Palmer's Blog

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Holding Noah!

Since Noah had changed from the tube oxygen to oxygen that goes in through his nose and they were able to take the cord out of his navel, we were able to HOLD Noah. It is a little complex as he still has different cords, but Dan and I are grateful for being able to hold him!

Noah was also given a big blue elephant by some friends of ours. This is good since it gives him an African connection :). This is the first stuffed animal his has encountered, since we have not been home yet, and he loves the feel of the soft fur (a furry elephant???) on his soft skin!

Again, we continue to appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.

Going Wireless (Kinda)

Some big news today- Noah had his breathing tube taken out! This was the big tube that was going down to his lungs and essentially breathed for him. This was also the tube that annoyed Noah more than any other. Prior to the removal of this tube, Noah could not make any noise, since the tube went right past his vocal cords. So, while we will probably wish for his silence in the future, as new parents we could not wait to hear him make some noise, including a cry here and there. However, above all, we are thankful that his lungs are getting healthier.

Also, since his blood tests have been consistently coming back positive and normal, the doctor decided that he could remove the small tube coming out of his naval which was used to draw blood every 6 hours. With this cord being gone, we will soon be able to hold him!

The doctor expects that within 24 hours, Noah's stomach should be able to handle some food. We will have to feed him through a tube, but this is a big step from the IV that we have been using.

Below are some new pictures of Noah.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Developmental Hearts

Our time is still spent here in NICU, however, we are very content and know that God is watching over our whole family. Noah is starting to move more, which means he is starting to feel better, but also that they have to keep him under sedation so he doesn't kick/rip any cords out. Noah is slowly improving every hour. His oxygen level is improving as well.

Daniel and I are getting anxious to be able to hold him, but are feeling blessed with the ability to be with him and touch him. Daniel started work today, so it's just Noah and Andrea until tonight.

One of the Nurses gave us a little fabric heart for us to wear for a little while at a time and then they put it under Noah's head so that he is able to "smell" us. The hearts came with a neat little poem:

DEVELOPMENTAL HEARTS

Hand to hand,

Heart to Heart,

Heartfelt love to share.

Place this heart against your chest

and parent's love you'll share

Then place this heart in baby's bed

throughout each passing day.

Another chance to show you care

in a unique and loving way.

Your baby smells your presence,

whenever you can't be near.

It tells them that you love them

and wish you could be here.

Your baby will always remember

your heartfelt smell of love.

As parents you will always cherish,

this special gift of love.

Here are some more pictures (I think they are a lot cuter as they don't have as much "stuff" on his head).

Monday, April 29, 2013

Still in NICU

So, we are still up here in NICU... but... we now includes three!!! Andrea has been released from Pella, and was able to fully see Noah for the first time! This is also means Daniel is not driving between Pella and Des Moines 3 times a day.

Noah's oxygen levels are improving, but pneumonia was detected in his lungs, so he will be on antibiotics for at least a week, and maybe more. The staff both here and in Pella have been wonderful, and Noah is in great hands. Despite the circumstances, we have lots to be thankful for.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

New Arrival!

So after a couple of days in the hospital, we can finally announce a new arrival! Although initially it appeared that Andrea and baby were ready to get the show on the road (already being a week overdue), baby apparently changed his mind and rejected the eviction notice. The doctor and nurses tried drugs, walks up and down the hallways, bouncing Andrea on the "prego-ball," all to no avail. On Saturday morning, the doctor decided to break the water herself. By Saturday evening, things were still not progressing very fast, and after seeing some irregular heart activity on the monitor, the Doctor decided to do a C-section. The baby had inhaled some things he shouldn't have before the C-section, so he and Daniel were life-flighted to Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, while Andrea recovers in Pella. The baby quickly stabilized, but is still hooked up to quite a few tubes. He put up quite a fight, including yanking one out, so I suppose that is a good sign... and an indication that we are going to have our hands full in the next few years. We thank you very much for all your prayers, and are very thankful that God was with us and Noah through all of this.

Name: Noah Daniel Palmer
Weight: 9lb, 9oz!
Length: 21 inches
Time: 20:34
Date: 4/27/2013

Monday, April 22, 2013

No new news :(

There is no new news. Friday was my due date, so now, I am officially expired. I went in for a routine non-stress test, which basically meant that I got to lay down in the OB and be strapped to a machine that measured how the baby's heart beat was affected when he moved. My next appointment is Tuesday. The doctor said that since everything has been going so well with the pregnancy that she has no problems waiting for 2 weeks to induce me, but we will wait and see. Meanwhile, Dan and I are still doing our normal routine with work. I just got done with another weekend and Dan closed 2 nights this past week. I think we are both really looking forward to some time off.

Please continue to pray for safety for both Baby Palmer and myself as labor is in the foreseeable future. We will post pictures on here when we get them, so that is something to look forward to and keep checking for!