Taylor Jordan and Jackson David Lilly

Long Time...No Post!!

2009-06-23T08:57:00.003-04:00

Hello to all friends and family!! Yes, I have reached a new height of blogging slackness, but what is one to do when you are 30 weeks pregnant other than be slack in this NC summer heat. All is well, and our family is doing great. Taylor is 13 months old and walking everywhere. See her 1 year old pictures below. We have lots of news...our home has sold and we have purchased a new home in Lexington (closer to both sides of our family, church, etc...). Even though our home was up for sale for a long time, we have been very blessed at how everything worked out including the timing of when it happened.

My pregnancy is going well (other than the usual pregnancy annoyances) and we hoping to not have this baby as early as Taylor!! It has been quite a challenge to move while pregnant with a 1 year old, but we have had a lot of help! I can't wait to be totally settled and unpacked. Enough rambling for now, and until next time...Be Blessed!!

Love,
Dana, David, Taylor, and baby boy (who does not have an official name yet)

Taylor trying to crawl away from the photographer.

Dana at about 26 weeks pregnant and Taylor 1 year old.

Loving the camera!!

Getting ready to eat her Cheerios out of the sand bucket.

Beautiful Princess!!

2009-02-11T15:42:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone,
On February 6, Taylor was 9 months old. She just had her check up and has totally caught up in all areas and would not have a clue that at one time she was only 3 lbs. and 14 oz. She weighs 20 lbs and 6 oz. and is in the 75th percentile in weight. She is into everything, but only scooting backwards. I will have 9 month pics posted soon!! I am so excited that I will be decreasing my work hours at the end of this month to 32 hours a week, so I can spend more time with Taylor.

We also have an exciting announcement (most of you probably know by now) but on August 30th our second baby is due. That puts me at almost 12 weeks a long, which of course means we will have "babies" only 16 months apart...it will be an even busier place around our house. We are blessed beyond measure!!

Love,
Dana, David, and Taylor

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-06T12:16:00.007-05:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. Yes, I am fully aware that I need to make updating my blog a resolution for 2009, but I will make no promises. We have had an amazing year and are so blessed!!

Taylor is 8 months today (I realize she was 4 months old last time I posted ;-). I am not certain how much she weighs, but as you can see she has had no problem gaining weight!! She had a delightful first Christmas. She is sitting up very well, plays with everything in site, and just got her first tooth over the weekend.

David and I are doing great. We both are still blessed with great jobs during this economic crisis, and are so thankful for that. Our home is still up for sale and we are hoping to sell this year so we can begin building our new home on the land we own. We are so blessed with a growing family, many friends, a great church, and a beautiful baby!!

Don't forget the reason for the season we just celebrated, and everyone have an amazing New Year!! We are all so blessed!! Enjoy the photos below...

Taylor - 7 months enjoying her first Christmas

Taylor (7 months) and her friend Reagan (9 months) hanging out in the laundry basket.

Taylor and her cousins Lexi and Addison in their matching Christmas dresses. They did not want to pose for this picture ;-)

Taylor hanging out out on Daddy's shoulders.

Taylor - 6 month winter photo

Family photo

Taylor at 6 months with a giant duck ;)

Taylor showing off her dimple!!

Still growing at 4 months!

2008-09-08T10:22:00.010-04:00

Mommy Loves Me

Hi!

Cutie....

Just chillin...

Daddy's Girl

My first tent experience

Summer is Almost over

2008-08-18T00:27:00.005-04:00

Life is good...Taylor is doing amazing and weighing in at almost nine pounds on her 3 month birthday. She is 3 and a half months now, and getting bigger everyday! I am back to work and struggling leaving her everyday. We have moved to Lexington to accommodate childcare, and hoping that our house will sell soon since we are ready to build a new home. Lots of changes have taken place in the past few months, but we are so blessed!! Enjoy the photos...
Dana, David, and Taylor

Night-time beach family photo

Loving life in her swing

The first time Taylor saw Grandmommy

Baba and Momoo with their newest granddaughters

Taylor and her NICU friend Reagan

Beach Time

Taking it easy in the "beach bed"

Beautiful at the Beach

Lexi, Taylor, and Addison in their matching hats

Snoozing with Daddy

Dedication Sunday

Happy 4th of July Sunday

Sisters/Cousins

Catching up on Life!

2008-07-14T00:39:00.003-04:00

Hello to all!! I am way overdue on posting an update on Taylor's life. We are all doing great, and I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July holiday. Taylor is now 2 months and 1 week old ... time is flying so quickly. Her weight last week was 6 lbs. and 13 oz. She will hit the 7 lb. mark in no time, and this past week she outgrew some of her preemie clothes and is now in her "newborn" wardrobe.

This Sunday was Taylor and her cousin Addison's baby dedication. We took them to have 4th of July and christening gown photos. As you can see below, Taylor cried through a lot of her photo shoot, but she still was able to pose for a few of the pictures.

I never cease to be amazed at how blessed we are at Taylor's continued growth and improvement since only a little over a month ago she was in the hospital not doing well. Taylor's dedication today reminded me again of how good our heavenly Father has been to us, and now what an unbelievable responsibility it is to have a child. We are truly blessed!!

I hope you all enjoy Taylor's 2 month photos including those with her cousins, Lexi and Addison.

Love to all,
Dana, David, and Taylor

The only photo of this pose that came close to turning out.

Taylor was not happy about this situation and Lexi and Addison were not in the mood to smile.

Taylor had been crying so much that the only way we could get a few close up pictures was for me to hold her.

Taylor in her christening gown.

Taylor Update - welcome home Reagan!!

2008-06-30T12:18:00.003-04:00

The first thing we have to celebrate is that our friend, Reagan Winslow (her friend in the NICU), was able to come home this past Friday! What a miracle that she is doing so well after such a rocky start in life. Both of the little girls have made it to 6 lbs!! Taylor is 6 lbs. and 3 oz. and Reagan is 6 lbs!! They both are packing on the ounces. It is unbelievable that these girls are only supposed to be about a week old but they are almost 2 and 4 months old.

Taylor had her first professional photos done on Saturday, and she cried through most of it since she had to be unwrapped. We still got a few good shots and I will have them posted soon.

Love,
Dana, David, and Taylor

Gaining Weight...

2008-06-20T13:58:00.006-04:00

Taylor had another check up today, and she has gained a little more weight...she is up to 5 lbs. and 12 oz. Her doctor says she is doing great, but we have to keep working to help her catch up where she should be in weight. It is amazing to see how much she is already changing! She wants to stay awake longer and not sleep at night, and she also wants to be held more and more. Of course grandma (aka "mamoo") does not mind at all.

We are so grateful for her continued progress!! It is hard to believe that she was not suppose to be born until next week. Below are a few more of Taylor's one month old pictures that her Daddy took.

Love, Dana, David, and Taylor

PLEASE stop taking my picture!!

Lovin' summer time

My onesie says "I'm new here." Thanks cousin Diana!

Sleeping in my swing...

Taylor Update

2008-06-14T20:43:00.002-04:00

I have to give David credit for Taylor's great 1 month old photos!! Taylor and her dad did a great job in the photo shoot even though a one month old does not always cooperate.

Taylor went back to see her doctor yesterday and she has gained 2 more oz. The Dr. was hoping for a little more weight gain (1/2 oz. per day) and she did not meet that, but they are still pleased with her progress. She weighs a total for 5 lbs. and 8 oz. We are so thankful for her continued progress. It is amazing to think that Taylor's due date is not for another week and a half. We are so blessed that she is doing so well.

I would like to ask all of our friends and family to lift our friend Reagan Winslow up in prayer who is still in the NICU at Forsyth Hospital for her to get to come home soon. She has almost caught Taylor in weight, but she has to make it at least 7 days with no drop in her heart rate and oxygen. Come Home Soon!!

Love to you all,
Dana, David, and Taylor

Picture time! - 1 month old.

2008-06-10T09:59:00.011-04:00

What's Up.....

Mommy...where's my shirt??

I love Mommy's touch....

Another pose for Daddy...

Hi! I'm just chillin...

I got Daddy's finger now!

Na Na na Boo boo....

ZZZZzzzzzz....

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.........

Aren't my feet cute??

God is great...isn't He??

Happy 1 month old Birthday!!

2008-06-06T12:51:00.002-04:00

Wow, what a month it has been ... Happy one month old birthday Taylor!! I had no idea what I was in for one month ago today. I have to first of all give thanks to my heavenly Father for giving Taylor strength to make it through her 3 and a half week stay in the NICU, healing her infection and bowel problem, learning to eat and gain weight again, and making it through her first week at home with no problems!! She gave me a little scare Sunday night when she became really congested, did not want to eat, and cried all night (which was not like her). We went to the Dr. on Monday and they checked her out and said as long as she was able to get down 1 oz. every 3 hrs. and was pooping and peeing she was OK. She had also lost 1 oz. on Monday at her 2nd Dr. visit. After Monday, Taylor perked back up and became her usual self and has done very well the rest of the week. We went for her 3rd Dr. visit today since being home, and she is up to 5 lbs. and 6 oz!! I am so grateful she is doing so well, and we thank you all for your prayers and support.

Thanks to all my friends at work for the beautiful shower for Taylor yesterday!! It was so nice to see you all, and Taylor thanks you all for the fabulous gifts. With all the clothes she got, she will be one stylish girl!!

Love,
Dana, David, and Taylor

June 5th picture update

2008-06-05T13:09:00.011-04:00

Taylor going home!

Home at last!

At church with Aunt Diane, Uncle Jeff, and cousins Hunter and Lexi

Uncle Tim came down from Michigan to see me.

Daddy and me snoozing....

My first stroller ride!

Home at Last!

2008-05-30T21:58:00.002-04:00

I apologize for no update yesterday, but since we were able to take Taylor home from the hospital it turned out to be an incredibly busy day (and no time for blogging). I spent late morning and afternoon at the hospital speaking with the physicians, practitioners, and nurses and getting all of the needed instructions to take Taylor home. Taylor passed her car seat test with no problems. She was not very happy to be out of her warm bed and in a car seat for 90 minutes, but soon she settled down and fell asleep with no drop in her oxygen level or heart rate. She said goodbye to all her friends in the NICU and had a photo shoot with her friend Reagan before leaving. (pictures will be posted soon) Reagan, we know you will be the next one coming home, so keep gaining weight!! ;-)

It was quite an experience to finally get to bring Taylor home after 3 weeks and 2 days of her being in the hospital. We made it through our first night of not a lot of sleep. Since the Dr. is still concerned about her weight, she has to eat at least every 3 hours, her milk gets supplemented with extra calories, she is taking a liquid vitamin with iron, and she is still on Prevacid for reflux. We took her to her first Dr. appointment this morning and they are pleased with her progress and stability. She weighed 5 lbs. when she left the hospital and she weighed 5 lbs. and 2 oz. per the Dr.'s scales this morning. The hard part is that we have strict instructions from the Dr. that we are not to let others besides family touch and hold her due to her high risk for infection. Please keep Taylor in your prayers that she does not get any infections now that she is home and the she continues to do well.

To all our friends and family, thanks for your continued support and prayers during this time!! We will keep you updated on her progress.
Love,
Dana, David, and Taylor

Last night in the NICU

2008-05-28T18:12:00.009-04:00

"Mommy and Baba love me."

"Snug as a bug in a rug."

"Mamoo knows just how to burp me".

"My Aunt Mula and Uncle Bumpy posing with me."

"Uncle Tom and Aunt Danelle came to see me."

"My Grandpa and Grandma Lilly."

"Aunt Carolyn holds me for the first time."

Sleeping Beauty

We are so blessed that Taylor has had so much improvement over the last few days!! She is still on track to go home tomorrow, and we could not be more excited. God has been so good to us during this time and we are truely grateful. Tomorrow will mark 4 weeks since I was admitted to the hospital and Taylor will be 3 weeks and 2 days old when she gets to come home. It seems almost odd to not spend every day at the hospital in some way since it has become such a part of our lives. This experience has given me a totally new perspective on those that have disabilities, are bed bound, and/or have babies or loved ones in the hospital. It has also taught me an invaluable lesson to lift others up in prayer along with the medical professionals caring for them.

Taylor continues to tolerate her feedings much better, and she was 5 lbs. today!! I would like to thank all the nurses and others who have cared for Taylor over the past 3 weeks. You all have been incredible, and it made it easier to leave her every night knowing the excellent care she was receiving. I know I cannot remember all of your names, but thanks so much for your care to Taylor, answering all our questions, teaching us how to feed and bathe a preemie, and giving me updates on Taylor even in the middle of the night when I was most likely not making sense!! ;)

We also have to give props to the best NICU neighbor that anyone could have in Miss Reagan Winslow. She came into the world at only 24 weeks old, so she will always have 9 weeks seniority over Taylor even though she was only supposed to be 5 days older. She let Taylor borrow preemie clothes (when she did not have any), came for visits, and her parents provided a lot of support when it was needed most. We will miss seeing you every day, and we will be praying that Reagan will continue to develop and grow in order to go home as soon as possible!!

Much Love,

Dana, David and Taylor

Happy 3 Weeks Old!!

2008-05-27T17:04:00.007-04:00

"I feel much better than I did last week."

"Daddy always wants to hold me."

"I get a little upset at bath time."

It is hard to believe that it has been 3 weeks ago today that Taylor came into the world. Our lives have definitely been changed...we have learned many things like what it is to be parents, patience, compassion for others less fortunate, what amazing family and friends we are blessed with, and most of all the ever present friend we have in our Heavenly Father.

Taylor is continuing to make progress, for which we are so grateful!! We know the prayers of all have made an impact in her improvement. After speaking with her Dr. today, they are still planning on letting her go home this Thursday as long as she remains stable and she passes her car seat test. In order to pass this test, she has to sit in her car seat for 90 minutes without dropping her heart rate or oxygen saturation.

She is back up in weight, and is at 4 lbs. and 15 oz. She is improving in tolerating her feedings even though she is still having some issues with spitting. As long as she continues to gain weight, the Dr. is OK with her progress.

Love,
Dana, David, and Taylor

First Holiday - Happy Memorial Day

2008-05-26T16:29:00.005-04:00

Taylor wishes that she was out on the boat soaking in some sun on this beautiful day, but we will settle for the NICU. She is getting such amazing care at Forsyth Hospital and her nurses are the best in the world. She also has a great neighbor, and Reagan would miss her if she goes home too soon ;-) http://reaganoliviawinslow.blogspot.com/

Taylor is holding steady today, and she continues to eat with some spitting. She was slightly down in weight today at 4 lbs. and 13 oz. The Dr. let her come off the wedge pillow to see how she tolerates it, and she is continuing to get Prevacid. Please keep Taylor in your prayers that she will gain weight and get to come home soon.

Love,
Dana, David, and Taylor

BIG YAWN!! (I look like my cousin Lexi when she was this age)

NICU neighbors...the proud Grandpa's are posing proudly with Reagan and Taylor

I love my pacifier!!

This is where Taylor and I spend most of our days until she gets to come home.

Daddy and Taylor catching a nap.

New Medication and New Wedge

2008-05-25T17:04:00.002-04:00

As of late last night, Taylor was still having problems tolerating her feedings, so they did an abdominal x-ray to make sure her abdomen was still OK. The results of the x-ray showed that nothing had changed - still a few thickened areas but no major problems. This means that they are going to treat her with Prevacid and put her on a wedge in her crib to help control the spits and reflux. She was put on a wedge late last night, and I gave her her first dose of Prevacid at 3pm today.

Her weight is holding steady today at the same as yesterday at 4 lbs. and 14 oz. Please pray that she will tolerate her feedings, gain weight and continue to have no "episodes" so she can come home soon.

Love to you all,
Dana, David, and Taylor

Continuing to Grow...

2008-05-24T17:12:00.002-04:00

Today Taylor weighed 4 lbs. and 14 oz. and if she keeps this up, she will be 5 lbs. in no time. She is overall continuing to do well. She had several big spits today after her feedings, but hopefully that won't continue and she will be able to tolerate her increasing feeds. She has a minimum amount that she is to eat (28 cc's) at every feeding, but after she reaches her minimum she eats just what she can tolerate. Her PICC line was taken out this evening, so hopefully she will be able to maintain her weight on her own without IV assistance. She now gets extra calories added to her milk and she gets iron supplements. Please pray that she is able to handle these changes.

More pictures soon to come...

Love,

Dana, David and Taylor

Last Day of Antibiotics!!

2008-05-23T14:23:00.002-04:00

Taylor finishes day 14 of her antibiotics today, and we are so thankful she made it through this milestone. Her infection has cleared and she is on day 3 of getting to eat. She is up to 22 cc's at her next feeding in a few hours and she has gained more weight and is at 4 lbs. 13 oz. The Dr. said today if she continued perfectly in everything, she would get to go home next Thursday (since that would be 7 days after her last episode of low heart rate and oxygen). However, everything is dependent on if she continues to gain weight, tolerate feedings, no longer needs an IV, and of course has no "episodes." Please help us pray that these will occur, so she can come home soon.

Thanks as always for all the support and most of all prayers!!
Much love,
Dana, David, and Taylor

Taylor Update

2008-05-22T17:12:00.002-04:00

Hello all,
Taylor is 2 weeks and 2 days old and up to 4 lbs. and 10 oz. We are so blessed that she is continuing to improve. Her feedings are gradually increasing (15cc's every 3 hours) and she is increasing 1 cc at every feeding. Yesterday she had a brief episode of dropping her oxygen and heart rate, but she was able to recover with stimulation. Please keep Taylor in your prayers that she will be able to come home soon.

I will try to continue to post daily updates on Taylors status.
Much love,
Dana, David, and Taylor

Pictures of Taylors first 2 weeks in the World!!

2008-05-22T14:48:00.006-04:00

Right after birth, Taylor was put in a bag
to keep her as warm as possible.

Taylor being a big girl since as of Monday, May 19th she is holding her temperature and was able to move from the isolet to the crib.

Taylor's first feeding after 10 days of not being able to eat. On Tuesday, May 20th she was able to eat 6cc's of milk. She sucked it down in a few seconds.

Taylor is showing off her PICC line. Her regular IV's were not holding up, so she had to have something more permanent to infuse all the antibiotics

and other fluids she was getting.

Taylor is showing off her dimple at 2 weeks old!!

This was soon after Taylor was born after her first bath.

The colorful blanket behind Taylor was a prayer quilt, give to us from Sandra McNease, a good friend at our church. This blanket hung over her isolet during her sickest time. Thanks Sandra for encouraging the extra prayer for Taylor!!

Taylor looking cute after she got the tube taken out of her stomach.

Sleeping peacefully...

Happy that she has all tubes out of her mouth!!

Happy 2 Week old Birthday!!

2008-05-21T02:00:00.001-04:00

I have finally succumbed to my friends and family asking for a blog with updates and pictures of the newest addition to our family, Miss Taylor Jordan Lilly. Hopefully this will also help in getting updates to not only my out of town family and friends, but also those that we live close to but have not been able to be in as much contact with as of late. I must begin by thanking so many of you for your thoughts, prayers, cards, emails, and gifts since I have been in the hospital and also since Taylor was born. We have been inundated with support from so many family and friends. It is in times like this that we have realized how blessed we are!! I have been contacted by several people that I do not even know, but heard about baby Taylor through a friend and wanted to let us know they were praying for her. We thank you all for this support.

I will begin by providing a little background on what has gone on in the last few weeks. I went into the hospital on May 1st with what turned out to be pre-eclampsia and pre-term labor. After several days of trying to slow the labor process down, I was transferred to Forsyth Hospital on May 4th and Taylor was born on May 6th at 10:25pm. She was 4 lbs and 5 oz. and 18.5 inches long. Taylor was admitted to the NICU and did very well for the first few days. However, on Saturday May 10th, she had an abnormal abdominal x-ray and she was thought to have necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a problem with her bowels that occurs in premature infants that can be fatal at times. The next day, Sunday May 11th, she was also diagnosed with a blood infection. It was obvious that Taylor was very sick since her demeanor had changed and she was not as active. Her lowest weight she got down to was 3 lbs and 14 oz. She began 10 days of complete bowel rest, meaning she could not eat at all except to receive nutrition intravenously. She also started a 14 day course of antibiotics. Over the last 11 days, she has had ups and downs in her progress, but overall she has done so well.

We have excellent news today - on her 2 week birthday she was able to start eating again. She started by drinking 6 cc's at 3pm today and this feeding schedule will continue every 3 hours as she tolerates it. Her abdominal x-ray was improved today, and her blood cultures are free of infection at this time. Please continue to pray that she tolerates her feedings and that she is able to come home soon.

Enjoy the pictures!!

Much love,
David, Dana, and Taylor