Sweet Baby Tressie

Monday was the last day that Tressie had to spend under the lights. We've spent the past couple of days catching up on cuddle time!

This afternoon we visited Farm Credit to meet mommy's work family...now I'm all worn out and sleeping peacefully!

"Bee" Happy!

My bilirubin count is going down!

Jaundice Update

Tressie's bilirubin count went up yesterday so we had to start her on phototherapy. This was all very difficult for me...yesterday was a hard day...the idea of not being able to hold and cuddle Tressie was pretty upsetting to me (she has to lay in the bed all of the time, except for diapering and feeding). So far, today has been a better day thankfully. We did have to take her for another bilirubin count this morning (this is the awful test when they prick her heel and she screams bloody murder)...hopefully we'll have the results from the doctor shortly.

If you're like me, you're familiar with babies having jaundice, but don't really know what it means, so I thought I'd provide you with a little bit of the general information we've received...

What is Jaundice?
Jaundice is a common, temporary and usually harmless condition in newborn infants. Jaundice occurs when there is a build-up of the naturally occurring substance bilirubin. Bilirubin is an orange/red pigment. As bilirubin begins to build up, it deposits on the fatty tissue of the skin causing the baby's skin and whites of eyes to appear yellow. (Yes, we have a very yellow looking baby.) Bilirubin is released into the bloodstream when red blood cells are broken down. The bilirubin is then processed in the liver and eventually excreted from the body. It is normal for everyone to have low levels of bilirubin in their blood. "Normal" jaundice occurs in newborns because their liver is not yet fully developed and cannot handle the bilirubin.

What is Phototherapy Treatment?
Phototherapy is the process of using special light to eliminate bilirubin in the blood. These light waves absorbed by baby's skin and blood change bilirubin into products which can pass through their system.

Now...you've had your science lesson for the day!

The phototherapy bed is a little tray that actually fits into her bassinet. We put her in a little "sleeping bag" attached to the tray and "turn her on." The glowing effect is a little startling, so we cover her up with a blanket and that helps a little. Her Grandpa said she looks like a little glow worm! I've included some pictures below.

The first few days

We are all doing well! She is a little peanut - her birth weight was 6 pounds 2 ounces and she's only 18 1/4 inches long. We actually went out today and bought some preemie clothes because she is swallowed up by even her newborn outfits!

She is a touch jaundice so we had to take her to the lab this morning and have blood drawn (this is the worst thing EVER - watching my sweet little baby get her heels pricked). Then this afternoon we visited the pediatrician - she said Tressie's case is mild, but we'll do another blood draw tomorrow morning just for reassurance. Besides the jaundice, she is doing good! She is a very sleepy baby, so feeding is a little challenging, but we've made quite a bit of progress today.

Labor went well...surprisingly well actually! By the time they started me on the pictocin to start contractions, I was all ready having quite a few on my own. They gave me a very small dose for a short time, but contractions were coming strong enough without the pictocin. Dr. Lalonde broke my water around 5:00 p.m. - almost immediately I started to feel the contractions...bad - so asked for the epidural. Good thing I got it then...at 5:00 p.m. I was dilated 3 cm. and Dr. Lalonde said we'd probably deliver around 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. - but around 7:30 p.m. I was to 9 cm. - we couldn't have been more surprised (or happy)! Tressie was born at 9:29 p.m.

We absolutely love her to death and couldn't be more thrilled that she's finally here!!!

Here are a few pictures from Tressie's first few days (sorry it took so long)!

Meet Tressie

Tressie Laine joined us March 1st at 9:29 p.m.
She weighs 6 pounds 2 ounces
We're all doing well! More info soon...

It's go time!

Just got back from the doctor...blood pressure is high, mixed with gallbladder issues, heartburn and nausea...doctor says it's time. We're supposed to be at hospital at 12:30 this afternoon. We'll keep you posted!

Please pray!!!

Tressie's Middle Name

The poll just closed. Grace was the big winner taking 42% of the votes, followed by Leigh with 36%, Laine with 30% and Corrine, Jade and Tate each taking a small percentage. (Yes, I realize that adds up to more than 100%, but some people voted more than once!)

Justin and I think we have decided on Tressie's middle name, but you'll have to wait until she's here to find out!

Thanks to everyone that voted...that was fun!