People often ask us if we spend a lot of time visiting Becca, and they’re usually surprised by our answer. We typically visit 
3 times a day,
but our visits usually last less than 30 minutes. Contrary to what most people expect, Becca isn’t ready for a lot of touching or talking. Developmentally, she’s supposed to still be in the womb, and too much touching or noise can agitate her. Josh and I usually touch her a little bit, talk to her, and sing to her when we visit. The NICU tries to make Becca’s environment as much like the womb as possible. She usually has a cover over her incubator to make it dark.
Only two people are allowed to visit
Becca at a time (our NICU’s rule), and one of the two must always be a parent. We have to wash our hands for 3 minutes before entering the pod (Becca is on C-pod). Sometimes, if we arrive when she’s having a procedure done, they let us help. The other day the respiratory therapist let me help with her breathing treatments (similar to an inhaler for asthma patients).
Becca is doing well. Her weight as of tonight is 2 lbs and 3 ounces! She finished her antibiotic today and hopefully is clear of her respiratory infection. She continues to eat 10ml/hr and is receiving 1.5ml of sugar an hour because of her insulin levels.
This week the results came back from the analysis of her umbilical cord. She only had 2 blood vessels, instead of the normal 3 . . . and the cord was missing the Wharton’s jelly, which supplies cushioning for the blood vessels. We’ll never know what caused these abnormalities, but my doctor said that it’s unlikely that these things will occur in other pregnancies.
Josh is doing well. He has two major papers to finish this week before the semester ends. He’s been a wonderful 
husband and I have seen him demonstrate his love to his girls over and over again. We got our first official family picture last night (top of this post)!
During her stay, my mom has been a huge help to us! On Saturday she made 7 pans of lasagna for us to freeze, on Monday she made lemon garlic chicken for us to freeze, and today she’s helping de-clutter the closet, with the hope that we can keep the baby stuff in the closet and live in our apartment until Josh finishes his degree.
What a wonderful update! Thanks so much for sharing all the information. Woo Hoo!!! for 2 lbs. 3 oz. and 10/ml an hour!!! Praise the Lord! I LOVE the first official family picture, and it’s such a blessing to hear of all the help your mom has given. That food in the freezer will be a huge help! Praying for you guys!
So nice to hear what a typical visit to NICU is like. I’m so excited about Becca’s weight gain! So thankful your mom was able to make some meals for you. That will be so nice to have food in the freezer ready to just pull out.
Thanks so much for giving us an idea of what your “routine” is like these days. It’s wonderful to hear of Becca’s weight gain and progress! Praying for you daily!
Amy, thank you for the post. Becca looks so strong for her age, and I can’t believe she’s at 10/ml already. My mom asked if you do anything besides pumping if she’s taking that much. 😉 You first family photo is beautiful, and I’m sure it’s one that will be treasured through the ages. I already told mom, but those lasagnas make my mouth water…and add to it lemon chicken. That will be a nice relief when Becca comes home and you’re adjusting to a new schedule. Love you lots! Can’t wait to talk to you.
I love checking your updates and seeing pictures of Becca. Praying you all will have her home soon!
Just finished the first of my two final papers; this one is a discussion of using the Jarai Old Testament as a corpus of texts for grammatical analysis. This afternoon I’ll start the next paper, a description of content questions in Jarai.
Thanks, everyone, for your interest, your prayers, your comments, and your children’s book suggestions! (If you haven’t told us your favorite yet, do it now! You can be as terse as Katherine or as prolix as Lynnelle and Aunt Ashley. [They weren’t really prolix, but I wanted to use the word, since I just learned it.]
In a few minutes Amy and I will go for our morning visit with Becca. Tonight I’ll probably miss the visit because I’m giving an exam that could potentially go on till 10:45. 🙁
(Don’t tell Amy I told you this–she’d be embarrassed–but she’s been simply amazing these past several weeks. For better and for worse, in sickness and in health, my wife is an example of Christ to me.)
We love the pictures and all the details. Thanks for your patience in keeping us “in the loop”. So nice to see our little Becca’s surroundings. I am thankful your mom is there to help now – and the helps she is leaving for later. We love you and are praising the Lord for how you have both responded to this “trial mixed with blessings” in your life. Praying for you!
The Farmer girls are praying regularly for baby Becca. Thanks for the updates.
Okay, so you guys made me cry! BEAUTIFUL family picture, and I really think it should become a Christmas card. Ask Jo about the 50 free cards you can get. Thanks for information. It is good to know how things go and makes it more real and able to pray more effectively for you.
lots of love.
drb
Amy,
As a NICU nurse I am very impressed with your account of your visits and Becca’s progress. You and Josh are “model” parents from a nurses stand point because you are listening to your baby’s doctors and nurses and doing what they say! (Believe me, it doesn’t happen too often). I understand it must be very difficult to see your baby and want to touch and stroke and hold her all the time! I can’t imagine how difficult it must be! God is working wonderfully in your baby girl. You, Josh (and his papers), and your beautiful Becca are in our prayers.
Much love and prayers,
Mrs. Zeloof
Oh Amy, little Rebecca looks so good!!!I must agree with most of the comments on how strong she looks!! She is just beautiful with all that pretty hair, and the cute little face I wish I could give you all a hug. All the prayers from so many wonderful people , it is just amazing how God uses us all to help each other in times of need. Im so excited that she has gained that weight already and continues to do well with her feedings. Well keep us posted it is so good to be able to see you all and even though we cant be with you Im sure you can feel the prayers . love and hugs to all of you mrs.h
Amy and Josh,
Congratulations on becoming parents. Becca is very blessed to join such a wonderful family. I just wanted to let you know that you are all in our prayers – and are in all the NDC prayers as well. I love your blog – it is so great to be able to follow Becca’s progress.
Enjoy every minute with your new baby!
The McGrath Family
Very informative and helpful blog post. It’s so good to be able to follow your little family on this new adventure. Thanks for being willing to share it. We love you guys.
Thank you for letting us share your journey…God is so good (all the time) and what a marvelous testimony to all of the hospital staff as He demonstrates His presence in the life of the Jensen family. Amy, as for your “wonderful husband”… I remember the night Josh called me to tell me about you…a “girlfriend”….the “special one” he had been waiting for the Lord to bring into his life…the one that we had been praying for….and here you are now….mother of his little girl.(sniff!sniff!) I heard it in his voice that night….I saw it in his eyes when he looked at you on your wedding day….and I am absolutely confident that Josh will continue “to love on his girls over and over again” …you are blessed…and so is Josh….and so are we (to have you, Josh,and Becca in our family)! God is Awesome!!!