R & H + 2: May 2009

May 30, 2009

Big Eyes Video

This is a quick peek into one of the brief times miss Ayla is awake and alert with those "big eyes" on...too precious! This was captured (impromtu) with my photo camera so quality isn't the best but you get why we call it her "big eyes time". The RN's who have taken care of her in the past always enjoy a stop into visit and see little munkin- she is quite the celebrity!

Big Eyes

Smiling up at daddy- this is one of my favorites!

This is what we refer to as Ayla's "Big Eyes" which only come out at night when it's dark and the lights are dim....but you have to be quick with the camera to catch them and ours isn't the greatest... Ayla loves it when we talk to her and pay special attention- she's becoming more alert and responsive in the way only Ayla can do!

May 24, 2009

Chubby Rolls!

Ayla is 101 Days old and to celebrate we gave her the "spa" treatment....yet I have a sneaking suspicion our efforts were not much appreciated by the little munkin. Look at her chubby rolls- we have waited sooo long for those! Little sweet has hit a growth spurt and is packing on the pounds- yet still not eating by mouth. Those adorable 'preemie' outfits are now beginning to fit and she looks much adorable in them.

May 18, 2009

Back in Boise!

Welcome sign posted in Ayla's room at the Boise NICU- how sweet!

View from the Jet- on our way home!

Ayla inside her HUGE traveling isolette

Loading Ayla onto the plane!

Co-pilot- haa haa

Posing in front of the Portland 'Bat' Caves...maiden name is Batz so it was kinda funny!

The Elephant Museum

At the zoo!

Sleeping Beauty....

Such a tiny hand!

View from the Sky Tram Deck

Big stretches & cute bows!

We rode the Sky Tram up and down- just for fun!

Where we spent 99% of our time....

Ayla and I flew back to Boise Sunday afternoon courtesy of the St. Luke's Air Flight Team- Dara and Linda picked us up and I was so HAPPY to see them walk around the corner at OHSU with that HUGE flight isolette in tow! It was a beautiful day up in the sky and we arrived back into the care of the St. Luke's NICU- relieved to be back home... Ryan had a head- start Sunday morning and arrived in Boise around 3pm. Little Ayla was a champ during the flight! She was absolutely starving by the time we reached the hospital as she had been 'fasting' for her flight- they didn't want a 'milk shake' baby!

The short adventure to Portland was a success- we are extremely grateful that Ayla's eye surgery accomplished what Dr. Lauer intended and now it's onto healing! She will be followed closely by Dr. Lee and likely will have vision issues but we are yet unsure of the extent. It's exciting to watch her grow and looking like a newborn baby (although she has been here for 3 months) she is almost 5 pounds! A very feisty 5 pounder too....

May 12, 2009

Japanese Gardens

A short distance from the Ronald McDonald house are the Portland Japanese Garden and Rose Garden. We decided to take a few minutes break from the hospital and visit..... it was gorgeous! The day was drizzly and slightly cold but every so often the sun would burst through the clouds and it would be warm and breezy. The Gardens were beautiful and the flowers in full bloom- though not the roses....yet.

The gardens proved to be a peaceful, calming break from the hospital environment and provided some one-on-one-couple-time (which has been lacking, hmmmm). Portland is a beautiful city- although I could do without the constant rain/drizzle....it makes for gorgeous greenery!! Afterwards we shared with Ayla our adventure and informed her we couldn't wait until she is big enough to ride on dad's back through the parks and fun places we'll go!

May 10, 2009

Eye Surgery- Take 3

On our way to the Hospital after landing in Portland

Ayla after Surgery

Ayla after surgery

Ayla the Day After surgery-poor little eyes!

Ayla's 3rd and (hopefully) last surgery for Stage 4A ROP Eye Disease was Friday. We traveled to Portland on Wednesday; Ayla and I by PANDA life flight as Ryan drove. We were fortunate enough to find accomodations at the Ronald McDonald House across the street next to OHSU Hospital where Ayla is staying. Thus far, Ayla has been healing great after surgery and Dr. Lauer will be in Monday for a follow-up exam.

Ayla has been such a star- such a strong and brave girl she is!

May 3, 2009

Ayla the "Blimpie"

Mom & dad and their "Blimpie" girl

Grandpa & Grandma Stephenson

Ayla the "Blimpie" to-go sandwich

Hannah- Ayla's RN for the day

Halloween came early this afternoon- we decided to have a little fun with Ayla and dress her up as a 'Blimpie's Sandwich'...hilarious! Ayla was a great sport and gave us all a good laugh!