Precious Baby Caroline

Home At Long Last and Doing Great

Baby Caroline came home after 12 days in NICU at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. I flew down ahead of our original schedule of April 29th, to be with Jeff for moral support since Heather was still in the hospital til Saturday. Caroline made daily progress and was weaned off the ventillator, then the oxygen, then the IV hyperal (nutrition) and began to breast feed before discharge. Her resp. lungs matured after a dose of surfactant; and her patent ductus closed after a prostglandin inhibitor was administer by IV drip over several days.

John came down on the 29th, as originally planned, and we stayed with Jeff and Heather for a few days til they were able to get some rest and get into a routine with Baby Caroline. She is adorable. Will share more pictures when I get home from Florida.

Currently, John has returned to Indy after 2 weeks' stay, and I'm here at Julie's for a week and then for a week at David's--but on call 24/7 in case Jeff and Heather need help in any way.

Needless to say, I am enjoying my visit with the kids and grandkids. This was my first Mother's Day with all three kids in 14 years. It was great.

Update on Baby Caroline

Caroline continues to have respiratory distress, so they are transferring her to All Childrens' Hospital in St. Petersburg to be put on a ventillator to help with her breathing--so she can rest after working so hard to breathe. Jeff is going up with her and Heather's mom will stay with Heather at the hospital. Heather is supposed to be discharged tomorrow and plans to go on up with Jeff to be with Caroline. They are hoping to get a room in the Ronald McDonald House so they won't have to commute the 40 minutes each way every day--too rough on Heather. Keep all of them in your prayers. They anticipate a week's hospitalization. She does not have pneumonia nor amniotic fluid in her lungs, as was originally believed. They feel her lungs are still immature, due to the fact that she was delivered early (possibly 2 weeks prior to due date).
Will keep you posted.

Proud Daddy and Mommy

Jeff, Caroline and Heather immediately after birth. Isn't she precious??

Sweet Caroline

She is a little thumb sucker. She is currently in the special care nursery on oxygen, iv and monitors due to some respiratory distress. We'll know more tomorrow. Keep her and Jeff and Heather in your prayers. Will keep you posted.

Baby Caroline is Here at Last

Jeff just called to say that Baby Caroline was born by C-section (due to breach presentation). She weighed in at 7lbs. 8 oz. and is 19 1/2 inches long. She has a little dark hair and has Jeff's nose (turned up). She is healthy and whole and Heather is doing well in Recovery. Jeff said Caroline cried the minute she was delivered. Once we receive pictures, I'll post one on this blog with an update on how everything is going. We are so excited. We will be leaving next Tues. for Florida...I'll be there one month, and John for two weeks. Can't wait to see her. Needless to say,
Jeff is so excited.

Inspector Tux

" Hmmmm, what's in here?? Wonder if there's room for me?"