43, 44 and 45 days old

Alyssa continues to progress with feedings and weight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As of Sunday she weighs 4 pounds and 6 ounces. I am having some issues with my breast milk production. For some reason the amount decreased by almost half. I started taking an herbal supplement Saturday to help get my milk supply back up. It looks like Alyssa will be coming home early this week. They won't tell us a for sure date but just that its most likely this week. We spent most of the weekend getting last minutes things done around the house ready for baby girl.

He is not here; for he is risen! Luke 24:6

HAPPY EASTER!

41 & 42 days old

Alyssa had a wonderful Wednesday and Thursday. She continues to eat very well. The doctors are now giving 2 feedings a day of formula to fatten her up with more calories. She eats very fast and continues to breast feed also. Texas Children's requires all parents take infant CPR and car seat education before discharge. I completed CPR on Wednesday and our car seat education is scheduled for Friday. The doctors seem to give us the impression they will be letting her go home soon. So I'm thinking Monday or Tuesday. Wednesday Alyssa's pic-line was removed which has been in her arm since we were at Methodist. It was inserted in her left arm and had tons of tape covering it. When they removed it I saw something new on her I'd never seen, her birthmark. I'm looking forward to the days ahead and scared also. She is so tiny and it's very different form bringing a newborn home. I have also chosen to keep Evan out of preschool to avoid him bringing anything home for school. Since Alyssa is more prone to infection; I don't want to take any chances with her health. I know this will give me more peace of mind but it will also be a challenge at home with a new baby and 3 year old. Please pray for the days ahead, for I know it will be a challenge. I have already implemented a higher hand washing routine in the house as of a couple of days ago.

Alyssa's Birthmark

Our beautiful baby girl

40 days old

Alyssa had a wonderful Tuesday. I breast feed Alyssa again and she did great. She continues do well and now weighs 4 lbs 3 ounces. I spoke to the doctor who thinks she is close to going home, maybe within a week. Alyssa continues to poop which is very exciting considering her past issues. God is so good!!!!

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:23

Alyssa very full and happy after I breast feed her.

39 days old

Alyssa had a wonderful Monday. Monday mid day they removed Alyssa from her incubator and placed her into a regular bed. As long she can maintain her own body heat moving forward she will remain in the regular crib. Alyssa pulled out her feeding tube again on Sunday night so they just left it out since she's taking all her feeds by bottle and breast now. I was so excited to see her without a tube in her nose. I spoke to Alyssa's doctor and she thinks if she continues to gain weight and do well she could be going home in a week or so. I heard that and was so excited and freaked out at the same time. We have a little to do before she comes home and our house is a disaster. Between going to the hospital everyday, pumping and continuing to maintain routine, not much is getting done around our house. I know your thinking how is she typing this blog, this is what I do while I pump :) Pumping is the way I stay connected to the rest of the world these days via email, Facebook and etc.

Please pray for Alyssa's continued success. Below is a letter for our Family and Friends to help you understand the journey for Alyssa going home. Please take a moment to read it.

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

36 - 38 days old

Alyssa had a wonderful Friday. Friday during the day I was able to practice breast feeding again with Alyssa which went very well.

Holding Alyssa Friday

35 days old

Thursday morning we received WONDERFUL news, Alyssa test results came back showing she was negative for Hirschsprung's disease. When the nurse told me I just started crying, I was so happy. God is so good, I give him ALL the glory. Alyssa continued to take the bottle all day. Ill also be breast feeding once a day to help her practice. Looking forward to the day I can nurse her. Weeping may last through the night, but JOY comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5. Joy did come Thursday morning!!!!

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.

34 days old

Alyssa is doing well in her new environment hospital). They started her feeds again Wednesday and will increase the amount every 12 hours.I spent most of the day at the hospital and daddy took his turn in the evening. We are still waiting on test results of the Hirschsprung's disease biopsy. Trusting God!

She loves being wrapped up tight in her little bed.

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

http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?pp=2493290&ct=4&w=6079044&u=elmian0&bt=15