NOVEMBER 2010

Well, where do I start... First off, I would like to appologise for my mom and dad's laziness.. I can not belive its been over a month since the last time they posted on my blog. They kept saying that they needed to update, But I guess they have been really busy.....

So, for a little update on whats been going on for the last month.

1. Mom and Dad have been working hard on the New house so we can move in by the 1st of December. I can't wait to get in my new room. It's 99% DONE!!!! Pretty much the only things left to do on the house before we can move in is getting Carpet, installing base boards and then door trim... everything else, is pretty much ready! We are so EXCITED!

2. Nate and Nikki came down for Fall Break and we really had a lot of fun getting to know each other. I sure do miss them. I can't wait till they get to come back. This was the first time that they really got to spend time with me.

3. We got to go to General Conference a couple of nights and I got to meet a LOT of new people who had been praying for me. WOW... Seems like the whole world was praying for me. I even met a few people that mommy and daddy didn't even know.

4. Ok, so now for a little info about me. I now weigh 7lbs and 9 oz!! I'm getting so big! I am also now 19" long. I'm finally able to wear "newborn" clothes instead of Baby Doll or Preemie clothes.

I've been home from the Hospital just over a month and I'm now 4 months old so I have had a few Dr. Appointments. In fact, I went to the Pedi-Cardiologist today and he done a sonogram and EKG on me and both came back normal. He said that he does not see any of the damage that he was seeing on my lungs before I left the hospital. THANK YOU JESUS. I am still on my Oxygen and Monitor because he said the PULMONOLOGIST has to be the one who actually writes the orders for me to be taken off of my oxygen. I have an appointment witht him on NOV. 15th. YEAH!!! My Cardiologist did recommend us trying me without oxygen during the day and monitor my Oxy Saturations.

Aunt Rita came over this week from Louisiana to help watch me at night so that mommy can get a little rest. She is also baby sitting me in the Evening so that mommy and daddy can have time when daddy gets off work so that they can go over to the new house and work. She is really a blessing!!!!

We will try to post a few current pictures VERY SOON. Please contine to be patient with us. Life in the Riddick house has been very BUSY to say the least!!!

PS... NEWS... FLASH...
I have figured out today that if I throw my head one way and kick with me feet, I can ROLL OVER!!! Yep, I have figured out how to roll over!!!

10-1-2010

Hello everyone....

Wow, where do I start... This week has been absolutly amazing. My first week at home, with family and friends. I have enjoyed meeting new people and seeing old friends.

Aunt NaNa has been working from our house so that she can help take care of me during the day so Mommy can get a little rest during the day while daddy is at work. Poor mommy, I wake her up every time I move. Since I have the Monitor on me that tends to go off at every little movement, it is so easy to wake her up. Then you add all the times I wake up to be fed, cause my diaper needs changed, cause I'm cold or uncomfy, equals, not much rest for MOMMY. Daddy took his turn with me last night so he is tired today.

I visited UPC General Conference on wednesday and slept through the whole thing. I got to meet some of the people who have been praying for me the last 3 months. Some who mommy and daddy didn't even know. I get to go back tonight and meet some other new people. They tell me I am a part of a BIG FAMILY... the MK FAMILY!! I get to meet some of those people tonight at the MK PIZZA BASH! I can't wait.

We picked up Nate, Nikki and Matt at the airport today. Nate and Nikki are staying for a week while they are on fall break. This is the first time that we have been able to get to know each other since last time they were here I was stuck in that YUCKY incubator at the Hospital. They are pretty cool.

Then we met Uncle Rusty, Aunt Adriane, Todd, Ryan, Gentry, and the Harris's at Taco Cabana for lunch. That was fun!

Now I'm back at the hotel, resting up for tonight.

Hope to see you there,
BESOS

Sept. 25, 2010

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm doing GREAT and LOVING being @ HOME!!!

Sept. 23, 2010

Today's the Start of a NEW ERA... HOME!!! I can't wait to be able to get there. Sure seems like the FORCES are fighting us though. UGH. We are not even trying to go home yet and it took an act of congress just to get ready to spend the night in the Hospital.

Mommy fought all day trying to get my medicine and Oxygen ready. After being STERN and telling the pharmacy that, tomorrow is not soon enough... it has to be tonight, finally they said, ok, give us 2 hours!!!

Then the battle of getting the Oxygen Delivered.... after 2 Faxes, 4 calls, 3 people, and 2 deliveries, we finally got the equipment!!!! And then, we still have another delivery when we get home. However, we did get a different oxygen bottle, so now we have 2 travel, t large travel, and a large stationary on its way.

Another step of the Discharge process is passing the Car Seat Challenge. Thats where I sit in the car seat for an hour and a half while being monitored to see if there is any change in my breathing, etc. I PASSED!!!

So, now here we are, just CHILLIN in the Room. The first time for me to be alone with Mommy and Daddy. . . as a family, without everyone telling us what to do, how to do it, etc... So far, we have fitted the car seat, fed me, and now just enjoying our time together. Its almost like just being born, Which by the way, tomorrow is my 3 month birthday. So far, our stay over is going just fine and we will be going home tomorrow! I can't wait!

Discharge:

As far as we know, Discharge will be after 8pm. UGH... I wish it could be earlier, but hey at least I get to go home. FINALLY!

Sept. 22, 2010

Just a quick note to let everyone know that they have diven us a DISCHARGE DATE!!! Yep, i finally get to go home on Friday, Sept. 24th... WHAT A BIRTHDAY PRESENT!!!

They finally gave us the Results of the APNEA test and everything came back normal. They did a barrium swallow test today and it showed that I have a little ACID REFLUX so they are prescribing Medicine for that.

The EYE DOCTOR came by today and said that my eys are doing really good. infact so good that usually she would ask to see a patient back within a month, but she told mommy to just get them checked within the year!!!

Mommy and Daddy have to "ROOM IN" tomorrow night since I am being discharged on Oxygen and Monitors. That is where they come and we all stay together in a room (like a hotel) at the NICU but Mommy and Daddy take care of me. The nurses are only a call away if they have a question or need help, but other than that, it's just us.

Thank you everyone who has continuously prayed for our family during these 3 months. It has been an experience to say the least. Definatly one that mommy and daddy will NEVER FORGET!

Sept. 21, 2010

Now I lay me down to sleep.....

Well, today has been a a little restful, after yesterdays events, I NEEDED REST! So, we thought the OCRG was 8 hours, it turns out that it is actually 12 hours. It started at 10 and didn't end until 10pm. UGH. That was rough.

First off, they took me out of my comfy z-flo bed isolet, and put me into an Open Crib. Then, they put monitors on me and BOUND ME UP so I couldn't hardly move and would stay warm. I'm not used to being bound all day. I also had to lay FLAT on my back, yet another thing that I have never done. Then to top it off, they wouldn't let mommy and daddy hold me, change my diaper, check my temp, or feed me. They said that they had to be careful and to log every change in me, so the nurse did everything during that time. They even had to write down every time that someone put my binky back in my mouth.

We still do not have any results from the OCRG, so we still don't know when we going home, if I need the Barrium Swallow test, When I'm going to do the Car seat challenge, etc. All we know is,

WE WANT OUT OF HERE... SOON!!!

We will post more as soon as we have more news to post.

Thanks again to everyone who has been praying for me and please don't stop now.

September 15th-18th, 2010

Right off the bat let me say we are sorry for not updating blog for last several days but things have been happening in a whirl wind around here!



I am doing really well and here is a very quick update as it is really really late and we have to get up really early in the morning! :O)



We had great news on the 15th as Dr Casey said that she was going to take me off the Nasal Canual and ween me off the Oxygen! Sooo..off it comes and I seem to be doing very well except when I eat, I have to have a little O2 then.



Then on the 16th we had and Echocardiogram which the Drs discovered that I have Pulminary Hypertension meaning that due to my prematurity my lungs did not properly develope and there is damamged lung tissue that causes the lungs to have built up blood pressure inside the lungs due to trying force the air out of the lungs thru damaged tissue! So what this means is that I have to be on constant oxygen, 100% at an eighth of a liter. Dr said that I would probably be on this oxygen for 3 to 6 months. We know a God who can make it all better in NO time at all!



We found out on the 17th that we are about to be going home!!!! Yay! We had an MRI on my head/brain to make sure no additional brain bleeds or any abnormalities! God is good! Results came back quickly and my brain is normal! :O) No Bleeds! Thank you Jesus!



On Monday we have a Sleep Study Test scheduled called an OCRG. This test will last 8 hrs and will monitor my every movement from inside and out to check to see if I am experiencing any apnea or if I have acid reflux. Test will be read on Tuesday. Depending on if I have acid reflux and how bad, there is a Barrium Swallow test that may be performed on Wednesday then they have to watch me for 2 days afterward since they would probably put me on medication for Acid Reflux and they want to see how I do on the meds. Then Daddy and Mommy have to sleep with me at the Hospital the evening before I get discharged. They completely care for me in a set aside hospital room by theirselves so that they can learn how to use the oxygen and monitors but if there are any problems, then the nurses are just a call away! I also have to pass a car seat challenge meaning that I am placed in my car seat for about 2 hrs under the care of the nurses so they can see if while all crunched up in there, I don't turn blue! Once all these things are completed then they will let us go home! Thank You Jesus! We are possibly looking at going home Mid to late next week! Not sure on date just depends on the tests and the outcomes!



Please be praying for my tests this up coming week that the Lord will have His Perfect Will and His Way!



Also, the Eye Dr came around and told Mommy that there is no evidence of ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity) meaning NO abnormalities in the vessels in my eyes! She said that there was a few odds and ends but nothing to be worried about! Again, Thank you Jesus!



Love everyone and Thank you for your continuous prayers!