Hi! I'm Quinn

Wednesday, July 27th at 3:30p.m. our sweet Quinn decided to join the world a bit early, 4.5 weeks to be exact.  There was nothing like the moment that the doctor held her up and said "it's a girl" and from that moment on Matt & I have been totally in love.  She was perfect in every way, a tiny little peanut weighing 5 lbs. 6 oz. Popular opinion is that she looks just like her daddy, but has her mom's personality (particularly the sass).  I like to think that she has a little more of me in her than that, but baby girl is going to need that sass to get through the rest of our hospital stay, so I guess that is a good thing.  

Two days after Quinn's birth, she was taken to the NICU because she couldn't seem to keep anything in her belly.  They ran some tests and took x-rays and found some shadowing in her mid section.  We were transported immediately to Children's Hospital, where we have been ever since.  

Quinn was diagnosed with type IIIb jejunal atresia, a very rare type affecting approximately 1 in 60,000.  Her surgery was extremely complicated but our surgeon is one of the best in the country and we feel so fortunate to live in Columbus where Nationwide Children's is so highly acclaimed.  Quinn has already demonstrated her tenacity and strength as she made it through surgery like a champ.  Only two days post surgery our little fighter came off of her pain medication and was extubated.  Two days further and she didn't even need her nasal canula to help with her oxygen intake.  We are proud parents :)

As of today, 8/8/16 Quinn is breathing on her own, and working on getting stronger and stronger by the day.  She receives nutrients via IV since she can't have mama's milk yet (although props to the girl for trying to find it every time we snuggle--she knows what she wants and will be quite the little eater when she is allowed).  At this point, we continue to watch the contents from her OG tube to look for it to turn clear/yellowish and lessen in volume.  This will be out indicator for when we can start instituting feeds. Essentially, it is a waiting game to let Quinn's intestines learn how to work again.  SO....we wait.

One thing remains the same for Matt & I, we love this little peanut more than life itself and finally know what it means to be parents.  We feel so fortunate that Quinn chose us to be her parents, and we wouldn't do a thing to change it.  Although this has been the most challenging thing we have had to endure, we know that our love, the love of all of our family and friends, lots of snuggles, and lots of prayer, and Quinn will be back at home with us where she belongs.