New pictures of the girls

We went to get Christmas card pictures and 3 months poses of Gabby today... wanted to share. Have a happy thanksgiving!

the foca family

October update

I wanted to share some recent photos of all three girls- it's been pretty busy around here...

First, we visited Dollywood last week, and I'm please to annouce that (finally) Emma is tall enough to ride the Veggietales roller coaster.

Here she is with her big sis all ready to go!

Ainsley is also big enough to drive the cars all by herself at Dollywood, here's a preview of 12 years from now...

and Gabby is doing wonderfully as well, as you can tell from the pics, she's growing like a little weed and is just a sweet pup!

Grammy-grams and big pop-pop were here this weekend helping me out while Chris went to the Penn State/ Ohio State game, and were kind enough to send me some of their pics! They wore her out, but she sure had fun!

We'll try to get some Halloween pics in the near future!

New Gabby pics and Ballet princesses

Well, Gabby is now officially a month old, so I thought it was time to get to blogging and update the pictures. I took her in last Tuesday, and she had gained 14 ounces in about 10 days, so she's doing great! You can see she's getting bigger, and she's really adjusting to crazy life at our house. We're so glad that she's finally home with us, and it doesn't hurt that she's sleeping a 5-6 hour stretch at night (at least for now)!

Ainsley and Emma have been doing ballet for about a month now, but I wanted to post some pictures as they got ready today. They are taking ballet with 2 of their friends and are really excited to be learning ponses and plie's and most of all twirly and supergirls (I'm sure very technical ballet terms :))


We love you all and hope you're having as much fun as we are!




The Focas

New pics of the family

Wanted to share pictures that my parents (grammy grams and big pappa) took while visiting. We're adjusting well... Gabby is actually a very good sleeper- only wakes up once a night right now- and we're all trying to find our new normal. We're a little slow (or a lot slow) getting out of the house, and today went to Evind's birthday party but forgot the present (but remembered the gift reciept and the batteries) and forgot Emma's extra outfit (which would have been great since she wet not once but twice) but hey- we remembered all three children, right?

c

Gabby update- first dr visit

We brought Gabby to her first visit with out favorite Dr Lin, and we're happy to report that she's in great shape. She's up to a healthy 5 pounds 5 ounces, and doing well in terms of jaundice.
Our next office visit is actually not scheduled until early November.
We're so grateful to not have to visit the hospital to see and hold her, and Ainsley and Emma are LOVING having their baby sister home.

c and c

Pics of Gabby- I published too soon

Pictures of Gabby

Here are our first pictures of Gabby home from the hospital. Thanks to everyone for all their thoughts and prayers over the past weeks.

c and c

GABBY IS HOME!!!!

Pics to come soon.

Gabby update 9/9 at 10pm

Gabby gained a bit of weight today- almost an ounce. We are awaiting bilirubin results tomorrow morning as it increased a bit yesterday (not surprising given that she went off the lights yesterday)... she fed very well today and is getting used to nursing.
We can't wait to get her home.
c and c

Gabby Update 9/8 at 10pm

We are excited to report that we left Gabby today in her "big girl bed" instead of the warmer... with her butterfly outfit on wrapped in her new blankie bought by big sisters Ainsley and Emma (with the help of Aunt Kathryn)... she's continuing to eat well, 2 ounces at a feeding... we just need to get her to keep gaining weight.

Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. they are felt.

c and c

Gabby update 9/7 10pm

Just a quick update... she's continuing to eat (2 ounces a feeding as of this time) and poop (4 times today). She's dropped an ounce and a half- but this seems to be normal because she's pooping so much. Her bilirubin has dropped to 11.5, if we could get it under 10.5, she can come out from under the lights and put on real clothes... so we're hoping for that sometime tomorrow.

Thanks for all the encouragement!
c and c

Uncorded Gabby 9/6

Gabby has been moved to the NICU II unit, and as you can see, her NG tube in her nose has been removed. She's up to feeding 40 ml every 3 hours and we got to start nursing today as well... she is still not pooping as regularly as hoped, and has some jaundice, but we'd love to think we're in the home stretch!

c and c

Our little Gabby... the fighter

So during the middle of the night she pulled out her IV tube (for the sixth time)... instead of putting it back in (been in both arms, head foot, another time in a hand) they have decided to discontinue the IV and start giving her more milk every three hours. As of the 8am feeding, she is keeping it down and her glucose levels are good. Apparently, because they really weren't planning on taking the IV out, they need to make sure her sugars are well regulated as she adjusts to not having that constant drip.
We are so ready to have her home, thanks for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We are more than grateful for everyone who is helping us through these difficult times, and really appreciate your calls and emails even when we're unable to return them all.

Thanks,
c and c

Gabby Update 9/5 at 3pm

Well... Gabby continues to go up and down with her feedings. She started feeding every 3 hours instead of every 6 at midnight, 3am and 6am, but then had problems processing the food and hasn't been pooping consistently. But I was able to feed her at 3pm, and we're hopeful that we'll be able to continue bigger and more feedings. We've been singing "Everybody poops" (it's to the tune of "Everybody hurts" by REM)so I'm hopeful that will yeild results.

Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers.

c and c

Gabby update 9/4 at 5pm

Not too much new to report. She is staying at the same feedings 5ml every six hours. The nurse is hopeful that tomorrow we can increase the feedings. Basically, all we need to do is get her digesting and processing food, and I think the last hurdle is past... We just have to have the patience to let it all work out.

c and c

Gabby Update 9/3 at 7pm

We are excited to report that Gabby continues to improve. She has actually been moved in the NICU from the critical to non-critical care side. They are continuing to monitor her feedings, and Chris was able to feed her at 6pm today, which he loved doing. We can't wait for everyone to meet her!

C and C

Gabby update 9/3 at 2pm

Both Chris and I went to see Gabby this morning. She is continuing to improve. I got to speak with the doctor, who reaffirmed that in his mind, her breathing difficulties are now past us. She's moved on to feeding and pooping... and he told me that he has no concerns that she will start eating and processing her food better. We are trying to feed her 5ml every 6 hours, and if she can digest that she will be increased tomorrow. While I was there, she had a huge poop, which is exactly what she needs to do, just to start processing things, and she gobbled up the 5ml that I fed her. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

c and c

Our beautiful Gabby 9/2 without the hood!

Here's our first picture of Gabby without the hood on... as you can see she has a tube in her nose (just so they can see how much food she's digesting) and leads for her heart rate and blood oxygen levels, but other than that she's free. Chris is at the hospital now, will provide a morning update when he's done but wanted to share our picture. I'm quite sure the gold bow is because she's a Deamon Deacon fan already!

c

Gabby update 9/2 at 10pm

Today was a good day for Gabby... (and mommy and daddy). I went in at about 2:30, and was able to hold her for the first time since right after she was born! I also fed her a bottle and was able to "kangaroo care" with her- basically skin to skin contact that has great positive effects for baby (and it feels wonderful for a mama too!). She is still working to digest food, Chris went back for the 9pm feeding, but it had to be delayed because she still had food in her stomach from the 6pm feeding. We're hoping that she catches on to the food thing soon and know it's just a matter of patience!

New pics to come tomorrow- I'm too tired to download tonight!
c and c

Gabby Update 9/2 at 10am

Great news!

Chris went to see Gabby this morning, and she is breathing room air! She's done with her tanning treatment, apparently the bililights worked and so he was able to get a lot better access to her face and give her kisses, etc.

We are thrilled! I will go later today, and they will actually let me hold her!
Stay tuned for more pictures!
c and c

Gabby Update 9/1 at 10pm

Things were a little rough tonight for Gabby (and for mommy and daddy). We got there, and she was turned on her belly to let the bili lights get to her back, and she was definitely NOT comfortable. It is really hard to see your daughter uncomfortable, and not be able to hold her. The nurses were able to get her comfortable, however.
In terms of her breathing, she is still trying to adjust to the 30% oxygenation in the hood. They tried to feed her through her nose tube again at 2:30, but she was not able to process the food, so they have discontinued feedings at the moment. Chris is going to the hospital this morning, and we're hoping to get some clarity about when those feedings might commence again. From what we've been told, this is not a major issue, just that her body isn't quite ready for focusing on processing food, it's still spending all its energy breathing.
Pray for patience, she will be ready when she's ready, but this mama can't have her home soon enough.
c and c

Gabby update 9/1 3pm

Well, as you can see Gabby has upped her "spa treatment" at Children's Hospital. In addition to the facial she's getting from the oxygen hood, she's also now added a tanning treatment. She's under the billy lights, her billyrubin levels were 10.6, just a little above the 10.5 where they turn the lights on. Hence her very fashionable glasses and the blue glow. She is still holding her own. Here's where things stand:
- she's currently under a hood at around 30% oxygenation, so they've been able to reduce it another 5% since last post

- she still has some retraction when she breathes, and she had one slight apnea episode, where she held her breath for a little bit, but she started breathing again

- they've taken out the line in her throat, and put one in her nose. With that, they've been able to start providing her the milk I've been pumping, which is a huge developmental step for her.

While we were there, they drew new blood oxygen levels, which were not as high as the past had been. They went back down to 68%. They did not, however, increase the oxygen in the hood, they just kept it constant and will check back at 6pm.

We'll write more when we know.

c and c

Gabby update 9/1 10am

Gabby is continuing to improve. Her arterial blood gases continue to be really good, and they have been able to reduce the concentration of oxygen in the hood to about 35- 40%, down from 50%. We will update more when we know more. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers!
C and C

Update as of 10pm August 31st

We had great news tonight. As of Gabby's 10pm arterial oxygen saturation reading (may be the right term, may not) it is up to 81%, significantly better than the 68% at 6pm. Our nurse, Nancy, said if she can hold that at her 4am reading, they may be able to start trying to turn down the oxygen in her hood!

c and c

Gabby Update

Chris and I were just at the hospital and here's where things stand. Gabby seems to be holding her own with the hood set to 50% oxygenation. Her blood oxygenation levels have slowly risen all day with this hood- 62% at 6am, 64% at 10am and 68% at 2pm. She's providing plenty of wet and dirty diapers and has maintained a consistent body temperature. We think they want to get the blood oxygenation levels to around 85% before they will try to start to scale back the oxygenation level in the hood.

We will feel much better if she continues to maintain and hold constant overnight.

Thanks again for all your prayers and thoughts.

the focas

...and Gabby makes three!

It is with great joy that we announce the arrival of Gabriella Marie Foca (Gabby) to our family! She arrived August 29th at 10:30pm, weighing 5 pounds, 7 ounces and was 17.5 inches in length. She's a fighter. We tried the majority of the day on Friday to delay the labor, since she was five weeks early, but she insisted on making an apparearance. Due to her prematurity, she has been transferred to Children's Hospital in Knoxville at about 5:30am on August 30th and is currently in their NICU ward.

Information is spotty and constantly changing, but here's what we know thus far (my apologies to all medical professionals, I'm trying my best to understand :)):

- she is peeing and pooping quite nicely, Chris was able to change her first poop when he and Kathryn Dyksterhouse were visiting Gabby Saturday morning

- her weight is very good for a preemie

- she is having trouble with her breathing. The current theory on what is going on(as much as I can understand) is this: I was put on magnesium to try to delay labor on Friday. Magnesium didn't work, but one of the side effects of it is that it makes babies very lethargic and prone to apnea (when babies stop breathing for brief periods of time) at birth. So when she was born, she was very relaxed and laid back due to the magnesium, and didn't appear to have any problems breathing. Unfortunately, as the mag has worn off and she has gotten more and more awake and active (a good thing), she has had more trouble breathing (a bad thing). They like for babies to breathe approximately 40- 60 breathes a minute, she, even with the help of an oxygen hood (which concentrates the oxygen in the air she's breathing) is breathing about 90-100 breathes a minutes, a lot of work for a little one. When Chris and I visited her last night at 6, the very kind doctor and NICU walked us through everything and said his best assessment is that he expects her to be there 10-14 days. May be less, if she turns a corner, but we should prepare for a longer stay than initially thought. There is also a distinct possibility that she will be put on a ventilator for a couple of days, so she can rest and her lungs can develop surfactin better. Now, this was last night at 6pm, and of this morning at 4am they had not put her on a ventilator, so I will update as soon as I know more about that.

Here's what we're thankful for:

- that she had a safe and easy delivery (once it seemed inevitable that she would be delivered)

- that Chris and I were able to spend a good hour with her Friday night (while she was pretty lethargic) and could hold her and be with her

- that she has great care at Children's Hospital, that the doctors and nurses seems so willing and open to take the time to explain everything going on and deal with emotional parents

- that this seems to be something she just needs to work through, that in the grand spectrum of baby issues, it is not critical

- that with the hood, she is producing strong oxygen saturation levels, which means (I think) with the additional oxygen in the air, she is able to keep her blood well oxygenated

- that we have such a strong social network who are helping us with our girls, providing meals for us, and lifting us up in thoughts and prayers

What we're praying about:

- she seems to have not "turned the corner" as it were. When she got to Children's Hospital, the hood was concentrating the oxygen in the air at 30% (regular air is concentrated at 21%)- ok I didn't say that right, but I'm hoping that makes some sense. When I called to check in at 4am, they have increased the concentration in the hood to 50%- it had been increasing incrementally all day. We'd really love for them to be able to start decreasing the oxygen in the hood, which would indicate that she's getting stronger, and better able to breathe on her own

- The possibility of a ventilator is intimidating.

- The ability to balance being with her, being with the girls and recooperating so that we can do both is very hard. Add in a good dose of guilt, and Chris and I both feel imminent responsibility to be in 3 places at once at all times.

- Ainsley and Emma are weathering, but don't understand much. We think (if she doesn't go on a ventilator) that we will bring them to see her this afternoon- they can't go into the NICU (obviously) but the nurse will bring her to a window... we've shown them pictures, but want them to feel comfortable and not be scared by the wires. Also, that they would feel security and consistency. In that, we're so grateful that our sister-in-law, Kathryn, was here during the labor and delivery and that my parents are currently here to provide a sense of normalcy for them.

We will do our best to keep this blog updated. Please know how grateful we are for all the love and support!

Catherine, Chris, Ainsley, Emma and Gabby

Busy spring

Sorry to be so out of touch- I seem to go in batches!

We've been busy and wanted to keep people up to date. I haven't been great about taking pictures, so I'll just put in what I have.

In April, we met our friends Cameron and Steve Brown and their adorable baby Sam in the mountains of Virginia for a weekend. Ainsley loved baby Sam (especially feeding him) and we visited a zoo and just hung around and visited. It was great (with the exception of Ainsley getting sick on Saturday night) and really good to visit with old friends.

Our next big event was their graduation at their mother's day out. If you look closely, you can see Emma in the back seat of their "chariot" for school coming across the stage.

Ainsley picked out her own outfit for the day~ complete with cowboy boots and of course without the hairbow I've put in.

They were both adorable and sad to see school end for awhile (as was mommy :))

Just another Saturday morning...

So we're [all] sitting in bed Saturday morning discussing our plans for the day. I mentioned to Chris that he might be able to mow the lawn before it started to rain.

Ainsley jumps out, says "I know" and runs downstairs.

We wait (and wait and wait) for her to come back to the bedroom. After about 10 minutes, we go out to investigate. She has pulled out she and Emma's outdoor chairs, poured them water and cheerios (without spilling) moved her new barbie boom box out to the porch, and is brining a bunch of books down. When she's done, she announces "We're ready to watch daddy mow the grass."

What a proud moment for a mommy. The grass was mowed before 10am. And they sat and watched the entire time, eating their food, listening to their music and reading their books.

I've been tagged

What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was a junior in college, getting ready to work at Wachovia Bank during the summer. I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life :)

5 Things on my to-do list today
- make jello jigglers for Ainsley's pj party
- nail down swim lessons for Ainsley
- vacuum the house (again- it's on the market)
- determine whether the much-delayed Easter Egg hunt will be held tomorrow (rain...)
- play with my girls

5 snacks I enjoy
- chips of any kind (though when I'm pregnant, I really love bbq corn chips)
- hummus
- cheese and crackers
- apples and bananas mixed together
- goldfish

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire
- hire a nanny :)
- start a foundation
- buy a vacation home to host friends and family
- buy a boat for my husband
- travel more (once the kids get older)

5 bad habits
reality tv (especially all those bravo and tlc shows)
avoidence of conflicts
laziness in regards to kepping my house clean
procrastination
not updating my blog often enough :)

5 places I've lived
Raleigh, NC
Florence, SC
Winston-Salem, NC
Venice, Italy
Washington, DC

5 jobs I've had
lifeguard
Pizza Hut employee
YMCA worker
retail sales (Casual Corner)
photo shop employee

And now I'm supposed to tag 5 people- but I'll have to get back to this...

c

Ainsley's Fourth Birthday

We had Ainsley's birthday this past Sunday- her princess and pinanta party in the park, and a good time was had by all. We also got to host Stripes over the past weekend, the pet zebra of her mother's day out program, and grammy-grams and big pop-pop (my parents) were here too, so it was just an exciting weekend!

Emma continues to be infatuated with the pop-pop, starting her days by me walking into her room and Emma announcing "I want to see the pop-pop" and ending with rocking with him. She surprised us though, insisting on grammy from time to time as well (much to grammy-gram's delight :)). She certainly knows her mind!

Ainsley had a great time- though she was a bit overwhelmed by it all. We miss ya'll and love you and hope to catch up soon.

Long time no write- exciting news!

So I'll just go ahead and admit that consistency is one of my flaws... and move on.

We have exciting news in the Foca family. We are expecting our third child in September of this year. This has taken up a lot of our time in the past couple of months, but with our house on the market and the first trimester morning sickness behind, we're looking forward to the next couple of months! Ainsley is very excited at the prospect of being a big sister again, though she insists that it must be a boy because "she already HAS a sister..." hmmm... that one should be interesting