The Bradfields - Notes & Quotes » Gwen

Daddy and his new little girl

bradfields — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:07:17 +0000

Dave finally got a chance to get a photo with Gwen.

Gwen is home

bradfields — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 23:13:59 +0000

Gwen was released from the NICU this morning. Hooray! This video shows her release and Marley’s first chance to hold her.

Nicole shows her love with a kiss.

And Marley perfects her holding style with Karyn’s assistance.

Dave is behind the camera, in case you’re wondering.

Gwen gets strong

bradfields — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:22:35 +0000

After three days in the NICU, Gwen has started to show signs that she’s ready to come home. The tests for infection came back negative. She has been subject to numerous blood, jaundice, cardiac and respiratory tests, and all seems fine. After two episodes of apnea, we are waiting for the results on a brain scan but she’s doing really well.

Officially, she was one day premature. Many preemies experience apnea and grow out of it in a very short time. Her last episode was yesterday morning. Fingers crossed that’s it. The hospital will probably release her 4-5 days after the last episode, so she may be home for the first time early next week.

Karyn continues to nurse her in the hospital every three hours and she is eating very well now. She’s already started putting on weight.

It will be really nice to see her disconnected from all the leads, needles and monitors, and to hold her without worrying about disconnecting her from the machine.

We’re actually pretty grateful that she’s been receiving care in the NICU since we’d have totally flipped out had she stopped breathing and turned blue at home. Everything happens for a reason, right?

Thanks to everyone for the wishes, thoughts and prayers. We haven’t had time to response to the influx of email, but know that we are very grateful for everyone’s support. We’re all doing well, just a bit tired.

Sleepy Gwen

bradfields — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:06:29 +0000

People have been asking for more photos, so we did one better. Here’s a video taken this morning in the NICU. Isn’t she cute?

Sleepy Gwen

Originally uploaded by thebradfields

P.S. The music on this is a song called Araby by David’s old band blueScreen. He wrote the music when he first met Karyn and the band turned it into this great song.

ICU – but you can’t see me

bradfields — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:01:03 +0000

So, we had a bit of a set back getting Gwen home from the hospital. The morning after she was born she was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Her white blood cell count was high and rising; the sign of a potential infection. A preliminary test today came back negative so we’re hopeful that all is well, but wont know until Friday evening. She also had an episode of apnea early this afternoon which was a bit scary. We weren’t there, but she turned blue and had stopped breathing. Apparently this is somewhat common with kids that are premature, and she was on the cusp of being premature, born at 36 weeks gestation.

Karyn came home this evening but Gwen remains in the hospital until she is in the clear. The doctors don’t seem overly concerned so we’re hopeful that she will come home this weekend. If complications emerge, she will be in the hospital for an extended stay, depending on her condition.

It’s been a bit hard on Marley as she really wants to meet her baby sister.

We’ll keep you posted via the blog. Feel free to email or comment with questions and we’ll reply as time permits.

Welcome Gwen Elena Bradfield

bradfields — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:19:31 +0000

Happy birthday Gwen! Our third daughter arrived on December 2, 2008 at 7:13 p.m., weighing 6 pounds 15 ounces. Thanks to the staff at New York Methodist Hospital, and our friend Jess, the midwife we wish we’d hired.

Everyone is doing very well. If you want to reach Gwen, she can be reached via email.