Snow Day!

On the fifth day of spring, we were blessed with about 2 inches of snow which was enough to close schools for the day.  Andrew got out the snow gear which was already all packed away for the season and out the kids went for some fun in the snow.

 

Veronica - happy to play in the snow!

Josephine - happy to be eating the snow!

Theodore - teaching his sisters how to make the perfect snowman.

Sebastian and Linus - snow soccer.

Love this girl!

Andrew puts on Sebastian's boot while Sebastian eats the snow.

Andrew - not as young as he used to be.

Linus takes a turn on the snowy slide.

Josephine takes a turn.

Liesl and Veronica (from January 2013)

Pneumonia

The first six weeks of 2013 were filled with several unexpected doctor visits for our family, including one trip to urgent care and two visits to the emergency department.  One of those visits resulted in Veronica being admitted to the hospital where she was diagnosed with pneumonia and remained for almost five days.

It was a Monday morning and Veronica had been having cold symptoms for a few days.  I worried, as I always did when she had a cold, and debated with myself about whether or not to call the doctor.  I thought I heard wheezing, but I couldn't be sure.  I wondered if she was having trouble breathing or if I was over reacting.  And I just didn't want to be one of "those" parents who called the doctor every time their child had a runny nose.  (Truthfully, I had already become one.  Veronica has been on multiple "sick" visits when all she had was a simple cold.  But I have been constantly reassured every time I have brought her in that the doctors and nurses are happy to see her and ease my worries. I love our pediatrician's office!)  What finally prompted my call was that I was nearly certain that I saw a color change in her hands.  They looked almost a bluish gray.  But even still, as I drove to the pediatrician's office, I kept telling myself that she was probably fine and I really didn't need to be bringing her in.  

When we arrived, Veronica was immediately seen and had her pulse ox taken.  Sure enough it was only 93.  They tested for her RSV and the flu (both negative) and we did a few nebulizer treatments which provided some relief.  But after about two hours, her blood oxygen saturation level still hadn't come up.  So it was off to the emergency department we went.  This had been one of my worst fears since the day she was discharged from the NICU.  But it was almost as though I had expected it at some point, as though having a micro preemie automatically meant at least one hospitalization post NICU discharge.  She had been doing  so well since her NICU days, it was as though I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.  And it finally had.

As we waited to be seen in the emergency department, Veronica was in good spirits.  She was running around and dancing to music.  Surely we would be seen and sent home.  She wasn't even acting sick.  But hours later, after multiple nebulizer treatments and a chest x-ray, she was admitted and diagnosed with pneumonia.   It was a long five days, and Veronica was on oxygen for most of that time.  So we were back in familiar territory, watching and waiting.

The good news, is that a few days after after she was discharged, we followed up with a pediatric pulmonologist at the recommendation of her pediatrician.  While he acknowledged her pneumonia and her response to it were likely related to her being born extremely premature, he did not believe she would necessarily have any long term lung issues.  He was also quite impressed with how well she has done considering how early she was born.  Hooray Veronica!    

In the pediatrician's office, where we stayed for about two hours.

In the emergency room, where we stayed for about five hours.

A one-hour nebulizer treatment.  I had never even heard of such a thing!

Veronica did NOT like it.

Finally asleep.....

Waiting, waiting, waiting....

Finally admitted!  

This is where Veronica spent her time, all day, for three days. 

There was lots of napping (for me too!). 

I'm not ashamed to admit that after a day or two, I allowed her to eat in the crib. 

Playing on mommy's IPad. 

Chest PT - Veronica seemed to enjoy it which was a blessing. 

Gifts and a card for Valentine's Day.

Freedom!  After three days, we were allowed to venture out of our hospital room. 

Pure silliness!

I went out to eat with the other five while Andrew stayed back at the hospital. 

Theodore ate a 1/2 lb burger and got his picture taken. 

Linus and Sebastian got out their "Veronica" shirts that we made when she was in the NICU.  

After four days in the hospital, I finally found our that they had a high chair!

We celebrated my 41st birthday (yikes!) in the family lounge.

My birthday cake from Costco.  We shared the rest of it with the nurses. 

RSV

RSV - three little letters that when put together cause fear for any micro preemie parent post NICU discharge.  Last RSV season, we were diligent in our efforts to protect Veronica from the potentially fatal virus.  We kept her home as much as possible.  No Mass on Sundays, no outings to the mall, we skipped our annual Christmas photo and she and I even missed a family gathering for our nephew's confirmation.  We were so diligent about hand washing, not only for ourselves but for any others who entered our home.  And the monthly, rather painful, synagis shots were an added level of security.  Not to mention the fact that she was still primarily breastfed during those months, something I know played an important factor in keeping her relatively healthy.

This year has been different.  Because of Veronica's health, she didn't qualify for a second season of  synagis shots.  Our hand washing is nowhere near what it was like last year.  And these days we try to get out as much as possible - Costco trips, Mass on Sundays, frequent playdates.  Now we have paid the price.  Last evening, after a swab to test for RSV and a chest x-ray, Veronica was diagnosed with RSV pneumonia.  We are fortunate to have avoided a hospital visit and I am hopeful the worst is behind us at this point.  But my heart dropped when the nurse told me the RSV test was positive.  I think we may have taken her health for granted, and for that I do feel terribly guilty.  We'll go back to the doctor today for a follow visit and continue with round the clock nebulizer treatments and ibuprofen.  Please say some prayers that our little girl gets well soon.

Fall 2012

Finally! An update!  Be prepared for a slew of photos.  It's been so long since I last posted I feel like I have some catching up to do.  Veronica is fabulous and completely enjoying toddlerhood.  She is such a joy to be around.  And still, after all of this time, I look at her in complete amazement.  It's clear to me that will never go away, which in many ways is a blessing.  The big news is that Veronica was officially discharged from physical therapy.  Her motor skills are exactly where they should be at this point.  The only obvious delay we see right now is in her speech.  While she clearly understands so much of what we say and do, we haven't heard the words yet.  A speech therapist recently started coming out once a month so we're hoping to see some progress over the next few weeks.  We have entered our second RSV season here in Maryland but we haven't made any plans for isolating Veronica like we did last year.  I'm hoping we don't regret that decision.  Our pediatrician made no recommendation to do so and Veronica didn't even qualify for a second season of Synagis, something I have mixed feelings about.  So it's back to lots of hand washing, hand sanitizer and prayers for an RSV free winter!   

Veronica - 18 months last month, weighing in at 22 lbs, 4oz!

First trip to Dutch Wonderland

First camping trip - Lancaster, PA

The boys roasting marshmallows (Veronica was fast asleep in the tent)

Happy 9th Birthday, Theodore!

Happy 7th Birthday, Linus!

First visit to Butler's Orchard

First hay ride.

Josephine picking out the pumpkins.

We met up with Linus who was on a field trip. 

Sebastian too.....

Our little pirate....

Enjoying the great outdoors and as happy as can be!

Neonatal Nurses Day 2012

September 15 is National Neonatal Nurses Day and I can't let this day come to a close without a shout out to all of the amazing NICU nurses out there - especially the ones at the GW NICU.  On this day last year, we were just one month out of the NICU and the experience was still so fresh.  It's been over a year now, and I still regularly think about the amazing nurses who cared for Veronica during her 17 week stay.  And the gratitude I feel towards them today, is just as strong as it was back then.  Those wonderful nurses will always hold a special place in my heart.   Thank you! 

It's Official

It's official folks, at 13-months adjusted, Veronica is a walker.  She now walks more than she crawls and I must admit, I am quite impressed by this fact.  Veronica seemed to take her time getting the rolling thing down and then the crawling thing took longer than I would have hoped.  But she just took off with the walking.  I love watching her; she is so proud and gets more confident everyday.  There is much I don't remember about the day my water broke or what the doctors said to us; but I do remember them saying that our baby might never walk.  To look back on that, and then to see where she is today, it's just another reminder of how blessed we are that Veronica is growing and thriving . 

Here is a video I took a few days ago.  She has made even more progress since then.  Go, Veronica, go!!