Movin on up!

Well, after about 9 days at Children's Hospital Nate has been upgraded to a level 2 hospital and moved back to Unity near our home. Now it's only about a 10 minute drive to be with him so that's great!

Here's a shot of Joe, Nate, and I at his new home in Unity Hospital. The nurses gave Nate that red and white hat...they must have known he has Monroe and Wisconsin roots in him :)

Over the weekend, Nate has been steadily progressing and increasing his breast milk feedings each day. He's handling them pretty well and was still on his IV until Sunday morning. They took him off the IV now so he has one less tube that we have to worry about. Nate has been known as the little troublemaker at his new digs because he has pulled his feeding tube out multiple times. He may only be 3 lbs but he's a scrappy fella. The nurses put his tube in the other day and he had it out in about 2 minutes after flailing his arms and legs. He's now got his tube taped to the side of his face with some pretty heavy duty tape, so I'm sure he won't enjoy it when it comes off, but the kids gotta eat! In the next week or so they are going to try and lay him on me to see if he's interested in trying to eat the natural way. So far he hasn't had much interest but they say that's totally normal since he's only 32 weeks and obviously wouldn't be eating by mouth in utero.

Joe and Nate rockin their hats....we tried to style Nate's hat with a curled lip a little bit so he could resemble his cool Uncle Jonny! The only option they had at Unity was that knit hat or a pink one so Joe opted for the red and white.

We were able to hold Nate Saturday for about 4-5 hours, the longest stretch we've had with him. Unfortunately for friends and family, Unity has a strict no visitor policy...only parents are allowed. Nate is now in a room with about 7 other newborn preemie babies that are in pretty close quarters. Nurses and doctors don't want to increase the risk of spreading germs with these little guys. We feel good about that for keeping Nathan safe but it stinks because he has a lot of people who want to see him. They aren't giving us a time for him to be released of course, but they are thinking he will be at Unity for about a month as long as he continues to progress.



Not a very clear picture but here is Nate with his little hand holding on to my finger.

We keep him swaddled pretty tightly because he flails around so much. The nurses just laugh at him and tell us they don't normally have such an active 3 pounder. I told them he's been fiesty since I could first start feeling him move in my stomach. Both of our ultrasound meetings took a long time because he was moving around so constantly in my stomach and the technicians were having a hard time taking his measurements. The last ultrasound picture we have of him he's got his foot up above his head and the nurse saw him touching his toes! I think we're going to have a lot to deal with here!


Nate playing shy - he's definitely not! He was really active on Sunday. The nurses told us that he spent the early morning wide awake and alert looking all around. We tried to get some pictures of him with his eyes open but he wouldn't cooperate very well. Sunday was definitely a more active day though. It was the first time he really tried to focus looking at either Joe or I for an extended period of time.














Here's one of Nate with his hat off. He had just finished his feeding at this time so he had a full belly. Poopy diaper update......Joe has still not changed one!! Feel free to send him a text or message of encouragement :) Kidding, kidding, he's a wonderful dad who couldn't be better with Nate. Sometimes we have to rock, paper, scissors for who gets to hold him first in the mornings.

The picture below is another one of Nate rockin his hat. We're thinking he's attempting a career at being a hand model or something! He's quite the poser. Joe and I have had conversations recently about how weird the stuff we talk about now is...for example breast pumps, millileter levels, car seat options, hearing tests, brain scans, etc. We tend to laugh at the end of the night at how quick our lives have changed, but we are definitely rolling with it. You will also all be glad to know that my bizarre competiteiveness still lives on. For those of you who don't know....I have a problem. I can turn anything in to a competition! Again, this is too much information but my new obsession is trying to get more and more breast milk each day. I knew today when I filled 2 bottles of breast milk and my nurse told me that was awesome, and I felt such a thrill that I have a problem! Again....sorry for this information but it's the little things in life, huh?! The doctors will be adding a protein type supplement to the milk this week to help Nate try and pack on the weight, so we're still hoping he'll go up about an ounce a day.

Nate also is neighbors at Unity with the baby he was next to at Children's Hospital. We've gotten to know the couple pretty well so they have been a great added support to us since they are obviously going through the same situation. Joe gives Nate and his buddy a lecture every night as we leave that they can't stay up late talking...it's kinda cute. Well, enough for now, I hope you're enjoying the blog!

Happy 1 week and 1 day Nate!

Happy 1 week and 1 day birthday Nate! Nate's been doing really well over the past couple of days and making some steady progress that the doctor is pretty happy about. The doctor gives us a call in the mornings when he does his rounds around 7 am every day. Over the past couple of days they have been steadily decreasing his IV fluids and increasing his breast milk feedings which is a good thing. He had trouble having a bowel movement on his own but after receiving a "baby enema" he has begun this process on his own. I (Meg) would know because yesterday I changed a stinky #2 diaper! Joe did not offer to help with this one but soon enough he'll get his chance! Today Joe changed a diaper but unfortunately for me it was only a #1. I'm fine with the poopy diapers because it means all is working as it should.

Joe and I have spent most days the same this week. In the mornings we make phone calls to insurance/nurses/doctors/family/friends/etc. From around noon to 6 ish we hang out with Nate down at the hospital in Minneapolis. When we're with him he spends time in his incubator, sometimes with his light and shades on to help with his jaundice. We also get to do something called "Kangaroo Kare"- this is where either mom or dad gets to hold the baby skin to skin to help with bonding/attachment/all sorts of good stuff. This is probably our favorite part of the day by far. During this time we're learning a lot about his readings, oxygen levels, and just general ways to manage holding him and moving all of his wires and IV around.


This face is too funny because it is his post "Please stop holding my arms down to take my temperature face." Joe thinks he's filling out more and more each day. He's 3 lbs 3 ounces today looking towards surpassing his original weight of 3 lbs 4 ounces. We're starting to see his features a little bit more each day. He's got Joe's little line down his nose and Joe's getting nervous that he's going to have big pouty lips like mine.


Here's a good photo of Nate with mom and Aunt Trish. She's been helping us out in countless ways that we can't begin to thank her for. She's been able to come and hang out with us and Nate a couple of days this week after her full work days. Something tells me that he's going to be pretty spoiled by his aunt!

The at-home OB nurse came to see me today at Nate's hospital. She pretty much just checked my blood pressure and asked me a few questions to see how I was feeling. In general, I'm doing pretty well. My scar is healing nicely, minus the horrifying rash/2nd degree burns I have over half of my body due to some chemicals in the iodine process reacting with my skin. Sorry...that's too much information I know, but hey I have to deal with it! It's funny to show people my stomach though because they get so grossed out...not sure why I like that but I do :) For those of you who had the pleasure of seeing the burns after my knee and ankle surgeries....it's pretty much the same, but 100 times more intense, yah, not pretty! My blood pressure is remaining nice and stable since I've been on this medication and I still have follow up meetings with my general doctor starting next week so we'll keep ya posted. For the most part I'm feeling really well and making sure to get enough rest...thank you to everyone for those lovely reminders :)


Uncle Andrew - a good friend of ours stopped by to meet Nathan. He was nice enough to gift Nate with a Dr. Seuss book, the character from the book, and a rubber ducky that tells the temperature of the bath water...what a lucky boy!

The doctor told us that Nathan could ultimately be stepped down to a level 2 hospital in the next couple of days. They are looking to place him at Unity Hospital which is where he was delivered because it's closer to our home. They don't have an open bed for him yet so that is why he is still down at Children's in Minneapolis. Hopefully within the next few days a bed will open up for him at Unity. The doctor said he doesn't really need as intensive care that they provide at Children's and that at Unity they will be doing the same thing for him that they are at Children's. It's all encouraging news but we will definitely miss the staff and comfort of being at Children's. We really can't say enough good things about them and the way they've treated us and Nate. That's all for now!

Joe's turn to hold Nathan!

Today we spent most of the day with Nathan. I'm (Megan) learning more and more each day how wonderful Children's Hospital and their staff are. Our day started with a hilarious staff greeter who thanked us for naming our son something "normal". He had a little one not too long ago by the name of Glacier and was getting irritated with creative names and spellings. Needless to say, it was a fun way to start the day.

Nathan went back up to 3 lbs today. He had his first full bottle of breast milk by the end of the day as well, so he's learning to eat like his dad :) Our nurse today told us that he should hopefully gain about an ounce a day. He's also completely breathing on his own which is quite impressive at only 32 weeks.

Joe got to hold Nathan for a little over an hour today for some good dad/son bonding. Nathan snuggled right in to Joe as well and they had a bit of a cat nap together. I learned how to take Nate's temperature under his armpit. He isn't the biggest fan of this as he'd rather be squirming around, but he eventually calms down. His head is too full of brains so they struggle to find hats to fit him for his age but he's a fan of that blue striped one. Joe shyed away from changing Nate's diaper today but eventually he'll be partaking in this event! After Joe and Nate's nap, he went back in his incubator for the rest of the day. The nurses don't want us to take him out too often so he can get plenty of rest and keep his temperature stable.

Not too much new news beyond this, but we feel like that is a good thing and just wanted to update you all! Thanks again for all the messages!


Megan, Joe, & Nate

Megan's first look at Nathan, with Joe by her side.

Megan and Nathan, smiling in black and white!

Joe waves "hi"!

Introducing......Nathan James Olson!

It's Megan here and I can't say how much Joe, myself, and my family thank you all for your love, support, and prayers. It definitely has not been an easy week but we are so unbelievably lucky and thankful to have you all in our lives. Our little man has finally been gifted with a name...Nathan James Olson. James is a special name to both of us...many of you know my lovely nutty father's name is James....and James is a traditional name in a long list of Joe's ancestors. Joe's full name is Alexander James Joseph Olson V, so James is a great combination for our families. Nathan means "a gift from god" and we definitely think this little guy is an amazing gift.

Today, I got released from the hospital after I promised to schedule ongoing doctor appointments to check my blood pressure. The doctors still aren't sure what's going on with me but they will be keeping me monitored closely in the coming weeks. I promise to you all that I will stay on top of it and meet regularly with the doctors. I was very grateful to be able to leave because I don't think I would have made it one more day sanely in that hospital separated from Nathan. I'm not the greatest patient in the world and have a hard time listening to rules, but my nurses were the best women on the planet who I couldn't have appreciated more. Hopefully, we'll get my blood pressure issues figured out in the coming weeks with follow up appointments.

Joe, Trisha, and I headed to Children's Hospital this afternoon where I finally got to meet our son and actually remember the meeting! It was definitely an emotional experience to see him. He's lost a little weight and is at 2 lbs 15 ounces. The nurse said he's doing great and is expected to gain some more weight in the next few weeks especially as he starts digesting breast milk which he had his first taste of today. I got to hold him for about an hour and it was like nothing else in the world. He fussed for a minute and then snuggled right in on my chest and slept his little heart out, just awesome! No blood pressure problems for me during that hour, that's for sure. Joe is a proud beaming poppa who might be a little jealous of Nathan's full head of hair :)

To everyone who has sent emails, texts, food, calls, thoughts, and prayers....thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Joe and I couldn't have more love surrounding us and can see how lucky Nathan is going to be to have you all in his life.

Recap of the past few days . . .

Wednesday, 2/10/2010

A very long day . . . after some early morning complications related to a condition called "eclampsia", doctors at Unity Hospital in Fridley decided that performing an immediate c-section would be best for the health of both Megan and baby. Without even giving Joe enough time to get into the delivery room, baby made his official first appearance at 7:20am!

Baby Olson weighed in at 3lbs 4oz and a length of 17.3 inches. Because he was born at 31 weeks (approx. 9 weeks early) and Unity Hospital is not equipped to take care of preemie babies that are younger than 33 weeks, a team from Children's Hospital in Minneapolis was sent to transport the baby down to their very specialized facitilty. The baby was doing really good for how early he is, only needing a little help from a c-pap machine to make breathing a bit easier.

Thursday and Friday

Grandma and Grandpa Olson, as well as Grandma and Grandpa Ruf, along with Uncle Jon and Aunt Trisha all had a chance to visit baby down at Children's Hospital . . . and all obviously agreed that he is the best-looking baby boy we've ever seen!

Unfortunately, Megan still had not has a chance to see the baby. While she was recovering well from the actual c-section, her blood pressure had not yet started to come down and doctors did not want to release her for even a little bit of time. Megan's amazing friend, Kristi, came up with the idea to take a webcam down to Children's Hospital, so that Megan could see the baby live. And here are a few pictures of that actually happening!!!

Saturday, 2/13/2010

Finally, somewhat of a breakthrough on the "what is wrong with Megan?" front. After getting shockingly high readings for her blood pressure, doctors are now thinking that Megan had 2 issues happening. Number 1 - the eclampsia related directly to the pregnancy, and Number 2 - some kind of an undiagnosed heart/blood pressure issue that she's most likely had for some time now. With more of an understanding that the doctors need to treat the blood pressure issue seperate from her pregnancy situation, I believe they are much closer to figuring out what is going on.

Megan was moved today from the maternity ward, to the cardiac ward - where they are better equipped to monitor her heart and blood pressure.

Sunday, 2/14/2010

Megan's blood pressure is slowly coming down. While they can't tell us exactly when she will be able to leave the hospital, everyone (all the medical personnel) seem much happier with her progress! And she got to get her staples (from the c-section incision) out today! What a trooper!

Baby is still doing amazing! They actually took him off of the c-pap machine, and he is breathing completely on his own!!! The nurses told Joe that even between yesterday and today, there is 100% improvement on his part! He's totally a fighter, and he's going to be quite a handful for Megan and Joe!