctors. Please continue to pray for his parents as they wait! He too still has a long road ahead. I will keep you posted on his progress.

Thanks for keeping up with Laurie's blog and for your continued prayers.

Love to all!
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 25, 2008 2:15 pm

Todd gets to hold Laurie for the 1st time! 8.24.08

Hello everyone! Laurie is taking advantage of the rainy day by sleeping and growing! Todd, Laurie and I had a very quiet and restful weekend! While Cole spent the weekend between Nana's and MeMa's--I'm sure it was not so quiet for them with Cole around!!! Laurie continues to do well and the doctors have made very few changes the past few days. They did increase her feeds yesterday to 19 cc every 3 hours and she continues to gain weight--2 lbs. 12 oz. last night. Laurie will have another routine eye exam later this afternoon.

I was able to hold Laurie twice this weekend and Todd held her for the first time on Sunday! We tried holding Laurie with her receiving oxygen using a nasal canula, rather than blow-by and she tolerated it very well. This was such a special time for us and made holding her much easier (less tubing)! I believe that we are getting very close to coming off the C-pap! Thank you for your continued prayers! We see the results of prayer each day!

Also, please say a special prayer for the Sims family. Amy, the mother of another baby here in the RNICU, and I have become good friends over the past month . She and her husband have also had to make many difficult decisions for their new baby and triplet sons at home. After days of deliberation with many different doctors, Gabe will be having heart surgery tomorrow for a rare heart condition.

I hope you all have a great week!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 22, 2008 1:30 pm

Happy Friday! Laurie continues to do well today! The doctors decreased her pressures on the C-pap this morning--slowly weaning her off! Last night while the nurse completed her assessment, I was able to hold Laurie through the portholes of her isolette with only blow-by oxygen (prongs out of her nose). We are trying short periods of time without the C-pap, attempting to get her ready for the next big step-- OE (oxygen environment, where oxygen is blown into the isolette and Laurie does the breathing on her own). She did drop an ounce last night to 2 lbs. 8 oz. Laurie and I look forward to her Daddy arriving tonight so she can "show off" this week's weight gain and breathing abilities. Please continue to pray for Laurie's growth and development. God has blessed us with another great week! Have a restful and safe weekend! Hope all we get back home is lots of rain!

Love to all!
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 21, 2008 1:00 pm

It is always a great day when we can snuggle!

Hello everyone! Laurie has been doing so well this week that I was able to hold her this morning for about an hour! These days are still so few, but all the more special!!! The doctors did not make any changes to her care plan today. She gained an ounce last night and weighed 2 lbs. 9 oz. Late yesterday afternoon, Laurie's nurse did do an eye culture to check for infection because it periodically "runs". We have not heard anything back on it today and "no news is good news" with all cultures! Hopefully, this is just an immature tear duct that has not opened. Please continue to pray for Laurie's lung development and that there is no infection found. Please also pray for safe travel as Todd and Mrs. Judy travel to and from Birmingham tomorrow!

Love to all!
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 20, 2008 1:45 pm

Good afternoon! Laurie is having another quiet day to rest and grow! Last night the doctors decreased her C-pap settings by taking away the rate, so hopefully we will be completely off C-pap very soon! They increase her feeds to 18 cc every 3 hours and she weighed 2 lbs. 8 oz. last night. Mrs. Judy and I are also enjoying these peaceful days with few changes! We love sitting at Laurie's bedside just watching as she wiggles and kicks about, but we have also been able to complete some of the other daily chores that must be done--laundry, cleaning, paying bills, and the dreaded Wal-Mart trip! I hope you all are having a great day! Thanks so much for your continued love, support, and prayers!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 19, 2008 11:45 pm

Hello! Laurie is having another good day! Last night she weighed 2 lbs. 10 oz. and measured 15 inches long! What a BIG girl?! The doctors are continuing to wean her rate, pressure, and oxygen levels on the C-pap and she will have another routine eye exam later today. Although Laurie loves her "tummy time", we are trying to persuade her to try her back for awhile. In this position breathing is a little bit more of a chore for her, so her oxygen settings have been up this morning. However, she has enjoyed stretching, kicking, and moving about! Her nurse, Tatyana, said that she would let her finish her morning exercises and then turn her back to her tummy with her lunch feeding--such an exciting life here in the RNICU! Hope you all have a wonderful day! Thanks for continuing to check in on Laurie and for all your prayers! We can see them being answered each day!

Love to all!
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 18, 2008 3:30 pm

Laurie sleeping and growing!

Cole is so excited that Laurie has on clothes!

Laurie already has Daddy wrapped around her tiny, little finger!

Good afternoon! Laurie has had another great day! The doctors have decreased her rate on the C-pap again and she is tolerating it well. Hopefully, we can wean off the C-pap soon. They also increased her feeds to 17 cc every 3 hours and she weighed 2 lbs. 7 oz. last night. All cultures from last Thursday's work-up have been negative and they have discontinued her antibiotics. As of now Laurie will stay in the RNICU until the end of the month. We will meet with the nurse managers from both floors and have a better transition plan in place before trying to move Laurie again!!

We enjoyed the weekend with Todd and Cole here with us! As our time apart grows longer, saying goodbye on Sundays in becoming more difficult for all of us, especially Cole. Please continue to pray for Laurie's growth and for Cole's adjustment to the situation. We sincerely thank you for your continued prayers--it has sustained us through the last two months!!!

Love to all!
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 15, 2008 1:30 pm

Hello everyone! Laurie is having a good day. All of her tests results from early Thursday morning have been negative! Her C-Pap settings and feeds remain the same. She weighed 2 lbs. 6 oz. last night. She continues to be on antibiotics probably for another day or so until 72 hours has passed for the cultures.

Todd, Cole, and Daddy Dale will be coming this weekend, so I probably will not post again until Monday. If we have any changes for the good or bad this weekend, I will post sooner. Please pray for their safe travel tonight and Mrs. Judy's on Sunday. I hope you all have a great Friday and restful weekend!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 14, 2008 6:00 pm

Hello from RNICU!!! Yes we are back! Evidently we didn't explain to Laurie the benefits of moving floors and she did not agree with the change! She missed all her nurses in RNICU too much!

When Mother and I returned to the CCN last night at 8:30 pm, Laurie was having a lot of de-sat spells, her heart rate was elevated, and her temperature was up. All of these could have been explained by some of the circumstances of the day (change in beds to move down, albuterol treatment earlier in the day, blood transfusion, and late afternoon rate change on C-pap), but together these things could have also indicated infection. Therefore, at 1;15 am we we received a call that the doctors were going to do a complete work-up on Laurie again. Mother and I returned to the CCN to find Laurie 's situation to be "normal" for her in our opinion, but I agreed for the doctors to do their testing. She had to have a blood and urine culture, CBC, and spinal tap done again. As of late this afternoon there have been no abnormalities found. She has resumed full feeds and is resting comfortably with her rate, pressure, and oxygen levels where they were yesterday before moving down. I am learning to trust my "mother instincts" and will be more proactive in Laurie's care plan when so many changes are done at one time. This is definitely a learning process!!!! Hopefully the next few days will be a time to rest from the trauma of last night and a more complete care plan will be made before we attempt to move again. The best news is that Laurie is still doing very well to be such a young and small baby! Thank you for your continued love, support, and prayers! Please continue to pray for the nurses, doctors, and us as we make important decisions in Laurie's care plan!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 13, 2008 7:30pm

Miss Diane took great care of me on my last day in the RNICU!
Thanks to my care plan team nurses--Diane, Tatyana, Amanda E., Amanda H., Tracy T., Kristen, Lisa, Caroline, Frank, Emily, and Jennifer W.
You are the BEST!

I'm graduating to CCN! Such a big girl!
8-13-08

Hi everyone! We have very exciting news today---Laurie is moving down to the CCN-Continuing Care Nursery (as I am writing)! This is a nursery for less critical babies!!! While this is a big step for Laurie, it is little sad for us because we have grown to love and respect the nurses on her care team. They have taken such wonderful care of Laurie, as well as all of us--helping us navigate our way through the questions and challenges of having a preemie! We now have the task of choosing another care team of nurses who will best take care of Laurie.

Other than moving Laurie to the 4th floor, the doctors did not make any changes in her care plan today. She continues to be on the C-pap, but with very low rate, pressure, and oxygen settings. Her feeding schedule remains the same, as does her weight of 2 lbs. 5 oz.

Please continue to pray for Laurie's development, Cole's adjustment to a new routine, and wisdom for Todd and I as we try to make the best decisions for both of them!

Love to all!
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 12, 2008 7:30 pm

Getting ready for Kangaroo Care with Mommy!

It takes a team effort of time and patience to get Laurie ready to be held!

Finally she is comfy!

This time together was worth all the trouble!!!!

Hello! Today was an exciting day with Laurie weighing 2 lbs. 5 oz.! She has now gained one whole pound since her birth on June 28, 2008! The doctors also weaned her rate on the C-pap today and she has tolerated it well. Laurie had her first eye exam today which showed immature blood vessels in her retina and no sign of abnormal growth, both of which are good signs at this point. She will continue to have frequent eye exams to watch for ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) which is a weakening of the retina that can cause long-term vision problems. I was also able to hold Laurie for over an hour this afternoon. This is always a special treat for both of us! Please continue to pray for Laurie's lung development, weight gain, and vision!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 11, 2008 12:45 pm

August 7, 2008 Cole's 1st day of Kindergarten!

Cole teaches Nana and MeMa how to play "Go Fish"! He's the Champion!

Laurie enjoys sleeping and growing! She is a big girl now at 2 lbs. 3 oz! No ribs showing now!!

Hi from the RNICU! We are having another quiet day for Laurie to grow. It has been a busy morning with a visit from Grandmother Artelma, Aunt Diane, Aunt Jan, Uncle Ronnie, Denise and Collin. Laurie enjoys having company!!!

The doctors increased Laurie's feeds yesterday to 16 cc and she weighed 2 lbs. 3 oz. last night. They have not made any more changes today. Now that she is finally back on the C-pap the doctors seem happy to allow her time for her lungs to grow and develop.

During the hours spent in the waiting room we have also made friends with families whose babies have many more problems than Laurie. Together we try to celebrate the good days and cry with each other on the bad days. We were sad to learn last night that Eli, a five month old preemie, who had "graduated" to the next NICU passed away on Thursday. Due to patient confidentiality laws we do not know the circumstances of his death. Please keep the Fowler family in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the other babies and families who are here.

This whole experience is definitely an emotional "roller coaster" for our entire family. Although it was great to be at home with Cole for a his first day of school, the extended time apart seems to be taking a toll on all of us. Please continue to pray for Laurie's growth and for Cole as he adjust to school and being away from Moma for so long. Please also pray that God will give Todd and me wisdom as we try to make the best decisions for our family!

To all my teacher friends, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers this week! Hang in there!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 9, 2008 9:45 pm (6 weeks old)

Hello everyone! Todd, Cole, and I arrived back to Birmingham last night after I made a whirlwind trip back home. Laurie did great with her grandmothers while I was away and has had another great day today. The doctors are not making many changes with her C-Pap rate, pressure, or oxygen settings at this time--just giving her some time to adjust. They did increase her feeds to 16 cc every 3 hours and she gained up to 2 lbs. 3 oz.!!! She also measured 13 1/4 inches long. We can see her growing right before our eyes! Thanks for your continued prayers and support. Please continue to pray for Laurie's growth. Also, pray for safety as Todd, Cole, and Mrs. Judy travel home tomorrow!

Love to all!
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 7, 2008 10:00 P.M.

Greetings from UAB Regional Newborn Intensive Care!
Laurie's Nanna and MeMa are writing this blog because Leah is busy at home with Todd and Cole. Today was Cole's first day at kindergarten. He allowed both Mommy and Daddy to accompany him. Of course, they were thrilled, so were we grandmothers! Laurie has been sooo good for us while her mommy is at home. For this, we give thanks! She remains on the C-Pap with a rate of 30, her O2 varies from time to time. Tonight she reached two pounds AGAIN. Our prayer is that Laurie can keep gaining weight. We grandmothers have absolutely no trouble with this. Her wonderfully attentive nurses assure us that Laurie is doing well which makes both Nanna and MeMa happy. What a great and mighty God we serve! Throughout the past almost six weeks, we have witnessed His power and His grace as we have watched the miracle of our precious granddaughter Laurie Anne! We cannot praise Him enough for all He has done and continues to do. Thank you for your faithful prayers which give us encouragement and comfort.

Love,
Nanna and MeMa

August 6, 2008 7:15pm

Well, I am posting tonight from HOME!! Don't worry Laurie has had a great day with both her grandmothers watching over her nurses' shoulders carefully! After seven weeks in Birmingham, I left Laurie, only to come home for Cole's first day of Kindergarten. If it had not been for Laurie's early arrival, I would not have had this luxury as I would have been with my new Kindergarten class. Laurie's doctors assurred me that she has the best and most expensive "babysitters" around and I agreed that she has a wonderful care team of nurses watching her while I am away (although I'm sure they will get tired of me calling every few hours)!

Laurie continues to do well on the C-pap. She did loose a little weight last night and weighed 1 lb. 15 oz. However, this was expected after starting the diuretics yesterday. Although I was very nervous leaving Laurie today, it has been great being at home with Todd and Cole tonight! I am thankful that Laurie is doing so well and I have been able to come home for a short visit. Thanks for all your continued prayers! God has blessed us with a wonderful family and terrific friends!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 5, 2008 3:20 pm

Quick snapshot between taking out vent tube and starting C-Pap! Sorry so blurred!

I'm finally on the C-pap again and can enjoy my "pappy"!

Good afternoon everyone! God continues to answer our prayers! This morning during rounds the doctors decided to try Laurie off the vent. She has been on the C-pap since about 11:30 a.m. and seems to be doing well! The C-pap is a technique where a tube is placed in her nose and oxygen under pressure is blown down into the lungs. As many of you know this is Laurie's second time on the C-pap. The last time she was on it for about 13 days before going back to the vent. We are praying that Laurie's lungs are now more developed and she will not have to go back to the vent! Laurie also weighed in last night at 2 pounds!!! Thanks to all of you who continue to keep up with Laurie's progress and pray for her growth. We would not have made it this far on our journey without your love, support, and prayers! Please continue to pray for Laurie's lungs to grow and develop.

Love to all,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 4, 2008 2:30 pm

Hi! Laurie is having another good day! The the only changes the doctors made today was to add two diuretics and a multi-vitamin to her plan. The diuretics are common for preemies who have been on the vent for extended time periods and should help keep her lungs "dry". Laurie continues 15 cc feedings every 3 hours and still weighed 1 1b. 15 oz. last night. We are trying to help Laurie gain ounces by providing "hindmilk"and human milk fortifier (x2) both of which contain high fat content and extra protein, minerals, and vitamins. I did have the opportunity to meet with Laurie's care team this afternoon, including the attending for August, two of her nurses, one of the respiratory therapists, and the nurse manager. This meeting was very informative and hopefully will help maintain consistency in Laurie's treatment. We were also able to discuss Laurie's plans and goals for this month. Please continue to pray for Laurie's doctors and nurses as they make frequent decisions about her care! Also, please continue to pray for her to be able to come off the vent soon with minimal lung damage!

Love to all!
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 3, 2008 5:00 pm

Hello everyone! Laurie has had a quiet day to rest and grow! The only change the doctors made today was to increase her feeds to 15 cc every 3 hrs. She weighed 1 lb. 15 oz. last night! We are about to reach the two pound mark! Hopefully, Laurie will be able to wean off the vent this week. Mrs. Judy arrived this afternoon and Todd is on his way home. Please continue to pray for Laurie's lung development and that she will be able to come off the vent soon!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 2, 2008 9:30 pm (35 days old)

Hi everyone! Todd, Laurie, and I are having a restful weekend. The doctors have not changed anything with Laurie's care plan today. She is continuing to be weaned off the vent and is tolerating her increased feedings of 14 cc every three hours well. She weighed 1 lb. and 14 oz. last night. Today Laurie got a new, clean isolette , which has to be done every few weeks, so I was able to hold her while they changed out beds. Laurie was doing so well that I was able to hold her for about two hours!! Being able to hold her today was a big treat for all of us! Hope you all are having a great weekend. Thanks for your continued love, support, and prayers!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie

August 1, 2008 1:15 pm

Hi! Since today is the beginning of a new month, Laurie has new attending doctors, residents, and interns. I met them all this morning and they are planning to try a few new things that might help get Laurie off the vent sooner--just some "new eyes" looking at her treatment! An x-ray done yesterday showed signs of some lung tissue damage from the vent so it is important that they get her off ASAP. They are also going to do another culture tomorrow on vent tube secretions to check for any further infections. Her rate and pressure numbers are being decreased slowly and she seems to be tolerating this well. Our prayer is that she will be put back on the C-pap soon. Laurie weighed 1 pound 14 ounces last night. We are looking forward to a big celebration when we reach the 2 pound mark!!

Please continue to pray that Laurie will be able to come off the vent soon with minimal lung damage! Hope you all have a great weekend! All of my teacher friends, please try to get some rest--I know you will need it by the end of next week! I am praying for all of you as you begin a new school year!!!

Love,
Todd, Leah, Cole, and Laurie