They've been telling us to expect good days and bad, and good friends of ours who have been through this (with triplets, that are now wonderful, healthy little boys) and have been an incredible support to both Lauren and me--told us from the beginning that the line between a good day and an awful day is paper-thin. Babies born as early as Caili are simply so underdeveloped that little things can have big impacts...
After looking incredibly sick and lethargic two days ago, and having real difficulty in terms of breathing, Cailin had a good day yesterday, but not such a great night last night. Today was again better and when we left at 10 PM. She seemed to still be doing relatively well. Her fiestiness had returned, which was a tremendous relief. Hopefully the night continues to go well for her.
Lauren is doing better; the mother of one of Caili's neighbor's made the point that the quality of their days guide our days, and that has been very true for us. This woman's son just passed 120 days in the NICU, which from where we're sitting seems like an eternity. Her son came off the vent today, but she still has a lot of time to go before she can take him home. We so hope to have Caili home by Christmas, but in truth that is seeming like a longshot at the moment. But whenever it happens, it will be a wonderful day.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Keep Praying for Her!
Lauren and I are trying to stay as optimistic as possible--focusing on the good news like her weight gain as per my previous post--but over the past several days Cailin's breathing has become a serious issue. They've had to move her to a different ventilator--called a "jet ventilator"--to help address the issues. It didn't help as much as we had all hoped.
They're trying another approach, but the next several days are critical. Please pray for her, and for Lauren, who is struggling at the moment; it's all a lot to take.
Lauren did get some good news today--a critical hormone level that is related to her complicated pregnancy dropped dramatically. We need it to keep on falling back down to normal levels, but today's progress was welcomed!
I'm not sure we'll update the blog this much in the future, but it is nice to be able to update it as we please.
Thanks again for your continued thoughts and prayers,
Tim
They're trying another approach, but the next several days are critical. Please pray for her, and for Lauren, who is struggling at the moment; it's all a lot to take.
Lauren did get some good news today--a critical hormone level that is related to her complicated pregnancy dropped dramatically. We need it to keep on falling back down to normal levels, but today's progress was welcomed!
I'm not sure we'll update the blog this much in the future, but it is nice to be able to update it as we please.
Thanks again for your continued thoughts and prayers,
Tim
Weight Gain!
The nurse just told us that Cailin gained 112 grams--nearly 20% of her birth weight of 628 grams. She now weighs 1 pound 10 ounces. Of course it's tough for them to weigh her too accurately with all the equipment, but still, it's clear she's gaining weight, and that's fantastic--growing is the thing she needs to do most right now!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Pictures!
Sunday 9/16: Here, you can see what I look like up close. I hadn't had my first bath yet so please excuse my dirty forehead!
Monday 9/17: When the cover is on for my isolette (which it almost always is) these little "port holes" allow my friends and family to hold my hand. 
Monday 9/17: I look a little skinny but I hope to gain weight soon...
Sunday 9/23: I'm still not sure whether I like holding anyone's hand yet. Sometimes I do and other times, it kind of startles me.
Sunday 9/23: See, now my isolette cover is off because I just had my diaper changed. When my cover is off, Mommy and Daddy love to take an extra minute and get up close to me. But, can't keep the cover off for too long...I get cold. 9/25 Update: 11 days old
Our first update to Cailin's blog will start with the phrase Tim and I have been hearing over and over again, "Cailin is stable and doing what we would expect for someone born at her gestational age."
And that is true. The first few days she was in what they call the "honeymoon phase" where she seemed to be doing better than anyone could expect. But, this past weekend we saw our first true signs of her actual gestational age. And after a difficult weekend of ups and downs, Tim and I were introduced to a second phrase that we hear all too often, "This is the life of a preemie. One step forward, two steps back or vice verse."
All in all though, she is doing well. It has been 11 days since her birth and she is doing "as well as can be expected." In some areas she's doing extremely well and in others she needs a lot of assistance. So, we continue to pray and be hopeful that she will be the fighter we know she is.
As for Tim and I, we are still trying to sort out our new routine and are finding ourselves very frazzled trying to fit the normal life stuff in with time we want to spend with our daughter. So, please call or email us your words of encouragement as we certainly need them. Or, you comment on our blog posts on-line. But, keep in mind, your responses are visible to everyone who visits her blog. Whatever option you choose, we would love to hear from you. Just please understand if we don't get back to you right away.
We’ll try to update the blog at least once a week. As always, please keep our little angel in your thoughts and/or prayers. And, if your interested, we will post some pictures of her in her first few days. Take a look. We think she’s adorable! Lauren and Tim
And that is true. The first few days she was in what they call the "honeymoon phase" where she seemed to be doing better than anyone could expect. But, this past weekend we saw our first true signs of her actual gestational age. And after a difficult weekend of ups and downs, Tim and I were introduced to a second phrase that we hear all too often, "This is the life of a preemie. One step forward, two steps back or vice verse."
All in all though, she is doing well. It has been 11 days since her birth and she is doing "as well as can be expected." In some areas she's doing extremely well and in others she needs a lot of assistance. So, we continue to pray and be hopeful that she will be the fighter we know she is.
As for Tim and I, we are still trying to sort out our new routine and are finding ourselves very frazzled trying to fit the normal life stuff in with time we want to spend with our daughter. So, please call or email us your words of encouragement as we certainly need them. Or, you comment on our blog posts on-line. But, keep in mind, your responses are visible to everyone who visits her blog. Whatever option you choose, we would love to hear from you. Just please understand if we don't get back to you right away.
We’ll try to update the blog at least once a week. As always, please keep our little angel in your thoughts and/or prayers. And, if your interested, we will post some pictures of her in her first few days. Take a look. We think she’s adorable! Lauren and Tim
Some Background
Welcome to Cailin's blog!
So, a little background before Lauren provides an update on where things stand today...
After being diagnosed with a rare and frightening complication at 12 weeks gestation, Lauren pushed through an additional 12 plus weeks of a very, very difficult pregnancy and gave birth at 4:50 AM on 9/14/07 to our little darling, Cailin Hope. She had gestated just 24 weeks and 5 days, and weighed in at only 1 pound, 6 ounces. While the emergency delivery was terrifying, both mother and baby made it through well.
We didn't have a name at the time of her birth and lack of Internet access in Lauren's hospital room sent me in search of a name book. We came upon Cailin, which the book described as both a Scottish and Irish name. Lauren and I both have Scottish heritage, and per the book the Scottish version of Cailin means "triumphant people," which seemed perfect for our little angel for whom we have so much hope. Thus "Cailin Hope" seemed the perfect choice.
As for this blog; we'll update it as much as we can, and we certainly welcome any comments. Share private comments via e-mail, and feel free to post public comments on the blog. Just be aware that they are public comments, and available for all to see.
We will balance our desire to share information with the need to protect Cailin's privacy, and to ensure we're not sharing things that will embarrass her when she's reading this for herself later in life!
Thank you all for your support, well wishes and prayers for Cailin!
So, a little background before Lauren provides an update on where things stand today...
After being diagnosed with a rare and frightening complication at 12 weeks gestation, Lauren pushed through an additional 12 plus weeks of a very, very difficult pregnancy and gave birth at 4:50 AM on 9/14/07 to our little darling, Cailin Hope. She had gestated just 24 weeks and 5 days, and weighed in at only 1 pound, 6 ounces. While the emergency delivery was terrifying, both mother and baby made it through well.
We didn't have a name at the time of her birth and lack of Internet access in Lauren's hospital room sent me in search of a name book. We came upon Cailin, which the book described as both a Scottish and Irish name. Lauren and I both have Scottish heritage, and per the book the Scottish version of Cailin means "triumphant people," which seemed perfect for our little angel for whom we have so much hope. Thus "Cailin Hope" seemed the perfect choice.
As for this blog; we'll update it as much as we can, and we certainly welcome any comments. Share private comments via e-mail, and feel free to post public comments on the blog. Just be aware that they are public comments, and available for all to see.
We will balance our desire to share information with the need to protect Cailin's privacy, and to ensure we're not sharing things that will embarrass her when she's reading this for herself later in life!
Thank you all for your support, well wishes and prayers for Cailin!
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