June Giveaway!!!!

I told you we would have a giveaway every month and I meant it!!! So today starts a new contest. An easier than pie contest! An anybody can do it contest! An in honor of Baby Zane contest! If you've read any of my blog entries the last couple of weeks you know Zane was born at 30 weeks of gestation. He was born 9 and 1/2 weeks early. In order to enter you must leave a comment at the bottom of this blog entry. In your comment tell me if you were born early, late or on the date! Leave your full name so I can announce the winner next week. One entry per person. Contest begins now and ends next Wednesday, June 24th at noon. Do you want to know what you're playing for? ( survivor thing again) This month's prize is your choice.....

Tavel Kit, shown on our website http://www.shamrockm.com/ on the "bags, all kind" page

Or

Animal print tote, shown on our website http://www.shamrockm.com/ on the handbags page

We'll draw a winner from all the entries. Good Luck!!

Now for your Zane update.

Yesterday was a busy, busy day for us. Kelly had her 2 week doctor check up, I went to a class for NICU parents and grandparents and then we had a tornado warning! Needless to say we never got a chance to log on to the internet and check email or blog. Monday, Zane was moved to a "big boy" bed. He wasn't able to maintain his body temp so he went back to the giraffe bed. He's really too young to try this but he's doing so good the doctor wanted to give it a try. He is also getting one bottle every 24 hours. He plays around with it and may take a little, not a lot. He's too young for this too but Dr. McKee wants him to be introduced to the bottle. His weight went to 4-5 on Monday night and to 4-7 last night! A real porker! The occupational therapist came by today and did Zane's assesment. He passed with flying colors! Friday she will come by and teach Ned & Kelly to do baby massage. In a couple of weeks, when he is at 34 weeks gestation age, the speech therapist will come by and work with him on his bottle sucking technique. He still has a feeding tube and will have it until he can take all his feedings by bottle. Here are some more photos! Enjoy!

Zane is living in the "lilly pad" now, so the frog outfit is sooo appropriate.

4 pounds & 4 ounces

Yep! Baby Zane is "plumping" up. He weighed 4-1 at birth, fell off to 3-13, then eventually got back to 4-1. Last night when Ned called for his nightly update the nurse said he weighed 4-4. Ned hung up the phone and said, "I think I misunderstood her, I think she said his weight is 4-4." When Kel and I got here this morning we immediately asked about his weight. 4 pounds and 4 ounces is what was written on his chart. The nurse said, "lets weigh him again to make sure." Sure enough he weighed 4-4! He is now enough grams to really get ready for his open air crib. His progress continues to amaze us! I held him today. Let me just tell you right now, I could do that all day long! Kelly had fed him and she asked me if I wanted to hold him. At first I said no. The more I thought about it the more I decided I wanted to. I'm glad I changed my mind, it was unbelievable. He really seems different now that he's wearing clothes. Not so fragile.

My weekend was a whirlwind. I "blew" in on Friday about 3pm and immediately starting catching up on Shamrock stuff. Saturday is a blur but I think I got almost everything done. I still have a couple of blankets to embroider with Zane's name on them. Our dear friend Trina made supper for us. She has been terrific making sure we're fed. She is a great cook. I spent Sunday morning cleaning house, including steam cleaning carpets. I headed back to Nashville about 1pm with Kelly and Ned's dogs in tow. I'm not sure who was happier to see who. Some of Ned & Kelly's friends had a baby shower for them in Spring Hill. It was so much fun seeing everyone and ooohing and ahhhing over the cutest baby gifts ever. I fell off the "south beach" wagon and ate some of the best cake in the universe! Yes, it was that good. Chocolate with a cream cheese/cheese cake kind of filling. Amazing! If I had some with me I would be eating it right now. Moral of this story is.... If you're gonna cheat on your diet, do it right!!!

Dalaina & Micah

The "amazing" cake

Nana & Granddaddy

Ned's best bud Jake Way.

Dalaina, Ned, Kelly, Val & Lynn


Landon, Jenny and Sue Way.

Happy Birthday Ned!

Okay, I'm a day late with this but better late than never right? Yesterday wasn't a very good day for me. Maybe I was a little exhausted, I'm not sure, but I wasn't up to par and I didn't go to the hospital. I slept most of the day. Because of this I didn't blog and therefore didn't wish my absolute favorite son-in-law a Happy Birthday. We went to Wal Mart and I let him read a few b-day cards that I thought were appropriate so I wouldn't have to spend money and buy him one. Just kidding! We did go to Wal Mart and we bought Baby Zane some little t-shirts and a couple of preemie outfits because he can wear clothes now! The central line was removed late Wednesday afternoon. My favorite son-in-law Ned is a carpenter. Not just any old carpenter but a very accomplished one. One of the outfits we got for Zane has tools on it and it says, "Mr. Fixit"! It is absolutely adorable. When we got home Ned got his best birthday present. No it wasn't me singing "Happy Birthday". He called the NICU to get an update on Zane and was told he would be "moving on up!!!" On up to the 8th floor which is the NICU step down facility! (It's called the Lilly Pad. Zane started out in the Meadow then moved to the Pond.) That's right my little over achiever moved on up at 1 week and 1 day old. When they removed the central line from his belly button they had a PIV in place for his TPN. When TPN's were discountinued they left the IV for fluids. Not sure exactly what happened but the IV had to be removed and they didn't need to replace it. So now all he has is the feeding tube and his leads that monitor respiration, heartbeat, etc. Ned also got the good news that Zane is now back up to his birth weight of 4 pounds and 1 ounce! His doctor had also ordered him transitioned to an open air crib. This is a gradual process and he must be acclimated to room temperature. Ned was sooooo tired when we were coming home from Wal Mart but after this good news he was walking on air. He and Kelly are such great parents. They already know how it feels to worry about a child and they are handling it with such strength it amazes me. Little do they know now that this never, ever ends no matter how old your child is. I once heard that "a parent is only as happy as their unhappiest child". Think about it. It is so true!
Anyway,
Happy Birthday Ned!!!!

One Week Old Today!

It has definitely been a week to remember! Our little Baby Zane making a GRAND entrance, our crash course on the NICU and taking care of Kelly after her emergency C-section. We continue to say that as long as Baby Zane is doing good it is all worth it. He's a doll. I will be going home either Thursday evening or Friday morning early. I have a lot of embroidery to do at the store! All of it for Zane! I'm really going to miss seeing him every day! I'll be back up here on Sunday and stay through Thursday again. We are settling into a routine so things are going smoother for us. I'm taking photos everyday. I'm amazed at how fast he is changing and I'm sure you will be too! Enjoy!

Our New Life...

Hey all! I didn't post yesterday as it was pure chaos! Kelly was discharged from the hospital on Sunday but was given a courtesy night. So we had to be completely out of her room by noon yesterday. Because Ned & Kelly both had been living at the hospital for almost 3 weeks there was still quite a bit of organizing and moving out to do. All of this around Zane's schedule. Kelly was able to hold Zane yesterday even with the central line going into his belly button. She was thrilled. I know that made going home yesterday a little easier. Zane is doing great and is scheduled to get the central line removed today. We aren't sure if he will have a PICC line or just an IV. I have been spending time in the Family waiting room when 2 other people are in with Zane. I have met some really nice folks. Everyone has a story. I know why they call it the Family waiting room. We are bonding and becoming like family as we share this challenging experience. Ned went back to work today. I know it's hard for him not being here. The plan is to work now and take several days off when Zane comes home. Our morning went fairly smooth but we did have a few kinks to work out. I'm sure we'll get a routine down and we can get on the road a little earlier. We hit some heavy traffic but still made it in time for Zanes feeding. When we left yesterday afternoon we stopped at Baby Depot. Jolyn spotted it when she was here last week. They had the travel system Ned and Kelly wanted but only in the up to 22 pound carseat version. After much thought we decided to go with that one. Kelly knows Zane won't be home any time real soon, but feels better knowing she has it. With the little rascal coming so early they haven't had a baby shower yet. One was already planned for this Sunday the 14th so maybe they will get some cool stuff and we can get more and more prepared for the day he does come home. My buddies April and Melinda sent some preemie stuff up here with Dan and I went through and washed it last night along with some receiving blankets we bought at Baby Depot. Zane can have his own receiving blankets in his bed but we are responsible for laundering them. We looked for some western ones but no luck. We settled for puppy dogs. I have taken more photos but haven't had a chance to download them yet. Maybe this afternoon. One of my new friends is Kim another first time grandmother who has a grandaughter in the NICU. Kim is an author and I have added a link to her website on the lefthand side of this page. Check it out. Hope to have more photos later today!

My Baby Zane photo "fix"

This is the outside of Zane's "giraffe" bed. One of the nurses made his name tag.


I love the way he has his hands all tucked up next to his face...



Takin' it easy....

Dan is pretty sure he is the best thing EVER!!!

Sweet dreams sweet baby Zane.......

He Just Melts My Heart

He's so tiny we can't even hold him yet but baby Zane has already wrapped himself around our hearts. I just can't get enough of him. Luckily for me there is a Walgreens right down the street and I have been getting some of my favorite photos printed there. I can't afford to get all my shots printed! We have "badges" with his photo on them that we wear every day! I'm sure we are starting a new fad. His hair is amazing, it is dark brown, almost black, and has little blonde tips. His little fingers and little toes are so tiny you can't imagine how fragile he seems. If I look at my hand that is how wide his chest is! Every time we go up to see him the nurses all say he is doing great! Because he is doing so good we spend as much time as possible up there with him. The nurses are busy with other babies that are not doing as well. Of course he mostly sleeps but we talk to him and let him hold our fingers and they have showed us how to touch him in a reassuring way. This whole experience has taught us so much. Every morning and every evening I have a 50 minute drive to and from the hospital. It has become a wonderful time for reflection. My family, probably like yours, has often talked about what we would do if we won the lottery. Let me tell you I've never felt as wealthy as I have in the last few weeks. The outpouring of love from family and friends has been amazing. The Lord has been mindful of me, he blesses and blesses again!!

Now for more photos of Baby Zane!! Enjoy!

Mommy & Baby



Our little bundle of joy!

Zane & his "stuffed" cow. This will be our reference for his growth through the next few days, weeks and months!

Amazing isn't it?

Zane with his "Lone Ranger" mask on!

Diaper changes can be a little tricky...

...and so can feeding!

Ahhhhh, clean diaper, food in my belly, time for a snooze!



Tiny, precious feet.

Baby Zane Photos!

Sorry these wouldn't post earlier with the update. I did forget to mention that he is a little jaundiced and he is under the "light" and is wearing a "Lone Ranger" mask! He's even cute in his mask..... those photos tomorrow.

17 and 3/4 inches long.....

Zane Smith, Over Achiever....

I mentioned yesterday that he was an over achiever and now it has been confirmed! He doesn't even have the oxygen thingy under his nose anymore. He is doing great, he has lost a few ounces though and was down to 3-13 last night. Nurses said not to worry that is very normal. They may remove the central line this weekend. They have even mentioned moving him in the near future to the step down NICU! Isn't that amazing? All the nurses tell us how cute he is, duh, I already know that! However, I do love hearing it!! You don't think they say that to all the babies' families do you? I didn't think so....
I have been taking tons of photos and I had some more to share today and will have more tomorrow too! I can't get the add image button to work so if I get it to after I publish this post I will post again right away! I had a plan to have a new canon dslr camera before Zane made his appearance. That didn't happen but my trusty camera is doing a good job! My beautiful grandson just doesn't take a bad photo.
Our days are very busy with visits to the NICU. This is an interesting experience. You must sign in and show a photo ID. Once inside you go to the scrubbing station and get your scrubbing sponge opened up. You use your knee to turn the water on. When the water comes on there is a clock that starts and you must "scrub" for 3 minutes. I suggest you all do that. You'll be surprised at how long 3 minutes is! Then you put on a hospital gown and you can go back to see the baby. When you leave you are suppose to sign out. I keep forgetting to do this. All my Pilates buddies can appreciate this because they usually sign me out at Pilates!!!
Looks like Kelly will be discharged on Sunday. They will probably give her a courtesy day because Zane is in the NICU! Kelly want be able to drive for 2 weeks so I will stay up here and drive her to the hospital Monday-Thursday. Ned is off on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so on those days he can drive Miss Daisy. Then I will go home for the weekend so I can embroider and monogram Zane's name on EVERYTHING!
Thanks again for all the prayers and support. Prayer is truly an amazing thing!

It's a BOY!

We welcomed Zane Daniel Smith into this world yesterday, June 3rd 2009. He was delivered by emergency c-section at 11:17 am. He weighed in at 4 pounds and 1 ounce and is 17 and 3/4 inches long. He is BEAUTIFUL!!! Mama and baby are doing great. Zane is in the NICU. Ned just came back from the NICU and said they already have Zane off the ventilator!!! He just has the oxygen thingy at his nose! (More of my medical terms.) I think he is going to be an over achiever!

The drama all began yesterday morning. Kelly's morning antibiotics were over a little after 10am. When antibiotics are over she has about 3 hours that they can lock off the lines and she isn't tied to the IV pole. So that is shower time. She came out of the shower and was fixing to get dressed when she realized something wasn't just right. She told me to call the nurse, as soon as I did I felt that wasn't going to be fast enough so I ran down to the nurses station and got the nurse. Kelly had a prolapsed cord. By the grace of God Kelly's doctor, Dr. Lombardi, was sitting at the nurses station writing notes. He rushed to the room asked if there was a heart beat. There was. He then announced he was doing an emergency C-section. This is when I started calling Ned. He was, once again by the grace of God, working yesterday morning at Vanderbilt. He was only 10 minutes away. Unfortunately Ned didn't answer. I left a message that probably scared him to death. I feel bad about that but I was scared! When Ned didn't answer I tried to call Dan at the store and tell him what was going on and have him start trying Ned. My fear was that Ned had a saw going or something and didn't even realize that I had called. Now I'm calling Dan and he's not answering. PANIC! Nurse Angie came up to me and said, "have you called Ned?" I told her he didn't answer but I would keep trying. She said if he answers for me to let her talk to him. Luckily when I called him the first time he was talking to his mom so he knew I had called and checked the message. When Angie talked to him he was already on his way. My first call to Ned was at 11:03, Zane's time of birth is 11:17! Isn't that amazing! They have emergency teams ready to spring into action. People were coming from everywhere. They did a general anesthesia so neither Ned or I were able to be with her. We waited in the hall by the elevators for the baby to come out and be taken to the NICU. We asked every nurse and doctor that came out how they were doing. Mind you we still didn't know if the baby was a boy or a girl. Finally one of the NICU pediatricians came out to talk to us and announced it's a boy! He talked to us for a few minutes before the NICU team came out with our little bundle of joy. We rode up on the elevator with the team and the baby. We were taken back into the NICU and watched while they weighed the baby. We were given NICU instructions and told to check back in about an hour because the nurses had a lot to do to baby Zane. We went back down to sixth floor and Ned's dad Jim was there. Dr. Lombardi came out and talked to us. He explained that this tends to happened when the cord is unusually long. He said this was true in this case. He went on to explain that this cord was so long it looked like the baby had a "lasso" in there. Ned, Jim and I started laughing and I said well of course, his mama and daddy are both ropers! When we told Kelly she said, "Zane's a cowboy!" It wasn't long before Kelly came back to the room. Dan got here around 2pm. Boy, was I glad to see him. Ned, Dan & I headed up to the NICU to visit with Zane and for me to take photos to show Kelly. When I came back to the room Jim and Kelly said the nurse came and told them we would be moving to 4th floor. Wow, we had to leave our "suite" that had been home for 2 weeks. That was a lot of stuff to move. Our new room is small ! But we'll make it. Everything is looking good and we thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and well wishes. Keep 'em coming for baby Zane! Now here are some of the photos we took yesterday. Enjoy!!!

Roller Coaster

That pretty much sums up life on 6th floor of the Women's Hospital at Centennial. One day everything is going as planned and a minute later you've done a complete 360 degree turn around. Before you know it everything has turned back around and you're in good spirits again!

Monday Kelly's buddy Jolyn came up from Arkansas. We had a great time hanging out! Kelly loved the diversion. We went to a couple of baby stores and checked out stuff for Kelly. Ned & Kelly were pretty sure they wanted to get the Chicco keyfit 30 travel system. Jolyn and I went and looked at it and Jolyn gave it a big thumbs up, so that is what Dan & I will be getting for the grandbaby! I may even order it today!

Kelly is enjoying her emails and facebooking! It really helps to pass the time.

A lot of folks have asked about the food here. Here's the deal....some of it is good and some of it ain't! You can call "room service" (no joke-- that is how they answer the phone) and change from the standard menu and add your substitutions. You can also call and cancel your tray and get something from the food court or call for takeout at one of the 2.5 million restaraunts near West End. Some even deliver. Last night we had Papa Johns Pizza. The food court is over in the main Tower. It has Dairy Queen, Subway, Morrisons, a pizza place and refrigerated stuff like salads and desserts. I will tell you right now that Dairy Queen has the best "food/ice cream" photos on the planet. I have to just turn away from the photo of the "earthquake brownie blast" everytime I go over there.

When Dr. Lombardi came by yesterday afternoon he said everything looked good and that Kelly and baby were very stable. Kelly did have some back pain yesterday and last night some back spasms. Apparently the little rascal is putting pressure on her sciatic nerve and causing some discomfort. She's hoping a hot shower will help. The nurse also suggested a heating pad so that is on the agenda for today....get a heating pad.

A BIG thank you to everyone that has sent cards, gifts and food. To everyone that has called and checked on us and most importantly thanks for the many, many prayers. We love you all!!!

Counting it on Down!!

Well it's June 1st, 2009. Kelly has been here in Centennial Women's hospital just under 2 weeks. (Will be 2 weeks Wednesday) Ned & Kelly's goal is to make it to 36 weeks. That means 39 more days. That means 39 more days until July 10th. Okay by now you know I am a Survivor fan and 39 days is the length of time they stay out on the island. I'm sure if some of those yayhoo's can make it through those circumstances Kelly can make it just fine.
We did have another emotional roller coaster ride over the weekend. Friday when Dr. Fortunato came in he reported that her white count and her C-reactive protein levels were elevated even more. They would change her antibiotics and hope that would work to lower the levels. If that did not work he said they may have to deliver within 48 to 72 hours. Let me tell you that is SCARY! By Saturday morning the counts had gone down and by Sunday morning they had gone down even more. We think everything is going in the right direction now.
I got to the hospital this morning and plan to be here through Thursday. Kelly is enjoying the emails and visiting with friends on facebook. Thanks again for all the prayers and keep 'em coming.