Today Jaylie weighs 915 grams which is just over 2lbs, AWESOME!
This Christmas was a great Christmas for us. This week Jaylie has done really well despite a couple of up and downs. Swedish lifted the 'no visiters' restriction which allowed us to bring up friends and family to see Jaylie for the first time - a priceless gift! We have been given many precious gifts. We have received the priceless gift of Jaylie and the many miracles manifested in Jaylie growth, healing and development. And we received the priceless gift of your prayer and support!
We have MUCH to be thankful for and my heart is overjoyed with the experience of giving and receiving this year. We have given more than ever and receive more than ever before. Thank you Lord, and thank you all for the priceless gift of support you have given us!
As this year comes to a close this week, and Christmas has come and gone, I am reminded of all that has happened to Kristina, myself and Jaylie. I am over joyed with what the Lord has blessed us with. It has been said life is not about enjoying your arrival at your final destination but about enjoying the journey along the way to your final destination. Our journey this year has been rich with flavor both desirable and undesirable. This favor has brought about an awareness and realization our lives will never be the same. We have been put through situations which have caused us to reflect on what is most important in life and has caused us to grown in every fashion possible, including adding to our family.
Kristina and I am grateful beyond words for all the Lord has provided us, both pleasant and unpleasant.
Thank you SO much for being part of our lives and giving us a gift we can never repay, prayer and support through a challenging time. Your prayer and support has truly changed our lives and helped grown and nurture a new life, our wonderful daughter Jaylie!
Thank YOU!
Happy New Year!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Jaylie - Day 35 - week 32 3/7
Jaylie is still doing well. They have taken the thingy off her skin that monitors her body temperature. The Dr's have decided Jaylie has matured enough to be able to maintain her own body heat so constant body heat monitoring is not necessary. Jaylie's body temperature reads are still taken every 4hrs at her car times, but no longer require 24x7 monitoring, yay!
They have started dressing Jaylie in clothes everyday now which is awesome! Another step closer to full maturity and coming home!
Jaylie is 856 grams ( 30.5 oz = 1lb 14.5 oz -- almost 2 lbs!!!)!
Jaylie had several spells of desats, 'bradys', weight dips and a blood transfusion this week, reminding us Jaylie is still premature. But... Jaylie has overcome ALL those challenges and has spit in the eye of reason by gaining several more ounces in weight despite the challenges she faced this week! Go Jaylie!
Kristina has been able to hold Jaylie a lot more and for a lot longer (sometimes hours at a time) which is really good for Jaylie and Kristina -- good bonding and growing time for both.
Of course things could be 'better' and are not 'perfect' but from the perspective of having a baby at 27 weeks with a birth weight of 545 grams things are going AWESOME, like unbelievably awesome!
We'll take and post some new pics with her dressed and some more Christmas pictures of course.
Since we've been in the NICU, for over a month now, we've seen several of Jaylie's playmates come and go and come back then go again. All of them WAY bigger than Jaylie. There was a 32 weeker (the same age Jaylie is now) born a couple of days ago and brought into Jaylie's shared room and she weights 4lbs! Sort of put things into perspective with not even weight 2lbs yet... Even though Jaylie is doing awesome, she is uber tiny!
Thank you for taking the time to follow our story and follow us along this challenging journey! We really appreciate it!
As always, thank you SO much for your support and prayer! Your support and pray has been a life save and truly priceless - a debt will never be able to repay... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Merry Christmas!
Nathan, Kristina & Jaylie
They have started dressing Jaylie in clothes everyday now which is awesome! Another step closer to full maturity and coming home!
Jaylie is 856 grams ( 30.5 oz = 1lb 14.5 oz -- almost 2 lbs!!!)!
Jaylie had several spells of desats, 'bradys', weight dips and a blood transfusion this week, reminding us Jaylie is still premature. But... Jaylie has overcome ALL those challenges and has spit in the eye of reason by gaining several more ounces in weight despite the challenges she faced this week! Go Jaylie!
Kristina has been able to hold Jaylie a lot more and for a lot longer (sometimes hours at a time) which is really good for Jaylie and Kristina -- good bonding and growing time for both.
Of course things could be 'better' and are not 'perfect' but from the perspective of having a baby at 27 weeks with a birth weight of 545 grams things are going AWESOME, like unbelievably awesome!
We'll take and post some new pics with her dressed and some more Christmas pictures of course.
Since we've been in the NICU, for over a month now, we've seen several of Jaylie's playmates come and go and come back then go again. All of them WAY bigger than Jaylie. There was a 32 weeker (the same age Jaylie is now) born a couple of days ago and brought into Jaylie's shared room and she weights 4lbs! Sort of put things into perspective with not even weight 2lbs yet... Even though Jaylie is doing awesome, she is uber tiny!
Thank you for taking the time to follow our story and follow us along this challenging journey! We really appreciate it!
As always, thank you SO much for your support and prayer! Your support and pray has been a life save and truly priceless - a debt will never be able to repay... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Merry Christmas!
Nathan, Kristina & Jaylie
Monday, December 21, 2009
Jaylie first photoshoot w/Santa
Swedish is an awesome hospital! So is the march of dimes organization! Combined they provide a visit with Santa bedside for Jaylie with a photographer to take pictures. I of course brought my camera to share in the moment. Below is a link to Jaylie's album where I've posted some pictures from today's event.
Thank you Swedish and march of dimes!
Truly priceless!
Jaylies album: HERE
Thank you Swedish and march of dimes!
Truly priceless!
Jaylies album: HERE
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Jaylie - Day 32 - week 32
Jaylie is doing really well. She had a little bumpy road this week, but over all is doing well. The Dr's decided to give her a blood transfusion because she was looking a little pail and one of the tests they did showed some really low numbers (sorry for the vague description). The nurse said the low blood numbers requiring a blood transfusion are typical in premature babies because of the prematurity of the bone marrow development (your bone marrow is what creates blood cells Wiki Bone marrow).
Over all things are going very well!
Today Jaylie weighs 820 grams = 28.9 oz = 1lb 12.9oz
As promised, I've posted some new pictures in Jaylie's album HERE
Here's a new picture:
As always, thank you SO much for the pray and support!
We love you all!
Nathan, Kristina & Jaylie
Over all things are going very well!
Today Jaylie weighs 820 grams = 28.9 oz = 1lb 12.9oz
As promised, I've posted some new pictures in Jaylie's album HERE
Here's a new picture:
As always, thank you SO much for the pray and support!
We love you all!
Nathan, Kristina & Jaylie
Monday, December 14, 2009
Jaylie - Day 26 - Week 31 2/7
Today's blog isn't a long blog but worth blogging about :).
Yesterday, the Dr's decided to take Jaylie off of cpap and put her back on vapotherm! If you remember, vapotherm is the first therapy the Dr's put Jaylie on the very first time they took her off the ventilator just days after she was born. When I first heard this news I was sort of thinking they probably took Jaylie off of cpap because they were having a problem with the cpap or something. I was shocked to find out the reason the Dr's chose to take Jaylie off of cpap was because she had improved so much they felt it was time to take her off cpap. I did a double take when the nurse first said the reason the Dr took Jaylie off cpap was due to Jaylie being ready to move to the next step. If you recall, the nurses advised us Jayie would most-likely be on cpap for several weeks and possibly +6 weeks. After 1 week they have taken Jaylie of cpap! That is amazing!
On top of the cpap being taken off, Jaylie was wide awake, very calm, eye's wide open and moving around when we went to visit with her yesterday. It was wonderful to see her peaceful, awake and happy with the breathing apparatuses off of her! Jaylie definitely likes being free of all the breathing stuff :)
Yesterday was a major milestone for Jayile. The nurses again are amazed with her progress -- like jaw dropping amazement...
Well, just wanted to let you all know your prayer and support is paying off and well appreciated!
Thank you SO much!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
PS: I, of course, know you are wanting to see pictures. I will be sure to post some as soon as I take them this week :)
Yesterday, the Dr's decided to take Jaylie off of cpap and put her back on vapotherm! If you remember, vapotherm is the first therapy the Dr's put Jaylie on the very first time they took her off the ventilator just days after she was born. When I first heard this news I was sort of thinking they probably took Jaylie off of cpap because they were having a problem with the cpap or something. I was shocked to find out the reason the Dr's chose to take Jaylie off of cpap was because she had improved so much they felt it was time to take her off cpap. I did a double take when the nurse first said the reason the Dr took Jaylie off cpap was due to Jaylie being ready to move to the next step. If you recall, the nurses advised us Jayie would most-likely be on cpap for several weeks and possibly +6 weeks. After 1 week they have taken Jaylie of cpap! That is amazing!
On top of the cpap being taken off, Jaylie was wide awake, very calm, eye's wide open and moving around when we went to visit with her yesterday. It was wonderful to see her peaceful, awake and happy with the breathing apparatuses off of her! Jaylie definitely likes being free of all the breathing stuff :)
Yesterday was a major milestone for Jayile. The nurses again are amazed with her progress -- like jaw dropping amazement...
Well, just wanted to let you all know your prayer and support is paying off and well appreciated!
Thank you SO much!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
PS: I, of course, know you are wanting to see pictures. I will be sure to post some as soon as I take them this week :)
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Jaylie - Day 25 - week 31 1/7
Week 31! Yay!
This week was a really good week (thank you Jesus!)! Jaylie is doing really well. As of today (12/12/2009) Jaylie is 750 grams (1lb 10.5oz)! Very cool! Kristina and I have been able to participate more with Jaylie's care times doing things like diaper changes, taking her temperature, helping change her bedding/wraps and able to interact and touch her more. Kristina's mom got to hold Jaylie this week for quite a good while which was really cool. Being able to interact with Jaylie more is helping us as parents, and the family the hospital will allow in, to bond with Jaylie. It has been a really good week with Jaylie of with we are very appreciative of all whom have participated to help make it so -- most of all God for giving us the opportunity to share a healthy and happy week with our daughter.
This week the Dr's came back and said the head ultrasounds are no longer showing bleeding in the brain and the original diagnosis of breeding on the brain may not have been correct. The Dr's believe there was bleeding of the left ventricular (a major vein running through the brain) which has healed. What does this mean? To be honest, I'm not completely sure - all I know is what they originally thought 'could' have been a major problem is no longer considered a problem, things have improved, there is no need to do additional tests for this particular problem, yay!
Over the last two weeks we have been blessed with being able to share Jaylie's care times with my mom, Kristina' mom, my Dad, Angela (my step mom) and our pastor's. These are special times for us, the nurses and Jaylie. We are honored to be able to share these moments with some of the people we love and love Jaylie. Thank you all!
I can't express how wonderful it is to experience times of healing growth like we have this last week. Getting to this point has been a hard road, a taxing road, making enjoying the small quite bonding moments with Jaylie priceless. Kristina and I still have a long road ahead of us, full on uncertainty and trying challenges. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Your prayers and support have been a major factor in sustaining us to this point. Thank you SO much!
We wish you and your families the very best this holiday season!
Merry Christmas!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
I've added a couple more pic's to Jaylie's album. You can view them HERE
Here's a new pic:
This week was a really good week (thank you Jesus!)! Jaylie is doing really well. As of today (12/12/2009) Jaylie is 750 grams (1lb 10.5oz)! Very cool! Kristina and I have been able to participate more with Jaylie's care times doing things like diaper changes, taking her temperature, helping change her bedding/wraps and able to interact and touch her more. Kristina's mom got to hold Jaylie this week for quite a good while which was really cool. Being able to interact with Jaylie more is helping us as parents, and the family the hospital will allow in, to bond with Jaylie. It has been a really good week with Jaylie of with we are very appreciative of all whom have participated to help make it so -- most of all God for giving us the opportunity to share a healthy and happy week with our daughter.
This week the Dr's came back and said the head ultrasounds are no longer showing bleeding in the brain and the original diagnosis of breeding on the brain may not have been correct. The Dr's believe there was bleeding of the left ventricular (a major vein running through the brain) which has healed. What does this mean? To be honest, I'm not completely sure - all I know is what they originally thought 'could' have been a major problem is no longer considered a problem, things have improved, there is no need to do additional tests for this particular problem, yay!
Over the last two weeks we have been blessed with being able to share Jaylie's care times with my mom, Kristina' mom, my Dad, Angela (my step mom) and our pastor's. These are special times for us, the nurses and Jaylie. We are honored to be able to share these moments with some of the people we love and love Jaylie. Thank you all!
I can't express how wonderful it is to experience times of healing growth like we have this last week. Getting to this point has been a hard road, a taxing road, making enjoying the small quite bonding moments with Jaylie priceless. Kristina and I still have a long road ahead of us, full on uncertainty and trying challenges. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Your prayers and support have been a major factor in sustaining us to this point. Thank you SO much!
We wish you and your families the very best this holiday season!
Merry Christmas!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
I've added a couple more pic's to Jaylie's album. You can view them HERE
Here's a new pic:
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Jaylie - Day 21 - week 30 4/7
Yesterday (day 21) we reached another mile stone! Kristina got to hold Jaylie for the first time! Pretty awesome huh! I'm sure it was awesome though Kristina hasn't said much about it. The nurse's said it was a really big deal of which I agree.
Jaylie is doing VERY well according to the nurse's and Dr's.
Jaylie is on cpap (here's some info on cpap HERE ) and still has a tube for feeding but is doing very well with her feedings and breathing.
Jaylie is now 705 grams (1lb 9oz) and 31.5cm (12.4 inches).
I've posted new pictures and video to Jaylie's album. You can view here album HERE
Here's a new pic:
And the video from tonight's care time:
As always, thank you SO much for your pray and support! It means a lot to us!
Merry Christmas!
Nathan, Kristina & Jaylie
Jaylie is doing VERY well according to the nurse's and Dr's.
Jaylie is on cpap (here's some info on cpap HERE ) and still has a tube for feeding but is doing very well with her feedings and breathing.
Jaylie is now 705 grams (1lb 9oz) and 31.5cm (12.4 inches).
I've posted new pictures and video to Jaylie's album. You can view here album HERE
Here's a new pic:
And the video from tonight's care time:
As always, thank you SO much for your pray and support! It means a lot to us!
Merry Christmas!
Nathan, Kristina & Jaylie
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Jaylie - Day 19 - week 30 2/7
Jaylie is doing well today. They have set her up on a regular feeding schedule based upon her gestational age and current weight.
As I write this update from my cell phone (go droid!) the Dr's have decided to put her on auto ventilation in preperation for removing her from the ventilator completely.
Hopefully she will be breathing off the ventilator here in a couple of hours.
Pastor Peter and Gaby came up today to visit and pray with us which we really appreciate! Thank you!
We'll keep you posted on tlhow things play out!
Update - Jaylie is Off the ventilator and on cpap, yay!
As always, thank you SO much!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
As I write this update from my cell phone (go droid!) the Dr's have decided to put her on auto ventilation in preperation for removing her from the ventilator completely.
Hopefully she will be breathing off the ventilator here in a couple of hours.
Pastor Peter and Gaby came up today to visit and pray with us which we really appreciate! Thank you!
We'll keep you posted on tlhow things play out!
Update - Jaylie is Off the ventilator and on cpap, yay!
As always, thank you SO much!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Jaylie - Day 18 - week 30
Jaylie is still doing well. They haven't taken her off the ventilator yet but I'm sure that step will be taken in the right timing.
Jaylie is now 690 grams (1lb 8.3 oz)! Good job to Kristina for making some good stuff :)
I've added a couple more calculators here: http://jeffreystop.com/jaylie/#age
I've added a Gestational age and Dr's day age to the 'How old is Jaylie' age counter.
Thank you SO much for your prayer and support!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
Jaylie is now 690 grams (1lb 8.3 oz)! Good job to Kristina for making some good stuff :)
I've added a couple more calculators here: http://jeffreystop.com/jaylie/#age
I've added a Gestational age and Dr's day age to the 'How old is Jaylie' age counter.
Thank you SO much for your prayer and support!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
Friday, December 4, 2009
Jaylie - Day 17
Jaylie is still doing really well. Still feeding well, progressing and growing nicely. The Dr's are looking to take her off the ventilator and put her on vapotherm, a form of nasal administered medication to help with breathing and lung development hopefully here in the next day or so - which would be totally awesome!
All is going well.
As promised, I've take and posted some new pictures to Jaylie facebook album. You can view those pictures here HERE
Here's one from today:
As always, Thank you SO much for your prayers an support! We really appreciate it!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
All is going well.
As promised, I've take and posted some new pictures to Jaylie facebook album. You can view those pictures here HERE
Here's one from today:
As always, Thank you SO much for your prayers an support! We really appreciate it!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Jaylie - Day 15
More good news! Jaylie is being fed breast milk now in really really small quantities - but is processing it. She's been on small quantities of breast milk for about 48 hours now and doing very well!
The Dr's have taken Jaylie off all the meds for the pulmonary hypertension and have given the ok on the heart, lung and cranial scans YAY YAY!
Jaylie has gained some weight (finally!) and now weights 650 grams ( 22.9 oz = 1lb 6.9 oz )! Woot woot!
They made me change Jaylie's diaper last night, yes made me, and I was surprised to experience she feels like a normal baby, just a bit smaller and a bit more fragile.
The Dr said Jaylie is doing really well, and that they are probably going to try and take her off the ventelator here in the next day or so! Can I get another Woot woot!
Jaylie has grown. I will get some more good pictures of her this week.
The Dr's have advised Jaylie is doing good, but we are not our of the woods by far yet. We still have a ways to go. The Dr's have said, the next set of challenages is going to be with feeding. The Dr's have said there will be ups and down's with feeding just due to being premature. Preemies like Jaylie with IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) tendency to have gut problems and digestive problems which makes feedings a challenge.
With Jaylie growing and Kristina and I being able to interact with her more it makes it harder to leave her at the hospital each day. Please pray for Kristina and I that God would help us with managing of our daily life's and our relationship with our baby girl Jaylie.
As always, thank you SO much for the pray and support, it works!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
The Dr's have taken Jaylie off all the meds for the pulmonary hypertension and have given the ok on the heart, lung and cranial scans YAY YAY!
Jaylie has gained some weight (finally!) and now weights 650 grams ( 22.9 oz = 1lb 6.9 oz )! Woot woot!
They made me change Jaylie's diaper last night, yes made me, and I was surprised to experience she feels like a normal baby, just a bit smaller and a bit more fragile.
The Dr said Jaylie is doing really well, and that they are probably going to try and take her off the ventelator here in the next day or so! Can I get another Woot woot!
Jaylie has grown. I will get some more good pictures of her this week.
The Dr's have advised Jaylie is doing good, but we are not our of the woods by far yet. We still have a ways to go. The Dr's have said, the next set of challenages is going to be with feeding. The Dr's have said there will be ups and down's with feeding just due to being premature. Preemies like Jaylie with IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) tendency to have gut problems and digestive problems which makes feedings a challenge.
With Jaylie growing and Kristina and I being able to interact with her more it makes it harder to leave her at the hospital each day. Please pray for Kristina and I that God would help us with managing of our daily life's and our relationship with our baby girl Jaylie.
As always, thank you SO much for the pray and support, it works!
Nathan, Kristina and Jaylie
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