Monday, March 25, 2013

Snug as ...

... a bug in his own little rug ...

I do apologize if all my latest posts are about our newest addition 
but hope you'll bear with me a little longer.

snuggly buggly

Finn will be in the hospital until at least April 23rd ... he must be at least 36 weeks (gestation) and weight 2.3 kilograms / 5 pounds to be released and come home.

My husband and I were tallying up where my hours are going lately ... between the basics (showering and toiletry), pumping breastmilk (ugh), packing bags, driving too and from the hospital and finding the one parking spot that is still available a whopping NINE hours of my day are gone. And while we included clearing the table after meals we did forget to calculate time at the table.

So I hope you don't mind too much as I periodically use snaps of my sweet as a placeholder here.

I'll do my best to post some creativity .. I knit (slowly) while snuggling him skin-to-skin as much as possible each day ... but sadly this averages at about three hours. If I could I would be there full time ...

Some of you have sent messages asking for updates on Finn so here's a quick run-down ...
  • Today he's 32 weeks gestation ... on Thursday he will be a whole month old!!!
  • Finn almost weighs 1500 grams / 3 lbs, 5 ounces!!!
  • He has monitors for heart rate, respiration and oxygen saturation. All other monitors and IVs have been removed.
  • He receives feedings (we're up to 33 mls seven times per day) via a feeding tube.
  • Hopefully we'll be able to start some breastfeeding around 34 weeks.
  • Finn has grown a quilter's quarter inch since his birth!!

Yesterday he graduated to an open bed - he is holding his own body temp so is snuggled with blankets and this busy mommy is smashing out some long-sleeve snuggles to help keep him warm and cosy.

And thank you .. to you one and all for your well wishes and sweet sweet comments. Next to snuggling with Finn, opening my mailbox (both cyber and postal) is the highlight of my day! I'm sorry that I don't have time at the moment to answer all your comments but I do read them all and often twice ... my husband has been particularly touched as we have heard from all corners of the earth from so many wonderful and kindred spirits.
xox
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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Stitches, Sad and Happy

Yes, I know they're not quilting stitches
but stitches they are .. lots of purls and knitting.

twin hats

It's the best project for picking up and putting down.
For taking back and forth to the NICU.

especially

I whipped up these two little hats for Finn's first girlfriends 
- twins A & E are his roommates in the NICU -

Sweet little things.
Their parents are lovely ... it's been wonderful to find kindred spirits in the same boat.

flower detail

We've met a few other parents, most have already "graduated" and moved into stage 2 of the NICU.

But tonight my heart and soul are with the family of H.
That is, after I dug it out of my throat ..
it was a hard day in the NICU as I snuggled my lovely Finn
while H's parents ushered in their family one at a time
.. to say good bye..

I don't know if she'll still be there when I visit tomorrow ...

I've watched my little guy jump hurdles, lose a few grams,
gain a few back but all the while thriving ... we are so lucky.

We are so blessed.

Today he is "30 weeks"

knit baby

This is the hat I whipped up his first days in the NICU .. 
all the others I had knit "while waiting" were much too big ...

sleeping sound

Of course I like him best without his hat .. that hair is so darn adorable!

fuzzy baby chicken hair
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Saturday, March 9, 2013

My Two Men

Couldn't resist sharing this photo with you ... makes my heart melt and sing all at once.

It's for these moments that I've waited a lifetime ...

my two men

Of course I promise to show you some patchwork soon ... and some knitting, if you don't mind.
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Friday, March 8, 2013

Bliss

I think this picture says it all ...

bliss Pin It Now!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

He's Here!

Well ... I have to admit ... 
... I've been holding out on you ...

You might have guessed.

... or maybe you sent me an email ...

in which case I always answered truthfully 
all the while asking you to help keep our secret.

But now he's here and I'm positively bursting at the seams!

FINN 
was born at 2:51 am on 
28 February 2013

Finn

He was almost 12 weeks too early ...

... but weighed 1305 grams / 2 pounds, 14 ounces at birth ...

Finn is a whopping 39,5cm / 15-1/2" long
and has the most amazing long fingers and really big feet

Five minutes after birth his apgar score was 10 out of 10 and 
he's been holding his own with no support, no oxygen needed.

The last five days have been incredible. 

Of course with any premie, there have been a few ups and downs, 
but really mainly small little "hiccups" that we've been able to overcome with 
the help of the wonderful staff of doctors and nurses at UZ Gent.

He is doing so well and we couldn't be more proud!

finn's train
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