Party Time! (Excellent)

Dear Samuel,

Two! Pounds!

Unfortunately, the rest of the day wasn't so exciting.......

In the past few days you have had an increasing amount of de-sats. They chalked this up to the RSV at first, but now they aren't so sure. Today, the doctor ordered a blood transfusion, as your hemoglobin was low on your blood gas. They also drew some more blood for a culture to see if there may be another infection. It's not the fact that they think anything is wrong, but they just want to make sure they aren't missing something by believing the RSV is the cause of your issues. 

So, you have another IV in your arm again, but at the moment you don't have anything going through it. Just a precaution. 

You also have a little catheter in to try and get a urine sample. They want to see if there is any bacteria in your urine. Of course, you keep spoiling any sample because you happen to do a certain something else (It involves the number 2). So, as of yet, they have not been able to get a reading on this. 

When I was down to see you tonight, the nurse told me that all of the "initial" tests came back clean. The number they use to see inflammation/infection was low (which is good). 

Your O2 levels were around 30% for most of the day, but went as high as 40%. I'm hoping they won't have to take that level up because of all of the de-sats. The good thing is, that you seem to do really well at 30%....when you remember to breath. 

So, I guess all things considered it wasn't THAT bad of a day. One cool thing was that you were able to suck on a pacifier today. Momma gave you one today when you were getting your IV put in. This will come in handy later on ;) 

Hoping you can get some sleep tonight, buddy! 

Love, 

Mom and Dad

Baby Yoga

Dear Samuel,

Sorry for not posting last night....We may have freaked some people out. All is well though, because (Say it with me) "No News is Good News", when it comes to our little journey.

One BIG thing that has happened is that you no longer have an IV!! The infection(s) is no longer present in your blood stream, as the culture came back negative after the full 5 days of culturing.
The only things that are now hooked up to you are your breathing tube, feeding tube, plenty of monitors and your makeshift headgear that keeps your mouth shut (Needed for respiratory purposes).

They continue to tweak your feedings to try and get the right balance of nutrients. You are now up to 13 ccs of "fortified" breastmilk every 3 hours. The "fortified" part means that it's donor milk combined with mom's milk to boost your calorie intake; among other things (Like today, your sodium was tweaked a bit). This, we hope, will help bring your weight up (We are in the planning stages of a "2 pound party").

Another thing is that you retaining some fluids that makes you look a bit puffy. A diuretic was added to your food intake to help with this (layman's terms: You need to pee more).

One thing we were FINALLY able to catch on video, was your little Baby Yoga sessions. When you are on your tummy (which is A LOT, because you hardly ever de-sat when you are on your tummy) you like to do some yoga and push yourself into downward dog. According to our nurse today, this is actually common among premies (You can hear some of the explanation in the video) but the gist is that because premies have such a low body mass they are able to push themselves up with their legs. A "normal" 7 or 8 pound baby could NOT do this, because their body mass is far greater than yours. Check out the video:



One last thing.

We just wanted to let you know how blessed you are to have such great Family, Friends, and Community. Your Mom and I have received so much support; it's absolutely incredible. From gifts, to notes, to hugs, to texts and on and on and on.....we have been overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of so many people (Some, your Mom and I have never met). So, we thought we should take the time to say "Thank You". From our family, to yours: Thank You.

Sleep well little one.

Love,
Mom and Dad

Christmas Day

Dear Samuel,

Not much news to report today.....which are days that we like.

The only real news from today was that, yet another IV had to come out. The good news is, that you only have 24 hours left to have one in anyways (Antibiotics need to run their course, even though the infection is gone). As I'm typing, you do NOT have anything poking you! They are going to try again at 2:00 a.m. and if they are unsuccessful with placing the IV, they may forego putting one in.

Otherwise, your mom and I came down twice to see you today and did a little photoshoot.

To all of the readers of Sammy's blog.....Merry Christmas from the Parr's! (Hopefully this counts as our Christmas cards. We sort of got sidetracked this year and didn't get to send any out this year).

You keep impressing us AND the NICU staff, buddy. This is going to be our first and last Christmas in the hospital. Your mom and I can't wait until next year already.

Love,
Mom and Dad

Christmas Eve

Dear Samuel,

This may be a tough few days for your mom and I. We are SO excited to celebrate Christmas with your brother, Isaac. He's finally starting to "get it". At the same time, we can't stop thinking about that we can't all be together on Christmas. It's heart-wrenching pal.....I feel like we are the worst parents in the world for not being there with you every second of every day; especially on Christmas.

Although, we may feel this way now, I'm quite certain that there is a lesson in all of this for us and that God has a plan for us. I'm already thinking of next Christmas, and just how special it will be. It makes me think of all of the things we take for granted in this life; especially the people. Buddy, let me tell you, if there is one thing I have learned in life is that we need to make the most of the time that we have with each other. Because one day, that person will be gone and all of things you wanted to do or say will be too.

So, to everyone reading this letter.......Cherish the time you have with your loved ones. Parents, give your kids a big hug and tell them how much they mean to you. Kids, hug your parents back and tell them how much they mean to YOU!


Today, was kind of a short day. We didn't get to see you much, but I think we made the most of the time we had. Your mom got to hold you again today AND you had your eyes wide open for us.

They moved you IV from your head to your arm. We are still hopeful that you can get it out on Friday, after the antibiotics have run their course. 

Otherwise, everything is status quo. Just the way we like it. No surprises. 

Thank you to everyone who has sent cards, gifts and well wishes. We are truly blessed to have such great people in our lives! 

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year! 

Sleep tight buddy, we will see you tomorrow. 

Love,

Mom and Dad

Moments in Time

Dear Samuel,

There are moments in life that stick with you....Winning a big game, Meeting your mom, Seeing how beautiful she looked when she was walking down the aisle at our wedding.

Tonight, I had one of those moments.

Both your Mom and I got to hold you today. We're both hoping that this is a trend that can continue as you keep getting bigger and stronger. 

In other news.....

We are past the 72 hour mark on your blood culture coming back negative (or not coming back at all, I should say). This is awesome news because the tentative plan right now is to remove your IV as soon as the 26th. One less thing that would need to be hooked up to you! 

Speaking of your IV, they actually had to move it to a vein in your head! Apparently, it's a better place to get at your veins from instead of your arm or leg. 

Your feedings have been taken up to 11 ccs per every 3 hours. Hopefully this helps with chunking you out a bit. It has so far, as you are up to 1 pound 10.4 ounces. 

So glad that you have had a few good days in a row. Let's keep it rolling! 

Love, 

Mom and Dad

A Short Report.....

Dear Samuel,

Not a ton to report today.......

Your weight is up to 1 pound 10.5 ounces!

You are still battling with "de sating" (O2 dropping unexpectedly). During Rounds today, your doctor told us that they do NOT think it is your PDA opening up. So, for now, we can rule that out. I think we are still going with the assumption that this is being caused by the infection.

Speaking of your infection, they took a blood culture on Monday that came back today and was positive for an infection. They also drew one today to be cultured for 48 as well. You are still on antibiotics to help stave off said infection.

Blood Sugar has been better today.....not so many big swings (150-180). You are still on insulin but have held steady at a very low dose. Hoping we can get this under control, so there can be one less thing going into your IV.

Your IV was also switched to your other leg today, and you are now in a "board" so that you can't flex your ankle too much where your IV is. This is good and bad, as the foot that didn't have the IV is in is used for testing your blood sugar and is getting sort of raw.

Otherwise, the doctors are very impressed with the progress you are making. Let's kick this infection and start working on getting you porked out!

See you tomorrow buddy.

Love,
Mom and Dad