When I went in to her pod in the morning, I received bad news. Valerie, her nurse, said that her morning blood test wasn't looking great, and that they thought her heart murmur was affecting her lungs negatively and causing them to fill with fluid. She would have to have an echocardiogram, as well as her already scheduled head ultrasound to check for any bleeding. With all of the tests, Valerie didn't think that kangarooing would be wise, even though we had been looking forward to it since she was born. After breaking down for a minute, I kept going on with the day. She had her echocardiogram around lunch time and her head ultrasound in the afternoon with Simon there with her. Afterwards, Valerie and her nurse practitioner, Tiffani, came over and told me that they thought she was stable enough to kangaroo. I went to the bathroom, took off my top and put on a gown.
I sat down in a lounge chair while the nurses picked her up and put her on my chest, making sure that all of her leads/IVs were fine.
After that, they covered both of us with blankets and let us bond for two hours! Simon took SO many photos!
The nurses gave me a mirror so that I could look at her the entire time. Amazingly enough, her oxygen levels had been pretty high and unstable all morning, but when she was on my chest, she was completely stable and her oxygen concentration levels were turned all the way down to 21, her lowest level of the day. We were both so comfortable with each other.
With her on my chest, I felt like it was the first time that I knew what life was all about. It was an amazing experience where I finally understood why I was placed on this earth- to take care of this little girl and to teach her how to be a strong, kind, woman.
Today, I am thanking God for the day he gave us yesterday. When we were kangarooing, Tiffani came over to give us the results of her head ultrasound. There is no bleeding on her brain whatsoever, which is really rare for a preemie her age. A huge weight was lifted off of our shoulders with that news. Today, it's daddy's turn to kangaroo for the first time!
Keep growing little one. We love you so much.
31 comments:
I am so glad you had those moments with Lizzy! I am sure her daddy will enjoy his kangaroo time with her today.
I'm so happy to hear this good news Meghann - keeping you all in my prayers :) the photos are beautiful!
Oh!!! She IS SO CUTE!!!! The look on your face is PRICELESS!!! YEA YEA YEA YEA YEA!! Praising God for your GREAT day and GREAT news!! and praying Miss Lizzie into GREAT health!!!
Well, someone loves her mama it seems:) You both look beautiful and I'm thrilled at the news about her brain! I hope you share photos of Simon doing kangaroo care--he'll be completely smitten, I'm sure:)
Beautiful .... Amazing .... Precious!! So happy for you all :) xx
Okay, I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face. So thankful for the miracle of little Elizabeth and for you taking the time to post this. Such a reminder of what is truly important in life. Will keep praying.
I emailed you back earlier but I am SO EXCITED for you. Holding your baby for the first time really is the best moment of your life, I am so so glad that you were able to put her on you for so long. All our love!
Coming over from KA's facebook. What a precious little girl you have!! How exciting that you were able to snuggle with her for so long, and what wonderful news on her head u/s. You will be in our prayers.
What a blessing. We are praying for Lizzy!
My son was born at 26 weeks and 3 days back in August of 2012 so reading this brought back memories of the first time I finally got to hold him 3 weeks after his birth.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. She is a beautiful little girl
How beautiful!!!! I too am coming over from KA's facebook and am looking forward to praying for and watching little Elizabeth grow and thrive! What a blessing from God!
PS I LOVE her name! Full and nickname!
Sweet post. You will be in our prayers. Thanks KA for linking us up to this sweet blog
I heard about Elizabeth through KA too :)
What a beautiful sweet daughter you have! The photos of you holding her are so very precious.
Praying for all of you!
Absolutely amazing girl. I know she will continue to thrive with all that love and attention. Y'all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Love prayers and best wishes for you Simon and your lovely baby girl may she grow stronger everyday xo
These pictures are amazing. I can't believe what a beautiful little girl you have. What a wonderful experience, especially when your day didn't start on a great note. Hopefully your husband has an equally wonderful time today.
She is so adorable. Sending you lots and lots of good thoughts
What a fantastic day for all of you - she's such a little beauty!
Aw, she's so gorgeous, you all look so sweet and lovely. I'm so glad you got to hold her at last, and that she's doing well. Keep the updates coming! x
God is good :)
That's really good news about her brain ultrasound. How wonderful! You two look very cozy and perfect together.
So glad the nurses made the decision to carry on with the Kangaroo time, Meghann!! Such sweet photos of your family!!
I love these photos. The kangarooing must have been so special. I am so relieved to hear the good news about her brain ultrasound. I hope Simon loves his bonding time with dear little Lizzy. xx
such a beautiful post and photos.
So glad you were able to kangaroo with her :)
how beautiful! sending all of my good thought to you and your family!
I can't hold back the tears, my friend and co-worker. This is the first time I've actually sat down long enough to check out your blog instead of asking Amanda or Celia how you are. She is absolutely beautiful and SO ARE YOU!!! I know these times are difficult and that you are on the emotional ride of your life but God is so faithful, Meghann. One day you will see your little one do great and marvelous things. Yet you will never forget the fight of her life, for her life, with you attached to her like Mama Kangaroo. YOU GO GIRLS!!!!! (and daddy too!).
just wanted to say I love your projects today on the AC blog, they were fantastic! your little girl is so precious, congrats on her arrival and I will keep good thoughts for her to grow up healthy :) such wonderful photos of you all as a family :)
I've been peeking at your blog every day for updates - so happy you got to hold her for a few hours!!!
My thoughts are with you!!
I have been wondering how you are doing. I'm so happy to see all these posts full of wonderful news of her continued growth and strength. You look radiant holding her...made me smile! I will continue to pray for all of you!
I've been thinking about you and Elizabeth and popped in to see how you were both doing. I was delighted to hear the good news about her scans. And I was even more delighted to see this wonderful picture of the two of you together! Sending my best wishes to you and your family Meghann!
Meg!! What a precious post!! You look beautiful and Elizabeth is just so precious. I pray that you and your little Joey get lots more kangaroo moments regularly!!
Post a Comment