It’s hard to believe Peyton has been home for nearly 3 weeks! She was put on a schedule in the Nicu, eating every three hours, which has made it very easy to transition to home. While I’d love to get more sleep, fattening her up is important. She’s been quite slow to gain weight, so we’re working on getting her some adorable fat rolls! And I have to say that I may have the best husband around. Ryan’s busy working everyday, yet he still makes it a point to pick up some of the overnight feedings. He wants to make sure I’m well rested…I say we make a great team!
So while Mr. Skry is at work, I hold down the fort with Peyton. Lately, that includes endless doctor’s appointments. In order to get out of the house, I have to lug around a portable oxygen take, a monitor , a diaper bag and Peyton! It is SO heavy and I’m exhausted by the time I make it to her appointments! But I can’t complain too much–Since we are staying somewhat isolated at home, these daily trips to the doctor mean I get to make a trip to Starbucks (my addiction!!!). We may be out of the hospital, but it doesn’t mean she is out of the woods just yet. Peyton has a long ways to go. She was born more 4 months ago, but she is much like a newborn. Since my due date was October 20th, you can consider her a “2 week old”. Because she was born so premature, she won’t catch up to kids her actual age for another few years. And while she is home with us and doing great, we don’t know what the road ahead will look like. We sure hope that she will lead a normal childhood, but she could still face a number of complications. That’s why we are working with so many doctors and therapists. We see an eye doctor, a cardiologist and an ENT, to name a few. She also works with several therapists to make sure she is developing well. Think about it–for four months, she should have been cooking away inside of me. Instead, she was in an incubator as doctors tried to mimic the womb.
In between the constant appointments, I have plenty of time to stare at Peyton. It’s amazing to see how much she changes on a daily basis. Things like making eye contact are getting easier for her and her diva-like ways from the Nicu are making their way into the home. She sure makes it known when she is upset! And course, she is continuing with her hilarious facial expressions. That’s something that makes us laugh all of the time. Check out the pictures below for some signature Peyton faces.
And an exciting announcement to make–Ryan and I are SO honored to be part of the upcoming Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon. We will be one of the few families sharing our story as they raise money for the hospital. We owe our lives to St. John’s Children’s Hospital. I don’t think any of our children would have survived if were somewhere else. The hospital is one of the few in the state to have a high level Nicu that can help the smallest and sickest babies. The doctors gave our children a chance to live and fought for their lives day in and day out. We were thrilled when they asked us to take part. The WDBR Cares For Kids Radiothon will be held November 21st and 22nd on 103.7 FM. You can listen to our miracle story and hear from other families. 100% of the money raised stays in Central Illinois. Ryan and I met with Blake from WDBR (awesome DJ!) and the CMN crew and recorded an interview that will air in the coming weeks. It will bring out the tears, but we are so happy to spread our inspirational story about loss and miracles.
And one last note–These pictures are too cute for words! Miss Peyton had a photo shoot on Monday, posing for some “welcome home” pictures. Nurse Paige took those amazing photos of Parker before he passed away and we were so grateful that she could come to our house for a happier occasion. It was a bit of a challenge, since Peyton is on oxygen, but she made it work! I’ll share how Paige did it, plus some of the proofs in the coming weeks. But for now, here are a couple of the behind the scene pictures. She’s such a talented photographer! You can check out her work through this link: Paige Hampton Photography.
Congratulations on being selected to be part of the Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon. The photos of Peyton are adorable. Paige is a very talented photographer.
Awesome for being part of the Radiothon.
Love reading your posts.
HUGS
jane
HI Peyton!!! Precious little Angel.That is so wonderful about how you and Ryan are part of the Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon. Those pictures are so beautiful. I look forward to everyday on new pictures and updates. Praying for you and the family. Can’t wait to see more pictures.
Love reading your blog posts – you are such a good mommy and Peyton is lucky to have you.
Hi Peyton. Love seeing your pictures and hearing about how you are doing. The pictures are beautiful.
She is adorable ! You have an awesome mommy and daddy !!!!! 🙂
Just love all the photos you share with us always and of course love the Mondays photos and Congratulations on spreading your story to help others
Great update!!!!! I love the behind the scenes pics of pics! 🙂 Really glad you guys are doing so well at home!
Hey Stacey-I am the mother of a set of twin 23 weekers….the doctor appointments slow down….we now only see the eye doctor, ENT and orthopaedics. We have been discharged from pulmonology, gastro, cardio, neuro, feeding specialists, psychologist, play therapy, um that all I can remember. Our hospital is 1 hour away from our house and when we would go for appointments I would bring half the house along with monitors, oxygen and a grandmother. It gets better and all the hard work will pay off. Keep up the good work! God bless you and hubby and of course Precious Peyton!!!!!
Melissa-Thomasville, NC
I am so thrilled you are part of The Children’s Miracle Network!! My 24 yr old son is a CMN baby! He was a premie and had open heart surgery at age 2 months. We couldn’t have done it without CMN! You and I are blessed to be part of them. Love to Peyton!
She is so beautiful! Congrats on being home! Thanks for sharing the photos.
Wonderful pictures and she is such a ham. So glad to hear that you are going to be a part of the CMN, and little Peyton should really help to bring in the money to help others. Glad to hear that all is going well at home. She is one lucky girl to have parents like you and Sky…Give her hugs from me, I fell as if I know her and feel close to her. Everyone that has been following your story, feels that she is a part of our family.
Seeing the new pictures of Peyton is always a treat. She is doing just pretty darn good and hope she continues to gain and do so very good. Congratulations on being selected to do the Miracle network.
Love hearing how well Peyton is doing!! Congrats on being selected to the CMN. Your story will continue to touch many lives. Hugs and Much love from Champaign! Xoxo
Dear Peyton,
You are such an amazing girl who is so loved by daddy, mommy, and most importantly, GOD!! He has made you as you are and will help you grow into a beautiful little girl. Please tell the docs and nurses how thankful we are for them. Love and Prayers from Pana, Il.
Can just feel the Love of a mother as you wrote this. You and Ryan are so Blessed with little Peyton, and what an awesome daddy she has. Love your updates, may God continue to Bless you 3 abuntantly……
Love hearing your updates. You all have been through so much is time for some happiness. She is such a doll. One day you can look back and tell her all this stuff and she will be soooo thankful she had the greatest mom and dad on earth! Bless you all!
Hi Peyton! This is wonderful news!
Peyton, you just get cuter and cuter. Keeping all in prayer.
you have a great husband peyton is getting cuteier and adorable every day she is such a blessing from the lord love the blog and updates and pictures
Cute little Miss Peyton! I love your new pictures and you are getting big now! You are about the same size or maybe a tad bigger than when I brought my youngest home from the hospital. She wasn’t quite 5lbs the day she came home and that was 30 yrs ago this past July! So young lady you will catch in no time. God made you a fighter, that means he has something important in mind for you.
Great!! You will enjoy the perks of having a micro preemie! I am so happy for you all to be home and doing well. The clear head you have to the road ahead is a good thing too. But you were given a great platform to build off of with the team from the NICU, they truly are wonderful people. Hugs Love and God Bless! P.S. I love the pictures!