We Have Beads!!!!!!!

One of the ways progress is tracked in the NICU is through the use of little beads. Each bead denotes a milestone the baby has reached...up until this morning, Peter didn't have any beads...when we arrived for our visit this morning he had several (most of which he was born qualified for-but we'll still celebrate them).

WAY TO GO LITTLE MAN!!!!!

May 25, 2011

It was a late night here at the hospital last night. One of Peter's nurses clued us in that she would be doing an assessment on him around 11:30. So, we could not miss the chance to spend time with our little pumpkin sans all the tubes, wires and coverings. I got to see our Peter's eyes for the first time. He is just absolutely perfect! He has a ton of hair for being so little and he is super feisty, always trying to pull on or play with one of his wires. He got upset at one point so Brad was able to wrap his hands around him for comfort. That worked immediately and he calmed right down. When Brad tried to pull his hand back, Peter wasn't ready and grabbed him...made us both melt. We have been able to give him some swabs of breastmilk everyday and he really seems to get a great deal of satisfaction from the familiar taste.

In more medical notes...Peter did require to be put back on the ventilator. He required more surfactant for his lungs (as he was working too hard to breathe). The only way to administer the drug is through the vent. At this point, the ventilator is not providing any oxygen, it is just reminding him to breathe. They are giving him 40 breaths per minute, but he is typically taking twice that. The ventilator is being used as a comfort measure at this point and will probably come out today. Peter did have some issues with the medicine he was given to help close his heart vessel. This is not uncommon and they will resume treatment today.

We are hopeful that I will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow afternoon.

May 24, 2011

This morning as I sit in my hospital bed, I am thinking about just how much I want to hold our little guy close and give him all the love and snuggles I can. I cannot wait to just hold his little hand (which looks just like his Daddy's).

It was a rather emotional evening here as our unit (which was empty) is now full of chubby healthy babies and their new parents.

Peter is being constantly monitored by an outstanding medical staff. Yesterday, he had an echocardiogram to check to see that one of his heart vessels was closing on its own. This is a common problem for preemies. The vessel remains wide open, so he started a three day course of medication to encourage closure. This is VERY common. He will have another test today to see if he needs all the medication or just the one dose.

I am finally feeling a little more like myself (my body is very sore, but my head has cleared from all the meds). We spent some time yesterday talking with one of Peter's nurses, Lynn. She patiently explained all the wires, tubes and monitors to us. I feel a little more in the loop about his care now.

For those of you wondering...I will hopefully be discharged from the hospital on Thursday. I will be sleeping at home, but spending as much time with Peter as possible. Brad will be checking in at work regularly, but will also be at the hospital much of the time. He loves to give Peter little swabs of breastmilk (and Peter relishes those moments as well - which is evidenced by his obviously aggressive sucking)

May 22, 2011

Welcome to the World, Peter Bradley Scholtens

Peter was born Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 12:25 pm. He arrived 10 weeks earlier than expected and will be spending several weeks in the very capable hands of his doctor's at Covenant Hospital.

Peter's prognosis is good at this point. He is a tiny little peanut, weighing in at 2 lbs, 9.9 oz. He has already been removed from the ventilator and a breathing tube. The doctor's do have him still using a c-pap breathing apparatus, but with only 22% oxygen. Peter is feisty and all the nurses say he is of good size and looks healthy for his small stature.

I will be in the hospital until at least Thursday and then spending most of of my days here until our little monster comes home.

We appreciate all the support and prayers from our many family and friends and will keep you posted to the best of our ability.

May 19, 2011

This morning we eagerly headed out to our 30 week growth scan in anticipation of some fun new 3d photos of our little one. After several minutes of viewing by the maternal fetal medicine specialist it was decided that the time has come to deliver the baby...which for those of you who do not know the gender is a boy!

Anyway, back to the important stuff...we have been at the hospital in Saginaw (as they have an excellent NICU) since Friday night. Friday and Saturday were spent in a great deal of discomfort as I was given a magnesium sulfate drip (for neural function) and steroid shots for respiratory function. We want this little guy to have as much help as possible.

This morning it has been decided that we will be welcoming the newest Scholtens to the world around noon. We were encouraged to hear that the little monster has flipped over to a head down position. This means delivery will be a little easier and less traumatic for him.

We will try to post pictures as soon as possible...please keep us all in your prayers!

Watseka Baby Shower

Saturday, May 14th . . . the ladies of Watseka, IL (and Chicago and Middleton, WI) held a shower in honor of the upcoming arrival of Muffin.
The theme of the day was "Will it be a boy or a girl?" The ladies were asked to wear bue of pink to cast their vote . . . After we had a lovely brunch of egg casserole, monkey bread (a particular favorite of both Momma and Baby), fruit kebabs and sherbet punch, we cut the cake to reveal the baby's gender (not going to share that here quite yet). We were blessed with many lovely presents. One particularly special present was the quilt made by Grandma Flesher. She started the quilt 35 years ago for me, but wasn't able to finish when I unexpectedly arrived 4 weeks early . . . she added those original squares (plus a few more) and finished the quilt for Muffin. There is a cool little inset picture on the back of her making the quilt. . . . what a treasure . . . After we opened all the gifts, each person designed a special onesie . . . precious!
A truly fun day was had by all. We are so blessed to have wonderful friends to help us celebrate the impending arrival of this little monster.

May 9, 2011

Here are some new pictures of our little muffin . . . more to follow next week . . .