"Begin today and write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records, they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to you, each other, your children, your grand-children and others throughout the generations. Remember, the Savior chastised those who failed to record important events." --President Spencer W. Kimball

October 8, 2011

Big Steps

Today was the day I'd been waiting for for 11 days now.  The first time I got to hold and kiss my little miracle baby Katea.  In the past week and a half I've gotten to change her diaper, take her temperature, and weigh her, but never had the opportunity to actually hold or kiss her yet.  Today was a wonderful and very special day!!  She's such a fighter and has been doing so well.  She's still on a ventilator, but her lungs are getting stronger everyday.  They were able to take all the wires out of her umbilical cord and put a PICC line in her arm to give her all the antibiotics and medicines she needs through that instead of being hooked up to several different wires.  And the brain scan she got came back completely normal with absolutely no brain bleeds.  That was a huge hurdle she jumped over, and the best news we could have gotten!!  She lost a little weight in the first few days of life, which is normal....but now she is starting to gain again.  Today she weighed 1 lb10 oz.  They've started feeding her some of the breastmilk I've pumped....she started out with 1ml every 6 hours, but her little stomach is doing so well that they've up'd her feedings to 3ml every 3 hours.  She's simply amazing and everyday I look at her perfect little face, I thank my Heavenly Father for her.  The nurses said that she's unusually stable for a baby that was born at 25 weeks.  That's exactly what we love to hear!  Good job baby Katea, we love you so so so much.....keep fighting baby girl, we're all cheering and praying for you everyday! 

Big day, not only for mommy...but for daddy too!  The night before was the first time for him to change her diaper and take her temperature.  He was a little nervous because of how tiny she is, but he did an excellent job and I know he was happy that he did it!  Today he got to kiss her little head and face while I was holding her.  We were so overwhelmed and emotional, what a blessing to be able to finally kiss our little miracle.

These are HUGE steps for us and we are so grateful everyday for her progress!  They told us when I first had her...and have been telling us over and over again that life in the NICU is going to be a roller coaster of emotions.  She'll have good days and bad days....but that we needed to just focus on the good days.  That's exactly what we're doing...focusing on the good days!  We are so grateful for all the prayers and thoughts on our little baby's behalf....they really do help....you can see it in her progress! 
WE.LOVE.YOU.SO.MUCH.OUR.DEAR.SWEET.BABY.GIRL!!!

And of course, right beside her bedside....is the little angel bear from her twin sister's funeral.....she's always with her, watching over her and helping her fight.

14 comments:

Kassie said...

What a beautiful day for you guys! She is a true testimony of faith and prayer! We love u baby Tea and love seeing your progress..keep that appetite up baby girl...

xoxo

Sinai said...

I am so slow and just barely catching up. Monica, I love you and your little family. I love reading your blogs, the good, the bad and everything else that comes with it. You keep it real and that's what I love. My thoughts and prayers with you and your family. Much love!

Lani M. Latu said...

I love reading you blog, and I'm glad she's doing well. I was especially glad to see you are nursing her. I'm such a diehard when it comes to breastfeeding, but I know it's the best thing, especially when they're premature.. You give the baby the antibodies to help fight off any sickness. You can't get that in formula. Anywayz, that's my little remark on bfing. I'm glad though you guys got to hold her, we'll definitely keep your family in our prayers. :)

Aki said...

That's it baby girl!! Keep fighting!! We're all rootin' for you!!! =)

Klarah said...

Your little angle is a fighter and I think she gets her strength from her parents! You guys strength shows through your faith and your ability to stay positive through this trial. I am a strong believer that prayers and faith go a long way. I'm so happy to hear that your baby Tea is making progress. We will be sure to always keep your family in our prayers! Much love..

nakinana said...

Awwww she's soooo cute and fragile Monica hope to see you all soon... love always...

Fred & Shenna Frost said...

So completely happy to hear that your sweet baby is doing so well! She's absolutely beautiful Monica! :) Keeping her in our prayers. xoxo

pwincessdi said...

YAY!! I love keeping up to date on her thru ur blog :) Love u Baby girl, keep fighting!!

MARCIA said...

AMAZING, absolutely amazing!! What a beautiful blessing she is. And that picture of you holding her for the first time is priceless. Stay strong baby Katea...Love you Monica.

Ane said...

Sweet moments, I'm going to agree with some of the earlier posts...your blog really is wonderful. You are an amazing source of strength to us mothers. Katea is beautiful! Keep the faith and stay strong!

Anonymous said...

Yay Monica. I'm glad to hear baby Tea is doing so well. It's so true about babies in the NICU and the emotional rollercoaster parents go through...Faith & prayers will get you guys through it, and yes I agree focus on the Good! When you have a minute go into the parent's lounge and read through the miracles stories (found it on one of my bad nights there...it helped) they have in there are inspirational...babies have an amazing resilience to overcome such odds. Yay for baby Tea:-)

Anonymous said...
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Monika said...

HUGE HUGS!!!! What a fighter! What a sweet heart! Congrats on such amazing hurdles. Lots of love from Florida!

IONGI FAMILY said...

We love u baby Tea keep on fighting UMAH!!!