Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

It has been a long time since last on here..but here we are!
 A lot has happened since last post.
August 16th Gabby ventured out of the hospital and came HOME!! at 8 pounds 2 oz!!!!!
These past few moths have been full of appointments and consults. RSV season has put our family of 3 in the "hermit" lifestyle.
Gabby is now 8 months old, 5 corrected and weighs 16 pounds 4.5 oz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rolling over from her back to her tummy is her favorite, as well as eating squash!
Every moment spent with her is a true blessing!!!

She is now off of O2!!!

Gabby Update..

Gabby has been in the step down unit for a little over a week. Her NG tube is out and she is a eating machine!! :) She weighs 7 pounds 8 ounces!! She amazes us more and more everyday!
God has big plans for our little girl and we are so blessed to be her parents!!!!

Please continue to pray for her as she continues to grow!
Lots of love
Tiffany

They still need our help

Thank you for all the prayers for Gabriella Faith Neal and her parents, Tim and Tiffany! Keep them coming, they
are working!
Gabby is truly a miracle for our entire family. Unfortunately,
her premature birth at 24 weeks has put a financial strain on
Tim and Tiffany. Tiffany has been unable to work since March
causing her to lose her job. The Ronald McDonald House in
Cleveland, Tiffany’s home while Gabby grows, asks guests to
make a donation of $20 per day at over 100 days and counting a
donation of over $2,000.00 will be requested. Medical bills and
the cost of travel between Cleveland and Conneaut add to
the strain.
Please consider helping Tim and Tiffany cover the expenses
related to their 3 month (and counting) NICU stay. A tax‐deductible contribution can be made through Grady’s
Decision, via PayPal at www.gradysdecision.com or check (mail to: 5390 Cray Road, Erie, PA 16509). Please make
sure to note that your gift is for The Neal Family in the special instructions or memo. All monies donated will be
used to help Tim, Tiffany and Gabby!

Home

www.gradysdecision.com

RYAN & KATRINA SMITH5390 Cray Road • Erie, PA 16509814.490.3505 • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank You,

Aunt Sarah

Step down unit!

As of Thursday Gabby got a new room, on the STEP DOWN UNIT!! YAY

She is working very hard at eating 3 bottles a day by mouth. Keep us in your prayers as we get closer to this journey ending and beginning a new one at HOME!

30 ml

Yesterday I stood aside as the occupational therapist offered Gabriella a bottle (a syringe with a nipple on it) and watched her eat for the first time in her life by mouth. Words cant not even come close to how amazing this was to see. She ate 5 ml.
Today again I stood aside, and the nurse offered a sleeping Gabriella a bottle. With sleepy eyes I stood and held my breath as she ate 30ml!! Absolutely amazing. I thank God for this amazing opportunity to watch her grow. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. She still has a ways to go-but what a nice step in the right direction! I needed this!

Due Date!

Another big milestone for our family..today is my due date!

Gabby is 3 months old, weighs 6 pounds 5 oz and is 19.5 in. At birth Gabby weighed 1pound 8oz and 11in. She has come such a long way in 3 months. We still have a ways to go, but with staying faithful and continuing to love her we are sure she will come home one day. (Even though at times I feel tempted to bring my king size bed in her room!)
 Today was a good day for Gabby. The good days are the days we hold on to and write things down. Today she ate 5ml from a nipple syringe!! This is HUGE as she will have to get her respiratory under control, and eat from a bottle at the next phase in her life.
I couldnt help but look back through pictures and think about that day in April when she was born. I was so scared. Tim stood by my side the entire time. Held my hand through so many things. Gabby really truly has the best dad in the entire world. 
I can still hear the doctor say "ok..Im definitely feeling some appendages, either a foot or a hand" and then everything from that moment on went at warp speed.
Over the past three months God has taught me to lean on him. Something Im still learning. Some of my prayers have turned into begging and bargaining at several points over the past 3 months. Praising God for EVERYTHING that she does is an everyday occurrence. She is the most amazing little human I have EVER met in my life. In the end God picked Tim and I to be her parents, she just decided to meet us 3 months early!!

Gabriella Faith Neal                         July 28th 2012                       In her fancy tutu from Aunt Sarah!

Thank you God for breathing air into her lungs, giving her the strength to push through. Thank you for our miracle, my little Gabriella. Please continue to heal her. Thank you for blessing us with her.
Amen

Gabbys 100th day!

Hard to believe but today marks 100 days in the NICU! Sometimes you dont feel it and then there are the days were you are counting the seconds.

Today was a second counting day. In normal NICU fashion the day was full of absolute downs followed by even lower downs, and then ups! Concentrating on the ups is easier said then done some days. Today Gabby was placed back on CPAP. This is definitely several steps in the backward direction. After several blood tests the day was ended with a positive blood gas.  In the NICU world this is a VERY GOOD thing! Tomorrow will begin with more tests and going on from there. I have absolutely no idea what I would do without being able to lean on God and my wonderful husband.

Luckily this set back did not interfere with mine and Gabriella's daily snuggling. This is something we do alllll day (hours on end)! She loves it and I must say I do too!!!

Gabriella's 100 days

* Born at 24 weeks

* Fought a life-threatening infection at 2 weeks old

*PDA surgery

*Laser eye surgery

*Extabated from vent

*Flew off Biphasic CPAP

*Graduated to Reg CPAP

*Lasted 2 weeks on Nasal Cannula

*Gained 4 pounds

*Tolerated all her feeds

*Graduated from donor breast milk to fortified formula

*Began reg preemie formula

*Went from incubator to open crib

*Loves reg tub baths

*Oral formula stim with binky

*Binky

*Sits up in Bouncer

*LOVES music

*lays on back

*Held by mommy & daddy at 4 weeks old

*Held by Aunt Sarah, Aunt Mindy, Aunt Mandy, and Pappi at 3 months old

With all that said in perspective today wasnt so bad she has come such a long way. Tim and I are the PROUDEST PARENTS you have ever seen!!!

We are ready to take her home and do nothing but love on her.

Please keep her in your prayers as tomorrow is going to be full of tests and Drs coming in and out.

Lots of love

Tiffany, Timothy & Gabby

Diet!

Gabby is growing like a weed at 5 pounds 5 oz!! She is now on a calorie restriction, aka "a diet"!! who would of ever thought that my 1 pound 8 oz baby girl would ever hear the words calorie restriction!! But she wears it proudly! And we wouldn't want it any other way.
Thursday I went home for the first time in over 3 months for 24 hrs. It was hard being away from her, but sure did miss my doggies!!!  I just keep telling myself one day,one day all 3 of us will be together in our own house! Until then Tim and I find a way to make it work. It is all the amazing prayers!!
Gabby has also completed her first series of shots.
Last week she was introduced to oral formula stimulation, and loved it!! Hoping to progress as quickly as Gabby will allow. After all this is her world and Tim and I are along for the ride! LOL
 Keep her in your prayers as she works on weening and adjusting her oxygen.
Thanks again for all your positive thoughts and prayers. Please please keep them coming!!
lots of love,
Tiffany

Gabriella 7/13/2012     3months old        5 pounds 5 oz



5 POUNDS 2 OZ!!!

Gabby is now 5 pounds 2 oz!!!!!!

She is on full nasal cannula at 1.5 liters and around 30% O2.  The words "step down unit" have been tossed around during rounds. I must say this is soo nerve wrecking and exciting. Today we took a tour of the step down unit. I'm pretty sure they had us do it to soften the blow of leaving the NICU soon.  Do we want to be here? NO but we have gotten very familiar with everything including everyone. At times the staff here seem more like family than anything. Big picture it will be one step closer to bring our little girl home! 

After a bath, not very thrilled about the flash!!

Yes that is a double chin!!!  :)

Holding her binky!!

She loves to feel her hair!

Sleeping on mommy (this is what we do ALL day!) PURE LOVE

Thank you, Thank you for all your prayers..please keep them coming!



Nasal Cannula

Gabby is now in a nasal cannula!!! It is amazing to see her pretty little face and fluffy hair!! She definitely prefers this to the cpap. (who could blame her) 

Lately our days are holding her and starring at her all day! She is the most amazing person we have ever met and our love for her knows no bounds.

Please continue to pray for her as she adjusts to the nasal cannula and begins the slow weens.

Lots of love,

Tiffany, Tim & Gabby



4 pounds 4 oz!

 Gabby is now 4 pounds 4 oz! Hard to believe that she is almost 3x the weight when she was born! She has had a good week thus far full of new adventures. She is now doing nasal cannula windows for 2 hours (she loves it!), sat in the swing (didn't like it so much..), sat in the bouncer (didn't mind it), papi held her, and . I love being able to hold her whenever we want to. Not being able to hold her until she was 4 weeks old has given us a pass to hold her whenever we want !! :) Nothing but lovin time is what we all need!  This week Gabby said goodbye to one of her primary nurses, Jade. We are so blessed to have her as Gabby's primary nurse through everything and wish nothing but the best for her!

Tomorrow is her first eye exam post op from eye surgery, big prayers for her (mommy & daddy too!!). Thank you for all your support, prayers, and love!

lots of love,

Tiff, Tim & Gabby

81 Days

Today Gabby is 81 days old..which means we have spent 81 days in the NICU!! We are pretty much feeling like this is our home now. Leaning on the medical staff is a daily occurance for us. This week started out not the best for Miss Peanut. After her weekly eye exam on wednesday the doctor decieded it was time to do laser eye surgery on both of her eyes. Gabby has ROP,
Retinopathy of prematurity, an eye disease that affects preemies. We are told it is to be caused by disorganized growth of retinal blood vessels which can lead to blindness.
Gabby does not handle the eye exam very well and did not enjoy the surgery! During her surgery, while eating lunch a code blue went off for the procedure room in which she was at. Immidiately mine and Tims heart sank to our feet. Next to running in the room myself I went to her room when her nurse came in and said she was fine just went apenic (stopped breathing) and was fine now. Leading up to the surgery Gabby had been doing little episodes of this. The surgery was just too much for her. As when she returned her body temp dropped and preceeded on going apenic several several more times and throughout the night. I can now say that I know what my daughter looks like blue.
 Next to being reintubated the doctors gave one last shot at putting her on a lower level of repiratory her reg. cpap. I must say I had no faith at the time this was going to work! But it turns out when you go to medical school chances are you know what you are doing..! It worked! She began to come around and her oxygen requirement went down.
 Now infection has been ruled out and she has been placed on a continued dose of hydrocortisone and Gabby is back to herself!!! The ups and downs are begining to weigh on Tim and I and for that we ask prayer. Sometimes it is such a helpless feeling you dont know where to begin.  The good days lately have outweighed the bad and she is growing and her strength is unbelieveable! This is all thanks to God's healing hand through your amazing prayers. please please keep them coming.
Today Gabby had 2 very large milestones.. Aunt Sarah held her for the first time, and she offically weighs 4 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lots of Love,

Tiffany, Tim & Gabby

Pray

Please keep Gabby in your prayers, she unexpectedley had to have Laser Eye surgery. When setting up she decided to stop breathing and go apneic. She is out of surgery and did NOT have to be put on the vent (thank GOD). The eye surgery went well.

Due to the sudden change in Gabby's disposition  and brachycardia's (dropping heart rate) blood work is being drawn up. It will be a waiting game for the next several days to eliminate the possibility of infection.

Please keep her in your prayers.

Tiffany, Timothy&Gabby

Holding on ..

Proverbs 3:5–6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart 

 And do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

And He will make your paths straight

*Holding on to this today. *

Today hasn't been the best and hasn't been the worse by all means. This whole experience begins to play with your emotions, the "NICU Roller Coaster" continues..

Please keep lifting Gabby up through prayer, God has worked/working one amazing miracle on our little girl!

Thank you.

Tiff, Tim & Gabby

Reflux

Reflux is the new term we are hearing in the NICU these days. Her full feeds of formula started at the end of  last week and within less than 24 hrs she began dropping her heart rate. The thought is that it is reflux and a "typical" preemie reponse. Just horrible to watch her bring it back up and then drop her heart rate needing stimulation to get to come around. Please keep her in your prayers. They are going to try to thicken the formula ather next feed. Trying not to blame myself for not having breast milk has been hard the last few days.  All around she needs everyones prayers and positive thoughts to continue as she adjust to some big changes.

BYE BYE INCUBATOR!!

Thursday Gabby said Good Bye to her incubator and hello open CRIB!!!!

Please keep her in your prayers as she continues to adjust to the weens on her cpap.

Thank you for all your support and love.

Tiffany, Tim, and Gabby

3 pounds 7oz

Gabby June 20th 2012    3 pounds 7oz  71days old, 34 weeks gestation

Gabby sleeping in daddy's arms June 17th 2012

Gabby

Gabby and Mommy June 18th 2012

Gabby continues to simply amaze us with her strength. She is now slowly coming off donor breast milk ( I know sounds gross-but trust me it is safe and pasteurized) and switching to formula. After my infection and the stress of possibly losing her my milk supply dried up.

She remains in a air controlled incubator. This is due to preemies not being able to control their body temp. I am told that she is getting close to switching to an open crib!! She has to maintain her own body heat , which doesnt sound hard but when you are 3 pounds that's the last thing you want to do!

I got to hold her today for over 3 hours!! I cant put it in to words what it feels like to get to hold her. We are limited on only holding her once a day, due to the stress of taking her in and out of the incubator.  So when we are able to hold her we cherish every minute. It just stinks when you really have to pee after 3 hours!!

Thank you for your continued prayers. please continue to pray for healing for Gabby. She has a long road ahead of her, but is getting through it!! God bless you all.

Love

Tiffany, Tim, & Gabby

Tub Time

Gabby's first bath in a water tub !! She did awesome and really seemed to like it!!!!!  I love this picture!!!
 (this was the first time we saw her without anything on her face/head!!!)



In fact she loved it so much that this was the aftermath...

As always thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts. Continue to pray for little Gabby as they try to ween her from the cpap and move forward with her care.

lots of love-

Tiff, Tim & Gabby

No Lines!!

Yesterday was a BIG day for Gabriella. Its official she has NO lines running through her body!!!!! She does have the OG tube and will have that for a while I'm told, as preemie babies have a hard time doing more than one thing at a time-eating, sucking, and breathing. This is HUGE for her. The infection possibilities are decreased with having no lines.
 She is now on regular cpap. This is giving continuous air flow through her nose to her lungs. Before she was as on biphasic cpap which was actually giving her pressured breaths and continuous airflow through her nose.
Her blood gas this morning wasnt the greatest it has been. (This is the way her body is pushing off the CO2), but the plan is to hold tight and see what she does today and tomorrow.
We are learning more than we ever wanted about preemies and respiratory! But sitting here day after day it helps knowing what is going on and why it is happening. Google is my best friend!!!
Tim and I cant thank everyone enough for the support and prayers everyone has shown our beloved daughter. I cant put into words how deeply touched we are. Know this the prayers are working, and keep them coming!!! If there was ever a doubt that God hears prayer look at Gabby and you will be instantly reassured he does far more than "just hear" , "he heals"!!
Lots of love
Tiff, Tim & Gabby

Bring on the weens!!

Today was a GREAT day for miss peanut! You know its a good thing when the doctor enters the room smiling!! The staff is very encouraged with her progress ! God's hand blessing her!!
I remember going through IVF and the percentages that are given, then the percentages that were given on possible miscarriage, the percentages on viability of life at 24 weeks, the percentage of making it through a life threatening infection..I guess one percentage they didn't take into count was the power of prayer!! God has big plans for this little girl-and she is getting ready for them!!
 I'm feeling so blessed with having her in my life. She has a long road ahead of her, but looking at how far she has come it does nothing but amaze me! We are witnessing a miracle right before our eyes!!
Keep her in your prayers as they begin the weening process off the Biphasic CPAP.
Thanks for all your love, support, and prayers!
Tiff,Tim&Gabby

Gabby June 11, 2012

Preemie clothes!!

Gabby can wear clothes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Here she is all dressed in her "daddy's girl" preemie onsie daddy got her!! What a big week. Tomorrow she will be 2months old, PDA surgery, wearing an outfit, crossed over to 3 pounds, and off the vent!! God is definitely blessing my family and I.  Thank you for your prayers, keep em coming!

3 pounds 5 oz!!

Gabriella Faith Neal 3pounds 5 oz!!!!!!!!

June 9, 2012 Gabby on biphasic cpap. Doing good. She just seems to get uncomfortable at times. Tim heard her cry for the first time yesterday! It really is beautiful!! I know some of you may think that the crying will get old..but let me tell you - it never will!!! :)
Thank you for all the prayers,love and support. She is a true MIRACLE!! God is GOOD!
We love you all! Keep the prayers coming!!!!
lots of love
-Tiff,Tim & Gabby

Perfect ending to crazy week.

Today I am pleased to report that Gabby's breathing tube is out ! Earlier this afternoon she was extubated and placed on biphasic cpap. Working on getting her comfortable.. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Mustard Seed

Matthew 17:20: "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
Gabby's middle name is "Faith", which works as a constant reminder to hold on to Faith. When Googling I was reminded of the mustard seed. How true it is! All you need is faith the size of the mustard seed.

Gabby, Mommy & Daddy  6/6/12

Gabby has had a great week post op surgery from Monday. The doctors are encouraged that soon we can venture weening her off the vent all together.  Yesterday I got to hold her for the first time since surgery. There is nothing like smelling her sweet baby smell and holding her close!!! Tim and I look forward to the day we can hold her whenever and wherever we want. Until then kangarooing every other day will work. 
Please continue to pray and lift up Gabby. Words cant even describe how beautiful she is!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all your love and support.
lots of love
Tiff, Tim, & Gabby

8 weeks

Today Gabby is 8 weeks old. It is easy for us to get caught up with everything going on with her and get overwhelmed. She has come such a long way, and still has a long road ahead of her.  But what a fighter! ! Even from the very beginning as an embryo she has beaten amazing odds. Please continue to lift her up in prayer as she continues to fight a good fight on her road to recovery. Today is her first day post op from her PDA surgery. She is doing well. Up on her settings on the vent and Oxygen , but all expected and with good reason. 

God gave us this AMAZING gift and we our so proud we get to share her with the world!

Gabriella Faith Neal     6/5/2012  8weeks old

Below is a prayer cloth  Gabby received from the Sugar Valley Church of God, Atlanta GA. Family friends prayed and anointed this beautiful cloth and it now resides at the foot of Gabby's bed.

Below is a prayer shawl received from Andover 1st UMC Shawl Ministry. The colors each represent something; black-self confidence, strength, protection, wisdom, and absorbs negativity (Lord knows we need that!) white- spirit, innocence, protection peace, purity, virtue, gentleness, and perfection. Lastly the 3 sides representing the family unit (father, mother & child).

Thank you for your continued support, positive thoughts, good vibes, and prayers! We all greatly appreciate it. Keep em coming!!!!!!

-lots of Love

Tiff, Tim &Gabby



Thank You

Tim & Gabby and I want to thank everyone for their positive thoughts and prayers today for her big surgery. She is on the right path to recovery. Please continue to pray for her as she heals.

Gabby wanted to send everyone a big THANK YOU!

Keep the prayers coming..

Gabby is out of surgery! She has opened her eyes twice!! The next few days we are told maybe a struggle but with God's grace she will pull through. Keep her in your prayers! God's presence is very known in our "little peanut". We love you all and thank you for the support!

Gabriella  6/4 /2012 (after PDA surgery)

Gabby & Mommy June 3 2012

Praying

*Keep Gabby in your prayers, she is getting ready to go in to surgery. *

 

Daddy & Gabby

"She's already got him where she wants him"

And then there were 3!

Daddy, Mommy & Gabby     June 3 2012

Tomorrow is the BIG day. Gabby will have her PDA ligation. PLEASE keep her in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Praying the surgery will go smoothly,a fast recovery,and wisdom for the Dr's. Gabby has been through a lot and has shown us time and time again how strong she is.

We appreciate all support, love and prayers.

Our Peanut

Gaby continues to be a mover and a shaker. The staff often introduce her as "the feisty little peanut". She is very textile, LOVES feeling things with her long fingers. Including the breathing tube!!
Still getting ready for the big surgery. We are attempting to prepare ourselves for a bumpy road, if there really is such a thing in a situation like this.  Just soaking up every little thing about her.  She has taught us more that I ever thought imaginable in less than 2 months.
I recently met two moms that have preemies one born at 24 weeks and the other was born at 23 weeks. It is funny the instant connection you have with people that share a similar path. Both moms said almost at the same time "best advice..just PRAY".  How true that is.
This week just like all the rest have had big ups and big downs. The best moment by far was when I got to give her a bath! She loves her hair being brushed. :)  So naturally I didn't stop..resulting in some nice fluffy hair.

Gabby June 2, 2012      2pounds 15oz

Continue to pray for our little Gabby!

Thanks for all your support, love and prayers.

-Tiff, Tim&Gabby

*My Cousin Heather made this wonderful blog dedicated to lifting Gabby up (Something I cant wait to show her when she is older)*

www.gogabbygo.blogspot.com

Prayers for our Miracle

After several doctor consults, we have been informed that Gabby will have to have the PDA ligation surgery. Please pray for healing for our little peanut, comfort, and wisdom as the doctors strive for a positive outcome.  Tim and I appreciate everyone's prayers, love and support.
She is the "love of our lives"!

Finding comfort where ever we can. This morning I shook the Dr's hand that will be in the surgery, and the same hand to save my daughter.

PDA

PDA, these 3 letters are standing in the way of Gabby coming off the vent. PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) common among preemies has made its way to inhibiting her from coming off the vent. Please pray as she is given one last round of medicine to close the duct to prevent surgery.
PDA
The last couple days have been overwhelming. Thank you for all for your continued prayers, love and support for our "little peanut".  Praying the duct will close on its own with the help of medicine.
-Tiff,Tim &Gabby

NICU Roller Coaster

Upon leaving Gabby I always go over what my cell phone number is (no matter how many times they have had Gabby) in hopes they will contact us as soon as possible if needed, but in the back of my mind I'm hoping not to hear from them.
In the early morning today the plan went into action (again) and the Nurse called and said that Gabby had an episode of dropping her heart rate. Which led to her having to be reintubated. We knew that this was a big possibility with her being so small and premature. There really is nothing anyone can say or prepare you for news leading to a life saving measure for your child. It just really stinks!
Everyone here calls this the "NICU Roller Coaster". I always correct the Dr's and tell them it should be called the "Demon Drop"! The drop always feels like it comes out of thin air.
So here we are now back on the vent to give her lungs a break and regain strength for a later try down the road.
Attempting to hold on to positive side (sometimes easier said then done), she made it 3 whole days on the cpap, and I got to hold her feeling her breathe on her own. That was amazing!
Continue to pray for her, especially lung strength to breathe on her own.


*Gabby,when you read this later in life, you are going to give me grey hair!*

Up to Speed..

March 2012-  21 week ultrasound showed dilated 2cm. Admitted to hospital, placed in trendelenburg, and rescue cerclage. From here on out it was bed rest for the remaining pregnancy..only baby had different plans.

April 2012 - Shortly after water broke, admitted to hospital.
6 days later.. we welcomed our little girl.
Gabriella Faith Neal born April 10th weighing 1 pound 8 oz at 24 weeks.

She has since birth gotten over a life-threatening infection at 2 weeks, tolerated feeds, gone from the oscillator to the ventilator and now on biphasic cpap! 

We get to hold her every so often, Kangaroo style. There aren't enough words to explain what it feels like to hold her. Pure Love!

Keep the prayers coming!! Thank you for all your support & love.

-Tiff, Tim & Gabby

Dear Family & Friends,
Tim and I would like to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers through this difficult time. With that said, we plan to use this blog to post updates on our little miracle ! God has blessed us with such a wonderful thing in the world, a daughter! We ask that you continue to lift our little girl up in prayer as God continues to show his love through healing her everyday.
Lots of Love,
Tiff, Tim & Gabby