The Lambrechts' Latest

Gracie and her friend Sydney horsebackriding

2011-03-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

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ZZ and Lexi's Birthday at Disneyland

2011-03-28T15:17:00.001-07:00

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2011-03-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

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Snow Day!

2011-01-03T11:41:00.001-08:00

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Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-27T11:29:00.001-08:00

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Fall Fun!

2010-11-16T14:05:00.000-08:00

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Labor Day Weekend...such a great time and a wonderful way to say farewell to summer!

2010-09-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

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Gracie's First Day at Preschool...she did great but mommy cried (happy tears)!

2010-09-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

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A Miraculous Day to Remember...Enjoy the Show!

2010-08-20T23:03:00.000-07:00

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Check Out This Site For great Giveaways for your kiddos!

2010-06-28T01:09:00.000-07:00

We are loving life in our new home...enjoy the show!

2010-05-05T23:14:00.001-07:00

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Mia is 17 pounds and 25 inches long!

2010-03-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

Mia had her 9 month follow up visit at UCLA's High Risk Infant Clinic yesterday. They really put her through the paces! She was seen by 2 different doctors, a nurse practitioner, a physical therapist and an occupational therapist. She received a physical examination and intense developmental testing. Mia scored within normal limits in all areas of development and above average on her cognitive tests! They were very impressed with how well she is doing. The nurse practitioner said that micro preemies face two HUGE challenges in the first year of life, the first is going home from the NICU and the second is staying healthy in the first year at home. Illness means major setbacks for preemies and we have managed to keep Mia illness free! I am so proud of our little miracle, although she is not so little anymore! This has been an amazing week. We get the keys to our new home tomorrow and will hopefully move in on Friday! God is good and life is easy these days. Amen!

Anyone Up For Laundry?

2010-03-14T23:50:00.000-07:00

Gracie and Mia are having so much fun together! Today was a great day! We received final loan approval on our new house so now escrow should be able to close promptly and we can be on our way to Acton!!!!! Yeah!

Mia is 16 pounds 7 ounces!

2010-03-10T12:35:00.000-08:00

Our little one is catching up to the big kids! Mia is now able to say mama, boo boo for bottle and nee nee for her fave purple blanket or ("Gilbert" as Gracie calls it). Mia is almost rolling from her back to her tummy and she is doing great sitting with support. Gracie and Mia are best friends...no one can make Mia belly laugh like Gracie! It is so fun to watch. Gracie tells me things like " I think Mia needs a bottle or I think Mia needs a bath" She is so helpful...such a little Mommy! We are still waiting to close escrow on our new house...Bank of America is really slow to fund our loan. I am told we are not the only people going through this...that brings some relief but living out of boxes and disposable kitchen utensils for the past 2 weeks is getting really old! Hopefully we get good news and the keys soon! Enjoy the pictures of Gracie and Mia in their Diva glasses and Gracie and her friend Evan at Toon Town. Happy Wednesday!

Gracie put this puzzle together by herself! Thankyou Aunt Codgie and Uncle Ron!

2010-02-20T00:02:00.000-08:00

Mia Belly Laughing!

2010-01-26T18:50:00.000-08:00

Gracie and Mia's Latest Pics

2010-01-25T23:34:00.000-08:00

Gracie is growing up so fast and I wish that I could freeze time. I love watching her conquer new challenges like getting dressed by herself and setting the table for dinner. She says "I want to do it by myself" so (when safe and appropriate) we let her. I always tell her "practice makes perfect". I love her hugs and kisses which she seems to want to give me all the time...I hope that never stops!
Mia...what a doll. She has the best smiles and belly laughs. She is sooooo chubby! I love watching her grow stronger each day. She is now holding her head up on her own and pushing up with her arms when on her tummy. She is also able to roll from her tummy onto her back. Nothing will stop this little one from reaching her developmental milestones...plus she has a big sister that is anxiously awaiting the day that Mia can run and play with her! They are now taking baths together and both girls love it! So fun to watch their relationship grow. The love between them is so easy and natural. I am so blessed to be Gracie and Mia's mommy! I am equally blessed to be married to my husband Jeff. We celebrated our 7th anniversary tonight! Here's to many many more!

Our New Home in Acton...we can't wait to move in and make it our own!!!!

2010-01-17T09:58:00.000-08:00

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After competing with mutliple offers...we got the amazing news that our offer was chosen. We will be moving into our new home in Acton on 2.5 acres the beginning of March! God is good!

Gracie's Modeling Debut!

2010-01-12T23:18:00.001-08:00

My friend Traci is the absolute best photographer there is and she took these super cute pics of Gracie. Fun Stuff! Check out the link below!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38336937

Fun New Pics Of Our Girls!

2010-01-06T23:36:00.001-08:00

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Christmas Blessings Were Abundant This Year

2009-12-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

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Is 2010 Here Yet?

2009-12-06T14:51:00.000-08:00

I know I have a TON to be grateful for this year BUT...when is this craziness going to let up? Jeff fractured his finger playing softball last week and had to have surgery Thursday morning. He is now off work for the next 6 weeks recovering. The good news is he didn't break anything major...just his pride.
Other than that minor bump in the road, things are great. The girls are doing fantastic. Gracie is getting so big and amazes us everyday with the things she comes up with. Her newest obsession is 3 Musketeers Barbie and she loves to gather "Barbie Sticks" aka swords at the park. She also randomly shouts out "Don't Mess With The Dress"! Something she picked up from the Barbie and The 3 Musketeers Movie.
Mia is 11 pounds and 21 1/4 inches long now. What a little sweetheart she is. Her smiles are so beautiful and she loves to flash us a few any chance she gets. She is not a big fan of being held...she would rather hang out in her swing and watch herself in the mirror. I am convinced that independence is a very dominant gene in this family!
Here is a recent picture of Mia's sweet little smile...enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

2009-11-26T22:43:00.000-08:00

We have so much to be grateful for this year!!!! What a perfect day we had today. This was our first Thanksgiving as a whole, complete family. My heart is full of gratitude tonight. Check out the awesome Pilgrim hats Jeff made for the girls. Then of course, there was the indian hat for me...Gracie wouldn't let me take it off all day. Yes, I cooked dinner dressed like an indian...then I ate dressed like an indian. Thank goodness I remembered to take the hat off before I went to the grocery store tonight. Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou to all our friends and family who were there to carry us through this crazy year. We love you all!

Some Fun New Pics

2009-11-22T15:11:00.001-08:00

Our Family!

2009-11-13T20:45:00.000-08:00

Check out the link below to see our first official family picture with Mia! Thank you Traci...you are such a great friend. We are honored and blessed to know you.

http://tracifariasphotography.typepad.com/capturedmyheart/2009/11/a-miracle.html

2009-11-07T16:54:00.001-08:00

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Mia's eye exam last wednesday showed that her ROP is gone! Dr Jain said there is a chance she may not even need glasses! Our next eye exam is January 28th and at that time it will be determined if she will need glasses. We are so happy the surgery was a success! Thankyou Jules Stein Eye Institute for saving Mia's vision!

Mia's First Halloween!

2009-11-02T22:48:00.000-08:00

We went to Lombardi Ranch on Grandma's birthday. Gracie loved the corn more than the pumpkins!

Ariel pumpkin...thanks Daddy!!!!!

My girls!

Mia's first Halloween was so much fun! Gracie was a beautiful butterfly and Mia, a pink leopard. We ventured out into our old neighborhood in Tesoro and reconnected with some of our old neighbors. Mia slept and Gracie picked and choosed the houses she wanted to visit. She was NOT into the scary stuff what so ever! Jeff carved an awesome Ariel pumpkin per Gracie's request. He's such a great Dad! A good time was had by all!

A Great Day for All!

2009-10-21T23:47:00.000-07:00

Gracie and Mia's cousin Brett arrived today! A healthy baby girl 7lb 11oz and 20 inches long. Melinda and my due dates were only 3 weeks apart but, as we know, Mia decided to make her own plans! I think they are about the same weight though. Congratulations D and Melin. She is beautiful.

More great news...Mia had a follow up eye exam today to see if surgery helped her ROP. The doctor was very happy with her exam and said the ROP is regressing! We have another appointment in 2 weeks and then not again until January. In January Mia will meet with a pediatric ophthalmologist to be fitted for glasses. Jeff and I have already made a pact that if she has to wear glasses, she will most definitely have the most stylish and cool glasses around. As her nurses already know, Mia likes to make a fashion statement!

Bear Hug For Little Sis!

2009-10-20T01:08:00.001-07:00

Gracie is such an awesome big sister. She is so helpful and loves "scrubbing up" Mia at bath time. Gracie just laughs and laughs seeing Mia's little naked bootie in the tub. These are truly precious times and I am soaking in every last drop:)

Home for GOOD!

2009-10-17T23:27:00.000-07:00

Mia is home for good. She came home last night and is asleep on my chest as I type this entry. We have a lot of lost time to make up for and I intend to cuddle with her until she is sick of me! What a sweet baby she is and Gracie is so amazing with her. I am so proud of Gracie for being such a kind and loving 2 year old. I am so blessed.

Mia is back in the hospital

2009-10-15T00:59:00.000-07:00

After a week of pure bliss having Mia home, she was readmitted to the NICU. Her weekly eye exam revealed that the retinopathy in both eyes was worsening and that she would require surgery. Mia underwent laser eye surgery Wednesday afternoon and is now recovering from anesthesia. She remains on a ventilator tonight and the drugs used to paralyze her for surgery are slowly wearing off. The ophthalmologist said that surgery went well and there were no complications. All of Mia's future eye exams will be done in the eye clinic and not in the NICU. The eye surgery is said to be 60% effective at stopping the progression of Retinopathy of Prematurity. So as the weeks go by, we will know how she is responding to this intervention.

Thank you for all of your continued prayers, love, and support. If all goes well, we should have our baby girl back home with us in a few days. We sure miss her presence around the house. Gracie keeps asking "Where is Mia?". Gracie and Mia have already established a strong bond and I know that Mia's big sissy will be happy to have her little partner in crime back home.

Home Sweet Home

2009-10-08T01:39:00.000-07:00

Our little girl came home today. Life is sweet and God is good. Dreams really do come true. I will write more soon but for now I need to sleep while my girls sleep or I will never sleep! Nighty Night! Oh and to all of the UCLA and Henry Mayo nurses reading our blog...we love you and will miss you so much. Thank you for helping us bring our baby home. You are truly angels and without a doubt, our heroes!

Six pounds Eight Ounces and Fiesty!

2009-10-03T01:25:00.000-07:00

Mia is letting it be known that if they are going to keep her in the hospital, she is going to cause trouble! According to her nurses, she has had a voracious appetite and is becoming extremely demanding. I love it! I have a good feeling the Lambrecht house is going to be filled with two very independent, strong willed, and brilliant little girls. We certainly do not breed wall flowers!
Mia is now off all of her medications except for a multi vitamin! We are awaiting her eye exam on Wednesday to determine if her eyes are stable enough to deem that surgery is not needed. If this is the case, Mia may be able to come home next Thursday!!!!!! My heart is light tonight and I have a big smile on my face as I write this blog entry. Our baby is going to come home:)

No Surgery Today But.....

2009-09-30T22:24:00.000-07:00

The good news is... Mia did not require surgery today. The bad news is that although her left eye is not worsening, her right eye is getting worse. The left eye has always been the worse of the two but now it seems that the right eye is beginning to show some changes for the worse. What this means for Mia is that she will continue to remain in the hospital and have weekly eye exams (with the possibility of surgery) until the ophthalmologist deems that her condition is stable enough for her to go home. So, she is most likely not coming home next week. But she has surprised all of us before and maybe next week's eye exam will reveal that she is getting better.
On a happy note...Mia's feeding tube is gone! She is taking all of her feedings by bottle or breast and is being weaned off of many of her medications this week. I can now kiss my baby's sweet little cheeks! Please continue to pray for Mia's eyes to heal and for her to be home with her mommy, daddy, and big sister real soon. Good Night:)

Tubby with Daddy!

2009-09-30T22:11:00.000-07:00

Mia's Eye Exam is Tomorrow

2009-09-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

Just like last Wednesday, we are praying that Mia will not require surgery tomorrow. The eye exam she receives tomorrow morning should show us if her eyes are maturing and healing or if they will require laser surgery. If all goes well...we have been told that Mia will come home next week!!!!! If she requires surgery, it will delay her discharge by about 2 weeks. I have faith that she is healing and that she will be home with us next week. She is such an amazing little lady. When I hold her and look into her eyes, I am humbled. I know I am in the presence of a true miracle. She takes my breath away and holds my heart so firmly in her grasp. Anyone reading this who is a parent knows exactly what I am talking about. Our children capture our very being and we are forever changed.

Pictures of Mia without her Nasal Canula

2009-09-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

6 pounds 2 ounces 18 1/2 inches long!!!!

Miracles Abound

2009-09-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

This week has been full of miracles. Mia did not require surgery on Wednesday after all. The ophthalmologist examined her eyes right before surgery and determined that her ROP is slightly better. They will continue to examine her eyes each Wednesday and make sure that her eyes are healing. So hopefully surgery is not in her cards! Yesterday miracle #2 occurred. Mia was removed from all respiratory support. No oxygen, no air in her nose, no bulky nasal canula to adorn her face!!!! One step closer to home for her. Mia is now 6 pounds and so sweet. I can't wait to watch Gracie and Mia grow up together. Jeff put together Mia's cradle this week (a gift from Grammie). I just stare at that empty cradle and imagine how amazing it will be to have my little Mia resting in there. Gracie is already filling the cradle with toys that she wants Mia to play with. God is good.

Mia Is Going To Have Surgery Tomorrow Morning

2009-09-22T22:42:00.000-07:00

We met with the Ophthalmologist today and saw the pictures of Mia's eyes. There is no doubt she needs surgery. It was abundantly clear after seeing the pictures that her eyes have some pretty frightening problems that need to be corrected immediately. We are still praying for a miracle...that the retinopathy will repair itself but if it doesn't show signs of improvement by tomorrow morning, they will operate. The surgery will remove the diseased parts of the retina and also take away some of her peripheral vision. There really is no magic solution to this problem but surgery can help slow the progression and hopefully prevent Mia from having permanent blindness. If I am rambling on and make no sense it is because I am exhausted physically and emotionally. It is now time for me to place my trust in God and know that only he knows what great plans are in store for our little Mia. Tonight, let's pray for a miracle.

Good News and Bad News

2009-09-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

I always like to hear good news first...it makes the bad news a bit easier to swallow. So here goes:)
The Good News: Mia is now 5 pounds and 14 ounces (2 ounces away from 6 pounds!) As of this morning, she is breathing room air...no more oxygen!!!! She is still receiving a small amount of room air through her nasal cannula (this helps to keep her lungs expanded). It is similar to what a person with sleep apnea or chronic lung disease would need. We are hopeful that she will be off of that too before she comes home.

The Bad News: We received a phone call last Friday from the ophthalmologist informing us that even though they originally thought Mia would not require surgery, they want to perform surgery this upcoming Wednesday. Of course, being the "Mama Bear" my hackles went up immediately and I requested a meeting to discuss why there has been a change of plans. If Mia needs this surgery to prevent blindness, we are all for it. My concern is that this surgery will also cause some permanent vision loss and I want to be sure it is absolutely necessary. Please pray that Mia's eyes will heal without surgery. She has overcome so much and I am hopeful that her vision will be spared. If any one can overcome this challenge it is my little Mia. I will update the blog as soon as I know more:)

Daddy and Mia

2009-09-17T22:36:00.000-07:00

5 pounds 12 ounces!!!

Cute Picture of Mia

2009-09-17T12:31:00.001-07:00

Thank you again to nurse Shelley. She was kind enough to snap this picture while Mia's oxygen tubing was off her face. We have never actually been able to take her picture without the oxygen tubing. This picture is a real gift and we love love love staring at her little face with a bit less medical equipment blocking our view! Enjoy.

Mia Did Not Need Surgery Today!

2009-09-16T21:51:00.000-07:00

You can see her eyes are a little swollen in the picture. This is unfortunately a reminder of how invasive these exams can be. The good news is, her ROP has not progressed any further. She is still Stage 2 Zone 3 (same as last week). Mia did not require surgery today and they will continue to examine her eyes weekly to make sure that the ROP does not get worse. In addition to this wonderful news today, Mia took her full bottle feeding for Jeff tonight in 15 minutes! She is now 5 pounds 10 ounces and feisty as ever! Gracie and I sent Mia a voice message tonight and Jeff said Mia was squirming all over when she heard our voices. I think it's because she wants us all under one roof!!!! The way she is going, hopefully it won't be much longer before our family is home together. Tonight Gracie said she wants to dress Baby Mia up in a ballerina skirt and have a tea party with her. I can't wait for that day to come. Believe me...I will take pictures and post them on the blog for all to see! Thank you for your continued prayers...Miracles are abundant and we are so grateful.

Nurse Shelley Is The Best!

2009-09-15T01:35:00.000-07:00

I have not been able to see Mia for the past 5 days because I have come down with a cold. Mia's nurse Shelley was thoughtful enough to email me these pics tonight so that I could see my little girl from afar! Mia is doing really well. They are once again weaning her from the oxygen slowly. She is bottle feeding every other feeding. This takes a lot of energy and burns a bunch of calories so they are going at Mia's pace and not rushing her. She has another eye exam on wed. Hopefully she will not require surgery but we are mentally preparing ourselves for whatever the eye exam reveals. Thank you for all of your prayers...I know Mia can feel all of your positive thoughts directed toward her. God Bless!

Eye Exam Update

2009-09-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

Mia had her weekly eye exam today and the results showed that her Retinopathy is getting worse. The Ophthalmologist will have a final report tomorrow but Mia will most likely require surgery within the month. Mia's nurse said she cried her eyes out (literally) during the exam this morning. She really hates them. Of course, as her mom, I feel totally helpless because I know it has to be done but hate to hear that she was so upset. Just another reminder that this whole situation is out of my hands and that I have to trust in God. I know that Jesus is Mia's healer and her protector and that he never leaves her side. This is the only real comfort I have when I leave her at the hospital and go home to the rest of my family. Let's pray for sunnier days ahead for my little girl.

Ups, Downs, Lefts, Rights, and Diagonals!

2009-09-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

Whew, what a week. Mia had a crazy week and so did Mom and Dad. On Wednesday Mia had an eye exam that showed stage 1 Retinopathy of Prematurity. This is a complication of prematurity that occurs when foreign blood vessels invade parts of the eye and prevent the retina from attaching properly. Stage 1 does not have any long term ill effects but Mia will now require weekly eye exams to ensure that this problem is not worsening. Her next eye exam will be Wednesday 9/9. For more info on ROP check out http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/rop/#2

On Friday afternoon, Mia was placed back on the high flow oxygen system that she was previously weaned from after a chest xray show that her lungs were beginning to collapse. When I visited her Friday evening, she was having a very difficult time breathing and I was very worried about her. The doctor also asked that all of her bottle and breast feeds be stopped until she was able to breathe better. This was really disappointing because I felt like breastfeeding Mia really soothed her and helped her to relax and feel like a baby. She has been a fighting machine since birth and I just want her to be able to be a baby and enjoy all the comforts that healthy babies do.
With all of that said, Mia responded great to the high flow oxygen and is once again being weaned down. I am able to breastfeed her once a day (even though she had no interest in feeding last night). I will just keep trying everyday until the light goes on in her little head that "suck, swallow, breathe" is my E-ticket ride home:) Oh by the way, she is now 5 pounds and wearing newborn clothes! So as you can see...this week has been CRAZY but good. Mia is another week older and her lungs are another week more mature than last week. Let's pray that her eyes will not worsen and that her vision will be spared. God Bless.

Mia's Lungs are healing!

2009-09-01T00:06:00.000-07:00

Jeff got to give Mia a bottle for the first time tonight. She took it like a champ...but I wouldn't expect anything less from our little miracle.

Mia also had a chest xray today to make sure that her lungs were responding well to the decreased oxygen flow. The chest xray results showed that her lungs looked like a normal newborn! Praise God.

"This is the day the Lord has made,

I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Miracles shall follow miracles and

Wonders shall never cease

For my expectations are of good." Amen

A Light At The End Of The Tunnel

2009-08-31T00:56:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying, today was a remarkable day. Our visit with Mia was awesome. Where do I begin...Mia is now off of the "Vapotherm" (a machine that delivered humidified oxygen at a high rate of flow). She is now on 1 liter of oxygen via nasal cannula and tolerating it extremely well. The Vapotherm continually flooded Mia's nose with water causing her to choke, stop breathing, and her heart rate and oxygen saturation level to drop. Unfortunately, she needed this machine to help her lungs not to collapse. But now that she is off the Vapotherm, she doesn't get those awful "drowning" episodes and is more comfortable . Mia is also breastfeeding! She has been given the OK to "nipple" twice daily and is able to do so without any signs of respiratory distress. She latched on to the breast like she has been doing it since day one...no problems there! Mia is also now off caffeine (this helps her to be more alert and breathe). One of the MANY requirements for discharge is that she remain off caffeine for 1 week without any episodes of not breathing. So we shall see how she meets these new challenges in the upcoming week. Mia's weight is now 4 pounds 10 ounces and she is starting to fit into newborn clothes. Gracie was able to visit Mia today and was in love with her feet:) She also wanted to smell Mia. Gracie thinks Mia smells like strawberries and kiwi! Our nurse Shelly gave Gracie and Mia beautiful matching blankets today that Shelly's mom made. Gracie held her blanket all the way home from the hospital and slept with it tonight.
Many of the nurses have said that Mia is getting closer and closer to "graduation". Mia's nurse practitioner has advised us that anyone planning to visit Mia this fall/winter must receive a flu shot. I know that sometimes there is a limited supply so Jeff, Gracie, and I are going to get ours asap. Apparently 2009 is supposed to be a very scary flu season (especially for babies, children and young adults).
Tonight, before I sat down to write this entry, I looked back at all of the pictures of Mia from birth until present. My heart was filled with so many deep emotions as I recounted her amazing will to live despite huge odds stacked against her. I am so blessed to be the mommy of two incredibly brilliant little ladies. Both of them are unique in their own way and, by the grace of GOD, I can't wait to watch them grow into the women they are destined to be.

Mia's Lullaby

2009-08-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

This is a lullaby that I created for Mia while I was in the hospital on bedrest...I sang it to her during those scary and uncertain times in the final weeks of my pregnancy and I continue to sing it to her presently. By the way, she is now 4 pounds 7 ounces!!! Way to go, my angel!

For Mia Keelyn Lambrecht, "My Little One"

Mia's Lullaby

Mia, Mia little one,

though your life has just begun,

Jesus holds you in his hands,

safe and warm and loving hands.

Strong and steady you will grow,

because you want the world to know,

"Give us little ones a chance to sing and play,

to laugh and dance"

So much to be grateful for!!!

2009-08-25T15:27:00.000-07:00

Ok...I know it's been awhile since I have checked in with an update but the wait was worth it. I have so much to tell you! First of all, as of yesterday, Mia has graduated from her temperature controlled isolette into a regular crib! She is now able to maintain her own temperature. This is HUGE! Next, Mia is now 4 pounds 4 ounces!!!! She is starting to outgrow some of her preemie onesies!!!! Mia is also weaning down on her oxygen. She is really having a great week. Thank you to everyone who continues to pray for our little miracle. She is such a sweet little angel. Jeff and I are beginning to realize how many bullets we have dodged so far. We have met other families with babies in the NICU who have not fared as well as Mia. I completely believe that God has a plan for every one of these tiny little angels (no matter how long or short their lives may be). Thank you again for all of the prayers, hugs, and well wishes. Each and every one of you whether we have met or not, have made a major impact on our family and we are tremendously grateful.

3 pounds 14 ounces!

2009-08-15T23:10:00.000-07:00

Our little angel is packing on the weight! She is still requiring more oxygen than we would like but she is growing steadily every day. Thanks to Uncle D and Auntie Minda watching Gracie, Jeff and I were able to visit Mia together this evening. Mia took her pacifier like a champ and we even got to give her a bath! Hopefully this upcoming week will be a little easier for Mia than last week. Although Wednesday she will have to undergo another eye exam.

Overall, Mia has done remarkably well and has made tremendous progress since she arrived at UCLA on June 25th. When I get bummed out about minor setbacks (like her need for more oxygen this past week), I have to remind myself of how far she has come since birth. At birth Mia only weighed 2 pounds 2 ounces and required a ventilator to breathe and IV medication to maintain her blood pressure and give her nutrition. She is now almost 4 pounds, receives no IV medication, is tolerating breastmilk through a feeding tube, sucks on a pacifier, and breathes on her own. I am so proud of all that she has accomplished in her 1 and 1/2 months of life. She is a fighter through and through and I love her more and more every day.

The "Preemie Roller Coaster"

2009-08-13T00:11:00.000-07:00

The term "preemie roller coaster" is used to describe the way preemie babies wave their hands in the air as if on the down hill portion of a roller coaster. I, on the other hand, use this term to describe the ups and downs of watching Mia's progress in the NICU. It seems to always be 2 steps forward, one step back and sometimes one step forward and two steps back. Mia is now requiring more oxygen than she has for the past several days. She may need another blood transfusion in the morning. Jeff has donated his blood which is a perfect match. This will be her 5th transfusion. All of this, we have been assured is the normal course for premature babies. I can't help but worry though...I guess that's my job as her mom. I decided to stay home tonight which is not easy for me to do. I usually am there to hold Mia for her 11pm feeding and then tuck her in for the night. But tonight, I felt a little under the weather and did not want to pass on a potential virus to Mia. I sure miss that little stinker though. Hopefully I feel better tomorrow and can hurry on down to UCLA to snuggle with my little angel. On the up side...I got to stay home and tuck in my toddler angel...(is there such a thing as a toddler angel?) Anyhoo...Gracie is my sweet little girl and I cherished being home with her tonight. Please pray for Mia's lungs to heal and mature so that she may breathe without oxygen supplementation and come home soon:)

Weaning off the oxygen:)

2009-08-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

She's doing great today. Mia is taking a pacifier and not requiring as much oxygen. One day at a time, she is growing up and suprising us all!

3 pounds 8 ounces!!!!!

2009-08-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

Yep, 3 1/2 pounds and 16 inches long! We couldn't be happier with her progress. Jeff, Gracie, and I decided to visit Mia together today and stay home tonight for some much needed rest. Where Mia is hospitalized, there is an amazing play area for patients and siblings of patients. So needless to say, Gracie made herself right at home there and drew a beautiful picture for Mia that is now hanging on Mia's little Isolette. Gracie tells everyone she sees about "Baby Mia". Today she told me that she wants to take her for a walk. In due time...
Mia's next challenges include weaning off of the oxygen and learning how to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing so that she is able to take a bottle. We are so proud of our little girl's progress. Her fight to survive has been relentless and she is my hero. I can't wait to get her home and show her that her fight was worth it and that she has a family waiting for her that loves her more than words can say. Thank you Jesus for healing and protecting our precious Mia.

Important Information About RSV

2009-08-06T00:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,
We’re writing regarding a very important matter: RSV. For those of you who
plan to visit us over the next few months, and even if you are not, please take
a few minutes to read this letter.
We want to start by saying thank you for the outpouring of support we have
received from everyone. So many people have done so much for us, and
every bit of help we have received truly is appreciated. We are experiencing
the biggest challenge of our lives, and we’re lucky to be surrounded by so
many family members and friends who have shown us so much love and support.
We’d also like to share an important topic that we recently discussed with our babies’ pediatrician. If you are not
aware of RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, you are among the majority. Most people have not heard of RSV, even
though nearly every child has had the virus by age two. For full-term babies, RSV typically is not any worse than a
common cold, but for preemies, the virus can be quite different. Babies born earlier than 36 weeks are at the
highest risk for serious complications like pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and other sometimes fatal complications. Our
baby was born premature and had a low birth weight; these are among the highest risk factors for
contracting RSV and developing serious complications. This website offers a great visual comparison of a
preemie’s lungs compared to the lungs of a full-term baby: http://www.preemiecare.org/LungsTrees03-4.pdf
Preventing the spread of RSV is very difficult. Thus, we must be vigilant about keeping our children safe during
RSV season (October through April). The virus is spread through physical contact, in the air via a cough or
sneeze, or by touching an infected object. The virus can live as long as six hours on hands and up to twelve hours
on objects, and it spreads very easily, especially from child to child. Studies have also shown that infants pose an
even higher risk of spreading RSV to others.
You may ask, “Can’t they fight it off and build up their immune system? Kids need to get sick, right?” The simple
answer is NO. Since our baby was pre-term, she did not acquire the necessary immunities to fight off infection.
If she contracts RSV, she could be hospitalized and develop serious complications.
We’ll be asking our visitors to follow a few guidelines to help prevent Mia from contracting RSV or any
other illness.
We ask that all visitors do the following:
1. When you arrive, please wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching the baby.
2. Please, if it is possible, get a flu shot.
3. Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick and have not been symptom-free for at least 5
days, if you live with someone who is sick, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick.
4. If you smoke, we ask that you change your clothing and refrain from smoking prior to visiting, as a
preemie’s lungs are very sensitive to smoke. Most RSV sites recommend against passive smoke
exposure.
5. If you are parents to a baby or toddler, please refrain from bringing them to our house during RSV
season.
Unfortunately we will not be attending many events during RSV season. Our goal is to make it through this and
the next RSV seasons without the baby contracting RSV or any other serious illness. Her lungs are still very
fragile until she is 2-years-old.
Please understand that this letter is not meant to offend anyone, just simply to provide an explanation. We hope
you understand, and we appreciate your help keeping our baby safe.
We are also providing several resources with additional information about RSV below.
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv_resourceshtm.htm
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsvfaq.htm
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv2.htm
http://www.mostonline.org/preemieBB/viewforum.php?f=82
Love and best wishes to all!
The Family of a much loved preemie

The Dreaded Eye Exam!

2009-08-05T23:45:00.000-07:00

Mia had her second eye exam today. She hates them. I hate them too but know that they are needed in order to catch any problems before they compromise her vision. The results of her exam today revealed that her eyes are still immature. This is a normal finding for her age but she will require another eye exam in two weeks. On a happier note, Mia is now 3 pounds 5 ounces!!!! Our little one is growing fast. Such a miracle baby!!!!

Gracie and Mia Finally Meet!

2009-08-02T23:07:00.000-07:00

After 38 days of waiting, Gracie got to meet her little sister for the first time today. Although Gracie seemed mostly interested in Mia's Minnie Mouse doll and the pictures of herself that adorn Mia's isolette, she did manage (with a little encouragement) to give Mia a kiss on top of her head. She also told Mia "I love you, Baby Mia" and "Come home soon". When Gracie spoke to her little sister, Mia opened her eyes. I have sensed all along that Mia really loves her big sister and has been longing for the day that she could hear Gracie's voice again. Tonight when I put Gracie's pajamas on at bedtime she said, "I look just like Baby Mia". So even though she acted uninterested in her baby sister today, she did notice Mia's stylish outfit:) I can't wait to see the relationship between the girls unfold. Thank you a million times to Mia's nurse Shelly for giving Jeff, Gracie, Mia, and I the chance to all be together today. It is a day I have been dreaming of since I found out I was pregnant. It is a day I will never forget...a real gift. I am convinced that the nurses taking caring of our precious Mia are angels in disguise. It is clear that they are not there for a paycheck but rather because it is what they were called to do in this lifetime. My heart is full of gratitude. Good night.

P.S. The picture of Mia's hand holding Jeff's little finger is for you, Uncle Mike, and congratulations again to you and Aunt Marsha on 40 years of marriage...it was great to see you last night.

3 pounds 1 ounce!!!!!!

2009-08-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hooray! Mia is now over 3 pounds. Last night's visit was very special for me. Mia's nurse, Karen turned off Mia's monitor and we dimmed the lights while I was holding her. For that wonderful hour it was almost as if we were home in our own rocking chair just enjoying each other. I never realized how intrusive a beeping monitor could be until it was off! It just seemed that Jeff and I would focus more on the monitor and less on what was truly important...holding our little miracle, Mia. I should mention that nurse Karen could still view Mia's vital signs from a monitor outside of Mia's immediate area. Mia is such a joy and we are falling more and more in love with her each day. For those of you with children young or grown, give them an extra hug today. Each day we have with them is a precious gift from God. Please continue to pray for sweet little Mia.

Bath and a Pacifier!

2009-07-29T11:31:00.001-07:00

Jeff and I had so much fun last night. Nurse Shelly helped us give Mia a bath. Mia definitely enjoys the finer things in life. She just relaxed in the tub and let us do the work:) Mia also is sucking on a pacifier now without forgetting to breathe. Our little girl is mastering each skill as it is presented to her. This is making it look like she will be coming home right as scheduled. She weighs 2 pounds and 15 ounces and fits into her little outfits without swimming in them! Thank you all for your continued prayers...they have and are presently working miracles in little Mia's life. I can't wait to bring her home!!!!! God Bless you all.

Mia is getting bigger!

2009-07-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

Good morning! Today is a good day. Our visit with Mia last night was a happy one. She is now 2 pounds 14 ounces and 15 and 1/4 inches long. She loves to be held and opens her eyes when Jeff and I talk to her. She began smiling at us about 3 days ago...melting our hearts for sure! Gracie kisses Mia's pictures that are posted at toddler height on her bedroom walls. I know Gracie will be the best big sissy and a big helper to mom and dad.
Mia's doctors and nurses are so impressed with her progress and think she is super cute. Of course we think she is the cat's meow too! I always knew Mia was a little fighter. We just can't wait to bring her home someday. If there is a silver lining to this whole deal...shopping for little preemie clothes is so fun! They are adorable and she is definitley the most fashionable preemie in the NICU. Her nurses just love dressing her up in all of her little outfits. Thank you to all of our family and friends who have and are continuing to hold us up through this really scary and miraculous time in our lives. God Bless you all.