2 months old (30 weeks)

Hello Everyone,
I have to report we are surviving life with a preemie at home. Alyssa has now been home for 12 days. She is alot like a newborn in ways and much different also. She eats small amount like a newborn, wakes every 3 hours to eat and happy to report poops like a newborn. She is more alert and aware of her surroundings than a typical newborn. She lifts her head and holds it up to look at me, she is so strong. Damian, Nicholas, Evan and I are still adjusting but things are going well. I've learned to go to bed much earlier than normal to be to survive getting up every 3 hours with her during the night. I also sleep wit her as much as possible and let other things be put off. Alyssa is also the loudest sleeper compared to her brothers. She grunts and makes other loud sounds during the night while she sleeps; I'm slowly adjusting to it.. Alyssa is a joy to have at home. I'm enjoying every minute and every cuddle.

I have to say more than anything I'm the most happy that Alyssa can poop. After the scare we had a month ago not knowing if our daughter had the nerve development yet to do such a small yet vital task, its a joy to change a dirty diaper. Most "normal" children this is something your never think of, I know myself never thought of it in the past with the boys. The little things are children can do we never think about, its such a blessing to have a healthy child. Being at Texas Children's for the last 3 weeks of Alyssa's hospital stay was eye opening. I can't tell you how many sick children I saw in hallways, beds, wheelchairs and thought  to myself WOW. Wow that this could be alot harder that it currently it is for us. So now I look at my kids a little different. I am truly a different mom now and so blessed to have 3 healthy children. God was so faithful to us, just as he always has been. It took alot of faith and prayer but God did not leave us or forsake us.

Hopefully soon we can start taking some visitors. My family will be the first to know then friends will follow. Thanks everyone for understanding!

A trip down Alyssa's short journey, look how far she's come.

Days old

1 month old

2 months old 

 God is so good!!!

Now Alyssa is home :)

2 months old today

Alyssa is 2 months old today but really only 30 weeks old developmentally. My due date was April 16th.

A preview of Alyssa's newborn pictures, more to come.

Psalm 89:1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

Welcome Home Alyssa - 47 days old

Alyssa's journey home has finally come. Alyssa now weighs 4 pounds 7 ounces. We want to say thank you to everyone who has prayed for Alyssa and our family. God truly heard everyone's prayers! We truly appreciate the time you sacrificed to pray for us, call us, text us, make a meal for us, watch Evan for us and etc. A HUGE thank you goes to my sister aka Alyssa's aunt Erika; she spent ALOT of time at our house in the past 7 weeks watching Evan so Damian and I could both be at the hospital. She was such a blessing to us!!!!

Alyssa last nurse Monica saying goodbye

Were ready to take our baby girl home

Daddy bringing Alyssa home

Evan's first reactions to Alyssa's arrival

Evan sang his ABC's when he saw Alyssa for the first time.

My babies

Daddy daughter time

Ready for bed at home

Cuddle time with big brother

Home At Last

This will be my last post for awhile now that Alyssa is home. I will continue to update the blog periodically on Alyssa's progress and etc.

Now that Alyssa is home we ask all our family and friends to please be patient with Alyssa's continued recovery to grow her immune system and body more before we have visitors. Please read the letter below which will help explain more about her continued recovery moving forward. Thanks for your understanding!

Dear family and friends,

I’m super excited that I have reached the point in my journey to finally say I’m coming home soon! I have overcome so many obstacles along the way and I am getting stronger and stronger every single day. Mommy and Daddy cannot thank you enough for the outpouring of support, understanding, and love that has been received from everyone. So many of you have done so much for us along the way and we truly appreciate every bit of your help, concern, thoughts, and prayers.

Now that I am transitioning to home, I ask that you continue to support me as I grow. Please remember that I am still small and even though I am not in the hospital anymore, I continue to have special needs simply because I was born early.

My immune system isn’t completely developed yet, so I am going to need you please not visit me if you are feeling sick. Even if you just have a cold, please stay at home. I know you really want to meet me and I want to meet you too, but even a common cold can make me very sick. When you do come to visit me, my parents ask that you take off your shoes at the door and wash your hands when you arrive. My mommy and daddy also have a great big stash of hand sanitizer so don’t forget to take a few squirts of that before you touch or hold me.

My respiratory system is also still vulnerable. So if you do come over to my home, please don’t wear any strong perfume or cologne. If you smoke I am going to need you change your clothing and refrain from smoking before you come to visit me. My lungs are very sensitive and cannot take even the smell of second hand smoke.

If it is RSV or flu season, please understand that I may not be able to visit with you just yet. Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is a respiratory virus that isn’t any worse than a common cold, but for preemies like me, the virus can be quite different and very scary. Babies like me that were born before 36 weeks gestation are at highest risk for complications like bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and other serious breathing problems that could put us back in the hospital. Sometimes the side effects are so bad that they can be fatal for babies like me. Preventing the spread of RSV can be very difficult. The virus is spread through physical contact or through the air if you sneeze or cough. RSV can live on hands for up to 6 hours and on surfaces for up to 12 hours. It is spread very easily, especially by children. So please understand when my parents don’t have visitors during this season. (October through April)

Please ask my mommy and daddy when a good time would be to visit and be mindful of how long you stay. Because my sensory system is also learning how to cope with my new world, I may get overstimulated easily. In the NICU I was kept in a warm, dark and mostly quiet place. I slept a lot while I was in the hospital, but I will still need to sleep and rest a lot now too. If I am asleep when you arrive, please allow me to keep sleeping. I need all of my energy to eat, grow, and thrive. Too much stimulation or over stimulation may set me back. Please understand and respect my space if I need it.

Please know that this letter is not meant to hurt or offend anyone, it is simply meant to show that even though I may be home, I am still a preemie and need some extra time to grow and thrive.

Thank you for understanding and respecting my parent’s decisions to keep me happy and healthy. They have been through one of the biggest challenges of their lives and we are finally home, safe and sound. I am super excited that you want to meet me and I cannot wait to be part of your world.

Hugs and kisses,

Alyssa Lauren Lee

46 days old

Alyssa had a wonderful Monday. I spent a good part of the day with Alyssa. I spent lots of Kangaroo time with her. Kangaroo care or skin to skin time is wear to place the baby against your bare skin to her bare skin. This Kangaroo care is proven to increase breast milk production and help bonding between mom and baby. We found out today Alyssa is coming home tomorrow!!!! We are so excited and looking forward to having our baby girl home!!!

Kangaroo Time with Alyssa

Alyssa's Room is ready for her

 The mobile I made for Alyssa

Now that Alyssa is coming home we ask all our family and friends to please be patient with Alyssa's continued recovery to grow her immune system and body more before we have visitors. Please read the letter below which will help explain more about her continued recovery moving forward. Thanks for your understanding!

Dear family and friends,

I’m super excited that I have reached the point in my journey to finally say I’m coming home soon! I have overcome so many obstacles along the way and I am getting stronger and stronger every single day. Mommy and Daddy cannot thank you enough for the outpouring of support, understanding, and love that has been received from everyone. So many of you have done so much for us along the way and we truly appreciate every bit of your help, concern, thoughts, and prayers.

Now that I am transitioning to home, I ask that you continue to support me as I grow. Please remember that I am still small and even though I am not in the hospital anymore, I continue to have special needs simply because I was born early.

My immune system isn’t completely developed yet, so I am going to need you to please not visit me if you are feeling sick. Even if you just have a cold, please stay at home. I know you really want to meet me and I want to meet you too, but even a common cold can make me very sick. When you do come to visit me, my parents ask that you take off your shoes at the door and wash your hands when you arrive. My mommy and daddy also have a great big stash of hand sanitizer so don’t forget to take a few squirts of that before you touch or hold me.

My respiratory system is also still vulnerable. So if you do come over to my home, please don’t wear any strong perfume or cologne. If you smoke I am going to need you change your clothing and refrain from smoking before you come to visit me. My lungs are very sensitive and cannot take even the smell of second hand smoke.

If it is RSV or flu season, please understand that I may not be able to visit with you just yet. Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV is a respiratory virus that isn’t any worse than a common cold, but for preemies like me, the virus can be quite different and very scary. Babies like me that were born before 36 weeks gestation are at highest risk for complications like bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and other serious breathing problems that could put us back in the hospital. Sometimes the side effects are so bad that they can be fatal for babies like me. Preventing the spread of RSV can be very difficult. The virus is spread through physical contact or through the air if you sneeze or cough. RSV can live on hands for up to 6 hours and on surfaces for up to 12 hours. It is spread very easily, especially by children. So please understand when my parents don’t have visitors during this season. (October through April)

Please ask my mommy and daddy when a good time would be to visit and be mindful of how long you stay. Because my sensory system is also learning how to cope with my new world, I may get overstimulated easily. In the NICU I was kept in a warm, dark and mostly quiet place. I slept a lot while I was in the hospital, but I will still need to sleep and rest a lot now too. If I am asleep when you arrive, please allow me to keep sleeping. I need all of my energy to eat, grow, and thrive. Too much stimulation or over stimulation may set me back. Please understand and respect my space if I need it.

Please know that this letter is not meant to hurt or offend anyone, it is simply meant to show that even though I may be home, I am still a preemie and need some extra time to grow and thrive.

Thank you for understanding and respecting my parent’s decisions to keep me happy and healthy. They have been through one of the biggest challenges of their lives and we are finally home, safe and sound. I am super excited that you want to meet me and I cannot wait to be part of your world.

Hugs and kisses,

Alyssa Lauren Lee

Alyssa's aunt Erika will be participating and raising money for March of Dimes, which is foundation who helps support premature babies.1 in every 8 babies is born too soon and too small.

Join my sister "March for Dimes" in honor of Alyssa on April 28th!

Link to Join my sister in the walk and/or to donate below.