First Bath

Gavin's First Bath at Home!  The pictures will tell the story.

 "Mom, this sucks!  Get me out of here."

 "I still don't like it!"

 "Well, maybe this isn't too bad."

 "Nope it still sucks!"

 "Awe!  Much better wrapped up in a warm towel!"

"Okay mom,  Let's just not do that again."

We're Finally Home!

Gavin was released from the Hospital around 2pm on Friday, March 4th 2011.  It was sad to leave the nice nurses and staff at Ridgeview NICU, but we were happy to finally have our family under one roof.

 Gavin ready to leave Waconia for the first time!

 Big sister loves having her little brother at home!

 Daddy and Son napping on the chair!

 Daddy with his babies!  Can you tell which one isn't sleeping?

 Kaitlyn feeding her baby a bottle with mommy's nursing pillow!

 Nana and Kaitlyn baked Gavin a birthday cake when he came home! Happy Birthday Gavin!

 Kaitlyn loves holding her little brother!

Our little angels!

Life in the NICU

Our little boy spent 16 days at the Level 2 NICU at Ridgeview Hospital in Waconia.  The NICU has been open for a year.  They partnered with Children's Hospital, so our little guy was in great hands.  Having your baby in a NICU takes some getting used too.  You learn very quickly what all the wires and tubes are for and what each monitor represents and what numbers are normal on each one.

Mommy holding Gavin for the first time!

Daddy holding Gavin for the first time.

Gavin was on a strict 3 hour eating schedule.  Before each feeding he would have to get a blood pressure, diaper change (which is weighed), and temperature taken.  As parents our jobs were diaper changes and temperature.  It's not easy to change a diaper with cords and tubes everywhere. 

Gavin was taken off the Oxygen after 24 hours, which was great news.  He still had an IV, feeding tube, heat sensor, heart rate, and a monitor to show oxygen levels in his blood.  We were also able to hold him and I was able to breastfeed.  He latched on, but wasn't too interested in sucking.  He had to take his whole feeding within 30 minutes.  Anything left would be given to him through his feeding tube.  (This is where I learned about the metric system.  Everything was measured in milliliters instead of ounces.)

Big Sister Kaitlyn visiting Mommy and Gavin at the Hospital.

Big Sister and Little Brother!

The Third day I was discharged from the hospital and our commuting to and from home started.  (Good thing we only lived 10 minutes from the Hospital.)  It was really hard for me to leave my baby at the hospital, but I knew he was in good hands.  The only nice part is that I was able to sleep in my own bed and only wake up to pump.  The nurses wanted me to get as much rest as I could before out little guy came home.  At the same time Kaitlyn really needed her mommy to be at home too.  Gavin also started showing signs of Jaundice and he was ordered to be on light therapy.  (His bilirubin level was 14.)

Gavin chillin under the lights with his cool shades!

The next day his bilirubin levels when up again to 15 and he was very sleepy and only taking his feedings through his feeding tube.

Sunday 2/20 - Record Snow Storm!  This was quite the day in the McNeilly household as well.  My sister left on her honeymoon Saturday and my mom was at her house watching her 3 puppies with Kaitlyn.  That morning my mom called me to inform me that Kaitlyn was constipated and had been crying for mommy and daddy all night.  So, now I have 2 kids needing to poop.  After some quick thinking... I decided to have my mom, Kaitlyn, and the 3 puppies come and stay at our house.  (I felt better having everyone under one roof, while Nate and I continued our back and forth to the hospital.)  So, now our house contains... 3 adults, 1 toddler, 1 cat, and 4 dogs.

Monday 2/21 - Gavin's Bilirubin started dropping.  He also had the IV removed.

Tuesday 2/22 - Gavin's Bilitubin dropped again but they continued with Light Therapy.  I was also able to fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans!  Yeah!  Nana came to visit Gavin for the first time.  Daddy also got Gavin to take his whole bottle orally and not through his feeding tube. 

Wednesday 2/23 - Bilirubin dropped again to 9 and he was taken off the light therapy.  Gavin is officially One Week Old!  He can also wear clothes and not just a diaper.  Daddy thinks he might be getting a cold, so he isn't able to come visit.

The remaining 9 days in the NICU were pretty much the same.  Gavin would take approx. 50% of his feedings either by breast or bottle.  He needed to be at 100%.  The nurses kept telling us that one day he will just get it and we would be able to go home!  Their favorite saying is: "We don't have any 1 year olds running around here, so they eventually get it and can go home.

Hanging out with Daddy!

Aunty Anny came to visit after her honeymoon!

Kaitlyn's first time holding her little brother!

I love this picture!

On Thursday 3/3 the doctor told us it was still going to be several days before we could go home.  She did recommend that I try an overnight to see if he does better breast feeding than taking a bottle.  So, we decided to stay over that night.

Friday 3/4 - Gavin is a Boob Man!!!  He took each of his feedings by breast and had gained weight... this means... WE GET TO GO HOME! 

A few things have to happen before we were officially discharged.  Gavin had to pass a Car Seat Test.  We had to put him in his car seat and he had to sit in there for one hour.  (We weren't able to move or touch him during this time.)  He had to maintain his heart and oxygen levels.  He of course Passed, so we began the check-out process.

Gavin ready to go home!

Gavin Patrick McNeilly

Warning!  The below post contains details of Gavin's arrival.  Please skip if you don't want to read the details.

It all started around 12:30am on Wednesday, February 16th.  I was sleeping of course, when I woke up to what I hoped WAS NOT my water breaking.  So, I got up to check everything out.  My intuition knew that it was my water that broke and that I hadn't peed in my sleep.  Even with this knowledge I climbed back into bed and started praying it WASN'T my water that broke.  After about 5 minutes I decided to wake up Nate. (I was not having any contractions at this time either.)  Of course Nate didn't believe me until I showed him the evidence.  (I will leave the details out.) 
* Side note:  I am approx. 34 wks and 5 days.  My hospital bag is not packed either.

I called the on-call doctor and started to pack for the hospital.  While all this going on, Kaitlyn wakes up and comes into our bedroom.  We tell her that Mommy and Daddy are going to work and we will be back later.  (Another thing to note is that my mom had just arrived back that previous afternoon after a week long trip to Texas.)
* Conversation between Nana and Kaitlyn after we leave for the Hospital:
"Kaitlyn, let's go back to sleep now." 
"Nana, that's silly... Why would we go back to bed after Mommy and Daddy left for work?"
Kaitlyn never went back to bed until she fell asleep after she came to the hospital to meet her little brother.

My contractions started about 1:30am on our way to the hospital.  They were approx. 3 minutes apart and very bearable at this point.  We arrived at the hospital and got ready for the delivery.  They hooked me all up and started to explain how the delivery would go.  Since I was only 34 weeks and considered pre-term I was to deliver in the operating room instead of a labor and delivery room.  (Ridgeview has a NICU and a 24 hour Nurse Practitioner from Children's, so they wanted to be close to the special NICU room in case of an emergency.) 

Nate's mom and sister Mandi arrived around 4am to witness our little one's arrival.  By this time, my contractions were getting more intense.  I asked for some pain meds to help ease the pain, but refused to ask for an epidural.  (I delivered Kaitlyn without one, I could do it again.)

At this point I am now unaware of the time and ,y contractions are getting stronger and the pain meds are wearing off.  The nurses decide to wheel me into the OR room to prepare for our little one's arrival.  I won't go into details, but I was told by the nurses that I wasn't allowed to push until the Doctor came.  For those who have gone through labor... this is nearly impossible to do when the baby is crowning and pretty much ready to enter the world.  FINALLY!  After what seemed like forever,  (I was told after by the nurses, that they were about deliver the baby.)  the on-call doctor arrived.  I pushed through 3 contractions and our beautiful Son was born.  (Yes, we waited to find out what we were having.) 

Here we are in the OR room waiting for the Doctor.  The nurse at this point is telling me not to push. 

Gavin Patrick McNeilly was born at 5:05am.  He weighted 6 lbs. 12 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long.

After Gavin was born they took him to a separate room to give him some oxygen.  Nate was able to cut his umbilical and I was able to hold him for a few seconds before they took him away to get checked out.  He just needed a little extra help because his lungs weren't fully developed.

Getting to hold my boy after getting cleaned up! 

Since he was pre-mature they had to take him directly to the NICU.  I did get to see him for a few minutes before they took him away.  Daddy got to go with him, while I was wheeled back to a labor and delivery room.

 Gavin had to be on oxygen for one day.  Most preemies like to be on their bellies when they are oxygen.  It is easier for them to breathe.  Gavin was on room air for the day. They moved him onto his back when they removed the oxygen the next day.

A few hours later after another move to a post-partum room, I got to go and visit my little boy.  He was hooked up to Oxygen (to help his lungs develop more), several monitors, and an IV.  At first it was hard to see all the tubes and wires, but that effect wore off after a few days.  Another thing to get used to is all the monitors and peeping and what it means.

My mom had not told Kaitlyn that she had a little brother.  My mom wanted to have us tell her.  So, my mom and Kaitlyn arrived at the hospital that morning and we told her she had a little brother.  Her response was: "I wanted a sister!".  Of course once we took her to see Gavin, she forgot about wanting a sister and was happy with her brother.

 Since Gavin had to go to the NICU we had to improvise with this picture. 

A Wonderful Husband

I felt that this subject needed it's own blog post.  The other night when I got home from book club... I found this....

Nate handmade a foot stool for me to get into bed.  We recently purchased a new bed.... that is quite tall.  I had been using Kaitlyn's little bathroom stool to help me get in and out of bed. 

What I love about this is... I never asked for a new foot stool.  He made it because he didn't want me to fall getting in and out of bed.  Kaitlyn loves it too!  Makes it easier for her to climb in and out too! 

So, I just want to thank my husband for thinking of me!  I love you so much!  Thank you for being such a great husband and father to our children!

32 Weeks

Wow, I can't believe that I am 32 weeks today!  Granted... I am ready to be done now.... but I know the end is near!  The joys of the 3rd Trimester are in full swing.  Sleeping is difficult.  I wake up to roll over or go to the bathroom.  By the end of the day all I want to do is lay on the couch in a horizontal position.  (This is difficult when you have a 3 1/2 year old wanting to play.)  Bending over has also become a challenge... with that so has putting on socks and shoes!  Thank goodness for slip on shoes. 

I now get to go to the doctor every 2 weeks.  I have mastered peeing in a cup, which can be a challenge when your belly blocks your view.  I also miss seeing my feet!

We have finally come up with a few names.  (Actually one boys name and one girls name.)  I hope that our little one looks like the names we have picked!  Otherwise, we are back to square one... Note to self... Pack baby name book in hospital bag.  (Which reminds me that I should maybe do this sooner than later.)

Kaitlyn came 5 weeks early, so I am starting to get a little anxious that the same thing will happen this time.  I have suspended all travel from here to the end until the baby comes.  I am determined to deliver at Ridgeview this time. 

I haven't gained too much weight!  (Which I am happy about.)  At my last appointment I had gained 15 lbs. and should gain about a pound a week until delivery. 

Kaitlyn is getting excited to meet her new brother or sister.  She loves to talk to my belly and give it kisses. 

We asked her what we should name the baby.  Her response is: "Jesus".  So, we might be having a baby Jesus.  If you ask her what babies do.... she says: "Cry and Poop, Cry and Poop".

I have found this little one is very active throughout the day.  I don't remember Kaitlyn being this active.  My stomach likes to conform to odd shapes, while our little one tries out new dance moves.  It is fun to put a remote or cell phone on my belly and watch it move around. 

So the countdown has begun!  8 more weeks to go!  We can't wait to meet this little one.  We are so happy that we decided to wait to find out the sex.  It makes the journey that much more worth it! 

McNeilly Family Christmas

New Years weekend we had the McNeilly family Christmas at our house.  We had a great time hanging out, eating, playing, and opening presents.  Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Nate and Grandpa took the big kids to the fire station to look at all the trucks and try on Daddy's (Uncle Nate's Gear.)

 Kaitlyn Ready for a Fire Call!

 Cousin Darren Trying on Uncle Nate's Helmet!

 Cousin Hailey trying on Uncle Nate's Helmet!

 Kaitlyn trying on Daddy's Helmet!

 Cousins!

 Kaitlyn and Hailey are best friends!

 The Boys!

 Opening presents!

 Cousin Gibson getting his turn at presents!

All the cousins wearing their new hats that Aunty Mel made!