Ups and Downs

This week we got to experience our first "rounds" with the doctors. It's amazing how thorough they are and how much time they spend on each patient. They also took the time to translate because about 90% of the stuff they discussed we didn't understand : ) They took time to answer all of our question - it's just proof that we are in the right place!

Alexander had his first "down" that we had been warned about. Two nights ago he began needing more oxygen to breath. For his first week of life he had only needed about 20% through the ventilator, but it skyrocketed to 70%. Fortunately he settled himself and today was floating between 35-45%. Their goal is to keep him under 50% but ideally they would like him where he was before at using only the 20%. Oxygen aid impacts eyesight and in premies can cause blindness. So it's important to keep it as low as Alex can tolerate. 

Today, in Alex's daily x-ray, a spot of what they believe to be fluid showed up on his lung. They are trying to shift how he is laying to help drain it and are sucking more fluid out of his mouth than previously - he's so small he can't cough or clear his throat so they have to do all the suction out.

The positive news is that Alexander is tolerating my breast milk very well. He's up to 6cc every 4 hours through his feeding tube. He will be put on a pump today that will help give him the breast milk slowly over the course of the 4 hours instead of all at once, as he was getting. On Friday, they will be fortifying my milk with more vitamins and minerals. This also increases the calories. On average, an ounce of breast milk is 20 calories, and with the additions, it will be about 27 calories per ounce. I'd like to think that through my experience with fattening up Andrew, my milk is more like a Whitey's malt than the average but we shall see : ) 

This will all help him gain weight too, which is the ultimate goal because a bigger baby can fight lung disease and infection better. He's now back up to 1 lb, 4 oz. We expect that he will be up and down day to day, but should expect him to gain week over week. We believe that his digestion track is all working as he's been having wet diapers and he had his first black tar poo! Can't believe we could be so thrilled with poo : )

The doctors think it's "awesome" that he has been able to be off antibotics so far - so hopefully we can keep that streak going and avoid any infections.

They were able to turn off his lamps as his billirubin numbers were down to a 3 - they need to be under 7 to turn off the lamps. They had to be turned on a little today but were back off this afternoon. You will see him without his special goggles in the photos below!

So the next couple weeks will be critical for Alexander. Our focus is to 1) manage his lung disease and keep his oxygen levels down - if he can start to breath better and get a little bigger than they can move him to a different ventilator; 2) eat and grow; and 3) stay infection free!!

We also got to help take his temperature and change his diaper this week, which helped me feel more like his mother : ) Here are some new photos of our little man:

Are these two brothers or what?!?!?

Alexander

Andrew

One Week Old!

Alexander is one week old - it's amazing how fast time flies! Hopefully it will continue to go this fast and this well until the day we take him home! We had lots of positive updates in the last couple days. First, the brain ultrasound came back and it looked perfect! Our nurse said this was a very big deal so it's something we are very excited about. He had to have a shot for his lungs on Saturday but that is something that will probably be ongoing as needed. He's now taking 5 cc of breast milk in his feeding tube every six hours - 10x what he had a couple days after birth. The nurses expect him to start gaining weight sometime this week since he's eating so much. 

Pete was able to visit him on Saturday before he went to the Iowa game - the coldest one on record! And Nana (my mom) stopped by on her way home and let me Facetime with him and his nurses. A BIG THANK YOU to my mom for coming to stay with us to help take care of me, our family and our home. We couldn't do it without you Mom!!

In other Stopulos Family news - we sold our house! Yes, do we really need any other big changes around here?? When I returned from the hospital the first time, we had decided to put it on the market as planned. We thought baby would hold off much longer at that point. Then, we ended up with several showings on Alexander's birthday and the days following. By the time I got home on Wednesday, we had two offers! We are thankful as now we will be able to figure out a plan so we can get a room ready for Alexander to come home!

Holding Strong and Steady

I was able to spend the day with Alex today - he continues to do extremely well! They've increased his food - he is now up to 3 cc's of breast milk every 6 hours. He is losing weight but we can expect that he will lose up to 15% of his birth weight. 

He had an ECHO done on his heart to check for any defects and we are so happy to report that everything looks perfect! He also had an ultrasound done on his brain to examine things since he was born - especially with the trama from a c-section. They look for defects and any brain bleeds. We are waiting to hear the results and are praying for another perfect report.

Alex is also breathing well with limited assistance from the ventilator. The doctor visited with me today and said he is doing so well if he was larger they could move him to another ventilator.  

We couldn't be happier with Alex's progress and with the care he is receiving in the NICU. The nurses and doctors are amazing - they continue to keep us informed and educated about each step. We are so very blessed - God is so great!!

Here are some new photos of Alex.

Here is Nana showing Andrew photos of Baby Alex, which Andrew calls "Al" at this point in time.

Alexander the Great

Alexander continues to impress his doctors and nurses! They said he is doing very well and holding strong. This is just the beginning of a very long journey, but he's got a good start. His levels are strong and they are able to give him a little less support. He's also eating well and is able to take my milk now too! 

Alex moves a lot, which the nurses said is a good sign. He grabbed and held our hands this morning - a very special moment for us. Here are a few photos of how the nurses decorated his room. 

More updates to come! Please keep the prayers coming - we know they are working! It's been overwhelming and amazing with the outpouring of support. We couldn't feel more loved or blessed. Thank you all for everything!!!

The First 48 Hours

Things are going well here! The doctors said the first 48-72 hours are the most critical and Alexander has come through very well. He has needed little support and they are very pleased with his stability so far. While he is still in critical condition due to his size, they "really couldn't be happier." They did mention that these NICU newborns can go through a bit of a "honeymoon phase" and then need some further adjustments with support outside the womb, but we will just have to wait and see about that for Mr. Alexander. Hopefully he will continue to be our Alexander the Great and stay strong and steady!

My progress continues to be slow - I never would wish a C-section recovery on anyone! It's slow to move around and get up, and walking was too difficult today. The good news is my milk began to come in! So much in fact that I was able to give Alex one serving (1 cc) of milk that he will take through a feeding tube. It should come in more aggressively tomorrow and we should be off and running. 

The support system here at the University is truly wonderful. The nurses and doctors provide the best care to me and to Alex. They are always here to answer questions and provide support. There is also a NICU social worker on staff to help us through paperwork and provide resources for assistance. Everyone has said that we are in the right place and I couldn't agree more! Iowa City was always one of my most favorite places on earth and now it truly is due to the 'U' or the University of Iowa Hospitals.

Here are some photos that were taken by the staff today - check out that hairline! Exactly like Dad and big brother Andrew!

Alexander Michael Stopulos is Here!

We believe that every family has a story - and sometimes, as Pete says, the sequel can be a bit more interesting. 

Last week, on Tuesday, November 12, I went into the hospital with cramps, contractions and mild bleeding. Dr. Barr - wonderful as usual - checked me and found I was already dilated one centimeter. I was taken by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals. There is no hospital in the Quad Cities equipped to handle babies younger than 30 weeks. I was given two steroid shots and magnesium to stop the progression of labor.  It worked and on Thursday I was sent home. 

We had two uneventful days, when on Saturday evening, November 16, I began having regular contractions. I rested, I walked, I took a bath but nothing was making them go away. So we went back to Dr. Barr that night and she checked me again and I was continuing to dilate - this time to 2 centimeters. Instead of another ambulance ride, Pete and I opted to drive to Iowa City. Once we were there, they started the magnesium again, but this time it was to help prepare the baby's brain. There was really nothing else they could do to prevent the birth and doctors said that there may be a reason the birth was to occur that they didn't know about. Contractions continued throughout the night and at 4 AM I was 100% effaced and a birth was coming. Baby Stop II was breach so they planned for a cesarean section. By 5:00 AM we were prepped for surgery. I was scared but in extensive labor pains. As they were preparing the spinal tap, my water broke. So the quick planning by the doctors was perfect as they were already in position to quickly take the baby with the C-section. 

Alexander Michael Stopulos was born at 5:50 AM on November 17, 2013 - at only 24 weeks, 6 days gestation. He was 1 lb 8 oz and was approximately 12 inches long.

So far he is doing very well. These first three days are the hardest because they are closely monitoring his levels and seeing what he can handle - or what his normal assistance should be. He has a breathing ventilator, feeding tube and IV for fluids and one for blood. He had a blood transfusion today, which we can expect him to have a couple. The course of action is to keep him comfortable and growing! As soon as I have milk to provide he will eat that, but otherwise he will be using the milk bank so we can start getting nutrients. There are so many wonderful things we are learning people do for others, like donate breast milk. It's hard being in this situation but a learning experience that I know one day we will appreciate.

We will keep Alexander's story coming as it is starting out so different from his brother's, but know he is surrounded by love and faith and that we will bring him home!