We have been blessed with a fantastic team of doctors and nurses that have helped our little girl on her early arrival. We can't say enough about the care here at this facility.
We also have a new appreciation for the Ronald McDonald house and is now on my charitable giving list. They provide a wonderful service to families who have been displaced by a sick child.
Tekla is now 5 days old and is making slow but steady progress. She continues to tolerate her feedings (she want be able to take a bottle for a few more weeks). Currently she is getting fed through a small tube in her nose and through and IV. If she continues to improve, hopefully we will be able to get rid of the IV form. Thanks to Melinda, she is receiving some breast milk, which is so important in helping her build her immune system, develop her lungs and is easier to digest than formula.
Greg and I had to venture out and find a breast pump the day after thanksgiving and ended up in Davis, CA. The location of the only place we could find open on a holiday weekend. Two men, out looking for a breast pump... LOL.
Davis is a small college town with cool little stores, shops and restaurants. On the way Greg spots a sign for "Little Prague" a czech rest. We thought it would be more than appropriate to eat there because of our new "Polish Princess". We got there, place was empty due to holiday weekend and our waitress Heather notices our arm bands (bands we have to were as dad's to enter the NICU) and she got curious. We told her out story, she was crying and hugging us and then gave us her contact information. She told us that if we are still here for Christmas that we were going to spend Christmas with her, her husband and children. It was so cool to find someone so openly friendly and accepting. We need more Heather's in the world!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Princess Tekla
Some people have been curious how we came up with our daughter's name. Several ways.
Tekla in it's original Greek or Italian name means "Gift from God"
Greg's Great Great Grandmother (or aunt, not sure which) name was Tekla and was said to be a very strong woman.
There is also an old tale about Princess Helena Tekla Ossolinska who grew up on a mule farm in Poland. At age 11 her parents grew ill and died. She was adopted by the King and Queen of Poland, however she was very sad because she was adopted she was never able to rule Poland, only her 3 siblings were eligible.
Our daughter's middle name is Elizabeth. My Great Grandmother was Sarah Elizabeth Annie Chasteen. She was a very strong women born in the 1870's. In her 90's she sat down and wrote a brief story of her life (which I have) where she talks about growing up as surviving as a farming family, living through the depression, taking care of her sick husband and returning to become a nursing assistant in her 60's and working at children's hospital - after her husband passed away. She lived independently until she was in her late 80's and then went to assisted living where she lived until the ripe old of age of 96. She often said that life is about learning. If you stop learning, you stop living. - Again a very strong women.
With Tekla coming into this world the way she did, we felt she needed to the name of strong women.
Tekla in it's original Greek or Italian name means "Gift from God"
Greg's Great Great Grandmother (or aunt, not sure which) name was Tekla and was said to be a very strong woman.
There is also an old tale about Princess Helena Tekla Ossolinska who grew up on a mule farm in Poland. At age 11 her parents grew ill and died. She was adopted by the King and Queen of Poland, however she was very sad because she was adopted she was never able to rule Poland, only her 3 siblings were eligible.
Our daughter's middle name is Elizabeth. My Great Grandmother was Sarah Elizabeth Annie Chasteen. She was a very strong women born in the 1870's. In her 90's she sat down and wrote a brief story of her life (which I have) where she talks about growing up as surviving as a farming family, living through the depression, taking care of her sick husband and returning to become a nursing assistant in her 60's and working at children's hospital - after her husband passed away. She lived independently until she was in her late 80's and then went to assisted living where she lived until the ripe old of age of 96. She often said that life is about learning. If you stop learning, you stop living. - Again a very strong women.
With Tekla coming into this world the way she did, we felt she needed to the name of strong women.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Progress
Day #2 was a very good day. Tekla (who I've nicknamed sweet potato to the horror of TP. She is kind of orange and wrinkly) was able to be weaned totally off her oxygen. She is under the bili lights because her bilirubin has been elevated but that is to be expected. She is tolerating her feedings quite well. She has been losing some weight, but hopefully now that she is tolerating her feedings that will change.
She may be little, but she is strong.
Greg (TP) has jumped right in and has begun changing diapers... LOL. Somehow to this point I've avoided that. I've been doing some of the feedings. I told TP I'll take the top half, he can take the bottom... I don't think he went for it.
Melinda and her great husband got to come up and see her last night and they were both so excited. I think it made Melinda feel better to see how well she is doing.
Melinda may get to go home today (friday) so we are busily trying to get everything arranged for her.
Keep up the good work little sweet potato.
She may be little, but she is strong.
Greg (TP) has jumped right in and has begun changing diapers... LOL. Somehow to this point I've avoided that. I've been doing some of the feedings. I told TP I'll take the top half, he can take the bottom... I don't think he went for it.
Melinda and her great husband got to come up and see her last night and they were both so excited. I think it made Melinda feel better to see how well she is doing.
Melinda may get to go home today (friday) so we are busily trying to get everything arranged for her.
Keep up the good work little sweet potato.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving..
We certainly are thankful today with the excitement of this week.
On Monday afternoon I received a message from our surrogate that she was being admitted to the hospital with possible pre-eclampsia. I boarded a plane and arrived about 1 am tuesday morning and checked into a nearby hotel. About 7 am I made my way over to find Melinda. She was in good spirits and was actually feeling very well. By 10 o'clock my concern started growing when I realized she had very little urine output. I attempted all day not to let her see my concern because the more nervous she got the higher her BP would get. He husband arrived in the afternoon and he was a great help in reassuring her. As the day progressed I called TP and told him things were not going well and he needed to come.
My suspicions were correct by mid to late afternoon they were talking C-Section. Despite all the IVF's and meds Melinda's kidneys were not happy. Baby was stable, but I certainly didn't want to risk Melinda's health.
TP was on a plane an expected to arrive after 11pm. Unfortunately the c-section couldn't wait that long. by 10:30 we were going to the OR. I was doing my best to make jokes and keep Melinda relaxed. At 10:50 little Tekla Elizabeth was brought out of the OR with a big team of doctors, nurses and resp. therapist surrounding her. They grabbed me and quickly whisk us off to the NICU. Managing not to have to put Tekla on the ventilator. We are now residents of Sacramento until we can safely take our gift home.
Welcome to the world little girl!!
On Monday afternoon I received a message from our surrogate that she was being admitted to the hospital with possible pre-eclampsia. I boarded a plane and arrived about 1 am tuesday morning and checked into a nearby hotel. About 7 am I made my way over to find Melinda. She was in good spirits and was actually feeling very well. By 10 o'clock my concern started growing when I realized she had very little urine output. I attempted all day not to let her see my concern because the more nervous she got the higher her BP would get. He husband arrived in the afternoon and he was a great help in reassuring her. As the day progressed I called TP and told him things were not going well and he needed to come.
My suspicions were correct by mid to late afternoon they were talking C-Section. Despite all the IVF's and meds Melinda's kidneys were not happy. Baby was stable, but I certainly didn't want to risk Melinda's health.
TP was on a plane an expected to arrive after 11pm. Unfortunately the c-section couldn't wait that long. by 10:30 we were going to the OR. I was doing my best to make jokes and keep Melinda relaxed. At 10:50 little Tekla Elizabeth was brought out of the OR with a big team of doctors, nurses and resp. therapist surrounding her. They grabbed me and quickly whisk us off to the NICU. Managing not to have to put Tekla on the ventilator. We are now residents of Sacramento until we can safely take our gift home.
Welcome to the world little girl!!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Comments please
Over the past few years we've heard more and more debate about Gay Marriage. We've watched nations around the world (Canada for one) legalize gay marriage and their society didn't collapse. We've heard Bush use the issue as a diversion when the war in Iraq was going horribly and most recently we've seen Prop 8 narrowly win in California due to the scare tactics of various religions.
Obama recently released his vision / plan to further the cause of equal rights for gays. In this plan he cites Civil Unions which would give gays the same rights and benefits (over 1100 of them)of marriage.
In your mind / opinion is this good enough? Are we willing to accept seperate but equal? Could we use this as a stepping stone to our ultimate goal of Marriage equality? What about seperation of church and state? Why not a create "civil marriage" that has no impact on "religious marriage"?
I'm very interested in what people think about this...
Obama recently released his vision / plan to further the cause of equal rights for gays. In this plan he cites Civil Unions which would give gays the same rights and benefits (over 1100 of them)of marriage.
In your mind / opinion is this good enough? Are we willing to accept seperate but equal? Could we use this as a stepping stone to our ultimate goal of Marriage equality? What about seperation of church and state? Why not a create "civil marriage" that has no impact on "religious marriage"?
I'm very interested in what people think about this...
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Two steps forward and one step back..
The resounding voice of Americans spoke Tuesday, by electing Obama our 44th President and first Black President. The voice not only said "we are ready for change", but "we have changed".
If you look at the results closer we still have a lot of work to do. In some south Texas counties 90% of the people voted for McCain. This number is to high to say credit with just a lot of conservatives. Some areas reported that 100% of African Americans voted for Obama. I interpret these numbers to mean that race was an issue in this election.
I'm also saddened by the number of "anti-gay" laws / propositions that passed. Continuing to deny rights to certain individuals.
This country has come a long way in terms of discrimination, but the journey is not over.
If you look at the results closer we still have a lot of work to do. In some south Texas counties 90% of the people voted for McCain. This number is to high to say credit with just a lot of conservatives. Some areas reported that 100% of African Americans voted for Obama. I interpret these numbers to mean that race was an issue in this election.
I'm also saddened by the number of "anti-gay" laws / propositions that passed. Continuing to deny rights to certain individuals.
This country has come a long way in terms of discrimination, but the journey is not over.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Cue the fat lady...
Finally. I think we can all breath a collective sigh of relief. November 4th is finally arrived. After tonight no more political ads and news briefs about what the candidates ate for breakfast. No more phone calls and emails wanting a contribution and reminding to you vote.
Many news agencies are predicting an Obama win in for the presidency, even Karl Rove has predicted a land slide, however I'm sure he isn't being completely forth coming. His motives behind his prediction should be viewed with a least a small amount of skepticism.
Regardless of the outcome, of the presidential election, we will be making history. The first African American in the White House, or the oldest first term President along with the first woman Vice President. Whomever it is has a big mess to clean up.
Equally important elections are happening all over the country, while democrats attempt to take more seats in Congress, to prop. 8 along with several important local elections. Here in Harris county, we have the chance to swing Democratic, something that hasn't happened in a very long time.
Here's to the future. Hopefully a future in which we are once again well respected around the world.
GOD BLESS AMERICA...
Many news agencies are predicting an Obama win in for the presidency, even Karl Rove has predicted a land slide, however I'm sure he isn't being completely forth coming. His motives behind his prediction should be viewed with a least a small amount of skepticism.
Regardless of the outcome, of the presidential election, we will be making history. The first African American in the White House, or the oldest first term President along with the first woman Vice President. Whomever it is has a big mess to clean up.
Equally important elections are happening all over the country, while democrats attempt to take more seats in Congress, to prop. 8 along with several important local elections. Here in Harris county, we have the chance to swing Democratic, something that hasn't happened in a very long time.
Here's to the future. Hopefully a future in which we are once again well respected around the world.
GOD BLESS AMERICA...
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