She passed the test...

Date: 12/10/09

Age: 16 days old

Gestational Age: 35 weeks, 6 days

Weight: 4lbs 1 oz.

Mackenzie has a special message for her Grammy....Happy Birthday Grammy!

Mommy noticed that Mackenzie had big girl diapers on. She is now wearing Size 1 diapers...they are huge on her. I'm guessing they are out of the preemie diapers for the time being. I hope they get more in stock because Mackenzie is swimming in the Size 1 diapers.

Mackenzie's umbilical cord fell off last night before her 8pm feeding. Her nurse, Lauren, found it in her diaper during one of her changings. Now she can get a real bath. Daddy and I may try to do that this weekend during one of our visits.

Date: 12/11/09
Age: 17 days old
Gestational Age: 36 weeks

Weight: 4lbs 2oz.

Mackenzie gained another ounce and now weighs 4lbs 2oz. She also ate another full bottle (37mL) at her 2am feeding.

She officially passed the open crib "test" and is now out of her isolette and in a real big girl bed. She is in a bed similar to that of what they use in the regular nursery.

Mackenzie is losing another pod-mate. She has already said good-bye to two boys, Merlin and Daniel. She will be saying good-bye to Jocelyn on Sunday. Jocelyn was born at 34 weeks 4 days (just one week older than Mackenzie). So, we are hopeful that Mackenzie follows in her footsteps and possibly go home next Sunday. Time will tell....

Big girl bed...

Date: December 8, 2009

Age: 14 days old

Gestational Age: 35 weeks, 4 days

Weight: 4lbs.

Happy 2 Week Birthday Mackenzie!

Mackenzie gained back the 2 oz. that she had lost on Monday. Hooray! We weren't sure how her weight would be with everything that we are asking her to do. She continues to show progress with each breastfeeding attempt. Mommy and Daddy can tell that her latch has gotten so much stronger since the first time we tried breastfeeding. Daddy also gave Mackenzie her first bottle this evening. She ate 5mL from the bottle. But, between her sponge bath and breastfeeding she was pooped. So, we'll see how the bottle feeding goes in the middle of the night.

Mackenzie met some new faces this afternoon. Mommy's co-workers, Debbie Kershner and Jen Meyers stopped in to meet Mackenzie for the first time. They thought she was precious!

Date: December 9, 2009
Age: 15 days old
Gestational Age: 35 weeks, 5 days

Weight: 4lbs, 1 oz.

Mackenzie hit another big milestone today. She graduated to a big girl bed. This means that she is now in an open crib and no longer receiving a heated bed. She has to be able to maintain her own body temperature (between 97.6-98.9). If she is unable to do this they would turn the heat back on her bed. As you can tell by the picture, they have her all bundled up and her hat on at all time to try to keep her warm. Her temperature remained constant all day yesterday, 98.0. So, mommy and daddy are anxious to see how she did during the night.

Mackenzie also had some new visitors today. Mommy's co-worker, Susan Frailey, stopped in to meet the little peanut. Mackenzie loves meeting new people!

Keeps on truckin'.....

Date: December 7, 2009
Age: 13 days old
Gestational Age: 35 weeks, 3 days

Our little peanut continues to do well with everything that is being thrown at her!

Mommy was increased to breastfeeding Mackenzie 4 times a day (up from 3 times/day). In addition to the increased feedings, she is now up to 37mL at each feeding (up from 35mL). Mackenzie was weighing in at 4lbs yesterday and lost 2oz when she was weighed at midnight (making her 3lbs 14oz). However, this is to be expected as we are asking her to expend calories to breastfeed and to maintain her temperature in a 28 degree Celsius bed.

We will continue to keep our heads held high as we watch our daughter do well. We continue to pray that she'll be home in time to celebrate Christmas!

Continues to gain weight...

Date: Saturday, 12/5/09

Age: 11 days old

Gestational Age: 35 weeks, 1 day

When we arrived in the morning we noticed that they had to bump the temperature up a little bit on Mackenzie's bed. It was now back up to 29 degrees Celsius. Andy reassures me to stay positive and that it was just that they turned it down rather aggressively.

However, we were told that the docs and nurses want mommy to try breastfeeding now three times a day (up from twice a day). They are also going to adjust her feeding times to better suit this. Her old feeding times fell during a lot of the NICU closings. Her new feeding schedule is 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm, etc. (every three hours). Mommy will try to feed her at 8am, 2pm, and 8pm. They like to give her a break in between feedings so she doesn't get too tired out.

Mackenzie did get to experience her first snow fall. Check out the family picture!

Date: Sunday, 12/6/09
Age: 12 days

Gestational Age: 35 weeks, 2 days

Hooray! We have nothing but good news to report for today. Mackenzie's bed is back down to 28 degrees. The little peanut also gained 3 oz. and now weighs in at 4 lbs! Our little peanut is on the "get big program!" She also ate 16mL while mommy breastfed her during her 8am feeding. Way to go Mackenzie. Keep up the good work and we'll have you home in no time!

Simply Amazing....

Date: Friday, 12/4/09
Age: 10 days old
Gestational Age: 35 weeks

Mackenzie continues to amaze us every day. This morning we arrived to yet more good news...she gained another ounce and is back to her birth weight (3lbs 13oz). In addition, her bed is at the lowest heat setting. So, before we know it, she'll be in an open crib! Hip Hip Hooray!!! Andy and I were in awe of her during her noon feeding as we attempted breast feeding yet again. She ROCKED! She ate 22mL!

We continue to be amazed each and every day. She is doing fantastic and we can't want until we can bring her home!

Continues to improve...

Today Mackenzie is 9 days old. And she has come a long way since she was born on 11/24/2009. Her mommy and daddy are so happy with the progress she has made in such a short amount of time.

Sunday, 11/29/09:
Mommy and Daddy came back on Sunday to visit Mackenzie after being discharged the previous night. We had to stop at Babies R Us on our way to buy Mackenzie a special car seat that can handle babies who are 4lbs. We also brought along two visitors on Sunday, Uncle Joey & Aunt Tara. The little guy, Tyler, was quite upset when he couldn't meet Mackenzie (children aren't allowed in the NICU).

When we arrived we noticed that you were under the "billi lights" to help improve your billireubin/jaundice. We just kept telling Mackenzie that she was at the beach and to soak up the sun.

We did get some good news when we arrived....your feeding was once again being bumped up, from 22mL to 30mL. In addition to that, your oxygen was again being lowered from 1.5L push to 1.0L push.

We did however get word back from the echo that was done to check out Mackenzie's heart murmur. The ultra sound showed that she has a VSD (ventricular septal defect). At this point, Mackenzie's neonatologist, Dr. Fink, is very optimistic and assures us that they will continue to monitor her during her stay with the NICU. It may just be something that requires some visits to the cardiologist after discharge. We are praying that the hole closes on it's on before she leaves.

Here is a little information on VSD's....
A ventricular septal defect describes one or more holes in the wall that separates the right and left ventricles of the heart. A ventricular septal defect is one of the most common congenital (present from birth) heart defects. If the defect is small, no treatment is usually needed. However, the baby should be closely monitored by a health care provider to make sure that the hole eventually closes properly and signs of heart failure do not occur. A doctor may prescribe medications, such as digitalis (digoxin) and diuretics, for heart failure. Regardless of the size of the defect, all children with ventricular septal defect need to take antibiotics before undergoing dental work and certain other invasive procedures. If symptoms continue despite medication or the VSD leads to a heart infection, surgery to close the defect with a Gore-tex patch is needed. Some VSDs can be closed with a special device during a catheterization.

Monday, 11/30/09:
Mommy and Daddy arrived first thing in the morning. Monday was Daddy's first day back to work. Since mommy isn't allowed to drive she got dropped off with Daddy in the morning. Daddy gets his time with Mackenzie in the morning, over lunch, and at dinner time. And mommy has been arranging some "taxi" services during her no-driving period.

When we arrived on Monday, we were immediately greeted with good news, Mackenzie was off the billi lights and she gained 1 oz! She is now 3 lbs. 9 oz. (born at 3 lbs 13 oz.). Mommy also attempted breastfeeding for the first time. However, Mackenzie was more interested in sleeping than anything. But, we'll continue to try until she gets the sucking/breathing/swallowing motions down to a science.

Tuesday, 12/1/09:
Mackenzie is one week old! Hooray! Not only did Mackenzie gain another ounce (up to 3lbs 10oz) but she is also off her nasal cannula! Hip Hip Hooray! I love looking at her beautiful face without that nasal cannula hiding it. Mommy also tried breastfeeding again today at your 12noon feeding. We definitely saw improvements from the previous day. But, we still need some more practice. We'll try again at your evening feeding.

Wednesday, 12/2/09:
Mommy and Daddy were again greeted with great news upon arrival....Mackenzie gained another ounce (up to 3lbs 11oz), her feeding tube is now inserted through her nose (to assist with breastfeeding), and the doctors ordered to have your heated bed gradually turned down to get you ready for an open crib. The heated beds are set at 31.5 degrees Celsius and need to decrease down to 28 degrees. The nurses will lower the temperature a 1/2 degree every 24 hours. Mackenzie also did great with her evening breastfeeding attempt. Mommy used a "nipple shield" to make things easier for the little peanut and she took in 2mL. Hooray!

Thursday, 12/3/09:
Mommy got to pick out her adorable outfit for today. Of course I picked out an outfit that had brown in it....so cute....pictures to come.

Upon our arrival we saw that Mackenzie gained yet another ounce (3lbs 12oz). She has one more ounce to gain and then she'll be back at her birth weight of 3lbs 13oz. We also noticed that her bed is down to 29.5 degrees Celsius. Only 1 1/2 more degrees to go. Mackenzie showed even more improvement at her 12noon breastfeeding session. She ate another 2mL. Way to go peanut. Keep up the good work!

Update on Mackenzie Reese Osika...

Andy and I will be getting discharged from the hospital later today. LGH has been great in that they allow NICU mom's to stay as long as they want on their discharge day as long as the census is low and the room is available. With that, Andy and I are trying to spend some quality time with Mackenzie today prior to leaving as we know once we leave the visits aren't going to be as easy as just walking down the hall to pop in and say "hi" to her. But, with me not being able to drive for 2 weeks post-surgery, I am already lining up some "drivers" to transport me back and forth while Andy heads back to work on Monday. He has 2 vacation days left until the new year and he hopes to save them for Mackenzie's big welcome home!

As for Mackenzie, she continues to make Mommy and Daddy proud every day.....

On Friday morning we got an updated report stating that her antibiotic's were discontinued since all of her lab results came back ok. We were also informed that her feedings were getting doubled from 3mL to 6mL. Lastly, her oxygen assistance was removed and she was only getting forced room air through her cannula.

On Saturday morning, we found out that her IV got taken out in the middle of the night. So, as long as her blood sugar remains stable, she will not need her IV! With the loss of the IV, she got her feedings increased once again from 6mL to 10mL. After speaking with the doctor, they are going to continue to increase her feedings over the next day or so. She will get 14mL for 3 feedings, followed by 18 mL for 3 feedings, and ending up with 22mL for 3 feedings. The progression is dependent on how well she is able to maintain the food in her tummy. So, we are keeping our fingers crossed. Mackenzie is surely putting the pressure on Mommy to continue to produce the necessary milk supply for all of these big feedings. Another big step for her was getting her forced air through the cannula decreased from 2mL to 1 1/2 mL.

We were absolutely glowing when we received all this great news. We hope she continues to do well the rest of the day and it will give us a great note to leave on this evening.

Things to come....

Mackenzie has a little bit of a heart murmur that the doctors are keeping a close eye on. A heart murmur is very common in preemies and just needs to be monitored. Full term babies are actually born with this murmur that closes within a few days after birth. However, preemies aren't always strong enough to get this job done. They will continue to monitor it over the weekend and if necessary she'll have an echo done on Monday to see how it looks. The first method of fixing the problem is medication given through an IV. At this point, we are hoping she gets better on her own or that a little medication is all she'll need.

The NICU nurse also thought that by the end of next week I should be able to try to breastfeed Mackenzie. Right now I continue to use an electric pump to provide Mackenzie with lots of good nutrients.

Andy and I want to thank everyone for all of their well wishes and prayers. Your love and support has been greatly appreciated. Mackenzie is lucky to have such wonderful people in her life.

We will continue to provide updates on the status of our little girl....