#gastrowarrior

Happy #oneweekold birthday baby! It's been such a BIG week! Matilda is definitely living up to her name's meaning: mighty in battle. Yesterday had some sudden, good but challenging and rather unexpected changes! Since she's been doing SO well on room air and can be swaddled they said she can be switched to a crib! That was all set up while we were doing #kangaroocare and then, before she got there, we learned she'd be changing rooms to a step down "pod!" We had heard that she would eventually move but it so suddenly occurred; glad both Dad and Mom just happened to be there! The pod is exciting because it means she doesn't need intense care but also exhausting because we just became comfortable in our routines and now its changing! We're switching from an individual room to a looooong room with 16 babies separated by curtains. I think it will be good for her to be surrounded by noise especially when we're not here: if she was still in utero it'd be pretty loud! But it requires us to figure out all the new things and readjust which is difficult when we haven't slept much 😴🤪. Goals for week 2: continued healing for baby, get all 3 of our babies some #familytime, and keep working on pumping strategies so as to be successful but also get some sleep! #gastrowarrior #Gastroschisis #changes #icandoallthingsthroughchrist #pumpingmom #tired #blessed #mightytilly (at Nationwide Children's Hospital Main Campus) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHlVTsFL2X5/?igshid=1tm0a4cemuzgi

Happiest parents ever?!? Yesterday I woke up to this picture of Dad holding Matilda! I screamed 😍 When he arrived no insides were outside! The surgeons told him they'd close it that afternoon. He must have shown how excited he was to hold her that they came back a little later and did so. Closing involved taking a spring out that had been holding the hole in her abdomen open and then using the umbilical cord to cover it. It's referred to as a suture-less closure and is really good because she doesn't need to be put under for surgery. Praise the Lord!!! And thank you all for your prayers! #holdingbaby #gastroschisis #gastrowarrior #kangaroocare #thankyoujesus #soinlove (at Nationwide Children's Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHcpZi1LDbm/?igshid=zwfbwgicwmu4

Hey there beautiful! Matilda is doing well and her surgeons are really making progress. You can see in these 2 bottom pics how much progress was made yesterday. The first one was after the surgeons reduced it early Monday and the second when I returned late Monday for a quick visit. Her heart was beating quickly with the increased pressure but hopefully acclimates and they can finish today. Thanks to all who have reached out. Please understand we want to respond to individual messages and the amazingly generous outpouring of love we've received. Currently we're focused on the ever-changing demands of #NICUlife, #pumpingmom (and #incrediblysupportivedad) life, and trying to be there for our 2 amazing kids whose lives have turned upside down - and maybe even sleep one day soon! When we can we hope to respond to each and every one of you individually. In the meantime know we're updating here as we can, and we are feeling your prayers and love. #Gastroschisis #gastrowarrior #gastrofamily https://www.instagram.com/p/CHaEFLWLdVI/?igshid=1jjy3o9d9w9ob

My first #crochet for baby! An #octoforpreemie! Apparently the tentacles feel like umbilical cords so the little ones feel some familiarity in the #NICU. Plus, as another #gastroschisis mom said, it looks a little like our #gastrowarrior with the insides out! I made 2 practice ones for the 4 & 2 year old, so now we've got a family of small octopi! It's about 6-7 inches long. Small, like Baby G! Overall the appointments this week were really good but baby didn't put on as much weight as they were hoping. At 34 weeks 5 days baby is just 3 lb 15 oz. Hoping for 5 lb by birth in 2 weeks! So different than my previous 9.5 and 8.5+ lb babies 🤣 2 weeks and so much I'd like to do before then. Please keep our to-do list and peace in your prayers. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. So thankful for all who have been like Christ to us and have ran errands for us or offered help! We don't know much about what we'll need but a friend so lovingly put together a meal train. If you would like that info, feel free to DM. But, mostly what we ask are for your prayers! https://www.instagram.com/p/CG-0DD_rvmK/?igshid=1913iazd4iy9v

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