FREEEDOM!!!!!!

She got loose from her isolette and is now in an open crib, free to get kisses from her mommy and daddy at any time. Oh yah...and now she is sporting the latest in preemie fashion. But that won't last long because she is over 4 1/2 lbs now.

She is growing

Not much here to report on Allison's status. Doctors think she is looking good, she just needs to grow. But we got a few pictures here to share.

Four Pounds...and then some

Lots of good news with Allison. She is off all her antibiotics and they believe she has beaten the NEC. There is still a possibility that it caused some scar tissue in her bowels. If so and they cause some blockage she would still need surgery. But so far she is not showing signs of this. She is going to be on full feedings of milk again by the end of the week and off her I.V. fluids. Then she can really start gaining weight again. Although she is up to 4 lbs 3 oz. now. Here are some pics including our first family picture.

Allison - The Comeback!

Good news to report from my whiskers to your ears. Allison is making a great comeback. Looks like the NEC has subsided, the distention in her stomach has reduced and they took her off her intubation. They are putting her back on a breast milk diet again and she is making a really good recovery.

NEC very rarely comes back once its been treated but Allison is not out of the woods yet. However Eddie did get to hold her on Valentines Day and we got a picture for all to see.

Hard times for Allison

So not real good news to post. We were informed on Tuesday afternoon that Allison had some complications. She was scheduled that day to go have a test to check her thyroid. The doctors had already told us her thyroid wasn't producing the hormones it should. This was not much of a surprise since thyroid problems run in the family, including both her parents.

However after the test they noticed Allison was in some discomfort and started to examine her. They came to the conclusion she has Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC):

They started a treatment to take care of her which over the last 24 hrs looks like it is working. However this morning the doctors called to say she is having breathing issues due to the NEC so they had to intubate her again. She is breathing easier now. Her blood tests show she has a low white cell count and overall low blood count so she is getting medicine for that as well as a blood transfusion. This was not an out-of-the-blue scenario but its definitely a couple steps back for her. Thoughts, well-wishes, and prayers are all welcome and we will keep you all updated as things change.

3 Pounds!!!!

I heard Eddie talking to the hospital and it seems Allison has reached the three pound milestone, right at her 1 month birthday. She is coming along but still has a ways to go before they can bring her home. Which is fine by me because I like sleeping on the changing table and I doubt that will fly once she gets here.

Also just to get a little perspective on how she is growing, Eddie and Chrissy are going to take a picture of her each month next to her First Teddy Bear, which was given to her this Christmas from her cousin Dominic and Giulia. Enjoy!

Whats up with the family

Its been so long since my last post I figured everyone would be waiting to hear what's been happening. Things have been moving along pretty good at my house lately. The snow melted and Eddie and Chrissy are getting around much better now. In fact, Eddie is even starting to walk and drive again. I must say, while I liked having Eddie laying on the couch all the time as my own personal bed, I am looking forward to getting rid of his knee scooter. (It scares the catnip out of me!) Eddie is going back to work in the office this next week besides his weekly physical therapy appointments.

Chrissy is back to work in her office downtown but she is able to work from the hospital from time to time too. At least that is what she says. All I know is she isn't here for me to lay on. But I do like this changing table in the nursery. Its great to sleep on.

My sister Allison is doing great. Monday the 30th she will officially be 4 weeks old but they still measure her in weeks she would be before the birth so she is just short of 32 weeks. Her last measurement she was up to 2lbs 12 oz. so thats over a pound more than when she was born. I guess the other day Eddie and Chrissy had some fun changing her on their own. Evidently when you put her legs up and take off her diaper, its a perfect storm for...how should I put this...filling her litter box over and over and over. I guess they went through 4 diapers before she was done and cleaned up. Good teaching lesson for the new parents. At least I bury mine.

She is filling out nicely

Today they took her off the continuous feeding and moved her to a feed every 3 hours. This will get her used to a feeding schedule so its another step in the right direction. Also Eddie and Chrissy were able to give her some breast milk by mouth the other day and had some pics so here they are.

I think she likes it

And here are a few pics from today when Eddie got to hold her again. She seems very aware of her surroundings and pretty comfortable out of her isolette (the incubator/crib). Or maybe she just likes Eddie without his beard.