Beckett's first cold.

It was bound to happen, so now we build our immunity, OK, Beckett?

Beckett's still a gaining! Up to 14 lbs. 12.2 oz at his OT appt today. He wasn't feeling his normal self for his appt today, tired boy, so we didn't push him a lot. The runny nose and cough continues. :( Praise for no fever and no major respiratory issues thus far! Lots of snuggle time with mama in our future today! Ellie has the same thing, so we have had some low key days!

And in the light now because our power came back on! Wahoo! It was out since 5 am due to the storms last night.

Three cheers for Beckett!

Three cheers for Beckett! 1. I think the meds are helping with his GERD/esophogitis! He drank 4 oz. TWO times today! 2. His total volume intake for the day was 23 oz! Wahoo! 3. He ate 1 tsp "cereal" today no problem! (I may or may not have teared up getting out the highchair.) 

OT-GI-PT

Well, I would have posted this earlier, but this is what happened...
"Bathtime for the kids. Why you ask? While blogging, Ellie decided her art medium was herself and Beckett. RIGHT behind my back. Can't believe I didn't see it. I thought they were awfully quiet. On the bright side. She did write a big B on her arm, must be the love for her daddy and her brother. Oh, joy...Ben's home. Welcome home birthday boy!"

She did somehow manage to write a big B in red crayola marker on her right arm...which means she used her left to write it. Quite impressive.

So Ben gets home. I bathe Beckett. Then Ellie's turn. I make her wash her red marker off her skin with her washcloth, and leave the soap with a pump on the bathtub. Leave to go feed Beckett. Mistake. Come back to check on her, and ALL soap is gone from container. It was 3/4 full. Walk right back out. Ask Ben politely to deal with this issue. Back to feeding Beckett I go.

So recap of the day. Whoa. It tuckered us all out. OT this morning at 9:30 was great. Beckett showed off his stellar rolling skills. OT wise, we have been focusing a lot on his hunger strike. We all concluded that the GI consult was a good idea. His sucking is good, so it must be something internal. He did gain weight. He is now up to 14 lbs. 8 oz! Fine motor skill wise, we are working on transferring toy from one hand to the other, and supported sitting, reaching up.

GI Consult: It went great. Beckett doesn't have "true constipation" but his stooling patterns could be more regular. With motility issues in the NICU, it still could have an affect. So miralax it is. Daily dosage, and hope it will do the trick. It's just been so hard to see him bare down, cry trying to poop! Tried juice, infant massage, etc...so now a new plan.

AND...we found out that he most likely has reflux. It was more of a "silent reflux" because he isn't spitting up. However, he's a smart one. He just refused to eat after he gets to about 2.5 oz! So we are starting him on some reflux medicine that will hopefully rid the pain, and help him "want" to eat! After we met with the nurse practicioner, we met with the dietician. SHE WAS AWESOME! Finally found a nutritionist that we will hopefully stick with.

Good news: Beckett is still gaining weight.

Nutrition plan for Beckett now is:
1. End goal of 23-29 oz per day continuing with every feeding fortified to 27 calorie/oz. This is based on catch up growth for Ideal Body Weight (weight/height). This was a good explaination to not get carried away with "which chart" are we following - the chronological age or adjusted age...
2. Add 1 tsp Neocate Nutra (cereal) with 1 tsp EBM (expressed breast milk) 3 times a day before feeding. If feeding intake decreases after a couple days, change to end of feeding. This hopefully will help with the reflux, plus developmentally, he is showing signs that he might be ready for it, and we don't want to "miss" a stage.
3. Still need to feed every 2 hours. Deep breath. His eating hopefully will increase, but it won't happen overnight. I can go to every 3 hours as long as daily total is a minimum of 20 oz. (This is also what he needs for hydration = 20 oz.)
4. Growth goal for catch up is 15-21 grams/day for Beckett. Weight check again in 2-4 weeks.

Oh, and from Physical Therapy yesterday, our homework is:
1. Sitting - starting to prop on floor with hands (tripod style). He is starting to push up and shift his weight when he is on his tummy now, so this is the next step to progress toward sitting up!
2.  Rolling - Tummy to back. He has done back to tummy, but also need to practice to right side so he's doing it both ways.
3. Tummy - put toys to the side of him to encourage pivoting.
MOBILE BECKETT, here we come!

29 Reasons why we love Birthday Boy: Ben Gramkow

29 Reasons why we love Birthday Boy: Ben Gramkow
by Mandy, Ellie and Beckett Gramkow

1. He loves us very much.
2. He is the greatest best friend a girl could ask for.
3. He is loyal.
4. He is hard working. 
5. He loves God.
6. He provides for our family.
7. He makes excellent crepes.
8. He loves surprises.
9. He gives good hugs.
10. He plays chase, hop, run, jump and gallop with me.
11. He tickles me, and I tickle him.
12. He sings Jesus Loves Me and Silent Night when he puts me to bed.
13. He swings with me in the back yard.
14. He is intelligent.
15. He loves to eat the food I make, especially when I try new recipes.
16. He puts up with our drama emotions.
17. He takes care of our house and lawn. 
18. He is the grill master.
19. He challenges me to search for biblical truth as to why we believe what we believe.
20. He does Beckett's 5 am feeding.
21. He knows when I need breaks, and watches the kids no problem.
22. He helps others.
23. He drives a majority of the long trips to see our family.
24. He values honesty.
25. He amazes me with his love for learning. Even though I tease him about it, I LOVE that he uses his logic and knowledge to make homemade equipment for his camera, and is fascinated by the optics behind it.
26. He loves me more than his kids, even though it's a different kind of love. Ellie knows Daddy loves Mommy so so much.
27. He always has great advice.
28. He is a night owl, like me.
29. He is a caring husband and father, and we know how much he values family.

 I am as lucky as can be, the best daddy in the world belongs to me.

I am as lucky as can be, a blessed man is committed to me.

Team Gramkow: Pictures and Blurbs - May Oh My!

Team Gramkow Monthly Update with pictures and blurbs...'cause that's all I got time for today. I am one blessed mama, but I'm also one frustrated mama. Read on...

Cranial Appointment Recap from last week: GOOD REPORT - Beckett indeed does have a large head, and his percentage is on the growth chart. No concerns or follow up needed. He did say that Beckett does have some asymmetrical curves on his front lobes, but was just probably from positioning in the NICU. His sutures are still wide open for brain growth. And the doctor even said he had a "handsome head!" Check out those eyelashes!

I remember last week, after Beckett's cranial appointment sitting in the car feeding Beckett singing my Matt Hammitt songs. (Like I would sing on the way to the NICU) It was so weird being back in the hospital district. Those days when I was in the parking lot, not wanting to go into the NICU only because I was afraid of what the "news" would be of the day. I was so thankful because there I was feeding Beckett, he was out of the hospital. He really in the grand scheme is doing great. I wasn't the mom that was hyperventilating, crying in the hallway outside Beckett's room as we waited for the doctor in the neurology department. I don't know what her story was, but I knew for where I was, it probably wasn't good. I prayed for that woman, and than prayed to God for Beckett's health and development, for EVERY intricate part of his body. I know God gifted us with a miracle. I still know Beckett was supposed to be our miracle. Just wish I could rid the worry. But the worry reminds me that I need Jesus more and more. 

B-man has been jabbering up a storm lately. He is actually talking in this picture. He makes some oohh, ooh sounds, and has mastered the deep belly laugh. He is ticklish, that Beckett.

Which is good because I frequently have to intervene between these two siblings. Ellie loves to body slam tickle and make him laugh. He does laugh when she tickles. He does not laugh however, when she tries to clean out his eye boogers with a plastic ring. (See the orange one on the blanket.) He also doesn't like when she vulcher (not sure how to spell that) grips his hand to open so she can place the toy in his hand. 

The eating STRIKE continues...

It's been a month now that Beckett hasn't really wanted to increase his volumes. He is still technically gaining weight, but still not as ideal as we would like. He is supposed to be taking 24-32 oz. a day for his age, but he is hanging out around 16-20 oz. I'm not breastfeeding anymore, so pumping again. And now it is obviously easy to measure. Because of his lack of inake and gain, they bumped up to 27 calories every feeding. (which we started two weeks ago per the nutrition request). Ok, so then I met with OT, and they recommended feeding every 2 hours. So we've been doing this again for 2 weeks. His first week summary indicated that he has been averaging about 2 oz. per feeding. Ok, we'll take it. They were encouraged that even though we increased his caloric intake, he didn't lessen his volume. Well this week. NOT SO MUCH.

Yesterday. I had to work all day to feed him, and he would only take 1 OUNCE per feeding. I could tell he was really in need of making a poopy diaper too. We were on day 5. We also have consistently been giving him juice (1 to 2 oz/day) of pear or apple/prune. IT WAS AWFUL! He just did NOT want to eat. And I don't blame him. Per our visit with Dr. Hanson last week (where he weighed 14 oz. 3.5 oz.) she said we could let him sleep through the night. So last night, we fed him at 11 pm, and he slept until 5 am. He was just so tired! He cat napped all day, and then I fought with him past our 30 min mark to get him to eat. FRUSTRATING.

So back to Dr.Hanson's visit. She suggested that we have a GI consult. Maybe they can help with what's going on intake wise, and intestinal wise. We haven't officially ruled out reflux, so maybe he's getting to the point where he only wants to take a limited volume, and then is in pain. He doesn't show the classic spits that you usually have with reflux, but then again, he doesn't EAT very much VOLUME!

Yesterday. 15 oz. Not good, buddy. Not good. Just hard because I know he needs to eat. With Ellie, I felt this same way. Hard to find the balance. I know he needs to SLEEP too. So where is the balance, when I am trying to feed him every two hours. Frustrating. Ellie would have rather slept, than eat. Beckett would rather play, than eat. He also doesn't like to sleep unless you're holding him. The minute you put him down, those wide, big eyes are AWAKE! 

I'm trying not to freak too much, but it is still concerning. My mommy instinct is just bothered by his low intake. I just don't know what else to do to make him eat...and poop! 

I had to take some time last night to reflect on how blessed we are. It's so easy to get frustrated on this preemie journey. It's MOST important that we cling to remember the ways in which God has healed our son, and provided for our family. Still SO thankful His mercies are new every morning. 

Today has already been a better day...

After the assistance from a suppository, he did have a poopy diaper. I have gotten him to drink some juice. AND he has eaten 3 ounces two of the feedings today. I may or may not have taken an hour with one of them, but he was sucking while sleeping, so I went for it! 

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is Physical Therapy, and Thursday is Occupational Therapy and Nutritionist from ECI (a new one). Interested to see what his weight is on Thursday, and what the revised plan of action will be. 

Eating STRIKE. Be gone. Please.

I know a bunch of you have already prayed for Beckett, but if you wouldn't mind, please say a prayer for his intestines, and that his motivation to eat would increase. Pray for the eating every 2 hour schedule, Mama is tired of pumping and feeding bottles! Pray for Sweet Ellie's heart, and my patience with her as my time is consumed with getting Beckett to eat. Thanks friends!

Family Time with the Gramkow Side!

 

Gramkow Cousins: Beckett and Ethan...keeping the Gramkow name alive!

 Ellie had a great time loving on the boys!

This just made me laugh. Oh Ellie.

Daddy was gone for work, so Mommy and the kids stayed with Aunt Audrie and Uncle David. 

Ellie was Uncle David's shadow pretty much all week long!

 All of us here! Grandma Gramkow's sisters too!

 We celebrated Sweet Ethan's baptism.

Three generation Gramkow boys! Poor Beckett was getting tired of pics by this point! LOL! 

Grandma and Grandpa Gramkow with Ellie and Beckett.

We had a great time visiting Ben's family in Kansas!

One Blessed Mother.

 

One Blessed Mother.
Mother's Day 2012

Beckett Miracle Milestone: He ROLLED over!

Yes, Beckett. Yes you are. You amaze me every day. You are almost 8 months old. You are about 4.5 months adjusted age. AND YOU ROLLED OVER! So proud, my Sweet Beckett. This is a miracle. We didn't know what you would be able to do. We still don't know what you will be able to do. But you are a miracle. Both you and your sister are miracles.

Good job, B-man. Hands to the knees.

 Hands to the feet. Very nice.

Leg crossed over, and flailing arm follows the momentum.

Push up with my arms to show off my cute elbow dimples.

Come. On. Other. Arm. Get. Out.

And we're up. Look how high he holds his head up! Getting better at that balance.
Kelli (his PT) would be proud! :)

 Perfecting the balance, and looking really cute.

And we are SO SO happy about it. 

Burgers for Babies 2012

Burgers for Babies 2012 was a blast! And a much needed break for this preemie parental unit. Even though we got there late (because we were super stressed Beckett wasn't eating very well), it was such a blessed night to dine on great food and drinks with some of our favorite friends! (Thanks so much Dave and Casi, Karen and Eric, Beckie and Scott. We LOVED catching up with you all)

And...for such a great cause. It was even a little emotionally overwhelming for me to see all the people there supporting a cause that would support families like us. So blessed by the generosity of others. I know NICU Helping Hands was too.

So blessed by all of YOU who donated toward the Team Gramkow table at the fundraising event! We surpassed our $2500 goal with flying colors!!! Ben and I were beyond blessed by your generosity. Preemie families obviously will always have a special place in our hearts. We can empathize with their need for help and support. And it's even great to be able to share with others the positive impact they can have on these families by donating toward this organization. Thanks for helping us help other preemie parents.

Oh, and we loved getting to see the DRG, and some of the other neonatologists and nurse practicioners who took care of Beckett. Had to remind one that Beckett's room was the airplane room, and she immediately remembered! :) And I thought it was cool to get a picture with fellow preemie parent, and owner of the Woodshed (where the event was held), Tim Love!

Kind of felt like a 15 year old asking for my picture with him, but oh well! I am very outgoing, but don't do well with celebrities. Guess it's a good thing I didn't ask for a picture with Pat Green too! Thanks to my good friend Tina Howard, of Fall Meadow Photography for "letting" me post some of her pics from the event on my blog :) Click on the link to see all the pics from the event!

Much love,

I'm Older than I Look. True statement about Beckett Gramkow.

Thank you http://www.itsapreemiething.com/ for this making this awesome onesie available for my purchasing pleasure. Some days as a NICU mama, you just have to "go with it." This one was my favorites especially since the question moms get asked for EVERY baby is "oh...how old is he/she?"

I don't know but this just makes me chuckle. "I'm older than I look." Baaahhhaaaa.

Today was tiring. I don't know why appointment days wear me out. Probably doesn't help that we were out of town visiting the Gramkow Fam all last week (which was way fun, I might add). And I even did laundry before we left, and I still managed to have about 4 loads last night! :) Fun times!

So here's the updato with the Beckett Gramkow. That's Gramkow with a "long" O....for all those of you wondering how to say our last name. :) Say it with me. Gram. "co." I know it looks like Gram-cow, but it's not. I repeat we are not cows. See that will help you remember. :)

Focus. Ok, here we go:

1. I think I've converted Beckett to the "cute" pacifiers. I have ones that are a soccer ball and a baseball. They are so much cuter than his favorite green soothies where you can see inside his mouth.
2. B-man is getting so good at holding his head up, and for LONGER periods of time. 
3. He took three 4-oz bottles last week. This was a big step for him. He still usually like to hang out around 2.5 - 3 oz. per feeding.
4. He has slept through the night the past two nights. I about have a heart attack when I wake up in the morning, wondering if he needed fed, and I didn't hear him. But he's been going from 9:30 pm to 6 am-ish. We shall see about tonight.
5. Beckett is now 4 months adjusted/7 months chronological age!
6. At today's doctor's appointment, he gained weight!
   13 lbs. 15.5 oz. (still not on growth chart); length. drat. I forgot to write that one down BUT it IS on the growth chart. 2nd percentile. Wahoo! And...head circumference (also on the growth chart 2-5 percentile) and stayed steady from the last check at 44 cm. PRAISE for his head not rapidly growing like it was last visit.
   
   Dr. Hanson thinks he is looking pretty good. His weight is still not steller, but I have to remember it still is a gain...and this is just part of the lovely-ness of preemiehood. Making adjustments! He did have a bit of a rash on his face when we went in, and we aren't sure what that's from. :( Keeping an eye on it. No high fever, so that's good. He has started his pooping strike now again. Ben is happy, but I am not thrilled. Beckett boy, you need to poop a little more regular.
7. Burgers for Babies is on THURSDAY! So excited! We will be joined at our table by Casi and Dave Faulk (remember Jon-Jon's parents); our favorite NICU Nurse, Karen and her hubs; and Beckie and a friend (Rick...we will miss you) - they lead our Young Marrieds/Families class at church. SO excited! And....we got the TABLE! And after all is said and done, and math is corrected, the Grand Total raised for NICU Helping Hands was $2935.00! So blessed! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We will definitely take some pictures at the event with some Top Chefs!
8. So today was our appointment with Nutrition at Cook's. It was interesting. Probably most because when calculating how many grams he has gained per day....well, it's less than stellar. B man with his eating strike that I was telling you about only gained about 10-12 grams a day. Not good. Should be doubling that do stay along his growth curve. He still GAINED. So that is good. But again, the lack of volume intake is just bothering me...still have yet to figure out that mystery. So, the recommendations are: Fortifying all feedings of expressed breastmilk to 27 calorie. So, that means Mama is back to full time pumping. I tell you. Not to thrilled about this, but I'll do what I need to do. If only there could be less Beckett dishes to clean/sanitize! I really am hoping this is just temporary to get him beefened up a bit. I know breastfeeding isn't the end of the world, but I did enjoy the fact that it seemed to be working for us. He has gotten so much better at it. But again, we will just keep track of his weight gain. We'll be checking weight weekly at Occupational Therapy appointments, so we can make adjustments weekly, and not have to wait a whole month. Back to see Dr. Hanson in a month for another weight check.

This week is busy ahead!
Tomorrow is Physical Therapy
Wednesday is Developmental Specialist/ECI Case Manager visit
Thursday is Occupational Therapy and BURGERS FOR BABIES!
Friday is Beckett's appointment with the Cranial specialist. (Although I do think his head is looking better each day!) and FAMILY PICTURES from that we won from Sweet Sarah J who entered us in the Share the Love contest (remember when we were in the NICU)? I'm super excited for pictures now that B-man can lift his head up more!

Blessings to your week friends! Kisses from Beckett.

Oh, and YES, we will be making an appearance now in the outside world that we have tested the waters visiting Ben's family. So friends, I'll be in contact soon. Maybe not all at one time. That would overwhelm me, but we would like to maintain our face-to-face interactions. :) I think our first Sunday to church as a fam will maybe be next weekend, Mother's Day! :) We shall see. Sweet memories...as Mother's Day was when Ellie was dedicated at our church in Kansas.