A Note from Clara

Dear Friends and Family,

I'm super excited to be home!  My mommy and daddy can't thank you enough for your outpouring of support and love.  Now that I am transitioning to home, I ask that you continue to support me as I grow.  Please remember that I am small and even though I am not in the hospital anymore, I continue to have special needs simply because I was born early.

My immune system isn't completely developed yet so I am going to need you to not visit if you are sick, even if just a common cold, as that can make me very sick.  My respiratory system is still vulnerable.  So please don't wear strong perfume or cologne, also if you are a smoker, please change your clothes and do not smoke before coming to visit me.

Between my mom and I we have quite a few doctors appointments, so please ask my mommy and daddy when would be a good time to visit and be mindful not to stay too long, I can get overstimulated and am still adjusting to home.

Please know that this letter is not meant to offend anyone, but that I am still a preemie even though I am home and need some extra time to grow and thrive!

Thanks for your understanding!

Hugs and Kisses,

Clara

Big Updates

Hello All!  Sorry I have been silent the last couple of days, but life got busy.  I am gonna try to catch you up day by day.

Sunday, August 24th
We had a good day. Clara and I had much luck with her eating and she didn't get any supplements when we breast feed.  We had many visitors that day including Clara's Nana and PopPop and then Rob and Bruce (Clara's Grandpa) came in the evening.  Rob left me the car that night so that I would be able to do more feeds with Clara.  That night, I feed her last at 9:00pm and then she got the rest of her meals via a bottle and she pulled out her NG tube.  The nurses left it out.

Monday, August 25th
I got to the hospital for Clara's 8:00am feeding had about a 5 minute conversation with her and then our nurse Mary Lou was like her feeding tube is out.  I hadn't even noticed during our morning chat.  Clara and I were then on our own with working on a feeding schedule.  The nurses also asked me if I would stay the night to be there for all her feedings and so after another baby was discharged we got moved to a new space with a pull out couch for parents to stay.  I went back to David's House, packed up my rooms and handed in my key and moved into the hospital.  I wasn't sure at this point for how long.  Mary Lou said we could be going home Tuesday or the next day.

The night went well, I was actually able to get some sleep even with other babies crying and alarms going off.

Tuesday, August 26th

Clara is one month today.  I asked the day nurse as she was doing her assessments if there was any talk about us getting discharged and she hadn't heard anything. She said that she would talk to the resident to see what if anything would prevent us from going home.  When the doctors came around for rounds, we chatted and they determined we could go home.

Clara had to sit in her car seat for an hour and a half to make sure no breathing issues.  Then she got a shot, a final once over and we were out the door.  So good to be home!

Well, I should get to bed before I have to be up again!  More updates tomorrow!

Kristine Update

So today is one month since I was sent to Dartmouth.

Lovely stickers we get to wear each day!

I have gone back twice to get my blood pressure checked and all is normal so I have been taken off the blood pressure meds I was out on.

My typical day starts at 6:00am with pumping, shower, breakfast and head to hospital to be there for 8:00am.  Then feed Clara, pump, have a morning snack, some hang out time with Clara and then start the whole process over again.  Usually leaving the hospital between 6:30 and 7:00.

Love getting all the quality time with Clara and the support of the nurses.  Getting tired of hospital food and being away from home, but we are on the home stretch.  I am grateful for all the visitors that I have had and all the email, Facebook, and mail messages of support. They have all really helped us to feel loved and supported.

Bright eyed!

Cat Room

Today I thought would share a little more about David's House.  All the rooms have a theme - some are animals, flowers, and other themes like clowns or space.  My room is the Cat Room.  I will share some pictures below of how they have incorporated the theme into the room.  I tried to get Rob to count all the cats, but it is a little overwhelming.

I would also like to share that the staff and the volunteers at David's House are amazing.  Very friendly and welcoming.

Wednesday updates

I took the 8am feeding time off this morning to get a little extra sleep.  It was much needed and much appreciated!  I got to the hospital around 9:30 and spent some time holding Clara before our 11:00am feeding.  She is doing so well and getting so big.  It's amazing to see how much she changes everyday.

Weight 2120 grams = 4 lbs and almost 11 oz.  She is still gaining weight every day.
They have upped her feedings again to 39mLs.

She is starting to be more awake and alert now. She hates getting her temperature taken and getting her diaper changed.  She loves to eat.  She makes some of the best facial expressions.

Today is Tuesday

Today was another good day. Still working on making progress with breast feeding.  Slow and steady wins the race.  I have to keep reminding myself that Clara shouldn't be here for another month and that she is doing lots of amazing things and we will conquer this as well.

Clara's Nana came to visit today. It was great to gave her spend the day with us and I know that Clara really enjoyed their time together, as she rewarded Nana with a nice poopy diaper, which I got the pleasure of changing!

We also got the opportunity to print some of the photos that were taken on Sunday!  Here is one that I printed, sorry that it is a picture of a picture.

Technically difficulty

I am experience some technically difficulties posting today's blog.  Check back tomorrow.  Here are some cute pictures of Clara to enjoy!

Photo Day

This morning, we got some photos taken by a professional photographer.  It is a service set up through CHAD that she comes in once a month to do photos free of charge for family's in the ICN.  They then provide us with a CD of the pictures taken and a letter from the photographer releasing the photos. We took some just in her diaper, some with Rob holding her and some with me holding her.  Also some in one of her new outfits from Nana and PopPop.  We will share as soon as possible, but below is a picture we took of her in her nice orange outfit.  It's nice that we got plenty of warning so Rob was able to be here and we could do some family photos.

Clara told me orange is her favorite color!

Also forgot to mention yesterday that Clara was 3 weeks old.  We have been in the hospital for 22 days now, and I have been here for 25 days.  Starting to get tired of hospital food, but at least I don't have to wash dishes!

Today we had three successful breast feeding attempts where Clara only got half her usual supplement.  We are continuing to do well and will keep moving forward!

Rob giving Clara her supplement this morning!

Making Forward Progress

Today we had another great day with breast feeding.  Clara ended up only getting half her supplement at all four feedings during the day.  I get to the hospital for 8am for her first feeding and then we have one every three hours.  Hoping for continued success and getting to the point where she doesn't need any supplement.

Onesie from our good friend Nick!  

We also had a nice visit with Clara's Nana and PopPop, who stopped by on their way home from vacation.  They brought Clara some new outfits in the newborn size.

Clara and her Nana

The Many Adventures of Clara

Today was an exciting day,  we had two out of four successful attempts at breast feeding!  This is our last challenge to over come in order to go home.  When we are successfully, Clara is still getting half of her feed which is now 36 mL.  She has to be eating orally entirely for us to go home and no longer need her feeding tube.

Today we also gave Clara a bath.  She really seemed to enjoy the water. She is getting stronger and keep the nurse on her toes.

Getting my back washed!

She also really enjoyed the getting dried off part.  She likes soft towels. 

Enjoying getting dried off!

We had a good day yesterday, Dad was with us for most of the day since it was his day off.  Nice to have someone to share the diaper and temperature duties.  And I know that Clara enjoyed the quality time with her dad.

Big stretch after eating!

Wednesday Updates

On this nice rainy day, I have spent lots of quality time with Miss Clara!  I got to the hospital about 7:30 this morning in time for Clara's 8:00am care and feed.  We are now doing breast visit or breast feeding attempts without me pumping first. We had a very successful visit at our first visit, the rest weren't as successful but that is to be expected at this age.  Speaking of age, here are some stats:

Weight 1835 grams = 4 lbs and 1/2 ounce.  Clara is gaining weight every day!
She is getting 34mL of breast milk at every feeding.  Also they have added a supplement to help fatten up my breast milk and she is also now getting a tri-vitamin once a day!
In case you missed it, we are in a crib
Also, we have almost out grown (length) preemie onesies!

One tired Momma!

Too tired for a long blog post tonight.  Clara had another great day. Here are some cute pictures to enjoy!  More tomorrow!

Sunday - Germ Day!

Today Clara had another good day.  She is still doing a good job maintaining her temperature and likes being in a crib.  She also gained an ounce and a half and the doctors increased her feeds to 32mL.

Rob and I also got a presentation about germs and keeping our preemie healthy.  It was a very interesting presentation.  Did you know that your cell phone has more germs than a toilet seat?  True fact!  Rob is busy installing purell stations in our house so get ready to bathe in it when you come to visit!

Check out my cute hat!

Two weeks today!

In 3 hours and 32 minutes, Clara will be exactly two weeks old.  I can't believe how fast those two weeks have gone.  Clara had an amazing day today.  When I walked into the ICN, the first thing I noticed was that her isolette (incubator) was open.

Clara in an open isolette

Clara has been maintaining a steady temperature and they decided to wean her from the isolette.  After our 11am temperature check and diaper change they brought in a crib.  She continued to do well maintaining her temperature throughout the day!

Clara in her big girl crib!

Since she is no longer in the isolette (fingers crossed she continues to do well), she got her security band.  She is now on hospital arrest and can't approach any doors!

Clara getting locked down. Yellow anklet is alarm band!

She also gained weight again today and is now 3 lbs and 10 oz and has past her birth weight!

David's House

While Clara is in the ICN, I have had the pleasure of staying at David's House.  David's House provides a home-away-from-home and support for families with children receiving treatment through Children's Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

David's House is the dream of a young boy names David Cyr who passed away from leukemia in 1984 at the age of five. David's family was fortunate to only live 20 mins from the hospital so it was easy for them to travel back and forth to visit, however the notice that many other families were sleeping in chairs by the child's bedside or in their cars.

David's dad asked his doctors why there wasn't a place for families like theirs to stay while their kids are getting treatment.  The doctor said that there had been talk about something but nothing had ever come of it.  His dad replied that they were going to build a place, and we're going to call it David's House.

One week after David passed away, his parents and their friends begin raising funds for David's House.

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures to share, but if you would like ore information you can visit there website at: http://www.davids-house.org.

They have served over 12,000 families from all over the world.

Since no picture of David's House, here is one of Clara!

Clara swaddled like a burrito!  Chatting with her dad!

Visitors and growing wardrobe!

On Wednesday, August 6th, Clara's Nana and PopPop came to visit!  We had a nice long visit and they were able to hold and have lots of cuddle time with Clara.  It was well enjoyed by all.  They drove all the way from their vacation place in Maine to come visit their favorite granddaughter (just kidding Jen) I meant one of their favorite granddaughters.

Clara and her Nana

Clara and PopPop

Clara also has a continuously growing wardrobe of preemie outfits!  Thanks to all who are helping to expand her wardrobe.  We definitely weren't prepared for needing clothes this small.  So many cute outfits and now that she no longer needs an IV it is easier for her to wear outfits!

Bunny outfit from Mrs. Jordan (excuse the mom get that camera out of my face expression)

Outfits from Auntie Carrie

Upside down but outfits from Aunt Liz

Clara's Big Move!

This morning when I got to the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN), I learned that Clara had been moved to a new space.  We are now in area 9.  A good sign that we are making progress.  Her weight is continuing to go up.  She was just 10 grams off her birth weight.  She is doing so well. She also is getting enough fluids through breast milk, that she no longer needs an IV and that will be coming out tomorrow morning.

I have now mastered diapering a preemie.  She is so small still that we have to roll the preemie diapers so they fit right.  We have also stated adding a supplement to my breast milk to make it fattier to help her continue to gain weight.  Clara was very alert this afternoon and we had some good conversations.  I have been telling her all about the family and extended family and friends who are excited to meet her!

Just a quick updated today! Plus some cute pictures!

Our little one eyed pirate!

Monday Updates

Today I got to spend lots of cuddle time with Clara. It was fantastic.  I got to the hospital around 8:30am and went off to get some breakfast.  The hospital provides vouchers for breast feeding moms in the ICN, which is very nice.  Then I was back with Clara for the doctors rounds.

Clara's Stats:

Weight: 1520 grams = 3 lbs and 5 oz. She is now only 40 grams from her birth weight!
Her Bilirubin numbers are good, so we should be all set with the light therapy.
She is getting 18mL of breast milk at every feeding and they are increasing it by 3 mL each day to get to a goal of 30 mL.

We have been told to plan for her original due date (September 18) as to when Clara will be ready to come home.  There are 4 benchmarks she has to meet for that to happen:

         1. Be able to maintain her temperature and move from the incubator to a crib.
         2. Feed entirely from breast or bottle.
         3.  Be gaining weight.  There is no magic number, just continuous gaining.
         4. Have no major events. (Apnea)

That's it for tonight!  Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Preeclampsia

So, I thought I would share a little more about Clara's early arrival.  On Tuesday evening, July 22nd, I was unable to sleep because of pain in my upper right chest.  After trying to deal with it for two hours, I decided to call the doctor on call at my hospital.  After talking with her, she suggested I go in to Labor & Delivery to get things looked at.  I woke Rob up and we headed in.  Once I was there they started several test and I was in for the night.  In the morning the doctor came in and explained that my blood pressure was high and I had a few other signs of preeclampsia and they were sending me to Dartmouth.  The only cure for preeclampsia is to have the baby,

I got to take a lovely ambulance ride to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.  Before I left the hospital in Plymouth, I was given a steroid to help Clara's lungs since we knew she would be coming early.  The goal was to get another steroid shot the next day and as long as I was in stable okay shape to give Clara as long as possible to stay in.

I got the second steroid shot Thursday morning and at that point the doctors said I would have somewhere between 24-78 hours before things would go bad again.  I had a good day Friday and then on Saturday around 2pm, the pain returned.  Around 8pm, my blood pressure was really bad again and that is when they started the preparation for the C-section.

Clara Jane Arey arrived at 10:52 pm.  The first thing she did was cry!
Weight: 1560 grams = 3 lbs 7 oz
Length: 17 inches

Clara was taken off to the Intensive Care Nursery where Rob joined her.  Once I was out of surgery, I got to go see her as well.  I continued to have high bold pressure numbers for the first 24 hours after she was born and had to stay in bed.  However, once I started recovering I did well and I was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, July 30th.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support.  Also thanks to my parents for being there for me and Rob.  Finally to my darling husband, you are my support and true love!  Thanks for just being you and being there for me!  I love you!

August 3, 2014

One Week Old

Clara has been with us for a week today. I think she is perfect but might be a little bias.

Her daily schedule looks like this:

8:00am - diaper change, temperature, and feeding. This is done by her nurse.  Then we repeat every three hours. I have been doing the 11:00am and 2:00pm and other shifts depending on if I am with her.  Mostly the diapers I got were just wet, but yesterday I changed my first very poopy diaper.  Which is a great sign for her jaundice.

Then once she is changed and feed, I have been holding her for some skin to skin time and also over the past two days, she has done some breast exploration.  It's amazing holding her. She is so alert and checking everything out.

Rob and Clara skin to skin.

My sisters came to visit me today. It was so great to see them and meant so much for them to make the trip even though they couldn't see Clara.  Thanks Elizabeth and Mrs Jordan for the outfits. We will post pictures soon!  Rob came over after work and feed Clara her 5:00 pm feeding after I changed her diaper and took her temperature.  It is nice to get to have these moments together!

First 6 Days!

Clara has been doing well and has made some great progress over the past couple of days. When she was first born she was on a machine called CPAP which is continuous positive airway pressure.  This is when air is delivered through a small tube in the baby's nose.  She was taken off that CPAP on Wednesday July 27th.

Clara has also had a little issue with Jaundice and has been put under the Bililights twice. She was getting some light therapy today.  Sorry no picture of her in her sweet shades!  

Some of the other wires that you see are mainly for monitoring Clara!  She has a blood pressure monitor, cardiopulmonary monitor, an intravenous line, and a pulse oximetry.  She also has a tube for feeding.  She is getting breast milk and fluids currently.  

Thursday night, Clara graduated to back only sleeping since she is now 33 weeks.  She got this cute certificate and also wore her first clothes outfit and sleep sack.

Clara's here!

Clara Jane arrived Saturday July 26th at 10:52 pm.  She was born at 32 weeks and 2 days. She was born at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and is currently living in the Intensive Care Nursery. Since we aren't allowed many visitors, we will be using this blog to keep everyone posted on her status!  Please allow us this time to focus on helping our little girl get strong enough to come home!

Please check back frequently for updates and feel free to leave questions or comments, although no promises for quick responses!

Love Kristine and Rob