Happy Halloween! 9:21pm

A year ago, Grace was still at MMC..

She was 4 lbs. & she was all taped up..so she wouldn't pull her tubes! How much we HATED all that tape!! She wore her skeleton outfit on Halloween.. it was a Monday night & Daddy had to come back home for work on Tuesday.

10/31/2011...

 

And here she is TODAY.. ohh how proud we are of her!

She's 16 lbs... & full of smiles in her flower costume!

 

We had OT this morning & tomorrow as well.. look how far she can pull

her head up, as she was on the floor..

looking right at Mama!! Her head control is fantastic!! 

 

Then tomorrow she gets her 1st synagis shot for the RSV Season.. she'll

get one every month til March.  We will do our best to hand santize for ourselves and anyone who comes to see us.  She has a little cough, so we'll have the NP check her out tomorrow.. but all in all; her 1st Halloween home was wonderful!!

We're wishing all those mommy & daddy's who have babies in the NICU.. a

Happy Halloween too!  And of course, all our preemie friends too..

 

 

 

 

Thanks ..

 

 

love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & max

 



Happy 1st "Corrected" Birthday. 7:54pm

Or as us 'preemie' moms call it, Happy UN-Birthday..

on paper, today would've been Grace's 1st birthday..only on paper..so her

development age is really done by today. Okay, whatever!! :)

 

 

Hurricane "Sandy" came whipping in yesterday, we did lose power last night

for about 4-5 hours.. it was time for backgammon by candle night.

 

But we were ready with our camping lantern, and head lamp..

Gracie & Daddy were not affected with the lights out!

Neither was Mama! :) 

 

 

Today, Grace played hide n seek with her mama, while she was on her blanket...

 until she had the whole

blanket wrapped around her face.. silly goose. (i didn't get a pic of that..i was helping her get it off..she still makes me a wee nervous! silly goose!!)

 

 

 

She's getting big!!

Praying for the people who's been affected by Sandy more than us..

with flooding & damage.. pray that they can rebuild & stay strong!!

 

 

 

 

Thanks for keeping up!

love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & Maxwell

 



Abby Time. 8:09pm

Grace's "cousin" stayed the day with us today..

we hung out, went pumpkin shopping, carved a pumpkin & played!

What a day!

 

 Abby loves Grace!!! And Grace loves her!! What a special treat!

 

 

With OT this morning.. Gracie playing on her laptop! (starting young!)

 Abby at Flying Cloud above, and posing with her pumpkin, we carved together

below.. what a pleasure having her hang out with us!

I now know what's in store for me when Grace is 5..

stories, lots of chatter, and a very busy day!!

 

 

In her pumpkin pajamas.. she's a sweet looking pumpkin!



 

Welcome back home to Auntie Dalila ...

and hope Uncle Ross is doing okay!

 

 

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & maxwell



Drumroll please... 6:49pm

Today was Grace's weight follow up with her pedi surgeon..

which 3 weeks ago, there was some 'concern' because she had lost 7 oz in a month.

Her weight was 14 lbs. 7 oz. on 10/7/12

& on 10/12/12 she started 30 calorie Pediasure..

and today she is weighing in at 16 lbs. 5 oz.

GO GRACIE!! GO GRACIE!!

 

Now, I will add that the other big thing that has changed is that

her gtube is NO longer leaking!!

So, she's finally getting all that we give her, thus the weight gain!

We'll do another weight check in 3 weeks, and if still all good,

we'll reduce her volume.

 

This was Grace a year ago today!!

She was wearing "mircro preemie" clothes & wearing "preemie" diapers.

 

And here she is TODAY.. 16 lbs. 5 oz., 26 1/2" long..

She's wearing size 6 mos jeans..

9 mos. onesies

size 3 diaper.

 

Yesterday, Grace ate a 'pita bite'..garlic & chive..and loved licking it & sucking on it.. she's italian!

 Here she is sitting up in her seat.. playing with her toys..

 

 

And sleeping as I write this.. she'll be going to bed soon!

 

 

 

Tomorrow is a special day, as we have our friend Abigail coming over to

spend the day with me & Grace.. think we'll carve some pumpkins.

I'll be sure to post pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for keeping up with our family!

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & maxwell

 

 



60ml's in one sitting! 8:15pm

Grace & I have really been working on her bottle skills..

she drank 3 oz (60ml's) at Breakfast this morning!!

I gotta be honest, I've been slacking on the purees the last week to get her to

really work the bottle.. soo tomorrow we start again back at purees at least twice a day

and the bottle!  We have a new speech therapist coming in at 9 a.m. tomorrow

(Good Luck Ann!!)

 

Very proud of Grace!!

 

We trialed her Halloween Costume today! Soo cute!!

 

 

Had a visit with Grace's cousins today, Ben & Emily..

we haven't seen them in awhile & they too, are getting sooo big.

They enjoyed playing with Grace.  Ben & Grace played ball..

and Emily kissed her on the cheek & stroked her head.. again, Ben told me

that he really misses me & Grace.. he is soo loving! An old soul!!

And Emily too.. boy she's getting big!!!! :)

We had a nice visit! Always nice to see them & Auntie Tess!!

 

 

 

Back to the homestead, we went for a walk..and

Grace took another 20ml's at dinner & at lunch..

she's a cutie!

 

Chilling with Dada :)

"Hi Mama!"

 

 

 

 

We go for a weight check on Wednesday.. excited for that appointment..

her gtube looks the best it's looked in months..

my new craft:  pantiliner cut-ups for her gtube.. can't take all the credit..

found it thru someone online.. but it absorbs the acid coming out of her belly better,

keeping her skin looking & feeling better!

 

 

 

 

Have a good week, all!!

 

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell



Plymouth Rock. 9:26pm

Today was an eventful day..

we went down to Plymouth to drop off some formula

 to another preemie mom friend,

and decided to take in the sights.

 

Plymouth Rock...

Daddy & Grace looking at the

rock.. (down below)

 

Grace loved being out of the stroller.. she enjoyed the wind blowing in her face..

we walked around the wharf, got some fudge, and had a nice family day!

This is what Gary & I have always dreamed of.. it was wonderful!

 

She even had a little bit out of a bottle.. and you'll all be happy to hear that she's taking a little more each day!!

 

 

Tomorrow, perhaps a visit with her cousins..

who will be interested in seeing our little 'rolling pin'..

at least 4-5 x's in a row!

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading & keeping up with us!

Hi to Uncle Ross!!

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & maxwell

 



Hump Day. 8:53pm

It's Wednesday.. as of today, Grace is getting OT twice a week,

and her OT is proud of her.. as we are!

She is definitely rolling back & forth, in a continuous roll

very cute!!

 

 Here she is looking at Mama.. she stayed sitting up by herself today for

at least 1 minute.. that'll be right around the corner, I'm sure!

 

And then in the evening, we put her in this chair..with toys.. she loves the laptop that Cousin Andrew bought her for her

birthday!!  It plays all kinds of music..

 

She sleeps now on her belly at night.

Gary weighed himself tonight & then held her & weighed her..and was

16 lbs... sooo she's defintely gaining weight with pediasure.

We'll go back next week to pedi surg for a more accurate weight.

 

 

 A year ago working with Marisa, OT in ME..

 

 

 

  

Tomorrow is OT again... and I have to go to the dentist :(

ugh!! I am not looking forward to it.. good thing I have a really, really

nice dentist!!  Keep me in your thoughts! :)

 

 

Safe travels to RH as he is going home to spend some time with his parents.

"HI" to his parents from me!  Please keep RH in your prayers!

Also for HH, who has all the kids by herself for the next 2 weeks..(4 kids)

 

 

 

Love you guys,

pattie & gary, Grace & max



Roll Over. 8:26pm

It's official, Grace can now roll, roll, roll!!

She rolls over very well from belly to back, but as of yesterday

she now can go from back to belly!!

Another developmental milestone!!

And she is close to crawling.. she's so determined, she's lifting her head

up like crazy.. she's gotten really strong in the last few weeks.

 

 

I think pediasure is doing her well too.. she seems heavier!

This week we have OT coming twice & she'll be coming

2x's a week; and then on Monday we heard that our Speech Therapist

is leaving.. another one is due out tomorrow to meet Grace.

 

 

 

Here she is getting relief from the helmet :)

And done with her rolling.. sooo cute!!

 

 

 

 

She's getting big.. time is surely flying!

To our Maine friends, hope you are safe & sound tonight after

the ME earthquake!  Hope it didn't scare the babies in the NICU!

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & max



A year ago.. 10:30pm

Sometimes it's just soo cool to look back at where Grace

was a year ago..here is last year's picture on this date..

 

That was a size "preemie" onesie.. & it was too big on her.. Auntie Paula brought it up for her!

And this outfit was a "Micro-Preemie" outfit.. soo cute!!

 

 

God Bless her.. she's doing wonderful..

this past week, she took a total of 179ml's by mouth..

that's 6 ounces.. :) YEAA Grace..

She's liking the pediasure (it smells like a vanilla milkshake)

 

 

 

 

Gary & I had a date night with our dear friends Ross & Heather..

Turk's seafood out in Mattapoisett..

recommend for our friends in the area..

it was very nice!

And we have a very nice babysitter & her daughter that came

and spent some time with Grace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for keeping up with us!

 

Love,

pattie & Gary, Grace & max



Hats, Bottles with a big girl.. 7:03pm

It's been a great day! And so much has happened..

First of all, for the GREAT news.. Gracie drank 55ml's from a bottle!!!

(that's 5ml's less than 2 oz!)

And there's the bottle to prove it!

This is her "Grandpa's Girl" shirt..  Grandpa in NY is very happy to hear

about her drinking the bottle!! I'm sure Vevo is too!!

 

 

In other news, for the first time (but it was a blessing in disguise)..

Grace's mic-button fell out!

When the button falls out completely, there's a hole/stoma in her belly..

that if you're not careful can close completely.. & to boot, Grace

was with a babysitter at the time.. one of our new babysitters..

I actually felt bad for her (can you imagine the panic?)

but she called me & I was in Fairhaven, right

around the corner at the time. 

So the blessing is, that we left the button out for an hour & half, and

Gary came home & we put in a 12" mic button (vs. 14 that was in there)

& it has rarely leaked with 2 feedings.. Wow.. very excited..

because she was still leaky with the other.

 

It's HAT time.. this was us getting ready for our cool evening walk..

this white hat was made by our good friend's mom last year,

and Mommy has one to match.. that'll be at a later date ;)

Isn't she cute!?

 

 

Before our walk.. with another hat from Auntie Dalila...

 

 And after our walk.. back to the binky!

 

I can't believe how BIG she looks in this picture!  A sweater, a hat..

she's still only 14 lbs. 6.8oz!!  a peanut..OUR peanut!!

 

We are soo proud of her!!

We are trying to wean her from her in the night gtube feed.. that'll help her

to be hungry in the morning, then she'll take more!

She's doing great!

 

 

 

Thanks for keeping up! You've all been with us thru these great events,

and we appreciate your support!!

 

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & maxwell

 

p.s. I got carried away with the pictures, that I forgot to tell you..she

is starting Pediasure (a "toddler") formula tomorrow.. it's vanilla flavored..

hope she likes it!! :)



Evening Thoughts. 5:11pm

I have to write this.  I'm a pretty positive person, even with everything

we've been through.  Grace is our blessing, and we are grateful that she is here.

I understand that people that work in the 'business', see alot of sick babies..

but sometimes they group all our babies together & make us worry for no reason.

Sometimes, they don't come right out & say something..but it's

in there tone..'oh that doctor you're going to see, well she's really good..

but very straight forward.'  "don't worry, she'll just tell you the way it is."

 

 

Well .. we visited with a new doctor today with Grace..

it was a 'developmental doctor' out of Children's Hospital, in Boston..

that comes to our our Early Intervention place nearby.  The appointment has been

scheduled for at least 6 months.  It's nerve wracking to go to a 'new' doctor that hasn't met Grace from the get go.. just because they don't really know how far she has

truly come.  And on top of that, we don't need to worry because someone

(who's not a doctor) is speaking from their experience.

Truly.. All Babies are different!!

 

Just chillin.. (i dont want to bore you with all my words.. gotta throw some pictures in here to keep your interest :)

Sitting in her old highchair.. & playing.. our new nighttime activity..

See how well she is holding up her head??

 

Anyway.. the appointment with the new doc..went GREAT!!

Grace smiled at her (like she does everyone); showed her all her tricks..

grabbing for a rattle, reaching for it, transferring it from one hand to the other,

smiling, making eye contact..following her with her eyes.

Playing with Mommy, rolling from belly to back.. picking up her head while on

her belly; and even sitting up to mid line.

She is growing slowly, and she is developing slowly..

but the doc said she's doing great & at her own pace..

& boy she is really working hard to crawl & pick up her head when on her belly!!

Her recommendation is more physical therapy.. which we are trying to get,

as well as have a physiatrist see her (which we have that appointment booked in January).  Well then I can't wait to tell the 'negative nellies' that the appointment

went GREAT!

 

 

 

A long day.. she is taking a power nap.. gotta get her up to play 'ball' & watch

some light up toys.. she loves her light up turtle!!

 

 

On the eating side of things, she's taking more purees (stage 2) by mouth, at least

every morning.. and all of a sudden, she likes the bottle.

She takes free water daily & some formula before her gtube feed.

It's only anywhere from 8-15ml's, but hey, it's a start!!

It's all in

"Gracie's time"

we're moving in the right direction & we are very proud of her!!

 

We start pediasure (which is a toddler formula @ 30 cal) probably

next week, by the time we receive it... this will help her gain a little weight

and it's flavored.. she may just love it.. her current infant formula smells gross..

I can't imagine why she doesn't like it.

 

 

 

Thanks for reading & keeping up with Grace!!

Thanks for all your prayers! They are appreciated!!

 

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & max

 



Pumpkin time. 5:31pm

There's a reason I'm on the other side of the camera.. I hate being in pictures..

but I'll share this pumpkin time one with you..

off to the pumpkin patch we went with Grace today,

she wasn't a happy

pumpkin!

 

Daddy & Gracie.. we think she liked

her pumpkin..she did try to eat it :)

 

 

Eventful weekend..

made pumpkin whoopie pies last night,

moved Grace's room around..

a/c's are out of the windows.

lots of happy times with smiley Grace.

 

 

Keep us in prayer as we have a couple of appointments this week

with Grace.. a developmental doctor on Wednesday, that the appointment

was made seven months ago.. nothing to worry about..but when you go to

see yet 'another' doctor.. you just don't know!!

 

 

 

Thanks for keeping up!

And here's my whoopie pies:

 

 

 yummy!! Thanks to Kim for the recipe!

 

 

Prayers for Jeannie in FL.. thinking of you!!

 

love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & max



Getting Stronger.. 10:09pm

A few months ago, I put Grace in this saucer..and she didn't do well in it..

Today, we put her in & she did great..

this will definitely help her get stronger.. Go Gracie!!

 

The towel behind her is for extra support.. but maybe we'll try tomorrow without it.

 

 

We saw Grace's pedi surgeon yesterday & she was down a little in weight

but we didn't take her length, so it could be that she's taller..

we see her pediatrician on Tuesday..

to check on switching formula's.. to a toddler formula; and check on her weight there.

She feels heavier that's for sure!!

Please keep her in thoughts & prayer!

 

 

 

A good Daddy & Me moment!! :)

 

 

A nice walk tonight .. a cool breeze & the smell of the ocean.

I should've taken a picture..

 

 

Tomorrow is church, lunch at Vevo's & pumpkin picking!

Have a blessed weekend!

 

 

And a very happy birthday to cousin Emily tomorrow!!

She is 3!!!   Love you!!

 

 

 

 

Love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & max



Proud Mommy moments & pictures! 9:28pm

Tomorrow is Weigh In (WI) day for Grace.. can't wait to get the report..

last time we saw this doctor, a month ago..she was 14 lbs. 14oz..

so I'm guessing at least 1 lb more.. I'll update tomorrow.

 

 

This morning, OT came..Jess is back.. she was out on maternity leave..

she was very impressed with Grace & what she's doing.

Playing 'ball' with Mommy, lifting her head midline & to the left

while on her belly... she's doing great!

here are some pictures from today..

playing with Mommy & Daddy tonight before bath.

 

This is my absolute favorite of the week..

I think she is looking like my grandma.. "Mom".. :) LOVE!!

 

Rolling the ball..

 

 Hitting the snail to make it sing..

Watching the tower light up.

Oh, and Mama's got the camera..again! :)

 

 

 

 

Great day with Gracie :)

 

 

love,

pattie & gary, Gracie & max