Wyatt means little warrior

So far this has been a pretty crazy week for Wyatt.

On Tuesday when I was released from the hospital, Jared and I ran home, packed up a few things and then headed over to see our baby boy.  It was SO good to be able to see his sweet little face and I felt whole again.  Our family was back together. :)  Jared and I settled down in his room and set up for the night.  Our nurse was one that Jared had met the night before and she is just the cutest lady ever.  She has a really fun personality and made us feel very comfortable.  Around 2 or 3 in the morning, she asked us if we would like to hold Wyatt.  Of course, I jumped at the chance. :)
Here we our holding our son for the very first time.

And here's our first family picture :)

Tuesday night/Wednesday morning was pretty uneventful.  They attempted to do a picc line, but it kept curling around when it got to his shoulder and they couldn't get it.

On Wednesday since they couldn't get a picc line, they did a UV line (line that goes through the umbilical cord).  The dr. finally got it after awhile and they took an x-ray to make sure the placement was good.  The x-ray showed that the line was shallow and not very ideal to use, but since there wasn't anything else, it would have to do for the time being.

Wyatt also had a shave biopsy done.  Yep, it's exactly as it sounds.  They shaved some skin off of his back and had to go several layers deep so that they can test how deep his condition goes.  They cut the sample of skin into three smaller samples and are sending each out for a different test.  Test one will be back in one week, but all that will say is if there is a shift in the skin where EB normally occurs.  This test basically means nothing to the dr.'s because it doesn't really tell you anything, plus, the area that they took skin from didn't have any blistering.  The other two samples were sent to USC and the other to Stanford.  It will take 3-4 weeks before we get those results and those test should be able to tell us whether or not Wyatt is positive for EB.

Poor guy was wiped out by the time the day was over!

Jared and I went home on Wednesday evening so that we could get caught up on some sleep.  Leaving Wyatt felt awful. We cried lots of tears that night.

This morning Jared went back to work and I came back up to the hospital.  When I got here I was informed that over the night, they decided that the UV line just wasn't good enough and that they needed to reattempt the picc line.  It worked!!  They got the picc line in and removed the UV line since it really wasn't usable.  When I got here, they were securing the other line that was going through his umbilical cord and were waiting for x-ray to come over to make sure the line was in the right spot so I sat outside the door so I was out of their way. 

I was observing everything they were doing when I noticed that Wyatt's HR started to fall.  Then the machine started making noise alerting that it was dropping.  A respiratory specialist was called for and they had to start CPR.  His HR got as low as 45 and they were breathing for him.  A whole slew of people rushed into his room to try and figure out why he wasn't breathing and brought in a kit to get him intebated.  After several minutes they got him to start breathing on his own again, however, they intebated him anyway for preventative measures.

They had a difficult time getting him intebated since everything on him is so teeny tiny, but they were finally successful after several attempts.  I swear I have never been so scared in my entire life.

Wyatt is stable now and has been all day.

Wyatt also had all of his bandages changed today.  {The plan right now is to have them changed every other day}  The wound specialist let me stay and watch as they unwrapped and rewrapped his extremities and his skin looks so much better than it did the other day! 

They are wrapping him in a bandage that soaked in vaseline and then they are coating an additional layer of aquafor on it before putting it on his skin.  Then they put some wrapping over bandage that has some plastic in it to help moisture stay in and finish the wrap with some meshy stuff and tie it off so that all the bandages stay on.  It's quite a process because all of his fingers and toes have to be separately wrapped so that when they heal, they dont heal together.  I think it took them about 45 minutes to change his bandages today.

After a long, scary day, Wyatt is finally sleeping.  Hopefully tomorrow is less eventful.

Wyatt's birth story

After years of TTC, one round of IVF, 26 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, the loss of Michael {twin a}, and 9 weeks of bed rest...

Here is the birth story of Wyatt Reid Barney

Friday the 13th - I had been having back pain and cramps all day on Thursday that continued onto Friday, then when I woke up on Friday I started spotting a little. With the spotting in play, I realized that these were symptoms of preterm labor so my mom took me to L&D to get checked out. Better safe than sorry right? After I was hooked up to the monitoring equipment I learned that I was having contractions every 5 minutes, I just couldn't feel all of them. I had an fFN test done {Fetal fibronectin} which came back positive so I was admitted for overnight monitoring. This test is basically predicts whether or not you will go into labor within the next 3 weeks. If the test comes back positive you have a 15% chance that will happen. I received round one of steroids {to help with lung development in case he came early} at 1:00 and was put on a 24 hour magnesium sulfate drip {to help control contractions and it also helps babies brain development}. I was also given procardia to help control contractions. The remainder of Friday was pretty uneventful. My mom, Jared and I all just hung out and visited in my room.

Saturday, April 14th - My mom and I spent the morning visiting with each other. We made a list of things that need to be done before Wyatt comes and made a list of what needs to be put in my hospital bag and she also taught me some breathing techniques. Since I was having owey cramps, she told me that I could practice the breathing whenever I had a cramp so that when the time came that I went into labor I would just go on auto pilot and focus on breathing instead of freaking out. I have to admit that I was probably not very much fun to be around. The magnesium had some nasty side effects that left me feeling completely drugged up and depressed. I may or may not have vocally felt sorry for myself several times that morning. I received round 2 of steroids at 1:00 that afternoon and completed the magnesium sulfate drip. My mom and I talked about whether or not she should change her flight for her to leave a different day, but things looked like they were going very well and I was going to be discharged from the hospital the next day. I told her that I wasn't going to have Wyatt for 10 more weeks so it would be okay for her to get on her flight. She left at 2:30.

Jared came up to the hospital after dropping off mom and settled in for the night. He had spent the day chopping wood with his dad and BIL and was pretty wiped out. I was still having contractions and cramps and they seemed to be getting worse so I stared practicing my breathing and focusing on how long each of them lasted, which was anywhere from 30-45 seconds long. We watched a movie and tried going to sleep around 10 or 11 because Jared was so tired. I really wanted to fall asleep but I had to get up frequently to go to the bathroom, plus the cramps started happening about every 5 minutes. There were still only a few that were picking up as contractions on the monitor, so I tried not to think about it too much.

Sunday, April 15th - Just before 2 am I went to the bathroom for the zillionth time and when I checked the pee there was some blood in it. I had Jared call for my nurse and by the time she made it to the room I was dripping blood into the toilet. Lindsey immediately called the head nurse Linda and when Linda got there she took one look and ordered me to get back in bed immediately because "we're having a baby tonight". She checked to see if I had dilated because she was concerned that I was going to tear through my cerclage. I had just started dilating and calls were put in to my Dr. and an anesthesiologist in case I had to go in for an emergency c section. About 10 minutes and a couple of contractions later, Linda checked me again. This time I was dilated to an 8 or 9. She kind of freaked out and told me "DON'T PUSH AT ALL!" I was definitely tearing through my cerclage and was wheeled over to the operating room for an emergency c section within the next 5 minutes. I was moved onto the operating table and given spinal anesthesia while people were running all around getting things ready. Jared was scrubbed in and right before the procedure started they brought him in to sit next to me.

At 2:57 am the Dr. started to cut me open and it smelled pretty awful, {The tool that they use to cut he skin, cauterizes the skin as it cuts to decrease bleeding} so Jared had to leave the room for a minute. He found a rolly chair with a back on it and rolled back in the room just in time because at 3:02, a mere 5 minutes after the procedure began, Wyatt was born. I wasn't able to see him right away but I heard a couple of tiny cries come out of him and by the time they got him over to a table he had already peed. The NICU team was in the room and took over, intebating him and got him ready to move. After a few more minutes he was shown to me for just a second right before he was placed in the incubator and whisked away. Jared went with them.

By 3:30 the Dr finished sewing and stapling me up and I was brought out to recovery until the anesthesia wore off. Jared came back about 20 minutes later because they had to run tests on Wyatt and were in a sterile environment that he was not allowed to go in. The next little bit was spent waking up parents and siblings letting them know that Wyatt had made an early debut. We were brought to my room a little after 5 am and Jared immediately passed out asleep on the chair. I tried to sleep and drifted off here and there, but I was really anxious to see my little Wyatt. At 9 a nurse came in and taught me how to pump so that I could get started and FINALLY at 11 I was allowed to go and see my son.

My whole life I've always thought newborn babies weren't very cute. I've always joked that when I finally did have a baby I'd tell the Dr.
"AH!!!! Put it back!!!"

I know I'm probably a little biased, but I think that Wyatt is perfect. When I was wheeled over to the NICU and brought next to him, I sat net to the incubator and just thought to myself, he is THE most beautiful baby I have ever seen in my entire life.

Wyatt Reid Barney ~ 2 lbs 4 oz. 13.75 inches

The neonatologist informed us that Wyatt seemed to be doing very well. He had been intubated, but was breathing room air, and he was put under light therapy. These two things are pretty much standard for NICU babies. Other than those two things, there weren't any other traditional preemie concerns, however, Wyatt has a skin condition that they are very much concerned about. His skin was "sluffing off in sheets". Antibiotics were administered to him and blood was drawn to test for different infections. All blood tests came back negative for infection so the Dr. thinks that he might have Epidermolysis bullosa.

A call was put in to a dermatologist and after talking with another of the NICU Dr.'s, we were informed that it was a big possibility that Wyatt would need to be transferred to another hospital that had resources better able to diagnose and treat him. Also, because of his skin condition we are not allowed to touch him at all. His skin is so sensitive that any contact can make more skin rub off.

By 4 that afternoon, Wyatt no longer needed to be intubated, so the tube was removed and he started breathing room air completely on his own! A few hours after that he was taken off of light therapy and the shield protecting his eyes was able to be removed. He is definitely daddy's little boy. :) He has his daddy's blonde hair and blue eyes and his nose and his big 'ol forehead, haha. I don't really "feel" like a mom yet and that might be partly because we haven't been allowed to have any contact with him, but the love that I feel for this little person is indescribable.

Monday, April 16th - The neonatologist came in first thing in the morning and informed me that Wyatt did very well during the night, but that after a consult with another Dr., decided that Wyatt did in fact need to be moved to another hospital. Paperwork was filled out and a plan set in motion to get him transported over to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. I spent the entire morning by his side trying to soak up as much time with him as I possibly could before we would be separated. Transport from Children's showed up around 2:00 pm, 4 workers plus the transport driver, all for my little man. It took awhile for everything to be set up to move him, but at 3:00 the RN from Children's asked for me to be wheeled over by Wyatt so he could do a "fly by" for a kiss. Jared and I just looked at each other in complete shock I asked her, are you serious? I really get to kiss him?! To which she responded, of course! He's your son! She brought him in front of me and I kissed his forehead and so did Jared and then he was quickly put into the transport incubator. I tried to stay composed, but as soon as I looked at Jared and saw him crying I just lost it. We held each other as the final preparations were done and a few minutes later I had to say goodbye to my boys. Seeing Wyatt leave without me is probably the hardest thing that I've had to do so far with this entire pregnancy experience, but his daddy's with him and I know he's in good care.

Transport doesn't mess around. :)

Wyatt's new hospital

I spent the remainder of the day researching EB and pumping away since that is the only thing I can do for my son right now. And you know what? I feel pretty awesome because I'm the only person in the world that can do that for him. :)

The night ended with this picture from Jared.

Today, April 17th - My Dr. came in to see me this morning, and because of my circumstances, he is going to let me leave the hospital today. He would normally want to keep me another day or two, but he said that I'm doing very well and wants me to be able to be at the other hospital with Wyatt as soon as I can. The hospital is currently working on getting me discharged and I should be out of here in just a few short hours.

I can't wait to see my boys!!!!!

1 hour glucose = fail

BOO!!!!

I got the results from my glucose screening and I scored too high :(  Apparently you have to score between 60-99 and my results came back at 142.  Poop.  So tomorrow I have to go have the 3 hour test done.  It's a good thing that needles don't super bother me because for those of you who aren't aware, this is the process of this really fun test.

1. Go to a lab

2. Get blood drawn.

3. Drink really nasty super sweet drink.

4. Wait forever then after 1 hour get blood drawn.

5. Wait forever then after another hour get blood drawn.

6. Wait forever then after another hour get blood drawn.

7. You finally get to go home.

Aren't I so lucky?  I get to have my blood drawn not once, not twice, but four times tomorrow morning.

My dr. said that he thinks I'll pass this one just fine and I'm crossing my fingers that he didn't jinx me just by thinking that.

26 Weeks

That ^ is one BIG belly!
8 weeks of bed rest down, woot!  Almost halfway through :)

How far along? 26 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: gained 15 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes

Stretch marks: a few

Best moment this wk: Spending time with my mom <3

Miss anything:

Movement: Lots

  Food cravings: lots and lots of chocolate

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Symptoms: Braxton hicks and some round ligament pain

Have you started to show yet:Yes

Gender: Boy

Labor signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: Off

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy 

Looking forward to: Still waiting on the results to my gestational diabetes screening

I have had SO much fun having my mom here with me!  Right now I most definitely feel like her favorite daughter ;)  She has bought me some maternity clothes, we bought some clothes for Wyatt, she's made every single meal since she's been here, she weeded my entire yard and tomorrow she's planting the garden for me {YAY!!!!}, she and I went through all the baby clothes my SIL gave me a few years ago and she washed, sorted and put them all away... and she was the Easter Bunny :)  We ate way too much chocolate yesterday!  We've also had a lot of down time to visit and enjoy one anothers company.  I'm glad I still get to have her until Saturday, but I think Saturday is just coming way too soon.

I had a GREAT dr.'s appt today.  It was so good that it deserves all caps :)  Really.
Wyatt's AFI measured 14.2,  my CL measured 3.7 {which is .3 more than last week!} and she unofficially measured Wyatt and he is approximately 2.5 lbs.  Yay!
Dr. R told me that she spoke with her colleagues about me and my situation again and the plan as of now is this:
I will be on bed rest until 34 weeks at which point I will be allowed to resume my every day activities again.  The cerclage will be removed at 37 weeks AND they will allow me to go full term!!!  As long as things keep looking good I will NOT have to be induced early!  I love love love this news!
And the icing on the cake, she gave me permission to go see The Hunger Games!  So we're going tomorrow night when Jared gets off of work.  Yay!

Tomorrow I have an appt with my OB and I will find out the results to my gestational diabetes test.  I missed a call from them today and I didn't see it until the office was closed so now I'm worried that I failed it.  But I'm just not going to think about it until I go in tomorrow and find out for sure.

Here's what's going on with Wyatt this week...

• His eyes are forming, and his eyes will soon start to open.
• And his eyelashes are now grown, too.
• He's getting his immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies.
• He's taking breaths, too. They're of amniotic fluid, not air, but it's still good practice.

25 Weeks

I was 25 weeks on Monday!
If Wyatt decided to come this week his chances for survival would be 50-80%.

How far along? 25w2d

Total weight gain/loss: gained 13 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes

Stretch marks: a few

Best moment this wk: My mom came in town! :)

Miss anything: I miss living around by my parents

Movement: Lots

  Food cravings: Strawberries

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Symptoms: Braxton hicks and some round ligament pain

Have you started to show yet:Yes

Gender: Boy

Labor signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: Off

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy 

Looking forward to: The results to my gestational diabetes screening

Last week we got one of the fitted sheet for Wyatt's crib and it's soooo cute!

I love the little elephants!

I also bought his first set of blocks... yes I know it's a little early for the 'toys' but I found them on PBK and fell in love.  Then I found them on ebay for a deal I couldn't pass up :)  I should get them in the mail this week.

My mom flew in on Saturday!!! We hung out and visited on Sat and Sun.  Monday I had an appt with my peri for my p17 shot and an AFI u/s.  My cervix measured 3.4 so it's about .5 shorter than it was at my last measurement 2 weeks ago.  Dr. R says we're in the clear as long as it's longer than 2.5.  Wyatt's AFI measured 15.2 which is a great number.
Since Dr. R's office is right next to the mall, we stopped in really quick so I could get some clothes that actually fit me.  Since I've been stuck in the house, I'm quickly growing out of all of my clothes that used to fit me and I've had to resort to jammy pants and t-shirts 24/7.  Yeah, I'm attractive.  My mom wheeled me around to a couple of stores and then we headed back home with some new maternity clothes for me (yay!) and some cute regular people size clothes for her... and maybe these for Wyatt...

 Tuesday I had the one hour gestational diabetes screening.  You have to be fasting for this test so I was really hungry by the time I was done.  I think I should have those results back by the end of the week.  The medical building just happened to be right next to the mall so we may or may not have stopped there again.  We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory and it was soooo nice to eat out at a restaurant!  (But it was also nice to be able to eat since I was starving!)   We stopped into Motherhood Maternity bc I was in desperate need of some maternity bras of which I am now the proud owner.  They are SO much more comfortable than regular bras are right now!  Anyway, I kind of got a lecture from Jared about being out too much (even though I was in my wheelchair) so it's back to the couch again for the rest of the week.
7.5 weeks down with 8.5-10.5 to go :)

This week Wyatt is the size of an eggplant

During month six, the average fetus measures about 13.6 inches to 14.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 to 2.5 pounds.

• He's enjoying her new sense of equilibrium -- she now knows which way is up and which is down.
• He's growing more fat and more hair too!