We first off would like to wish Miss Bella in Texas a wonderful Happy Birthday!!! She is 1 now & looks like she is doing very well!!! :) Congrats Machel & Chris for making it through the first year! As you know, it will get better as time rolls on... lol
As for Marqus, we went back to the Neurologist & he did NOT have the MRI done. I won't get into that whole story. But we do FINALLY have one scheduled for December 28th. He is doing very well though! :o)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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This is my first mobile post. Marqus is doing very well. :o) He was supposed to have another hearing test today, but again, that didn't happen. He's got an ear infection in his left ear. He's on Amox for that one, but when we went in today, the doctor said that he's also got it in his right ear. We'll let the Amox run its course for the 10 days... we'll go back Monday to check his ears out.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Just maybe....
Hey!! :o) Long time no see, I know. I'm sorry!
Okay, here's the deal... Marqus was 14.8 lbs & 25 3/4" long at his last doctor's appointment. (August 18). We've been to the Neonatologist & they wanted him started on Speech & Physical Therapy. So we have just started that. We are finally in the Early Intervention Program. We'll see how that goes. Both the Neonatologist & his Pediatrician say he's got a rather small head for his age. It's not even on the charts. It's actually way below. But that doesn't matter to me because his head is in proportion to his body. Other than this, he's doing well. Caught his very first cold this past week. Been just a bit cranky. He's up as I type. I don't know why, but he is. lol. I'm proud of my guy, being 2 months premature and not getting "sick" until he's 7 months old. That's pretty darn good.
We were supossed to have a hearing test done Thursday the 10th, but when they put the devices in his ears, his eardrums never vibrated or anything, they said there was probably fluid in there, so we went to the pediatrician & he said there was fluid but no infection. He also cleaned a row of potatoes out (wax)!! lol So needless to say, we didn't have the hearing test done, but they did make new earmolds for his hearing aids. We will do the test on the 24th.
He starts his Speech Therapy on the 28th of this month, then on the 29th it's off to Charlottesville for an eye exam. His eyes cross a slight bit, but to me it doesn't look like anything major. The doctor will let me know. I'm still anxiously waiting that freakin MRI in November.
Okay, here's the deal... Marqus was 14.8 lbs & 25 3/4" long at his last doctor's appointment. (August 18). We've been to the Neonatologist & they wanted him started on Speech & Physical Therapy. So we have just started that. We are finally in the Early Intervention Program. We'll see how that goes. Both the Neonatologist & his Pediatrician say he's got a rather small head for his age. It's not even on the charts. It's actually way below. But that doesn't matter to me because his head is in proportion to his body. Other than this, he's doing well. Caught his very first cold this past week. Been just a bit cranky. He's up as I type. I don't know why, but he is. lol. I'm proud of my guy, being 2 months premature and not getting "sick" until he's 7 months old. That's pretty darn good.
We were supossed to have a hearing test done Thursday the 10th, but when they put the devices in his ears, his eardrums never vibrated or anything, they said there was probably fluid in there, so we went to the pediatrician & he said there was fluid but no infection. He also cleaned a row of potatoes out (wax)!! lol So needless to say, we didn't have the hearing test done, but they did make new earmolds for his hearing aids. We will do the test on the 24th.
He starts his Speech Therapy on the 28th of this month, then on the 29th it's off to Charlottesville for an eye exam. His eyes cross a slight bit, but to me it doesn't look like anything major. The doctor will let me know. I'm still anxiously waiting that freakin MRI in November.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
As of now
Marqus really has taken off on his weight. He's close to 12-13 pounds now. At his appointment on the 4th, he was 10 lbs and 4 ounces. But he's heavier now, of course. And he's getting big. He will need hearing aids and we're waiting on an appointment to get him fitted for them. We have an EEG set up for the 10th of June. He was supposed to have an MRI when he was 3 months old but the doc said that he wanted to wait until he was close to a year old, so that will be in November, hopefully.
funny face!
serious face!
oh mi gosh, what is she doing!
'sup dawg!? lol
i'm cute, right?
funny face!
serious face!
oh mi gosh, what is she doing!
'sup dawg!? lol
i'm cute, right?Wednesday, May 20, 2009
New photos! :o)
Look how little I am! This is my first day out of the hospital. We went to Mom-Mom's house!
I'm in my bassinet! And yes, I AM my mommy's little prince!
Sitting in Pop-Pop's chair. The circle is complete.
He's getting big, but still small.
We caught him sucking his thumb! lol It's the only time he's done it.
He really liked this outfit! This is also a favorite of everyone that got him clothes! lol. And notice that his tongue is out? :o)
He looks like he's really thinking about something that he needs to do... maybe "making business"? 
PT wanted to know if he could lift his head up while on his belly? Well, yes he can, but thispicture was cuter, so I snapped it! :o) He looks so comfortable on her lap, doesn't he!?
A BIG smile for the camera!
Still, on Day 10... as you see there is no more C-pap. The nurses took it off him because he didn't need it! He truely was breathing on his own... This picture reminds me of a little old man... so I call this picture "The Curious Case of Marqus Evan"... instead of Benjamin Button... haha...
Day 12. This is the picture that Pop-Pop held in the hospital. At that point, this was the only one that we had that was cute enough to make him "laugh". Marqus was just too darn cute.
Day 14, in a closed isolette... so precious!! He's holdin my finger! :o)
MY FAVORITE PICTURE OF HIM!!!
Day 15.
Day 16. He is so peaceful in his sleep! I love this guy!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Marqus
On Day 10 the nurses changed him out from his ventilator to a C-pap. He is just too darn cute with this on. I knew he could do it, I knew deep down he didn't need it, he was doing a wonderful job breathing on his own, even though he was on a ventilator. All his nurses told me that he was really breathing on his own, he didn't need the ventilator. So here are a few of Marqus with the C-pap!
He's got an eye slightly open. This is probaby the first time I saw him "open" his eyes. He was on Phenobarb for a while, so he was out of it all the times that I saw him. To see him try to open his eyes was wonderful!
He's got an eye slightly open. This is probaby the first time I saw him "open" his eyes. He was on Phenobarb for a while, so he was out of it all the times that I saw him. To see him try to open his eyes was wonderful!
This is his signature move! He is all the time sticking his tongue out! He does it to everyone!
Cute, right!?
Here is my booga man and he's got an eye open slightly! :o) Go little dude!!! The Fight for Life
Day 6...you can see he's gotten a bit lighter, right? He really wasn't that dark the first few days, what you saw were all the bruises that he got from his delivery. His delivery was so fast that he got bruised. At one point, he was actually 2 colors... a dark and a light color... some bruises went away quicker than others. In this picture, he's a nice color!! :o)
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On Day 9 of his fight, he starting to look awesome! I could really see what he would look like. And he looks just like his daddy! I was so blessed to have him in my life. He's fought a long, hard battle and I couldn't be prouder.
The Start of Life for Marqus.....
Marqus Evan Stevens02/12/2009
11:47am
3lbs 12oz
15 3/4" long
Day 1 of Marqus' life. This is what he looked like when I was able to go down and see him in the NICU at UVA. I wasen't able to go see him until about 8pm that night.
Day 2 of what I call my "booga man's" life. He truely fought for his life & amazed the NICU doctor's and nurses. It's so hard to hear the doctor's say that they don't think your son/daughter will make it the first day. But Marqus fought, and he fought hard. Chase & I couldn't be any prouder of him. He made everyone believe in miracles again. He's really here for a reason. He's going to be something special.
On Day 3, his levels were up and he had a small case of jaundice. The nurses did a good job and took excellent care of him and his needs. We still have the shades... which we refer to them as "Marqus' Stunna Shades"!!! He was definatly rockin the look! :o)
On Day 5, he's got him a little hat on, but it's not really a hat... it's covering all the wires needed for his Video EEG. That's pretty neat because they had a video camera in front of him and they not only monitored his brain, but what he was doing when something looked suspicious on the EEG. The stand was right at the end of the bed. It was neat.
I am going to do my best to get some more posts up, tracking his life. Marqus is 3 months old now and he's doing so wonderful. I will give you his information when the pictures are up.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Tests & more tests
....this would be much easier had i started from the day marqus was born....
Marqus had a total of 4 EEG's during his stay at the NICU. These didn't have the most encouraging findings. He also had an MRI done on the 17th of February. The nurologist didn't have good news for me as we talked in the most dreadful room on the NICU floor. All I can tell you is what is in my discharge papers, and I don't even understand them sometimes. Marqus did have a Grade 1 bleeding in his brain. This is "normal" of premature babies. Thankfully, this did not progress into any further bleeding. At discharge, he still had the bleeding, but it was still considered a Grade 1 bleed. His bili was still up a little bit, so they sent us home with the Rx for Actigall. He has since stopped that. His levels have dropped to a 1.1.
He is doing very great to date! He goes next Tuesday to his hearing test and then Thursday to get his 2 MONTH SHOTS! He's so big. I can't believe he's 2 months old now... it's so amazing. I couldn't thank God more for letting me have Marqus home and have him doing so well.
Marqus had a total of 4 EEG's during his stay at the NICU. These didn't have the most encouraging findings. He also had an MRI done on the 17th of February. The nurologist didn't have good news for me as we talked in the most dreadful room on the NICU floor. All I can tell you is what is in my discharge papers, and I don't even understand them sometimes. Marqus did have a Grade 1 bleeding in his brain. This is "normal" of premature babies. Thankfully, this did not progress into any further bleeding. At discharge, he still had the bleeding, but it was still considered a Grade 1 bleed. His bili was still up a little bit, so they sent us home with the Rx for Actigall. He has since stopped that. His levels have dropped to a 1.1.
He is doing very great to date! He goes next Tuesday to his hearing test and then Thursday to get his 2 MONTH SHOTS! He's so big. I can't believe he's 2 months old now... it's so amazing. I couldn't thank God more for letting me have Marqus home and have him doing so well.
He's growing so fast!!!
Well, I'll start by saying that Marqus was able to come home from the UVA NICU over in Charlottesville, VA on March 16th, 2009. He has been doing wonderful since being home. He weighed 4 pounds & 12 ounces when he was released. He now weighs 5lbs & 15 oz!! It's been really crazy since he's been home, too.
Wednesday, February 11 I recieved a call from my OB's office telling me that they had seen an enlarged liver in the baby and wanted me to go to UVA the next day for a more in-depth ultrasound of him. I was originally supposed to have the ultrasound there in the office that day (Thursday), but they thought it better to go to UVA.
Marqus had a really rough start in his life. I had the starting of preterm labor and I went into my local hospital (Rockingham Memorial) here in Harrisonburg early Thursday (February 12) morning having contractions 7 minutes apart. The doctors there didn't do much for me, so I'm happy that they did not deliver Marqus. They didn't seem to care that I thought that I had lost my mucous plug 2 days before. They "monitored" me until about 7 that morning, telling me that I had a "flat baby". He didn't get "excited" when they gave me coca-cola. His heartrate stayed the same the whole time I was in the hopital. They released me & told me to go eat breakfast & head to Charlottesville.
My fiance, Chase, & his mother were with me that day. We ate breakfast & headed to Charlottesville. We got to the Hospital 30 minutes early and they took me in right away, not knowing that I had been in the hospital the night before. We went in the ultrasound room and the tech did her thing. We were in there a good hour looking at Marqus! He was so precious. So we're just about done, and the tech said that she had to go talk to her doctor. She left the room and came back with the doctor and another ultrasound tech. This tech was looking at his heart. Something about his heart had the first tech suspicious so that's why she had to talk to her doctor. As the second tech was looking at his heart, his heartrate had dropped to 80 (it was 109 previous), she turned me over on my left side and started to "pound" on my stomach trying to get his rate up. But when she turned me, his rate had dropped again to 60. This is when the doctor told us that we may have to do an emergency c-section. He called the nurses and docs to the room with a gurney and they literally threw me from the ultrasound table to the gurney. Apparently his heartrate had dropped again, and they decided that they had to do the surgery and off I went to the OR. Chase & his mother walked with me to the room, and then they had to stop. They couldn't come in. I remember Chase squeezing my shoulder and telling me that it was going to be ok. I was in shambles... I was so scared. I didn't know what to think, what to do... anything. It truely was the most scary thing I had ever been through. There are a few things that I remember about the OR before my surgery. They said "okay, we're going to take your pants off now", I told 'em, "go ahead" lol. Another feeling I had was feeling out of breath, I felt like I couldn't breathe at all. Then they put that blue paper stuff over my head and I had to pull it back, although it is so light, I couldn't breathe with it over my head. I don't remember feeling them put an IV in me, but I do know that I picked up my left arm and I had blood running down it. Then the doctor got right in my face and introduced herself. Chase said I was brought in the OR at 11:41am, Marqus was born at 11:47am. That's how quick it was.
Then the recovery was crazy, I didn't go directly to a room. But the nurses there told me that my husband and mother were on their way back to see me. I remember saying "she's not my mother, that's his mother", but then I saw my mommy!!!! :o) It was so awesome. Then the girls that were to wheel me to my room said "we don't know if we can take you to your room!" lmao... and I asked them, "is it because of my shirt?" lol. Yes, I had a VT Hokies shirt on in Cavalier country! lol. And I didn't even think about it. Marqus was born with a Hokies shirt on, they didn't even have time to take my shirt off in the OR.
I was wheeled to my room, and still hadn't seen Marqus at all. I didn't know what had happened to him, or what was going on. I went 8 hours without seeing him. It was the most excruciating pain I've been through. I couldn't see my lil guy. Chase, mom and his mom had told me what happened, but I didn't know what to think, or say. I was so scared for him. About 5pm that day, I had told the nurse that Marqus had family that wanted to see him, that I wanted them to call the NICU and see if it was okay to come down. They didn't do it... I got so angry at them, so I told Chase to go down anyway. He and the grandma's went down. I wasen't able to go down until around 8pm. Chase did take a mini-video of him and showed it to me when he got back up to the room.
Wednesday, February 11 I recieved a call from my OB's office telling me that they had seen an enlarged liver in the baby and wanted me to go to UVA the next day for a more in-depth ultrasound of him. I was originally supposed to have the ultrasound there in the office that day (Thursday), but they thought it better to go to UVA.
Marqus had a really rough start in his life. I had the starting of preterm labor and I went into my local hospital (Rockingham Memorial) here in Harrisonburg early Thursday (February 12) morning having contractions 7 minutes apart. The doctors there didn't do much for me, so I'm happy that they did not deliver Marqus. They didn't seem to care that I thought that I had lost my mucous plug 2 days before. They "monitored" me until about 7 that morning, telling me that I had a "flat baby". He didn't get "excited" when they gave me coca-cola. His heartrate stayed the same the whole time I was in the hopital. They released me & told me to go eat breakfast & head to Charlottesville.
My fiance, Chase, & his mother were with me that day. We ate breakfast & headed to Charlottesville. We got to the Hospital 30 minutes early and they took me in right away, not knowing that I had been in the hospital the night before. We went in the ultrasound room and the tech did her thing. We were in there a good hour looking at Marqus! He was so precious. So we're just about done, and the tech said that she had to go talk to her doctor. She left the room and came back with the doctor and another ultrasound tech. This tech was looking at his heart. Something about his heart had the first tech suspicious so that's why she had to talk to her doctor. As the second tech was looking at his heart, his heartrate had dropped to 80 (it was 109 previous), she turned me over on my left side and started to "pound" on my stomach trying to get his rate up. But when she turned me, his rate had dropped again to 60. This is when the doctor told us that we may have to do an emergency c-section. He called the nurses and docs to the room with a gurney and they literally threw me from the ultrasound table to the gurney. Apparently his heartrate had dropped again, and they decided that they had to do the surgery and off I went to the OR. Chase & his mother walked with me to the room, and then they had to stop. They couldn't come in. I remember Chase squeezing my shoulder and telling me that it was going to be ok. I was in shambles... I was so scared. I didn't know what to think, what to do... anything. It truely was the most scary thing I had ever been through. There are a few things that I remember about the OR before my surgery. They said "okay, we're going to take your pants off now", I told 'em, "go ahead" lol. Another feeling I had was feeling out of breath, I felt like I couldn't breathe at all. Then they put that blue paper stuff over my head and I had to pull it back, although it is so light, I couldn't breathe with it over my head. I don't remember feeling them put an IV in me, but I do know that I picked up my left arm and I had blood running down it. Then the doctor got right in my face and introduced herself. Chase said I was brought in the OR at 11:41am, Marqus was born at 11:47am. That's how quick it was.
Then the recovery was crazy, I didn't go directly to a room. But the nurses there told me that my husband and mother were on their way back to see me. I remember saying "she's not my mother, that's his mother", but then I saw my mommy!!!! :o) It was so awesome. Then the girls that were to wheel me to my room said "we don't know if we can take you to your room!" lmao... and I asked them, "is it because of my shirt?" lol. Yes, I had a VT Hokies shirt on in Cavalier country! lol. And I didn't even think about it. Marqus was born with a Hokies shirt on, they didn't even have time to take my shirt off in the OR.
I was wheeled to my room, and still hadn't seen Marqus at all. I didn't know what had happened to him, or what was going on. I went 8 hours without seeing him. It was the most excruciating pain I've been through. I couldn't see my lil guy. Chase, mom and his mom had told me what happened, but I didn't know what to think, or say. I was so scared for him. About 5pm that day, I had told the nurse that Marqus had family that wanted to see him, that I wanted them to call the NICU and see if it was okay to come down. They didn't do it... I got so angry at them, so I told Chase to go down anyway. He and the grandma's went down. I wasen't able to go down until around 8pm. Chase did take a mini-video of him and showed it to me when he got back up to the room.
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