The Sweet Escape...

Hip Hip Hooray...Hip Hip Hooray!!!!

We finally made it home. It was an interesting 4 days at the hospital but all probably well worth it. They inserted the NG tube through her nasal passage on Wednesday. This was not a good day for mommy as she almost had to leave the room. At the end of the 4 days it was with good reason as we never once had to use the tube to supplement her feeding. Gabi did amazing the entire time we were there. Micah and I are convinced that a big part of it was increasing her calories from 24 to 26. It basically made her formula like eating oatmeal with no milk...she didn't like it and it didn't set well. We dropped back to 24 calories and the kid has been eating like a champ. It was a rough few days but Micah was amazing. She stayed at the hospital with Gabi every day except for her last night there. The only reason she didn't stay the last night is because Gracie wanted a girls night so her and Micah went home to sleep in the comfortable confines of our King Size bed and dad had the opportunity to stay the night with Gabi. We did great. At the end of our day there today they had to teach us how to insert the NG tube through her nasal passage. Micah decided to suck it up and give it a shot. She knew she had to learn if it was necessary to make Gabi strong. She inserted and tested the placement of the tube like a pro...even the nurses were impressed with how easily she placed the tube. All of us were so excited to get home and all of us be together back at home.

We want to send out a sincere thank you to all of those that visited us at the hospital and to all of those that were sending out their prayers, they worked. Gabi performed like a champ and we couldn't feel more blessed to have the friends and family behind us the help us through this experience. We know with the continued support of all of you we are going to be just fine.

Photos...

Mommy has had these pictures for a little while and forgot to post them. Check me out, I am becoming quite the self sufficient little girl.

Papa Acker took this pic. he sure is fun to look at, I love my Papa!

Snugglin with Daddy and Sissy is the best!

NG Feeding Tube

This morning we had to bring Gabi to the hospital for a short visit. Hopefully we will be able to leave friday, but that would be the earliest. She will be hooked up to the NG feeding tube, which will stay in until her heart surgery. The tube will be used as a supplement since she does not eat enough. This should beef her up some. Because we had to go this direction, looks like it will buy her an earlier surgery date, but it has not been set yet. Only one parent is allowed to stay with her, so of course that would be me. Daddy is here most of the time, but he does have to work. Lucky for him he gets to sleep in the big comfy bed at home while Iget a chair/bed, oh well she is worth the discomfort. Guess I will just have to get a massage next week! I will definitely keep up with updates, I don't have a whole lot to do at the hospital except watch my baby sleep. Say a little prayer for our sweet angel!

2 months later...

I cannot believe my baby girl is 2 months old today! She amazes us more and more each day. She stares at me, Daddy, and Gracie a lot, she smiles, sometimes she even giggles...at least that what we call it. Before you know it she will be saying MOMMY, that WILL be her first word!

She had a big day on Sunday. At church she had her baby dedication. Instead of baptizing her when she has no clue what that means, we decided to dedicate ourselves to raising her in a good christian home. Then when she is old enough to make her own decisions she can chose to accept Christ and be baptized. It was a very simple little ceremony especially for her. She got a new little dress for the occassion, she was quite the little diva. And for the first time she was awake throughout the entire service. Our pastor said a special prayer for her and us and got a little choked up, it was so ssweet. It is a day we will always remember!

Today we went for another big weigh in. It was not so good, she weighed 7lbs. 5oz. she did not gain the 3-4oz. we needed. Dr. Kelley thinks it is not related to an eating problem he thinks is all is because of her heart. She just works so hard, poor baby! So I called the cardiologist, Dr. Parthiban, but she was out today, so I am waiting for a call tomorrow morning. I am really anticipating the call, I know what to expect, I just don't want to accept it. More than likely we will be in the hopsital this work for the feeding tube. I will keep everyone posted. Dr. Kelley did say he wouldn't be surprised if we had surgery prior to what we were told last. So we appreciate the contiuous prayers for our little angel!

Our Sweet Angel

Sissy took me picture... ain't I cute!

It's been about a week, so I figured it was time for an update. We got so excited with last weeks weight gain, that I think someone has forgotten she needs to keep eating in order to pack on more weight. We visited the cardiologist yesterday. Gabi has only gained 3oz. since last Thursday. It's good because she is on the right track, but bad because she is not gaining enough. We need to see her gain more like an ounce a day, so we increased her caloric intake to 26 calories per feeding. Hopefully this will help, but the true test will be on Monday when we go for a weight check. Yesterday she weighed in at 7lbs. 5oz., if she doesn't not gain 3-4oz. then she will be put in the hospital for tube feeding. When she is in the hospital Jason and I will learn how to tube feed her and once we are comfortable doing it she can come home. It sounds very scarey to me, but I will do whatever it take to get my baby to a healthier place. I asked a lot more about when they think she will go in for surgery. The cardiologist says, ideally they would like Gabi to be 11lbs., but if we do not reach that weight by 4 months of age, then that will be the time we do it. So it looks like May will be a big month for us, hopefully sooner though. Gabi is not in any pain, she just has to work harder! I just want her to be at ease and at a point she can grow and we don't have to worry about any set back. Right now the set back is her heart, she gets tired very quickly and that is why she is not eating as well. She uses so much energy just breath, poor baby has nothing left to grow at least not as much as we need.

I have been a bit emotional lately. I am coming to the reality that my baby is going to have a major surgery soon. I know she will be just fine, but the thought of them working on her heart is overwhelming. Jason, Gracie, Gabi, and myself have been attending church regularly and it helps keep things in the right prospective. We are constantly praying for Gabi's health, but it is still very tough on my heart...emotionally! This little girl has given me a new outlook on life, she is making me a better person. She may only be 8 weeks old, but she has been a part of me for almost a year, she is my special angel and I will forever be thankful she came into our lives.

Chunky Monkey...

We went back in today for another weigh in. Gabi weighs 7lbs. 2oz. Wow I can't believe how much she has gained in a week and a half almost an entire pound...that's my little Chunky Monkey :) It is as if she just figured out what her tummy is for. I was so excited for the gain I almost cried at the doctors office. Our cardiologist would like her to be 11lbs. before surgery, so she still has a bit more to gain, but at least now we are on the right track.

What a week!!!

Daddy has been very busy on the computer so Mommy hasn't had much of a chance to update... until now. A lot has happened since Valentine's day. We had a bit of a scare on friday at the cardiologist appointment. Gabi hasn't been gaining enough weight still, so the doctor said if she didn't gain by today we would try to increase the caloric intake again, then if that didn't work we would have to tube feed her. But as always she waits till the last second to pull through. She gained 8oz. since last monday... that is fantastic! We are finally onto something good. She hung out with Mema and Papa on friday night. Mema gave her a good talk and told her how important it is to eat...ALOT. I told Mema that the next time we have eating issues I am sending her over for another talk.

Saturday we picked up Gracie and we went to Barnes and Noble in Topeka. They had story time and we attended with the girls, the topic was Down Syndrome Awareness. It was great especially since we had not addressed the issue to Gracie. We felt it explained it to her in a way that was very light and easy for her to understand. Gracie will tell you this... Gabi can and will do about everything I can, I just might need to help her more. Of course she doesn't totally comprehend, but what 5 year old (6 next month) can, besides Gabi is her sister and she will always watch over her! Just a little FYI...Gracie and Gabi made their debut on tv for the first time. The local news did a story about the D.S. Awareness, we are trying to find a link to view the story, but so far no luck...I will post it if I can get something. Our girls are stars already!

This is the first time Mommy and Gracie did my hair, so of course they captured the moment!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Gabi's first holiday! How could anyone turn down this angel?

Weighing In...

Yesterday we went to visit Dr. Kelley for the big weigh in. Last week she was 6lbs. so we had to see an increase or else she would have to go to the hospital for a short stay. Well she chuncked up a little, she gained 4oz. We are so happy and so proud of our little Gabers, that is her officail nickname from Mommy, Daddy, and Gracie! This afternoon I got a call from the cardiologist, and she gave Gabi 2 thumbs up. So unless her eating decreases then we don't see her again until the 23rd. Well I would love to update more, but baby girl is a squawkin...gotta check on her.

Almost 4 weeks...

Such a cutie, even when sleeping!!

First off I can't believe it has taken me so long to update this and I apologize. I have been busy taking Gabi to the doctor and still adjusting to this new lifestyle. I must say though I love my life, my daughter has given me a whole new meaning for waking up every morning. Not to mention Jason has been home for the last week...looking for a new job. It came as a bit of a surprise, but it definitely is what is best for us. Gabi and I are so excited to have Daddy home every night.

Yesterday we had an appointment with the cardiologist and things could be better. Gabi's heart sounds good, but there is some concern because she has not gained any weight. She has maintained her weight since week 1, but there has been no gain. The reason we think is because she is using all her energy to breathe and control her oxygen levels there is nothing left for her to grow. So she is on a very strict high calorie diet and if she does not gain weight by Monday, she will be hospitalized so the expert can take a close look as to what is going on. Hopefully our little angel will pull through and pack on some weight. Of course we don't want her to end up in the hospital, but we also are preparing a bit for it...you just never know. She is such a fighter! She ate fairly well today but she spit up more than normal, so we are gonna see how tomorrow goes before calling the doctor. That is one thing I am not afraid or think it is silly to do, I don't call like a crazy psycho mom, but if I am concerned I will call. Hey this is my first and she also has more needs so I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Today Jason picked up Gracie for a long weekend, Parent Teacher conferences. Hers was last night the teacher said they are putting her in some accelerated classes. We are so proud of her! Sometimes she likes for us to think she can't do things, but getting reports like that we know she just wants Daddy to do things for her...no more of that...Yeah right, she'll always be Daddy's Girl and he will always do things for her :)

Tonight before Gracie actually fell asleep Daddy tucked her in and said he 'd come in a few mintues to check on her, bofore he could she came out. She said she couldn't sleep cause she was so excited to see him! It was so cute and so sweet...I could tell it melted his heart. So he held her a little bit and she fell asleep in his arms on the couch. It's moments like this that I look forward to with Gabi, but to see it with Gracie and Jason is so special too!