Teaser..birth story to come

I have finally finished Gunner's birth story, a labor of love in itself. I will be posting it on November 17th in honor of National Prematurity Awareness Day. Stay tuned!

A visual...for those who find me neurotic

This is the difference between Gunner and a full term newborn baby:



So, when you look at the perfect fatty fatso outside, you have to remember this is the preterm 4lb at birth inside. His lungs won't catch up until he is at the very least two. So that may be when I will become less neurotic. maybe.

the RSV letter...

To all our Family & Friends,

Now that Fall is upon us and Winter is right around the corner, I wanted to take this time to remind everyone that RSV season is here (October thru April). For those of you who are unaware what RSV is, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), is more than just a cold. It's a serious and contagious virus for young children especially those born less than 36 weeks. Our little Gunner was born at 33 weeks. What is a common cold or mild cough for us as adults can manifest itself into something more dangerous to the babies if they are exposed to it, especially our babies who were born prematurely.

It is very, very easy to contract RSV. It is spread by physical contact (such as shaking hands with an infected person) or thru the air (usually from sneezing or coughing). RSV can also live for several hours on surfaces, such as doorknobs, telephones, faucet handles, counters or used tissues, towels, etc. RSV infections are very common in areas where people are crowded together. In homes where there are multiple children, such as us, RSV can spread very rapidly from child to child. And older children can even bring the virus home from school or a friend's house.

Gunner considered high-risk. Greyson and I have received our flu shots and Brian is getting one too. I am fighting with the insurance company to get synagis, a shot that will help prevent or lessen the effects of RSV for Gunner. If babies his age get RSV it can be really problematic with breathing. Greyson got it and had to have breathing treatments and they were really worried about him. Gunner on the other hand will most likely have to be hospitalized if he gets it and due to his prematurity it may even be fatal.

Even though his is getting big, is doing so well, and is otherwise healthy, we still need to be extra careful (maybe even anal) about illness, especially RSV.

So with that, we would like to ask visitors, that if or when you come over, to please wash your hands before touching Gunner. Please try to get a flu shot, if it's possible for you, before they run out. Also, please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick, or you were sick but have not been symptom-free for at least 5 days, or have been in contact with someone who is/was really sick.

We will not be venturing out much with Gunner until Spring is here, which unfortunately includes some family, birthday, and holiday gatherings, unless we determine the environment will be safe and germ free for him at that particular time.

We really want to make it through the winter without ending up in the hospital. His lungs have come a long way. But believe it or not, they are still very fragile, at least until they are two. Then we can all breathe a little easier.

Please don't take this the wrong way. This email was not meant to offend anyone or isolate us from anyone or anything in particular. We are just trying to do what is best for the kids. We are taking the threat of RSV very seriously and just needed to set some simple guidelines. We hope you understand and appreciate your respect on this matter.

Here is a link to better educate you on RSV and what can be done to prevent it:
[www.preemiecare.org]

Proof of a Miracle

That is what his onsie says... I agree.



As we embark on the beginning of cold and flu season, I find my self just plain neurotic. Brian is convinced that I am, I will wear that label proudly. I have been trying to decide wether to post the "RSV Letter" that has been circling the Preemie Board where I go to chat with other preemie moms who dealing with the same issues I am. I probably will, although everyone who reads this already knows what it says. oh well.

Gunner has a stuffy nose. So what do I do? Obsessively check his head for a temp, google RSV symptoms, and worry my butt off. Yes, he is a miracle, we got it once, do I really want to risk it again?

How Preemie Moms are Chosen

Stolen from a fellow preemie mom's blog, in honor of all of us, especially during November! I'm "borrowing" this from Million $$'s blog. Not sure if it's been posted before, but I absolutely love it. A little religious, but beautiful.



~How Preemie Moms Are Chosen~*~
(Erma Bombeck)

Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his
instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he
observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew.
Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia.
Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint...give her Gerard. He's used to
profanity."
Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles.
"Give her a preemie." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God?
She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God.
"Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That
would be cruel."
"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea
of self-pity and despair.
Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it.
I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so
rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of its own.
She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."
God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect She has
just the right amount of selfishness."
The angel gasps, "Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally,
she will never survive.
Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.
She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.
She will never take for granted a spoken word.
She will never consider a step ordinary.
When her child says momma for the first time,
she will be witness to a miracle and know it.
I will permit her to see clearly the things I see--
ignorance, cruelty, prejudice--
and allow her to rise above them.
She will never be alone.
I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life
because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."
"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in
the air.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month

I have to say we were lucky....so lucky. There are tons of babies who are not. If you click on the link you can donate in Gunner's name if you feel so obliged. Not forcing anyone...however, in April, when I do the local March of Dimes Walk, there will be some force :)

4 month (actual) chek up

We just got back from Gunner's 4 month check up and he did great, the doc is very pleased with his growth and development. She said he seems to be pretty on track as far as development goes and as he has put on 4 pounds and 5 inches in less than three months!

here are the stats:

weight: 11lb 15oz (4th percentile--for FT babies)

length: 22 1/2in (not on term scale yet)

Head Circ: 40cm (5th percentile--for FT babies)

She has been the only one to see him and immediately noticed how big he is getting as she walked in the door! So in other words, it went well. No news on synagis yet...I will fight for it, but can't guarantee he will get it.