More Calories...

So we met with a Dietitian last week. Greyson weighed 16 pounds 9 ounces, which was a fantastic weight gain from his last appointment (15lbs 3 oz). However, his weight is comparable to a 6 month old and his adjusted age is 10 months. The Dietitian explained that it is important to help him catch up in the weight department b/c this can affect his overall growth development.

Here’s our plan:

4-5 bottles a day with 4oz of water and 3 full scoops of formula- add calories! It is a must that he stay on the high calories formula until July and then we might have to transition to Pedisure.

3 meals a day and snacks, snacks, snacks

I’m going to start adding butter/olive oil to the foods that I make him. I just made a breakfast batch that consisted of bananas, blackberries and peanut butter! Peanut butter is good and adds calories – I just worry about the choking hazard and that is why I threw it in the blender with the other fruits. And I must say the concoction was delish! I recently discovered that Grey loves Mexican rice and bean and the cheese dip! I’ll enviously watch as he indulges in bad calories! I’m slightly joking with that comment b/c it is important that he get all the needed nutrients and not just fill up on empty calories like sugar. Oh and I’ve bought avocados, which he now likes- more good fats.

So if anyone has any ideas on how to beef up my little biscuit… my ears are open!

News from the Preemie Clinic

Development Update

I haven’t updated the blog with our preemie clinic appointment results. Grey had his one year follow up visit about 2 weeks ago. Overall they are happy with his progress. However, there is a bit of concern about Grey’s weight. At the appointment he weighed 15 pounds 3 ounces. He isn’t gaining weight as quickly as we would all like. Their immediate suggestion was more concentrated formula to increase calories. Our pediatrician recommended adding olive oil to his baby food. There is a variety of suggestions surrounding this topic but I have an appointment next week with a nutritionist, who will do a full evaluation. I’m happy to say that Grey has gained a full pound since the appointment so he’s over 16 pounds today – I’m not completely concerned with this recent weight attention. Grey loves to eat everything – however, the bottle is proving to be the challenge. He isn’t too interested in his bottle lately. He refuses the bottle then immediately gobbles up veggies and fruits. I’m looking for ways to make his bottle more desirable- maybe I’ll add some ice cream!

Another milestone- Grey is walking behind toys! My sister dropped off a mini doll stroller the other day and suggested we allow Grey to push and walk behind it. Well, he is walking behind the stroller! He is also standing at random moments unassisted for a few seconds. My baby is growing into a toddler.

In the next few weeks I am going to start volunteering with Parents Reaching Out. This program was placed on hold last year due to funding but they are up and running again. I had an interview with the Director the other day and I shared our story. My role will be a peer counselor. I’ll talk with parents who are going through a similar NICU situation – I’m hoping to bring these scared, vulnerable parents some much needed comfort and support.

March for Babies 2010!

Today my family and friends headed out to our first March of Dimes walk. The weather was amazing and we had a wonderful time. I was excited to actually meet several babies of blogs I follow. It was even more exciting to see so many people coming together to fight prematurity! Everyone has their own story, but we all share the same hope. The hope that one day all babies will be born healthy.

Grey Grey's shirt says "Walk for Me 1 lb 10 oz"

Grey and I with Kim Meeks and Mary Farris. Kim also had HELLP syndrome and delivered Mary Farris at 25 weeks. She weighed 1 pound 3 ounces.

Prayers for the Nelson Family...

Dear Friends & Family -

I recently learned that a friend from college needs some serious prayers. Patrick Nelson & Amanda Nelson need prayers for their precious son, Jon Beckett Nelson. Beckett is 6 mos old and sustained serious injuries on April 5th 2010. It is reported that his babysitter put him down on her bed (not in a crib) and he somehow got his head lodged between the mattress and head board. "Jon Beckett was taken initially to StoneCrest Medical Center where he received heroic life-sustaining medical care for severe head trauma, and has remained in critical care at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital since that time,"

Please pray for Patrick, Amanda and Beckett! We need another miracle.

Here is a picture of precious Beckett... taken from the facebook group "praying for jon beckett nelson"




A fund has been set-up at Suntrust bank for the Nelson family. The parents have been sitting by their son's bedside for 2 weeks now and we all know how fast medical bills accumulate.

My thoughts continue to be with the Nelson family... I am physically sick to hear these horrible news. Please say a prayer and hold your babies a little closer tonight.

a day at the park

We took Greyson to the park on Saturday. The weather was beautiful; Matthew and I were eager to get him on a swing! I was a little reluctant once I saw the swing and immediately imagined him some how falling through one the leg holes… keep in mind he weighs less than 16 pound. However, he seemed to fit somewhat securely - so we began his first swinging experience. I think he really enjoyed the ride. There were lots of smiles and laughs.

Seriously checking out his other swing mates :)

HELP ME FIGHT PREMATURITY

So it is time that I step up my fundraising for the March of Dimes Walk! I only have 14 days now to raise money for this awesome foundation.

So, why is the March of Dimes so important? Well, one good reason is surfactant. Without getting all scientific I will try to explain surfactant’s purpose in simple terms. Surfactant helps the tiny air sacs in the lungs to stay open. After birth, Grey’s lungs were so underdeveloped that his tiny air sacs would collapse- causing respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). His lungs would not open when he breathed in air.

After birth Grey received a dose of synthetic surfactant and then 3 days later he received another “rescue dose.” So, who was smart enough to develop artificial surfactant? In the 1980s, therapy using artificial surfactant was developed by March of Dimes grantee T. Allen Merritt, M.D., of the UC San Diego Medical Center. Since then, the number of babies who die from RDS has gone from 10,000 per year to fewer than 1,000. March of Dimes!!



When Grey was born, his lungs were in the bottom left development stage. He lacked alveoli (air sacs) to keep his lungs open. So he had the branches but he was lacking some very important leaves. These little leaves develop in the third trimester. The tiny air sacs that Grey had developed were able to stay open b/c of the surfactant he received.

So, our baby was able to grow from this...




To a healthy one year old...



Thank you March of Dimes for your outstanding research!

Just Texting From the Crib