Mom, Dad, and Grandma took Peanut out for a stroll around the neighborhood. Good to get outside into the San Diego sun
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
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We are so happy to have him home. Thank everyone for their prayers and wishes!
Happy Mom
Thank you for all the prayers of support and health for our son and we will keep you updated as he enters the second chapter of his life: There's No Place Like Home.
Mullet & Sideburns
Bilirubin's going down
So this morning his bilirubin level was 11...a big step in the right
direction (normal is 1 - 10.5). We have to wait until the doc does her
rounds to learn about discharge though. Hopefully we'll know mid-morning.
direction (normal is 1 - 10.5). We have to wait until the doc does her
rounds to learn about discharge though. Hopefully we'll know mid-morning.
Has it only been 24 hrs?
Has it only been 24 hrs he's been under the lights? Spanning 8 feedings, it feels like it has been forever. He looks much less yellow, but it is hard for us to tell.
Monday, January 29, 2007
One more night at least
Peanut has to stay at least one more night under the lights in the
ICU. He is certainly looking less jaundiced after the treatment.
Scripps has been great and is hosting us for free for yet another
night.
ICU. He is certainly looking less jaundiced after the treatment.
Scripps has been great and is hosting us for free for yet another
night.
Geyser!
The first thing I was taught about changing boy's diapers was to stand
off to the side to avoid directional spurts of pee. While changing
Peanut's diaper under the UV light, I was amazed at the UV enhanced
color of the poo. I cleaned him up and lifted up his legs to wipe the
final bits up. As soon as his legs hit the apex, he let go and a
brown stream arched up and over to the side! What a mess - all over
the UV machine, my hand, his blankets and the floor! To make things
worse, it was the last diaper at our station. And they say our
excitement is about to begin.
off to the side to avoid directional spurts of pee. While changing
Peanut's diaper under the UV light, I was amazed at the UV enhanced
color of the poo. I cleaned him up and lifted up his legs to wipe the
final bits up. As soon as his legs hit the apex, he let go and a
brown stream arched up and over to the side! What a mess - all over
the UV machine, my hand, his blankets and the floor! To make things
worse, it was the last diaper at our station. And they say our
excitement is about to begin.
Under the warm UV rays
We are told as adults that we want to minimize our UV exposure to
protect our skin. It turns out that UV has beneficial purposes as
well - it helps to cure jaundice, otherwise known as buildup of
biliruben. The light has an interesting effect on the biliruben
molecule, changing its conformation, so that it is more soluble in
water. This allows the child to more easily pee it out. Hence Peanut
gets to sit under the UV rays for a day.
protect our skin. It turns out that UV has beneficial purposes as
well - it helps to cure jaundice, otherwise known as buildup of
biliruben. The light has an interesting effect on the biliruben
molecule, changing its conformation, so that it is more soluble in
water. This allows the child to more easily pee it out. Hence Peanut
gets to sit under the UV rays for a day.
Pictures Fixed
I had 10 minutes at home and fixed the pics on the blog! Silly html frame redirection! All better now!
Positives
While it is easy to be discouraged by Peanut having to stay one more day, we do have much to be thankful for. Sam is healthy, active, breastfeeding hasn't been too hard, Mom is doing well, we have been able to stay extra days at the hospital for free, and we have been blessed with wonderful support from family and friends. While it is not how we would have chosen to spend his first days, it emphasizes to us how fragile and precious he is.
Not going home today....
Not going home today....Peanut's biliruben was too high, so he gets to spend an extra day in Club Med soaking in the rays.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Finishing up day 3
Boy - what a difference it is to Sam to have the IV and antibiotics off. He went to the breast much more easily and no longer bonks himself on the head with the club they attcached to his right hand.
Tonight Christine and I left the hospital for dinner at PF Changs. It was a nice to take a break from the hospital, although we constantly watched the clock to make sure we could make it back for our 8 o'clock Peanut feeding date. He seems to be able to latch the first time without issues, but the second time seems a challenge.
We hope that his biliruben level is normal by morning so we can take him home. Our biggest challenge right now is managing the 3 hr cycle of feeding Peanut (30 minutes for changing diapers and dealing with ICU stuff, 30 minutes for the feeding, 15 for cleanup, and then 1.5 hours for parent maintenance (sleep, food, shower, errands, travel time)). I have been told how tough it is to take care of newborns at home, but being in the hospital makes it even tougher.
Tonight Christine and I left the hospital for dinner at PF Changs. It was a nice to take a break from the hospital, although we constantly watched the clock to make sure we could make it back for our 8 o'clock Peanut feeding date. He seems to be able to latch the first time without issues, but the second time seems a challenge.
We hope that his biliruben level is normal by morning so we can take him home. Our biggest challenge right now is managing the 3 hr cycle of feeding Peanut (30 minutes for changing diapers and dealing with ICU stuff, 30 minutes for the feeding, 15 for cleanup, and then 1.5 hours for parent maintenance (sleep, food, shower, errands, travel time)). I have been told how tough it is to take care of newborns at home, but being in the hospital makes it even tougher.
Christine's Update Day 2.5
try internet explorer and click broken images to see the photos. all
are doing well, though mom and dad are tired (only getting 1.5 hr
naps). peanut is doing fabulously. he is breathing on his own just
fine and breastfeeding when not too sleepy. his last dose of
antibiotic is tonight (sunday) and they are weaning him off IV fluids.
if he doesn't get too much more bilirubin (he is slightly jaundiced at
11.2), he can come home monday am. if not, he'll need photolamp
treatment 1 to 2 days. keeping our fingers crossed. we are still
boarding at the hospital. time to nap. thanks for all the well wishes.
-Christine
are doing well, though mom and dad are tired (only getting 1.5 hr
naps). peanut is doing fabulously. he is breathing on his own just
fine and breastfeeding when not too sleepy. his last dose of
antibiotic is tonight (sunday) and they are weaning him off IV fluids.
if he doesn't get too much more bilirubin (he is slightly jaundiced at
11.2), he can come home monday am. if not, he'll need photolamp
treatment 1 to 2 days. keeping our fingers crossed. we are still
boarding at the hospital. time to nap. thanks for all the well wishes.
-Christine
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Latching Bliss
Peanut has figured out the whole latch thing for breastfeeding and seems to be eating like a champ! Hooray Peanut!
Peanut got the forced air
Peanut got the forced air removed from his nose - he's doing pretty well, but it will likely be a couple days before they let us take him home.
thinking about peanuts first day
Using SMS to write this entry in 150 character chunks would have been painful, so I'm trying to do it via a phone e-mail client.
Peanut started out life like most of us do...blue and not breathing. Unfortunately, even when he started breathing, he didn't turn pink very quickly and his arms and legs stayed blue longer than most babies. Christine had a fever while she was delivering and Peanut came out at 102.1 degtees. This combined with the fact that he wasn't breathing well (VO2=86%, Respiratory rate=59bpm) the doctor was concerned. Nothing conclusive, but enough items just below normal
(>90%, <54bpm, <99deg) to play it safe to make sure he didn't have an infection in his lungs and that his lungs would clear the residual fluid. Peanut was taken from us, first to the nursery for observation, and the to the level 2 neonatal intensive care unit where he was monitored and given glucose and antibiotic IVs and 100% O2 to breathe.
This was tough for both Christine and I - he was close to fine, but not quite where the docs wanted him. What was frustrating was he wasn't allowed to breast feed b/c it -might- cause a problem, but it felt like a thin excuse as he fef just fine just after he was born, but we had to trust the docs knew what was best.
Over yesterday, his vitals steadily improved, going from 100% to 85% to 38% to 32% to room air (21%) this morning. He is still on forced air, but even that may not be needed. His respiration is down to 44bpm. When he has been given his full antibiotic regimen, he can come home. Hopefully we will be able to stay as well until he is discharged, but that is one day beyond Christine's date to be discharged - it just depends if there are free rooms at the hospital.
Regardless, soon Peanut will be on his way home. And now it is time for me to say goodnight and see if I can't catch a few winks before the dawn.
Peanut started out life like most of us do...blue and not breathing. Unfortunately, even when he started breathing, he didn't turn pink very quickly and his arms and legs stayed blue longer than most babies. Christine had a fever while she was delivering and Peanut came out at 102.1 degtees. This combined with the fact that he wasn't breathing well (VO2=86%, Respiratory rate=59bpm) the doctor was concerned. Nothing conclusive, but enough items just below normal
(>90%, <54bpm, <99deg) to play it safe to make sure he didn't have an infection in his lungs and that his lungs would clear the residual fluid. Peanut was taken from us, first to the nursery for observation, and the to the level 2 neonatal intensive care unit where he was monitored and given glucose and antibiotic IVs and 100% O2 to breathe.
This was tough for both Christine and I - he was close to fine, but not quite where the docs wanted him. What was frustrating was he wasn't allowed to breast feed b/c it -might- cause a problem, but it felt like a thin excuse as he fef just fine just after he was born, but we had to trust the docs knew what was best.
Over yesterday, his vitals steadily improved, going from 100% to 85% to 38% to 32% to room air (21%) this morning. He is still on forced air, but even that may not be needed. His respiration is down to 44bpm. When he has been given his full antibiotic regimen, he can come home. Hopefully we will be able to stay as well until he is discharged, but that is one day beyond Christine's date to be discharged - it just depends if there are free rooms at the hospital.
Regardless, soon Peanut will be on his way home. And now it is time for me to say goodnight and see if I can't catch a few winks before the dawn.
Night 2 update
Night 2 update
Peanut is finally breathing normal room air (21%) oxygen and maintaining a VO2 saturation above 95%. Hooray!
Peanut is finally breathing normal room air (21%) oxygen and maintaining a VO2 saturation above 95%. Hooray!
Friday, January 26, 2007
The hardest thing
The hardest thing when a child may have health problems is learning how to trust that doctors and nurses know the best thing to do even if it seems to be counter what you instinctively want to do as a parent.
Peanut is breathing more efficiently
Peanut is breathing more efficiently now, but will still have to stay at the hospital until Sunday.
But the docs say he
But the docs say he is otherwise a very healthy boy. Everything being done now is just to be on the safe side of things.
What Next
What this now entails are a round of antibiotics to clear any potential lung infection, closer monitoring and no visitors for him until he gets out of the neonatal ICU.
Peanut moved overnight
Peanut was moved overnight into a level 2 nursery. The docs are being safe since both he and mom had a fever at delivery and his VO2 was low (86%) and his respiration was a little high at 56 breaths per minute.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Welcome Samuel Robert Carta!
Welcome Samuel Robert Carta - the adventure has just begun! Mom did fabulously and both are well. Brown eyes and hair. And now he gets to see Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Angela, and Uncle Dave!
Christine is ready to start
Christine is ready to start pushing. Could be anywhere up to three hours from now. She had a fever but it just broke.
Christine is sleeping before the
Christine is sleeping before the last big push. 8 cm dilated & baby at position zero. Contractions are coming every min, but with increasing duration.
After the epidural
After the epidural, Christine's sense of humor returned which is good for me. The doctor broke her water and she's at 7 cm dilated.
Off to the hospital. Contractions
Off to the hospital. Contractions now 3 to 4 min apart. This hurts! Wonder how dilated I am. -christine
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Christine between contractions, pt. 2
The contractions are running pretty regularly at 5 minutes apart and at 25 seconds or so. On the left of the picture you can see we are hoping to get one last game of Settlers of Catan in before going to the hospital.
Why our child's nickname is "Peanut"
While Christine was talking with her friend Lindsey this morning, the subject came up: "Why do we call Peanut, Peanut?" I had almost forgotten, so I thought I should write it down.
The first time we saw Peanut was during our first ultrasound of the baby at 7 weeks. If you have ever seen a baby at this age, it is really tiny. The doctor pointed it out and said "there it is, just about the size of a peanut". We were amazed - so little yet moving and already a growing little person. About this same time, Christine signed us up for babycenter.com and we were getting their bulletins where they related the baby's size to food items at each week, which cracked us up - apparently food items are good for people to relate to. Here were their analogies:
The first time we saw Peanut was during our first ultrasound of the baby at 7 weeks. If you have ever seen a baby at this age, it is really tiny. The doctor pointed it out and said "there it is, just about the size of a peanut". We were amazed - so little yet moving and already a growing little person. About this same time, Christine signed us up for babycenter.com and we were getting their bulletins where they related the baby's size to food items at each week, which cracked us up - apparently food items are good for people to relate to. Here were their analogies:
- 5 weeks - sesame seed
- 6 weeks - small lentil bean
- 7 weeks - raspberry
- 8 weeks - kidney bean
- 9 weeks - grape
- 10 weeks - kumquat
- 13 weeks - jumbo shrimp
- 16 weeks - avocado
- 17 weeks - large onion
- 18 weeks - large sweet potato
- 19 weeks - small zucchini.
Christine started contractions this morning
Christine started contractions this morning...but we think they are Braxton Hicks, not the start of labor. Stay tuned!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Baby Car Seats
So today I went and got the car seat installation checked out. Apparently, the majority of car seats are installed improperly, so Christine wanted to make sure that our car seat was installed properly. The CHP has free checking of car seat installation for parents on some Saturdays from 8am-2pm, but it is very popular. If you go, I recommend getting there early (7:40am) and putting your name on the list.
The officer at the CHP who did the checking was very knowledgeable, but he didn't do a great job explaining the why's of how to install the seat. The main points could be summarized quickly.
The officer at the CHP who did the checking was very knowledgeable, but he didn't do a great job explaining the why's of how to install the seat. The main points could be summarized quickly.
- The car seat needs to be tight enough so that there is a maximum of one inch of sice to side movement.
- You can't use latches for the middle seat unless the car is built with specific middle seat latches. I was trying to use one from each side, but the problem with this is that unless the latches are 11 inches apart, the baby seat will have too much side to side motion to be safe.
- The little seat belt bracket basically converts a shoulder belt to a lap belt, which is what the baby seats are really designed for. But you have to make sure the the lap belt is really tight.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Getting Ready
Every day I'm amazed at all the things Christine does to get ready for
Peanut. She is getting clothes, toys, diapers, washclothes, supplies
and probably a million other things I don't know about. I think I
would be quite hopeless in tems of getting prepared for a new life.
Putting a crib and changing table together - that I can do. But the
million of everyday things.....I'm so happy to have her because I know
she will take care of it and do a great job taking care of it. She is
going to be such a great mom.
Peanut. She is getting clothes, toys, diapers, washclothes, supplies
and probably a million other things I don't know about. I think I
would be quite hopeless in tems of getting prepared for a new life.
Putting a crib and changing table together - that I can do. But the
million of everyday things.....I'm so happy to have her because I know
she will take care of it and do a great job taking care of it. She is
going to be such a great mom.
"Here Comes Peanut" is Born!
The website is born before the kid is - that is a good thing! Christine and I will be posting information about the newest member of the Carta clan as soon as he/she is born. Today is the last item we have left in the birthing preparation classes - the hospital tour! Good thing peanut wasn't born three weeks early!
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