We had a wonderful Christmas!

What more could we ask for!!!

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick update...

We had a doctor appointment today & weighed in at 6 lb 14 oz & 20 inches long!  As you can tell, she is eating very good & gaining weight just as she should!  She is still below the expected percentile (in the <3 percentile), but that is to be expected.  We don't think that she'll stay there too long!
We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

6 lbs 7 1/2 oz 20 inches long

Abby Gayle is doing wonderful!  She is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds! We are having so much fun with her & it's wonderful having a baby in the house again!  Canon is such a great big brother!  I can't wait until she realizes that he is entertaining her!  There will be no need for TV here, he will be her drama & comedy! 

As for her tummy, it is doing fine.  We are looking at one more surgery in the next 8 months to repair the hernia that has developed where the belly button should be.  It will be a simple procedure, but surgery is surgery!  We'll cross that bridge when it comes!

Canon and Abby Gayle - December 2009

http://www.sarahbuckphotography.com/proofs/wiggins12209

6 lb 3 oz - with clothes on

Today we had our follow up appointment with the surgeon.  Abby Gayle got an A+ check up!  He was very pleased with how much weight she has gained and that she is eating so well.  He said that he wouldn't change a thing!  So, we continue to feed 2-3 oz every 3 hours.  She is also taking Reglan (for motility) & Zantac (for acid reflux).   We are so thankful that she is doing so well in spite of what she went through her first few weeks of life!  God's hand has truly been on her little body!

Big brother is adjusting very well with his baby sister!  It was a tough couple of days in the beginning, but he realizes that she is "in addition to" not "to replace" him!  He has been very helpful around the house with feeding the dog, putting things in the trash or placing dirty bottles in the sink.  It has been wonderful to see him step up as the "big brother"!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving & this year have a lot to be thankful for!  Thank you, Lord!

5 lb 6 oz

Today we weighed in at the doctor's office at a whopping 5 lb 6 oz! 

She is doing well with eating.  She still only takes in about 2 oz every 3 hours.  But, boy does she know when that three hours is up & she's ready to eat again!  I can hardly keep up with her feeding schedule!  She is doing very well at night.  She sleeps in her carseat, as you can see by the picture!  I guess it's more comfortable for her tummy and any reflux that she might be experiencing.  

Canon is doing very well with the transition.  We've had our moments, but overall, he is adapting very well with his baby sister taking his center stage!  He still gets lots of attention, so don't let him fool you!  We are having a blast & enjoying every burp, spit up & diaper change! 

I just had to get a picture of her in her AU hat!  Even though Auburn hasn't had a great season, War Eagle anyway! 

We're Home!

After 3 weeks & 5 days in the NICU, we are finally home!  Abby Gayle came home on Thursday, November 12th.  It has been so good adjusting to her and her to home!  But, big brother has had the biggest adjustment to make - no longer getting all the attention!  He has done really good with her and has been very gentle with her.  But, he just can't understand why he can't jump on the couch with her on it!  And why she can't play cars with him!  We are waiting for him to tell us to take her back! 
As for our nights, the first two nights were pretty sleepless.  She just could not get comfortable in any place except our arms.  The bassinett just wasn't cutting it!  Last night (night #3), she slept in my arms all night!  Whatever it takes to get some sleep!  Then, at 5:30 AM, big brother wants to come in and get the same treatment!  Oh well!  No complaints here!
Overall, the adjustment has been wonderful!  She is doing very well on formula with minimal spit ups.  Her tummy still bothers her and she grunts and groans most of the time.  But, she hardly cries & is so laid back.  She's gonna fit right into this family! 
Pictures to come soon!  It is true when they say, the second child doesn't get photographed as much as the first!  Now I understand why!

5 lb 4 oz

Abby Gayle is doing wonderful!  She is eating 43 ml every 3 hours and is tolerating that very well!  She has a spit up every now and again, some big, some small!  That's to be expected with all that she has been through! She is no longer on IV nutritional support and her central line should be discontinued tomorrow (wednesday).  And, it is our plan & hopes to take her home Thursday afternoon!  WOW!  We can't believe that time has come!  We are so excited to bring her home & introduce her to her big brother, Canon!  We're not really sure what his reaction is going to be, but will be sure to get the video camara out. 

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers, words of encouragement, those who have brought us food during the week, and just being there for us! You have brought us to where we are & we can't thank you enough!  She is evidence of the power of prayer & we are most greatful for that! 

All our love to you!

Getting stronger

Abby Gayle is doing wonderful!  She has continued to progress with her feedings and is now taking 25 ml every 3 hours.  She has kept it down like a champ!  You can tell that her tummy is working and is trying to figure out what to do with the formula, because she is doing a lot of grunting.  Her tummy gives her some pain, but she hardly every cries. She is such a strong little girl!  The nurses are very encouraged by her progress, and feel it possible for her to go home by the end of the week! Oh what an answer to prayer that would be!  This little one is an answer to prayer & God has been with her every step of the way!  Praise our good God! 
Today, I worked on her room to get it ready for her homecoming.  It is ready for her to occupy her room! 
We will keep you updated as to when she is coming home!  Thank you for all your prayers!

No tube!

Today, the tube came out!  Her tummy is figuring out what it is supposed to do!  She has done so well with the Pedialyte. She takes about 10 cc every 3 hours.  Thus far she has not spit any of it back out!  That's a great sign.  Now if we could only get a bowel movement!  We are on the upward swing towards going home!  it will still be a while, but each step forward means closer to bringing her home. 

Today, the drainage has been clear for over 24 hours! So her tube has been put, once again, to gravity. We will see how she tolerates it not being to suction. As I said before, now it is up to her little tummy to start working and doing it's thing! but, at least... no more green drainage!

Small step back

Although it is to be expected, Abby Gayle's drainage went back to green last night & her tube had to be put back to suction for her comfort. we have been told that this is to be expected and not to get discouraged. We are just taking it day by day. She is still a happy & easy going baby! We enjoyed smiling at each other this morning & rocking! the nurses have been phenominal with her! Please continue prayers for an uneventful recovery!

One Step Forward

Today the drainage in her nasal gastric tube was a "spit color" which is what we have been looking for! & it stayed that way all day! So the doctor decided to have the tube placed to gravity, instead of suction. This forces her little tummy to do its thing & try to figure out how it's supposed to work. They also started her on a medicine to help motility through the stomach & the intestines. They all have to figure out how to work together. We are continuing to give her small amounts of Pedialyte, which she is keeping down. The goal is for her to continue taking it without spitting up. Over the next couple of days, the pedialyte will increase and then eventually change over to formula. That will be the key to getting her out of the hospital! Again, this will still be a lengthy process. Our goal is that she will be home by Thanksgiving. However, the nurse said that it is quite possible for her to be home by my birthday, November 19th. What an awesome birthday present that would be!!!

By the way, her weight today was 6 lbs 8 oz! up from her birth weight of 6 lbs 4 oz.

Abby Gayle has done well with the Pedialyte. She has a great suck, breath & swallow - which is what we are trying to maintain with giving the Pedialyle. It is not for a nutritional purpose, just to maintain the suck, breath & swallow for when it's time to feed. They tried to put the drainage tube to gravity on Sunday, but she had too much drainage. So, it's back to suction for now. It is going to be a back & forth kind of thing and watch & wait! It's all up to her little body right now! We are still on track with her progress & the nurses comment on what a great baby she is! She hardly cries! Well, except when mommy is giving her a cat bath! She loved getting her hair washed, so I have a feeling she will enjoy pampering when she gets older. She is our little princess!
Thank you for all your thoughts, prayers & support! We appreciate it more than you'll ever know! You are a part of this little one's life & watching her progress & get stronger! Thank you & we love you with all our hearts!

We started giving Abby Gayle pedialyte yesterday in very small amounts. She seems to be doing very well with it! She certainly likes it! I guess it beats a pacifier!
She is doing very well! Every day we just pray we are getting closer and closer to bringing her home. most of the time, things are uneventful, and we are good with uneventful!

Today Abby Gayle is to start taking in Pedialyte to see how she tolerates it. It will be the first time for her to take anything by mouth. We are excited to see how she does, but not trying to get too excited. It will be a process of taking it and possibly not tolerating it. At least we're taking Baby steps towards getting that tummy working!

How Great is Our God!

Sitting at her bedside today, a song came on her CD player - How Great Is Our God. Tears came to my eyes as I looked at her while that song was playing. How true is that! HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!! She is evidence of that!

Abby Gayle - October 26, 2009

They say that no news is good news! Well, that's how we feel here with Abby Gayle! No new news to report! She is doing wonderful & getting stronger every day! Today she was taken off of her antibiotics, so no more of those! That's a great thing! She has been moved to a different part of the NICU where more stable babies are. I guess that means she doesn't require as much of their attention as she used to! Except when she gets fussy, and that's not very often. However, we do think she has her days & nights mixed up! That might be our fault because we come in and rock her during the day. At night, she seems to be more fussy. I would fuss too if I was hungry and no one fed me! :0) Soon, very soon, she'll be able to start feeding. We are just waiting for her little stomach to start doing it's thing.
As you see in one of the pictures, she is now in a crib! She has more room to move around & is a lot more comfortable!

One Week Old!

Today, a week ago, Abby Gayle made her grand appearance into our world! What a wonderful day that was! and what a week it has been!
Abby Gayle is doing wonderful and progressing just as she should. Her incision looks great & she has a belly button! Her night last night was "uneventful" and that is what we like to hear.
Tony & I spent the evening holding and rocking her. She was loving it! She was wide awake in my arms, but as soon as she got in her daddy's arms, she fell asleep. He has that way with his babies!
We continue to ask for your prayers! Here are our specific prayers:
- that she will continue to be free from infection
- that her stomach will start to work as they should
- that when she starts to eat, she will tolerate it well without any set back
- that Tony & I will continue to be healthy so we will be able to be with her every day, several times a day

We trust that God has his HUGE hand on her & is taking care of every detail of her body! We thank you for your prayers!

Video taken of Abby Gayle when she was wide-eyed! She had a very busy day today!

Holding & Rocking Abby Gayle!

Thursday, day after surgery...

Abby Gayle's surgery went great yesterday, 10/21/09, and has been on the mend. The nurse said that she is right on track with where she should be in her recovery. She was on the ventilator at my visit this morning (as the picture shows). However, during Tony's lunchtime visit, they were taking her off of it and allowing her to breathe on her own. YEAH!!! One less tube! Now, maybe soon, we can hold and rock her! (If you were wondering, the yellow thing on her ear is an earmuff!)

Now we wait for the stomach & intestines to do their thing! She will not be able to feed until her stomach kicks in. She will have a tube down her mouth that drains the stomach & intestines. As the color of the drainage turns from green to clear, we will know that she is progressing. Once her bowel sounds start, they can start giving her formula. This process can take 10 days or 3 weeks! We will just let her little body take its time & cheer her on each step of the way! She is a trooper & a little fighter! We are just praying God's hand on her and everything will happen in His time!

Thank you for your prayers & support! We have felt every singe bit of it! Please continue to pray for her strength & that she is not attacked by any infection or anything that affects this recovery process. God has been so good to us through this whole process & we trust his continued guidance!

Love to you all!

Surgery 10/21/09

Abby Gayle will be going back to surgery today to close up her abdomen. It is scheduled for 11:00 AM.
Tony and I spent some time with her last night & the nurse, Caroline, who has been taking care of her the past few nights, asked us if we wanted to hold her. I was amazed that I could, and of course said "yes"! So, both Tony & I got to hold Abby Gayle for the first time & rock her. She loved it & it wasn't long before she was asleep in our arms! Praise God for that opportunity!
She will be back on the ventilator after surgery for her breathing and pain control. Hopefully, it will only be for a short time and we'll be on the road towards recovery! More pictures to come soon!

Off the ventilator

On Monday, 10/19/09, they weaned Abby Gayle from the ventilator and took the breathing tube out. she still has the OGT that drains fluid from her stomach and intestines. She will have that tube for several weeks. Today she is wide awake & moving her arms around with lots of strength! She is a strong willed child already and wants to get out of that bed! we do too so we can hold her! Soon, very soon!
On Wednesday morning, she will have another surgery to close the hole that the intestines came out of. Once she recovers from that surgery and is comfortable from the pain & discomfort, they will once again wean her from the ventilator & take the breathing tube out. It will be at that time that we can hold her. We are praying that it will be this weekend!
She will not be able to eat until her stomach begins to show that it is working. Once we can tell that, she will start feeding by bottle!

New Pictures - 10/18/09

Sweet sleeping girl!

Abby Gayle - October 17, 2009

Abby Gayle was born on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 12:43 PM. She is 16.9 inches and 4.4 lbs.

She is 5 weeks premature but was strong & already head strong at birth! She had an Apgar score of 9 at 5 minutes after birth. She was immediately taken to the NICU because of the condition called gastroschesis (where the intestines have developed on the outside of her abdomen).

She was taken to surgery that evening to insert as much of the intestines back into the abdomen as possible. What was not placed back in the abdomen was put into a "silo" to allow gravity to pull the rest of it into the abdomen. Once it has all gone back in, the surgeon will close up the abdomen and create a belly button for her.

She is on the ventilator and will remain on it until she goes back to surgery. It is our hopes that will occur on Tuesday, October 20th. At this time, she is strong and holding her own! We are just praying God's hand on her to keep her strong and overcome this challenge that has faced her little body!