13 days old

Alyssa had a great Wednesday! Alyssa had her nasal cannula(clear tube in nose) removed. YAY!
 When visiting her today during lunch she was snug and fast asleep. During our evening visit I got to change my first poppy diaper of hers. This was exciting, more than you could ever imagine! Alyssa also gained weight and is now up to 3 lbs.1 oz. She was so happy once she got her poppy diaper changed because then she was feed and got her binky. Looking forward to seeing her in the morning!

Before her diaper change and feeding

After her diaper was changed

After diaper change and feeding

Happy girl with her binky!

Every good and perfect gift is from above
James 1:17

Got Milk?

For those of you who know how hard it was for me to breast feed and pump before, you can see God has blessed me with an abundance of milk for Alyssa. Great news since preemie's get better 50% faster on breast milk :)

12 days old

Alyssa had a great Tuesday! Today Alyssa did lose a little weight but nothing she won't gain back pretty easily. She continues to increase every 12 hours on her breast milk intake, which is great news. When we arrived during lunch we found out she had a bath. During our our visit in in the evening daddy got to hold Alyssa for the 2nd time. It was so sweet seeing my little girl in her daddy's arms.

Looking up at her daddy

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10

11 days old

Alyssa had a great Monday! She was taken off photo therapy (blue light) today. She has continued to take my breast milk and they continue to increase her feeding intake every 6 hours. Aunt Erika, big brother Evan and I visit Alyssa during lunch time. This evening daddy and I made our evening visit to our baby girl also.

Evan giving kisses to baby sister

Evan giving Alyssa hugs

Alyssa is so snug in her little bed

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

10 days old

Alyssa had another good day. I got to hold her today for the 3rd time. I talked to her, kissed on her and rocked her to sleep. It was the best part of my day! Alyssa had to be on photo therapy (blue light) again today. They anticipate she will be removed from it tomorrow. We also found out her spinal tap is showing negative for yeast thus far. The nurses say Alyssa is feisty, which they say is really good thing :) Alyssa currently weights 2.14, she is back to her birth weight. They also began giving her my breast milk again yesterday.

 I am so thankful that Jesus is with Alyssa every moment I can't be and continues to bring our family peace during this tough time.

Me holding Alyssa

Under the blue light again

FOR THIS CHILD I HAVE PRAYED - 1 Samuel 1:27

Thank You to all the ladies who came to my baby shower. Thanks for coming and showering me with your love, encouragement, blessing, support and prayers during this difficult time!!! 

I love yall!!!

9 days old

Alyssa had another good day. They did find that her Bilirubin count was high so she got placed under the "blue light"again in the afternoon. Today many friends and family blessed Alyssa with tons of gifts at my baby shower. She is going to one well dressed little girl! 

Morning Picture

Evening picture, under the "blue light"

A shot of her little bed in her room, she now has some decorations for her temporary room.

8 days old

Alyssa went through some more changes again. She was removed from the Cpap(large tube from her nose) again and was replaced with the smaller clear tube in her nose. She had to get an IV placed in her head temporarily. She had a central line IV that was in her leg but it was causing her leg to swell so they removed it. Eventually they will try again to place another central line. The central line allow them access to her system on a more long term basis, rather than the typical IV. She was more calm and laid back today. When we visited for lunch and in the evening she opened her yes several times and then went back to sleep. She was all snug as a bug in her little bed. The doctors say she is doing great!

For you created my inner most being;you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  Psalm 139:13-14

7 days old

Alyssa has had quite a day. Damian and I went up to hospital as usual during lunch to visit our baby girl. After speaking with her doctors and nurses found out another round of test was being conducted to rule out yeast in her blood. We walked in on the nurse putting a catheter in Alyssa, followed by a blood prink on her foot. She was not a happy camper and neither was I. I wish I could endure all these tests, pricks and medicines she is having to go through.  Once they were done with all the tests and prinks I got to hold her for the 2nd time. It was pure bliss for Alyssa and I both.

Later in the evening we found out Alyssa did have yeast in her blood. This is going to require a spinal tap for more testing and 21 days on a certain antibiotic. My little girl is so strong, she goes through so much daily. I know God is helping her through this difficult time because he is also helping me. I am daily asking for his peace and giving him my worries.

"I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

6 days old

Today was a good day for Alyssa. We got her test results back which show there is a small hole in her heart but it will close on its own. The doctors have kept her on the Cpap to help her maintain her heart gets stronger. They said she does not have an infection and she did well today.

Below is a picture of Alyssa with her eyes open, she's saying "HI" to you all.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalms 139:13

Alyssa's Birth thru 5 days old

Alyssa Lauren Lee
Birthday - Valentines February 14th @ 1:04am, weight 2.14. length 15 3/4 inches

February 15th - 1 day old
Mommy's first time holding Alyssa

February 16th - 2 days old

February 17th - 3 days old

Holding mommy's hand

Daddy holds Alyssa for the first time

February 18th - 4 days old

The Cpap(large tube on her nose) was removed.

                                          

We saw her ear for the first time since the hat and Cpap was removed.



Tuesday February 19th
Had a rough day. She was put back on the CPap to help her breathing. The doctors ran test because they believe the hole in heart is not completely closed. Apparently all babies have a hole but it closes during birth. Since she was born early it might have not closed all the way. The doctors stopped feeding her my breast milk because of the focus to her heart. They started her on antibiotics, caffeine and ran tons of test. They wont be able to start feedings again until her heart is ok. They also have her on this Cpap which assist her breath. She weighs 2.15, up 1 ounce from birth weight.
5 days old

Mommy
I decided today to start a blog for my baby girl. Mainly because the emotions and hormones really got to me today for the first time. I found myself crying all day and not being able to control what happens to her is hard. For the first time in my life I can't control anything about one of my children. The greatest fear that most parents will experience when our child leave for college or move out. I am experiencing this but in a different way. My baby girl left my womb way to early and I miss her kicks since she left. I have to continue to tell myself "my heavenly father is in control". As a single mother years ago God always provided for Nicholas and I. I went through some dark valleys but God never left me. This valley is brand new and just as dark. I am trying my hardest to focus on God promise to never leave me or forsake me.