Big brother came with us today to visit his baby sister. He always does so good in the NICU  

heavy diapers.... that's what we want

Last night Cataleya had an 11mg diaper. Her nurse almost did cart wheels. We celebrate the little victories & that's why I love her nurses. They genuinely care. The wet diapers means the meds are working on her kidneys. Her doctor said "we like 11!" I took this picture because all day while we were there she kept rolling over to her stomach from her back or sliding down. They say she's feisty but when she gets a belly she won't be able to roll anymore. We'll see though, there's already so much that she's proved everybody wrong with :) 

strapped down

Cataleya's nurse had to strap her down to try & keep her from rolling around but it didn't work. She managed to flip over on her belly & her nurse said "at this point.. We're going to let her do what she wants" haha. Cataleya didn't gain or lose any weight which is good. Doctor hasn't been in yet so we'll know of any changes when we go back tonight

mornings with Cataleya

We spent most of the morning with Cataleya. The meds seem to be working & doctor said her kidneys are working a little bit better. They're going to keep an eye on her & start feeding her milk again. I took this picture during her assessment, she doesn't like when they bother her but her nurses are awesome :)

Kidney issues =(

So we went to visit Cataleya again tonight. They checked out her heart & the doctor said hers looked great. He was even surprised because he said most preemies have heart murmurs but Cataleya does not. Also her ultrasound came back & although her kidneys look great.. She's not peeing like they would like her too, so her kidneys aren't functioning the way they want them too.. they're not exactly sure why. They're cutting back on some medications & giving her some different meds to see if it helps. So far God has blessed us with an amazing daughter who's a fighter. I have faith he'll see her through this.

2 hours with our princess

We spent 2 hours with Cataleya last night. Her grandparents came to visit her (they come visit every night) & her daddy got to hold her. Her nurse did mention she's had a few more Brady's but she's still breathing all on her own. She also mentioned they would be doing an ultrasound to check on her kidneys today. We stopped by this morning & spent time with her again. They haven't done the ultrasound yet & she's Brady'd a few more times. Please keep our princess in your prayers. we should find out about the ultrasound when we come back for our night visit.

good night & morning

Cataleya had a good night & good morning. She's still breathing on her own... They upped her milk again because she's digesting it well & she gained another ounce. God is great, tonight her daddy gets to hold her. :)

another good night...

Tonight was mama's turn to kangaroo with my princess. Such a special hour in my day... When I can just snuggle with my little girl. I was able to keep her warm & she gained an ounce! We definitely celebrate every progress she makes especially her gaining weight. Your prayers have helped our little girl each &.every day. You have no idea how grateful we are that you keep her in your prayers :)
Another good night in the books...

Gained weight!!!

Gained weight over the night and she is now breathing on her own without any help!!! Today is a great day so far!!!

Daddy's turn

Tonight was another great night. It was daddys turn to kangaroo with our princess. She gained weight, she is doing well with being introduced to the milk but they'll check her out every 4 hours so we'll find out more tomorrow. Going to sleep on a good note tonight. One day at a time & your prayers are amazing. :) 

She's a fighter

We visit Cataleya a few times a day. Right now she needs to rest but I just want her to hear my voice. I want her to know we're there. As soon as we walked in she was awake. They did another ultrasound on her brain. Results should be in tomorrow, they do ultrasounds on her brain weekly. She is now off cpap & has a nasal canula. We got some more pictures & her nurse said as long as her day stays good, she'll be able to kangaroo tonight too. I'm not getting my hopes up too high but it would be awesome if we can. Tonight would be dads turn :) & she'll also get to meet her older sister Elisa & her aunt Kelli. I love how loved my princess is. ultrasound tech said "you have a beautiful daughter, she's definitely a fighter". Yes she is :)

Kangaroo care!!

Cataleya lost more weight. She's now down to 12 ounces but is still doing good. They took her off the billiruben lights & tonight we got to do kangaroo care (skin to skin contact). She did great & I got to hold her for an hour :D
Next time will be dads turn :)
Please keep your prayers coming because they sure are working!!!

Every day you are AMAZING

Every day with Cataleya is a blessing. Every second I can't be there to watch her breathe feels like an eternity & some may not even understand but my role is to be a mother to my children...including my newest addition regardless of whether or not I can hold her physically. Every time she hears my voice or her dads.... Every time she can sense us there... Or we just touch her for a few seconds.. Helps her grow... Makes her stronger... At least in my eyes it does... I will be there for her every minute.. Of every second of every day that I can... Today she is here... Today God blessed me with a beautiful 5 day ..Less then 1lb baby girl who is a fighter & for that I am forever grateful.

Sat with Cataleya

We spent more time sitting with Cataleya tonight. Maybe it's because we know we can't just wake up at anytime through out the night to walk down the hall & into the NICU to check on her... Regardless we just sat & watched her breath for over an hour. She had a few Brady's (where she stops breathing) which is normal for a preemie her age. Regardless of how normal it is.. It's still pretty scary. One time daddy even had to stick his hand in the incubator to rub her belly & remind her to breathe. She was fine after that. Her nurse mentioned us being able to hold her some time in the near future....

Thank you Mindy

Thank you Mindy for setting this up. :)

No news...

No news is good news. Cataleya had a good night. A few bradies but they say it's normal. Her xrays this morning looked good. Your prayers are working. Thank you & please keep them coming

Another good day

Another good day for Cataleya. Today her older sisters (Mika & Keira) got to see her & tell her they love her. We also said goodnight. The tube going down her throat was removed today & she is now on cpap which is oxygen through her nose. We can see her cute little mouth & I think Keira showed her how to stick her tongue out. Keep your prayers coming, they sure are working :)

Welcome Cataleya

Mama finally gets to see Cataleya's beautiful eyes

Cataleya's collage

Cataleya's night nurse made this adorable collage for us :)

Who's boss

We said goodnight to Cataleya. She was wide awake & letting the nurses know "who's boss". Her nurse got some great pictures of us with her & of her with her eyes open. She's gained some of the weight back that she lost. She's doing just fine :) goodnight xoxo

daddys hand & Cataleya's foot print...

Good Morning Cataleya

We went & said good morning to Cataleya. Her nurse said she had a great morning & a good night. She did mention they're going to change a few things later so we will update you as soon as we know something. Thank you for your continued prayers. They're working.

goodnight Cataleya

We went by to say goodnight to Cataleya. We got her footprints... They're the size of my thumb. They even took off her stylish glasses so we could see her beautiful eyes. As soon as she heard her dads voice... Her eyes were wide open. They started her on electrolytes & fat nutrients. I tried to get a picture of her legs being crossed but as soon as I went to snap the picture... She uncrossed her legs haha love my baby girl.

Doctor said honeymoon is over

Dad went to visit Cataleya. Please keep her Iin your prayers because the honeymoon is about over.

my first diaper

This is my first diaper & it's still too big!

 

Went to see Cataleya

Just went to see Cataleya in the NICU. Doctor said she is doing good. She's intubated but they're not giving her any oxygen through there, she's breathing on her own & doing good today. she's lounging under the lights to get her color on. Thank you for all the prayers.. please keep them coming :)