Thursday, September 4, 2008

Each day I am amazed by my little angel's strength and determination. She proves every single day that she is indeed a fighter. She has definitely stolen my heart and everyday I fall more and more in love with her. I just stand at her incubator and watch every little thing she does. 

Morgan Kate had another good day! I spoke with the neonatologist this morning and she said that Morgan Kate looks and sounds really good. They have put another tube down her throat. Morgan Kate was not happy about this at all and let them know vocally. The tube is to help with any oxygen that might be getting into her stomach. Sometimes the oxygen can bypass the lungs and cause gas and bloating in the stomach. This tube is to help pull that oxygen out. Her oxygen stats continue to go up and down - one minute the alarm is going off because it's too high, the next minute it's too low. One big problem is that Morgan Kate loves to sleep with her mouth wide open (she may have inherited this from me), therefore, the oxygen coming in through her nose is escaping through her mouth. She has a respiratory therapist (RT) that comes in several times a day to check the oxygen and to suction her mouth and nose. Morgan Kate hates the suctioning. She throws her little hands in the air and even tries to hide her face. The first time I saw her do this I could hardly believe it. The RT said that she is quite a little pistol. Hmmm...imagine that! Her feedings have been increased to 4 cc and she is still tolerating them very well. Tomorrow they will increase to 4.3 and then 4.6 by the end of the day. She is still at 1lb and 13oz so I am hoping that she will start to gain some weight with the increased feedings. The nurses gave her a sponge bath tonight and I got to help. I am thrilled to get to help with anything!! I got to hold her while they were weighing her and changing her sheets. I also got to change several diapers and it was so much fun. It's so difficult not being able to do more for her, so I get really excited about doing anything.

Of course the doctors have told us that we should intend or plan on Morgan Kate being in the NICU until her original due date - December 3rd. However, there are three qualifications a baby must meet before they are released and sometimes they meet those before their due dates. The baby must be:
1. Completely off of all IV fluids.
2. Be able to come out of the incubator and stay in a crib while maintaining their body temperature.
3. Be able to breast feed or bottle feed.
Typically when these three things are in place the baby weighs at least 4lbs. One of my nurses from the high-risk floor, Ms. Francena, assures me that we will be home before Thanksgiving. I sure hope she is right!

I met two moms in the NICU today. They shared their stories with me and I was able to share mine. There babies are larger than Morgan Kate, but have difficulties with eating or with breathing. It was really nice to talk with them and learn about their children. As you are praying for Morgan Kate, please keep the other moms in your prayers as well. The new NICU has 17 rooms and at this point I believe 15 rooms are filled. There are quite a lot of babies!

Each day is a little easier than the day before. However, it is still very painful to see her lying in that incubator and not be able to do more for her. It's hard for me to grasp that my body wouldn't cooperate. I have promised her that even though my body failed her, I will not. I will do everything in my power to make sure she is okay and I have promised her that I will take the very best care of her. Each night I say my prayers with her and we thank God for another day! I can't believe that in just three days she will be two weeks old...

Thank you all for your continued support, words of encouragement and prayers! They mean so much to Travis, myself and Morgan Kate. Also, we love reading your comments. I can't wait to check the blog each night to see any comments that might be there. It really warms my heart and puts a smile on my face. Keep em' coming! I love you all...

14 comments:

cindib79 said...

Little Morgan is such an inspiration to us and a reminder that life is from God and begins much earlier than this world would have us to believe. We are continuing to lift Morgan up in our prayers and we are praying for mommy and daddy, too. Thank you for sharing on the blog. We will be checking it often.

Anonymous said...

I love that Morgan Kate is being a pistol :) So tiny and feisty at the same time. Your postings are incredible. I am laughing one minute and crying the next. Your family is an inspiration for us all. You continue to be in so many hearts, minds, and prayers. Love y'all!

Jessa

Anonymous said...

Heather,
Morgan Kate is such a strong, determined little girl. I pray each morning that she will have a good day and you will be able to hold her as much as possible! I know it does your heart good to hold your beautifu little angel. There is no feeling better than being a mommy. The blessings are two fold- not only are you blessed to have her, but also she is equally blessed to have you and Trav as parents.
I look forward to seeing you all Sunday night.

Love,
Laura, Mark, and Luke

Jesus taught in Mark 11:24"Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours."

Anonymous said...

Heather and Trav I love reading everyday that little Morgan Kate is doing great. I knew she was a fighter. She is so beautiful. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers everyday. Keep giving her much kisses and love that you can, that is the best medicine ever.
Love you all.
Celeste, Stacy & Preston

Carolyn said...

We have been following Morgan Kate's progress since birth.
Please know she and your entire family remain in our daily prayers.
GOD IS GOOD! Carolyn & Mike Colwell

Anonymous said...

Heather, your posts lift my spirits. I look forward to reading them each day.Thank you for taking the time to post how your girl is doing. You have such a sweet yet such a strong spirit! Morgan Kate is certainly taking after you. I will pray for her continued strength and fiestiness and also for yours! I love you and hope to visit maybe next week.
Love, Hollie

Anonymous said...

Heather, we are so glad that Morgan Kate is doing so well. everything you post reminds me of Abby in the NICU. Everything that is happening to Morgan, happened to Abby. She will be a handfull soon enough. Hopefully she will come home before Thanksgiving. It will be the best Thanksgiving ever. Last year was ours. Abby came home two days before Thanksgiving. Everyone will continue to be in our prayers.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful little blessing you and Travis have been given! I love her hands in the praying position...she is already starting her life on the right track..God's! Morgan Kate is precious and this Thanksgiving will mean more to you than ever before. I'm sure your faith grows more and more each day as you lean into our Lord's arms and embrace and linger there. Take one day at a time...God rejoices in your praise for each step forward and is strong enough to carry you through the days that seem long and tough. He will not leave you...that's His promise!!

Love the blog and pics and each of you!!

Praise Him! Love Him! Thank Him! all you little children (and adults)
God IS Love!
Lyn, Phala & Family

Anonymous said...

It sounds like Morgan Kate may end up with some red hair with that little fiesty spirit of hers! Thank you so much for all the information you're sharing. Now we know EXACTLY what to pray for as her goals. We do need to remember that God's time is not always our time, but we will pray HARD that she's home by Thanksgiving!
Love to you all,
Kathy Chaplin

Anonymous said...

Morgan Kate is BEAUTIFUL! I know you and Travis are loving being great parents. Thank you for sharing the blog with all of us. You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. Hello to your family.

Love,
Jan Westmoreland-Sipes

maryrosewood said...

Morgan Kate is so beautiful! Of course, you guys are blessed to have such a sweet baby girl, but she is also incredibly fortunate to have you both as her mommy and daddy! You're doing a wonderful job taking care of her!

The Leviners said...

So glad that Morgan Kate continues to do well! I'm still hoping for when I get to meet her. I was thrilled that I finally got to see you!! I love your blog and all the details of how Morgan Kate is doing. How sweet of you to think of the other mothers and their children. I'm praying for each of the babies and their familes! Morgan Kate is so blessed to have you and Travis as her parents!
Love and Prayers,
Melissa and Sam

amanda pyle said...

Heather & Travis,
We are so glad Morgan Kate is doing so well. It is nothing short of a miracle:) We are continuously praying for all 3 of you.
To Morgan Kate - hey little angel! AA and Uncle JP can't wait to meet you. Stay strong and keep up your fight. You are a beautiful baby girl who has some pretty amazing parents. We love you!!!

xoxo,
AA & JP

Bobbie Varn said...

Hi heather, I just wanted to let you know that we are praying for Morgan Kate and for you and Travis. She is a pretty little thing and such a fighter, Go girl.