A Day in the Life of the McGurk Family: March 2014

Monday, March 31, 2014

Sean's Timeline March 24-27th.

Monday 3-24-14:      Discharge plans being made.
Tuesday 3-25-14:      Car Seat test-passed, hearing test-passed.
Wed.       3-26-14:      PICC Line OUT! No more IV'S!
Thursday 3-27-14:    SEAN GOES HOME FINALLY!!!!!!!!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Sean's Sunday Progress

March 23, 2014-

I didn't see Sean today. I gave the day to Duane so I could spend some time with Melanie, do laundry and see my parents before they make their way back to CA. I miss him super much! I crave that little baby. I miss his smell, holding him, kissing on him, just being near him. Duane said that his feeding had been increased again to 44cc, decreased his TPN which may actually get removed today. They asked him if we had a car seat, if we were CPR certified and that Sean will be given a hearing test. We think, we hope we pray that these are all signs pointing to discharge soon. Duane was also told that I may get to introduce a "full" breast for a feeding today. YAY! I pray that, that goes well. Slowly but surely this little baby is making progress. He's a brave, strong, little cutie.

Sean's Saturday Progress

March 22, 2014-
Sean is doing great eating and pooping & peeing. :-) He can stink it up with the best of them! HA! Don't you just love breast milk? They increased his feeding to 34cc and decreased his TPN. He's sleeping on a flat mattress now instead of having the head of the bed raised. I put him to my breast again and again an he's not quite sure what to do with it since he's been given a bottle so many times. But he did latch on a few times while I manually squeezed out milk and then he realized "Hey I know this taste!" And he suckled. But it is a much different technique than using a bottle, so he tired easily and pushed away. But we'll keep practicing.

Friday, March 21, 2014

National Down Syndrome Day 3-21

I didn't know there was a day set aside for Down Syndrome. Here's a sweet article to read about it. http://www.nohandsbutours.com/2014/03/21/created-perfectly/Thanks for passing this on Rebekah! I can't wait to get my sweet little Sean home and start learning everything I can about this amazing little boy.

To Sean, From Melanie

"I want Baby Sean home right NOW, THIS instant."

Sean Progress

Yesterday the Dr.'s increased Sean's breast milk bottle feeds from 10ml. per feed to 18ml. They also decreased that same amount in his PICC line for TPN. He seems to have tolerated the amount well. I'm still trying to put him to my breast in between feeds and he has latched on. But he doesn't seem to be too hungry so he takes himself off. I hope that soon I'll be able to give him full access to my breast and when he's hungry he'll take to me. I keep reminding myself that although breast feeding is natural, it's not always easy. It's like a work of art. Together you & your baby will make a masterpiece. It just takes time, practice & patience.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

March 19, 2014

I did get Sean to latch on to my breast for about 10 seconds before they brought him the bottle yesterday. Which really isn't what they wanted me to do. They'd prefer me to feed him the bottle first. But, then he wouldn't be hungry. I'll be trying again & again all day today.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Prepare Yourself: March 18, 2014

Seriously, you need to prepare yourself. Your heart is about to melt like a sweet yummy chocolate bar resting in the warm Summer sun and your breath may even be stolen right out of you. I know mine has been.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
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Sean-this is who you guys have all been praying for. He is just our precious gift sent straight from Heaven and right to us. Thank you so much for all your prayers. Look how good he looks. He's improved dramatically! The night before, his nasal tube was taken out. He had his MAMA'S MILK for the first time yesterday instead of that pedialyte! Although the milk came in the form of a bottle, it was his mama's milk made especially for him. I may get to try actual breastfeeding today. I hope so. I'm praying for it. I'm praying he latches well and wants me more than he wants the bottle. Thank you Lord for this very special little guy and this wonderful milestone today!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

March 17, 2014 Update

I saw my sweet lil baby Sean today. Surgery requested him to have a suppository to help his poopie move along since he is having bowel sounds. Sometime between Sunday & Monday he did have a poop! According to the Dr. this is pretty much surgery's game field. And they are next wanting to have the nasal tube taken out. Which is a super great thing. Then surgery will want to test Sean's tummy with either a small dose of pedialyte or mama's milk. If he can tolerate that without vomiting and aspirating I think the game plan is to start a feeding schedule. Everyone-friends, family, strangers please pray that the first food he gets is NOT pedialyte. Please pray the surgeon will have good knowledge of mama's milk: how gentle it is on a baby's tummy-easily digested, full of amazing healthy properties that only a mama can make specifically to her child. Please pray the surgeon will be understanding that I am his food supply-and I want it that way. It's God's way. Please pray that if they do try pedialyte that I don't become the angriest mama you have ever seen. Please pray I have self control, I keep my composure to not cry and get hysterical. Please pray that I WILL be calm, God's strength be upon me and he gives me the knowledge and guidance to say and do what is BEST for Sean's benefit so I CAN persuade the surgeon to let me try breast feeding instead. Please pray that this team of professionals taking care of my baby while he recovers will SEE and KNOW that the breast IS best and my milk WILL help Sean to recover. And no matter what fluid Sean gets, the most important thing is that he doesn't vomit it back up or aspirate. Please pray Sean's body absorbs it and tolerates it and wants more of only what his mama can give him.

-We also have an appointment with a genetics Dr. this morning. Please pray that goes well also. Thank you friends and family for all your help, encouraging words, meals, clothes, prayers, smiles, groceries, just all the help that you all have given us. I appreciate each and everyone of you.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Sean's Little Foot & Mama's Thumb

March 15, 2014

Sweet Sean Smiles March 14, 2014

So Snuggly Close: March 12, 2014

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Well The Tube is Back: March 13, 2014

It's a bummer the tube had to go back in. But if he's not absorbing the stuff in his tummy and having a bowel movement it needs to be back in. :-(

I just want him to go poopie so that tube can come out and we can begin feeding. Then maybe we'll be one step closer to coming home.

Making Progress: March 11, 2014

Look how BEAUTIFUL he is. Oh man this lil baby-o-mine has just stolen my heart!

He was starting to do well so they took out the nasal tube.

WOW. What a difference that makes.

What a cutie. Thank you GOD for him. Thank you.

Kyle & Baby Sean: March 8, 2014

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Sean March 7, 2014 Two Days Post OP

Look how ALERT he already is!

NO VENT!

AHHH Dada time.

Just watching the world go by.

AHHH, Mama milkie pie pillows. Had to cover part of them up for the pic and prop up his head.

Do you know how difficult it is to do skin to skin with your baby an NOT give him your boobie? Talk about learning self control.

Look at those poor lil feet. The syringe was to flush out his pick line, I believe.

Sean One Day After Surgery 3-6-14

Recovery time. Poor baby. Intubated and on a vent. I was super worried about him going on a vent. Sometimes babies can get lazy and become dependent. I did NOT want that. He's AMAZING. He was off the vent very quick!