Jovita's Patchwork Atelier: 2013

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

5 months and growing like a weed

While I wasn't looking 5 months flew by ...

he surprised us all with a terrible bout of the chicken pox

and a gigantic growth spurt

weight

4770 grams / 10-1/2 lbs

a gain of 1550 grams / 3 lbs, 6-2/3 oz in 6 weeks

length

57 cm / 22-7/16 in

he has grown 8,4 cm / 3-1/3 in 6 weeks

head circumference

40,5 cm / 16 in

an expansion of 3,5 cm / 1-3/8 in 6 weeks

(Measurements from doctors appointments on 11 June and 25 July 2013)

In the meantime, I have managed a little bit of sewing here and there ...
I just need to find the time to photograph things.

And it looks like we will be moving house.

Very excited.

Already exhausted.

Smile.

Pin It Now!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Bloglovin'

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Pin It Now!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

He's Due Today

I'm afraid I forgot to tell you he was home.

And TODAY arrived.

The day he was due.

It's amazing how far we've come.

And I look forward to the rest of our journey.

weight

2820 grams / 6 lbs, 3-1/2 oz

a gain of 1515 grams / 3 lbs, 5-1/2 oz since birth

length

47,2 cm / 18.58 in

he has grown 7,7 cm / 3 in since birth

head circumference

35,5 cm / 14 in

an expansion of 8,3 cm / 3-1/4 in since birth

On Thursday, 23 May, Finn will be 12 weeks old.

Pin It Now!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Sweet Nothing

That is exactly what I have been doing.

No sewing and very little knitting .. there just isn't time to squeeze it all in.

I have 2 free hours between each feeding to eat, shower, tidy up, edit pictures and document Finn's every move.

I do have a room in the hospital just down the hall from him ... *and* I brought my featherweight, but it's still in it's little case.

Maybe tomorrow, I keep saying.

In the meantime, Finn reached two Milestones this week...

Yesterday he crossed the 2 kilo mark on the scale.

He's wearing one of the hats I knit while I was pregnant, I ravelled it here and there are also lots more pictures here.

Today Finn is 8 weeks old.

out-takes of this photo shoot can be seen here

Finn is pictured here with "Sophie," a gift from one of my dearest friend ... Do any of you remember Sophie? I think I had one when I was little. If you've never met a Sophie before, she's 7" tall.

Maybe one day I'll sew again ...

Pin It Now!

Monday, March 25, 2013

Snug as ...

... a bug in his own little rug ...

I do apologize if all my latest posts are about our newest addition

but hope you'll bear with me a little longer.

Finn will be in the hospital until at least April 23rd ... he must be at least 36 weeks (gestation) and weight 2.3 kilograms / 5 pounds to be released and come home.

My husband and I were tallying up where my hours are going lately ... between the basics (showering and toiletry), pumping breastmilk (ugh), packing bags, driving too and from the hospital and finding the one parking spot that is still available a whopping NINE hours of my day are gone. And while we included clearing the table after meals we did forget to calculate time at the table.

So I hope you don't mind too much as I periodically use snaps of my sweet as a placeholder here.

I'll do my best to post some creativity .. I knit (slowly) while snuggling him skin-to-skin as much as possible each day ... but sadly this averages at about three hours. If I could I would be there full time ...

Some of you have sent messages asking for updates on Finn so here's a quick run-down ...

Today he's 32 weeks gestation ... on Thursday he will be a whole month old!!!
Finn almost weighs 1500 grams / 3 lbs, 5 ounces!!!
He has monitors for heart rate, respiration and oxygen saturation. All other monitors and IVs have been removed.
He receives feedings (we're up to 33 mls seven times per day) via a feeding tube.
Hopefully we'll be able to start some breastfeeding around 34 weeks.
Finn has grown a quilter's quarter inch since his birth!!

Yesterday he graduated to an open bed - he is holding his own body temp so is snuggled with blankets and this busy mommy is smashing out some long-sleeve snuggles to help keep him warm and cosy.

And thank you .. to you one and all for your well wishes and sweet sweet comments. Next to snuggling with Finn, opening my mailbox (both cyber and postal) is the highlight of my day! I'm sorry that I don't have time at the moment to answer all your comments but I do read them all and often twice ... my husband has been particularly touched as we have heard from all corners of the earth from so many wonderful and kindred spirits.

xox

Pin It Now!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Stitches, Sad and Happy

Yes, I know they're not quilting stitches

but stitches they are .. lots of purls and knitting.

It's the best project for picking up and putting down.

For taking back and forth to the NICU.

I whipped up these two little hats for Finn's first girlfriends

- twins A & E are his roommates in the NICU -

Sweet little things.

Their parents are lovely ... it's been wonderful to find kindred spirits in the same boat.

We've met a few other parents, most have already "graduated" and moved into stage 2 of the NICU.

But tonight my heart and soul are with the family of H.
That is, after I dug it out of my throat ..
it was a hard day in the NICU as I snuggled my lovely Finn
while H's parents ushered in their family one at a time
.. to say good bye..

I don't know if she'll still be there when I visit tomorrow ...

I've watched my little guy jump hurdles, lose a few grams,
gain a few back but all the while thriving ... we are so lucky.

We are so blessed.

Today he is "30 weeks"