10 Months Old!!!

Sydney is now over 10 months old. She is doing great, sitting up on her own and beginning to talk! We can't believe she will be a year old in November. Sydney is very active, she takes a variety of classes which she loves. Swimming, playgroups, yoga, and music which is one of her favorites!

Syd has made lots of new friends along the way, but has not forgotten her old ones. She made a visit back the BIDMC NICU to visit all the special people who helped her. It was nice to be a visitor, and not a resident on the floor.

Little Miss Personality!

Sydney has made so much progress since her discharge from the hospital on April 7th. She is getting bigger and stronger and now weighs 13lbs 6 ounces! We went to Children's Hospital for Sydney to be tested to come off daytime oxygen. She passed her test and we are in the process of weaning her off. It is so exciting for us to see her beautiful face without the canula on.

Her personality comes out more and more each day. She is laughing and smiling. Sydney loves her playmat and playing with all her toys, especially looking at herself in the mirror.

It is not uncommon for Syd to sleep through the night now. Sometimes mom has to wake her up to start her day. Sydney loves to go out to eat, and participate in play groups.

Sydney is working hard at becoming stronger by exercising. She does tummy time, and lots of stretches. Syd also sits in her bumbo seat which helps build her core and neck muscles.

Syd has come such a long way since her delivery. She never stops amazing us with her spunky attitude, and fiesty will. She is always talking, and letting us know what she wants, even if we don't know what she is saying.

One month later...

Sydney has been home for a little over a month now. She continues to grow and put on weight. She now weighs over 10lbs. She has a good appetite and has gotten better at eating. She will still make a mess, but she is much more coordinated when she eats.

Sydney has been busy since getting home. She has lots of appointments with Dr's. They like to keep track of her progress as she grows and develops. Syd is very aware and observant now, listening, and smiling when you talk to her.

Syd sleeps in her crib like a big girl. She usually only gets up once at night to eat. Its not so bad now that she eats a little better. After her late night snack Sydney likes to listen to lullaby songs that Aunt Heidi gave her on her ipod.

Now that the nice weather has arrived Sydney has been getting out much more. She likes to shop with mom, or go for walks on nice days. Getting around is a little difficult with an oxygen tank and monitor. Sydney is bigger and stronger, but still needs some help breathing. The Dr's will keep watching Syd until she is able to do it on her own.

It has been a big adjustment coming home with oxygen and adjusting to Sydney's ever changing schedule. Sydney is doing her job, eating, sleeping and growing. She is keeping us on our toes, and we are loving it.

Discharged!

April 7th Sydney was discharged from the NICU. Her stay lasted 137 days. When she arrived on Nov 21st 2007 she weighted 1lb 9oz, the day she left she was 8lbs 60z.

Sydney ate her breakfast and got to take one last bath at the hospital. We loaded her into her car seat and said our goodbyes to the staff. Syd's primary nurse made a special trip in to see her off. Going to the hospital had become so much of our life for so long. It will be a big change adjusting to having our daughter home.

Sydney slept the ride home without a peep. She is adjusting to the new sights and sounds that go along with not being in the hospital. Mom and Dad are also adjusting to our new schedules. We already know that as soon as we adjust, she will change the rules again.

We want to thank the staff at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. They were incredible, and helped Sydney in so many ways throughout her time there. The doctors, nurses and respiratory therapist at the NICU were all tremendous in their care and support. We have made so many friends and learned so much from so many quality people during our stay at the BI. We owe them so much.

TeamKatz

Thick-it

Sydney's stay in the NICU has been a long one. She has been there for 18 weeks, we have seen three seasons and six different attending physicians. We are hopeful to not be there for the summer.

The month of March was an interesting one. Syd started it out by getting a virus. This stomach bug made her very tired, and she had a hard time keeping her food down. Luckily she was able to kick this bug and after a couple of days she was back to herself again. This really showed us how weak her immune system really is. Once Sydney comes home we will need to be extra cautious about her being around germs.

Once she got over being sick it was decided that Syd would benefit from bringing in the feed team from Children's Hospital of Boston. This team of specialists watched Sydney eat from a bottle. They did not like what they were seeing, so they arranged for her to go to Children's for a swallow study.

The study involved an ambulance ride down the street to Children's Hospital. This marked Syd's first road trip, although not a fun one. Once there she was put in a chair and a dye was added to her food. Using a ultra sound device they were able to see what happens when she sucks and swallows. Syd had a very uncoordinated action that resulted in milk getting into her nose when she tried to swallow.

The feed team decided to add a thickening agent to her milk and change her bottle. This was done to slow down the milk, and prevent the reflex that was causing the liquid to get into her nose, and make her choke. Immediately a change could be seen with the thicker milk, and change in bottle. The milk now began to go the right way, and Syd could eat without much incident.

Since using the additive "Thick-it" Sydney has been able to handle more and more of her eating responsibilities. Just yesterday we reached a large milestone when her NG feed tube was removed, and she ate orally on her own all day. Syd now just needs to show that she can keep this up, and gain weight. Once she does that, it wont be long before she is discharged.

40 weeks

Sydney reached her due date on Wednesday February 27th, 40 weeks gestation. This date also marked her 14th week in the NICU. Syd has continued to make good weight gain and is now 6lbs 7oz. She has also become very active, just like any full term baby would be.

Sydney knows what she wants. She will not hesitate to let mom and dad know that she wants to be held, or fed. She is very eager to feed, however it is still a difficult task at times for her. Her prolonged intubation makes it dificult for her. She is still working to build strength and stamina.

We were surprised this morning when we arrived at the NICU. Syd was out with her nurse at the main desk on a portable oxygen tank. Just sitting with her primary, content to be with her friends. She also now has a radio in her room. Sydney likes to listen to classical music when she is reflecting on the days events.

Sydney still has ups and downs, good days and bad. Through all this she continues to grow, and gain maturity. Her little personality is very evident. Her fiesty attitude continuing to push TeamKatz along.

Five Pounds

Sydney reached five pounds on February 1st. She has continued to have good weight gain. Syd has a good appetite, and has now started feedings without her feeding tube. For now twice a day and they will slowly bring it up depending on how Sydney handles it.

The doctors have also began to take her off supplements. They stopped her diarel and pottasium supplements this week. Soon they will take her off the caffeine supplement.

Sydney has also continued to get more coordinated. She holds her pacifier, and will grab at her feeding tube. She knows her mother and fathers voice, and loves to hear them read stories.