Sweet Baby

I cannot thank everyone enough for your love and support. Our friends and family have really rallied around us during this difficult time. We especially appreciate all of your prayers and faith. God is hearing our prayers and he is healing our little girl. Everyday is a new adventure. There has been so many ups and downs during this process. No one wants to see there child suffer, but my Kiya is already teaching me without words. Her strength, grace and willingness to accept the challenges that she has faced astounds me. She does not complain and she seems to have an understanding about the whole thing. I know she has angels attending her. My appreciation for my loving heavenly father and my savior Jesus has grown ten fold. I am gaining an understanding of what God gave up when he sent the only son he had to this earth. How much he must have loved us and does love us. We are healing and Kiya is healing through Gods love. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of our purpose on this earth. Kiya is a special spirit and she will do great things. She is doing great things.
My boys are doing well with all the change. Lex has more faith in his little body than most people can ever hope to have. He prayes every night for Kiya that she will come home and that Jesus will heal her. Mason talks about baby sister, but honestly Im not really sure how excited he is about sharing daddy so some things are still normal. Please give all your kids a big hug for me. I know they can be stinkers, but they are such a gift. My life has been changed forever. I can't seem to do normal things anymore like shopping (this has been a blessing for Matt). All I want is for my family to be together at last. This time apart is very difficult, but I know that our family will be together forever one day. What a blessing! Someday I will rock my baby in the pink chair that I bought for her. I will lay her to be in her crib and sing to her as she falls asleep. Until then Jesus and angels will sing her lullabies and cradle her head. I thank you all so much and look forward to showing off my beautiful daughter to all of you one day.

Here is my favorite poem:
Quiet now cobwebs
Dust go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby
And babies don't keep

Text from Kris

I received this text from Kris on Saturday night:
'Great news. Kiya gained 100 grams. She is down to half a liter and on room air. The best part is they are going to wait on her tap today to let her head grow based on her growth. No apnea spells."

This means Kiya is now 4 lbs!!!! Head taps have been every other day-so this means she got to go at least one extra day.

We love you Kiya.

Grandma S

Kiya

Sorry it's been so long since a post has been made. Subconsciously, I want to have something great to report, but one is always reminded that we still have so far to go. You want time to speed up, and yet, it's never seemed to go as slow as it has the last few weeks.

Yesterday we had a fright. Kiya completely quit breathing. She was revived with a "bag", and the rest of the day she was back to her little fighting self. Another miracle to add to the list, as the doctors were just making their rounds when Kiya needed help. Once again, how incredibly grateful we are for all the divine intervention and knowledgeable medical care on Kiya's behalf.

The staff at PCMC ascertained that attempts to wean Kiya off of the caffeine were premature. The caffeine was administered through I.V. again and Kiya perked up and made it without incident the rest of Thursday, and today.

After her feeding, Kiya was wide awake and staring at her Mom. Kiya always keeps her head turned in Kristen's direction when Kris talks. Some times it's hard not to think that you are looking at a three month old baby. (albeit a very small one), when you see Kiya respond.

Earlier this week, Kiya was up to 3 lbs 13 oz. It's most likely gone up from there. Kiya definitely prefers sleeping on her tummy. She hates sleeping on her back. All the nurses seem to know that too--(I guess she has a way of letting her wants known!)

Thank you again for all your prayers and concern.

We love you Kiya.

Grandma S.

More Pics... We love seeing her!

She finally looks like a baby!  I'm so glad to she is getting some "chub" on her! 

Still holdin'...

Not a lot of new things to report. Kiya continues to progress. Today, she weighted in at 3 lbs 9 oz. (Yeah!!! Five ounces over her original birth weight!) Assuming things continue to go well, the nurses say that she can gain up to an ounce a day. We've been told that a lot of what she is going through right now is typical for a preemie baby. She continues to tolerate her feedings well.

The A's & B's (having to do with breathing) are still giving her a hard time. She went from 40 bpm to 200 bpm yesterday. Typically, though, her heart rate has been in the 150's, which is where they want it to be. The hope is, in time it will work itself out.

Kris and Matt get a chance almost daily to hold Kiya for an hour or so. Payoff moments for parents.

Thank you again for your positive thoughts and prayers.

We love you Kiya

More Cute Pictures of Kiya

She is growing like a weed!  Apparently she is has gained weight and is about 3 pounds 7 ounces now!  The ultrasound performed on her heart determined her heart also looks good.  We are just counting our blessings and hoping all continues to go well for her.

Kiya Enjoying A Bath

Matt sent me this picture a few days ago.  She is so adorable!  We love you Kiya!  Keep fighting!  :-)