Sunday, July 10, 2011

Acorn Lives!

Day 2

Sorry to keep you all in suspense. I know you've been waiting for an update so here it is:

Our baby girl, Kaia Morgan was born yesterday, July 9th at 5:18 am. I guessed from my initial look at her that she was 3 lbs 6 oz and sure enough I was bang on. 3 lbs, 6 oz. She did cry at birth (a wee bit), but quickly required life saving measures (scary!!!). She was placed on the oscillating ventilator (which is hard to explain and I'm tired so look it up if you are interested) rather than the conventional ventilator because she needed more help expelling carbon dioxide than the regular ventilator could help her with. She was in a 60-100% oxygen and still not saturation great (sats in the 80s), so they started nitric oxide (look it up again). This helped them wean her oxygen quite quickly yesterday from 60% to 45% to now around 25%. Fortunately she has responded well and they have already been able to wean the nitric oxide from 10 parts per million down to 1 part per million and may discontinue it today.

I'm happy with her progress, but nervous for what lies ahead. I'm so glad she's alive (and a little shocked that she's a she...I was SURE Acorn was a boy). I'm also kind of sad I haven't been able to go visit her yet. I did well during the C-section, but they were being cautious with me cardiac wise, so I had to go right from their recovery room up to the Coronary Care Unit. No stops at the NICU on the way. My incision this morning is quite sore, so although I'm determined to go see my girl today, it might be a quick visit. All they've had me on is Tylenol, so I hope I can get something a little stronger for moving around.

I'll post a picture as soon as I can!

Thank you all so much for your support. I love all your comments and I hope to continue to be able to update you all with good news!

P.S. Kaia's name is pronounced Kai-ya (rhymes with Maya).

83 comments:

  1. Oh thank god!! I am in tear reading this, Emily! I am so happy that Acorn is ok, I was so worried...I have been stalking your blog every couple of hours. I am glad that you are doing well too, mama. Keep up the great work and give Miss Kaiya some love from Georgia! <3

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  2. YAY! Congratulations! I'm celebrating my sweet preemie's 2nd birthday today. It flies by faster than you can imagine. I'm so happy for you!

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  3. P.S. Just wanted you to know that my husband has been asking for "Acorn updates" :) and was ecstatic when I told him that she is alive and well!!

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  5. Congratulations!! This is the great news I've been waiting for. All the best for both your recovery and Acorns improvement in the NICU.

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  6. Congratulations! I will continue to pray for you and your Kaia and husband. And ... Percocet. Ask for it by name. I can't believe to u have only had Tylenol.

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  7. Welcome, Little One!

    Congratulations, Mommy!

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  8. This is great news! I'm sure you know more than any of us that it may not all be plain sailing from here yet, but I'm so delighted for you both.
    Hoping for great progress for Kaia, and as smooth as possible recovery for you (with adequate pain medication!!).

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  9. Welcome Kaia!!! Emily I am so glad she is here and is responding well! I thought of you all day yesterday and anxiously awaited news!

    Keep getting big and strong Kaia, so your mommy and daddy can take you home and live on you! Take care of yourself Emily and I hope you recover from the c-section soon!

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  10. Oh my goodness, Emily, I am so glad to see this news! I was so certain we hadn't heard from you because you were in recovery/loving on your baby.

    Welcome to the world sweet Kaia!

    Rest up, recover, love on your baby, we're all so happy for you!

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  11. Fantastic news! A super big congrats on Kaia (Acornette)! I am so glad that you could give us an update- I swear that I came to check up on you probably every 20 minutes ;)

    Here is sending recovery vibes your way. I am so happy for you and Brian!

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  12. Oh my god!!!! I have been stalking your blog day and night. Literally waking up in the middle of the night to check for updates! I am so, so happy for you! Kaia is much smaller than my little guy (he was 4.13) but he is 8 weeks now and 10 pounds! He is thriving just like Kaia will!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!!!

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  13. A million congratulations!! I can't believe that she's a girl either!! I have been a complete crazy person yesterday and today with refreshing blogger looking for an update from you! I'm so thankful that she's here safe and sound! I can't wait to hear more and see pictures!!

    Tons and tons of love! xoxox

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  14. So happy to read your news, welcome to the world little Kaia! Sounds like she is making great progress on the breathing front and I hope that you can make a visit to the NICU to see your daughter very soon xo

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  15. Congrats and welcome to Kaia! I too have been stalking your blog and was SO happy to see your update this morning. My heart is beyond happy for you and your family and I look forward to hearing more about Kaia!

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  16. Welcome Kaia! Congrats on your sweet girl!!

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  17. I am so happy for you! I have been reading your blog for a few months now and have never commented, but definitely had to today to say congratulations on your new baby girl. Also my daughter's name is Kaia! :)

    I'm so very relieved for you and look forward to hearing about her progress in the days ahead. Enjoy every minute!

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  18. I may have been having anxiety attacks yesterday. Thank you for posting and YAY! I was wrong too, guessed a boy. Maybe because Acorn just sounds manly. ;)

    Congratulations!!

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  19. Oh my gosh, I'm so happy for you guys! I also thought for sure that she was going to be a he, ha ha. Congratulations!

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  20. Everytime I prayed for her, I felt like she was a girl. Checking this blog was the very first thing I did this morning. Actually, my internet wasn't working at first and I was panicky needing to check on you. When I saw "Acorn lives" I actually said that out loud and clapped my hands. I live alone haha So that was just my reaction.

    I can't wait to see pictures of beautiful Miss Kaia and will continue to pray for her speedy recovery and for yours. You both need to be home cuddled up together enjoying each other.

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  21. Congrats...congrats....congrats...over and over again. And from a preemie standpoint...prob better she's a SHE. They often to better than their male counterparts...u prob altaedy know that! Thinking so much of you all!

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  22. I am in tears! The girl who lived! CONGRATULATIONS Emily! I will continue to hold you, your husband, and your precious Kaia in my heart as you begin the journey ahead.
    I hope you are able to get better pain meds today and that you will be able to visit with your precious girl.
    I am SO thrilled for you!!!!!
    Love and light....

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  23. Welcome, welcome, welcome to Aidan's beautiful baby sister!!! So happy (happy is an understatement) for your family!

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  24. That's fantastic news, can't wait for a photo! I am sure she is gorgeous!

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  25. Wonderful news!!! I'm so happy for all of you. I've also been checking a few times a day to see if you updated and I'm so relieved to hear of Kaia's birth. Now is the time to enjoy her, hold her, tell her about her brother, cry and heal together one day at a time. So looking forward to a pic of the beautiful Kaia!

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  26. Congrats!!! So happy you guys are doing well. Praying she continues to improve!!!

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  27. Oh thank goodness. Glad to see you were able to update, and hoping you get to spend some time with her today.

    And a girl!!!! I thought boy for sure, as well. :) Good job, you!

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  28. So very happy for you!!! Hope you both continue to feel better quickly, and that you get in to see Kaia as soon as you possibly can.

    Love the name!

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  29. Oh Emily! Congratulations!!!! A beautiful baby girl... what a lovely surprise! I hope by the time I am leaving this comment you are loving on that little sweetheart in person!

    I am looking forward to pictures and more about Kaia! I am just so, so thrilled for you and your husband - I bet he is over the moon right now!

    Sending lots of love...

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  30. Congratulations!!! I was so incredibly happy to read this news. Hopefully by the time you can read this, you and Kaia have continued to make progress and you will have been able to spend some time with her!

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  31. Never posted here before but have been following for a loonnngg time. What better time to post than for a new "beginning". Hope you can do some lovin' on her very soon. Congratulations!!!!

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  32. Congrats! What a beautiful name! Hoping for a quick recovery for you so you can get down there and love on your baby girl. You deserve it! And so does she! Can't wait to see a picture!

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  33. Congrats! I've been on pin and needles waiting to hear. I'm sure she's absolutely beautiful! Can't wait to see a picture. Take care of your yourself mommy and the rest will fall into place.

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  34. I'm so happy I'm crying! So happy and so relieved. I hope she continues to improve physically and that you start feeling better soon (with better pain meds). Cannot wait to see her picture!

    Again, I'm beyond thrilled that she is alive! Congratulations!!!!!

    I love her name. I hope you get a nice long visit with her soon.

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  35. So I took M out to Cora's for breakfast (a little mother son time) and opened up my google reader on my blackberry...I had to restrain myself from jumping up and down and high fiving the waitress after I read "Acorn Lives".

    I am thrilled that she is alive, and that she is progressing well.

    Feel better soon Emily...c-section recovery isn't easy, but you are a strong woman with an even stronger will. Kaia hit the jackpot with you!!!!

    Again congratulations :)))))

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  36. That is such wonderful news! She sounds like a very good fighter. Please post updates, let us know how she is doing, keeping you and Kaia in my thoughts.

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  37. Congratulations! Welcome to the world Kaia! I'm so excited for you, Emily, and for your beautiful family! Continuing my prayers for quick recovery and strong and healthy momma and baby!

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  38. Yay! So happy for yoy! Praying you continue to recover well and that Kaia grows strong and healthy so you can take her home soon! Lots of love!

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  39. Emily! Wonderful! I've been anxiously awaiting to hear how you two were doing. I am sending you and Kaia wishes for a safe and speedy recovery. Congratulations.

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  40. I've got chills over here. A huge congratulations on Kaia, what a little fighter! I'm sending positive thoughts for a speedy stay in the NICU. I'm so happy you can finally start thinking about getting up and walking around!! Sweet relief. I second the percocet!

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  41. Congratulations on your new baby girl! Sending you all my best wishes.

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  42. Today is my birthday, and I don't even know you, and this is the best thing I will hear all day. I am so happy your baby is here and you are both doing okay. Congratulations, I am so, so, SO happy for you and your husband!

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  43. Tears of joy!!!!!!!! So happy for you!!!!!

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  44. Yay!!! Congratulations Emily! Welcome to the world baby Kaia! I had a hard time reading this post to my husband without crying but I got through it.

    I too am shocked it's a girl, but like someone else said that may be better for her lungs, as I'm sure you know. Sounds like she is making great progress! I'm also sure you know that the NICU is a roller coaster and there will be setbacks along the way, but I think you both can handle it. You're both such fighters! Like mother, like daughter. :)

    I hope you get to see her today. I remember that feeling all too well as my son was taken to a different hospital than me. Can't wait to see a pic of that precious baby girl, Aidan's little sister.

    p.s. I had no trouble with the pronunciation. Beautiful name. :)

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  45. Congratulations Emily! I hope you get to see her soon.

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  46. Congratulations! I hope she continues to grow stronger and you recover quickly.

    My two cents . . . Tylenol isn't enough! Percocet and Motrin, and ice the incision cite as much as possible.

    I hope you get to see her today!

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  47. What a beautiful name. Congratulations on your miracle daughter! I hope you're able to snuggle with her very soon.

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  48. Oh, I am so happy to hear that Emily.
    Congratulations.

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  49. Welcome Kaia! Emily, I hope your recovery goes well and that Kaia keeps improving too. Can't wait for the next update.

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  50. Congrats! You have both come such a long way and the worst is over. I had a preemie born at 35 weeks blue and not breathing and needed to be revived. He spent a week in NICU with apnea periods but now is 13 years old and doing well and even beat leukemia 6 years ago! I am sure your baby will do fine and I am so happy for your positive outcome!

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  51. YES! YES! YES! I am SO excited for you and for your sweet little baby girl. What a beautiful name, too. Many congratulations! Can't wait for a picture. I will be praying hard for her and for you. We did the NICU with ours (one on an oscillating ventilator) and it's difficult but also an amazing journey, too. I'm thrilled for you!!

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  52. Many many congratulations Emily and Brian, I'm so happy that Kaia is finally here. Beautiful name!! Take care and use the time while she is in NICU for your own recovery.

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  53. I just had tears of joy. Congratulations to both of you! Love the name and can't wait to see a picture of your beautiful little girl.

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  54. I was ecstatic when I saw this post!! I am so happy for you, your husband, and your new baby girl! Welcome to the world, Miss Kaia! Such a beautiful name. I'll be thinking of you and am wishing you a safe and speedy recovery. I hope your precious baby girl continues to thrive! I can't wait to see pictures and hear updates.

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  55. Fantastic news! I am so pleased for all of you. Congratulations! Sending lots of love.

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  56. Congratulations! I am a NICU nurse in Seattle area and was at work last night. Somewhere in the middle of the night I got this strong urge to check you blog, having the feeling that something had happened. Couldn't check it last night since I was at work, but so happy to hear your little lady is here safely! Also happy to hear about the 25% O2, that's amazing!
    Best wishes for a quick recovery and well done momma!

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  58. best news I've heard all week :-)

    Welcome to the world little Kaia! All the best Mama, I hope your recovery goes well :-)

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  59. Congratulations!!! Welcome to the world Kaia! I'm sure she's a little fighter just like her mamma and is going to pull through with a fast recovery! Sending so much love and loads of positive thoughts to your family ((hugs))

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  60. Congratulations!

    So happy to hear the good news! A beautiful little girl! I hope she continues to beat all the odds at such a wonderful pace!

    Kaia is a gorgeous name!

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  61. I am BEYOND excited for you and your family. Praise God for Kaia being such a strong little girl and for keeping you safe through your sugery. Very cute name! We will continue to keep you all in our prayers. Thanks for updating and enjoy your daughter. She is a fighter and has already overcome so many odds that I just know she is going to change the world! I hope by now your pain is under control and you have made it to see her.
    Karri in Buffalo

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  62. Oh, wow....I'm just trying to get over the goosebumps I have all over my body after reading this post. A baby girl....wow!! :) Beautiful Acorn has finally arrived and she is a SHE!! Can hardly believe it myself...totally had her pegged for a little boy. But either way, she is here and I am celebrating with you. Congratulations to your entire family. Sending big hugs your way...can't wait to see pictures and hear updates on all the wonderful progress she is going to make. :)

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  63. I was constantly checking my reader for updates. Congratulations on your baby girl

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  64. Congratulations!!!! Still sending prayers and positive thoughts!

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  65. Another person in tears here. I am SO happy for you and Kaia. ADORE her name. Also thought it was a boy! hahahaha But they do say baby girls do better as preemies, don't they? So yay for that! (although I remember when people said that when I was pregnant the first time it made me feel like I/they were blaming Caleb for being a boy, but you know what I mean). I am so happy for you guys and keeping all of you in my thoughts CONSTANTLY. Cannot wait to see pictures of your beautiful daughter (I'm sure you can't either!).

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  66. Congratulations! This is such wonderful news. I hope Kaia's NICU stay will be brief and as uneventful as such things can be, and that your recovery will be quick and complete.

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  67. WOW!!! Congrats MOMMA.....I am so thrilled to hear things are going well so far! We will continue to pray, hope and wish on stars for you and your little girl:))))

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  68. Kaia is one more miracle to pPROM mystery!!! Congrats!!! All your hard work paid off.... Can't wait to see her pics!

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  69. Just got home from a weekend away with no internet. So thrilled and relieved to come home to this amazing news, though I know there is still a long road ahead.
    I love your little girl's name and I can't wait until she is in your arms. Also very much looking forward to the first picture!
    So, so, so happy for you, Emily.
    Welcome Acorn!
    xo

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  70. emily, i tried to leave a comment yesterday but blogger was being bitchy, so i'm trying again. just wanted to say someday kaia will know how lucky she is that her mama fought so hard for her. i'm so, so thrilled for you. CONGRATULATIONS! also hoping your own recovery is quick and easy.

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  71. Hi from Georgia. I have never commented before but have been following your blog for some time. I am so thrilled to see Kaia is doing well. I hope you get to visit with her soon. Big Congrats from Ga and look forward to seeing her sweet picture.

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  72. Sooooooo happy for you Emily!!! I was so happy to see the title of your post. What a relief!! Congrats on the birth of your baby girl....we are all so excited for you and your husband!

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  73. Wow, so great to hear little Kaia's here. I've been following your journey with Acorn, and had meant to comment on your last posts. Anyways, I've been sending (and will continue to send) good thoughts your way. Hope your recovery goes well and your little girl thrives. Much love to you and your family.

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  74. OMG!!! YAY!!! I am so happy for you and Brian!! Kaia is a gorgeous name. I hope she continues to do well, and that you have no problems with your health as well. I am so excited for you....I wanna cry!!

    Lots of love woman!!
    Danielle

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  75. Welcome, little Kaia! And good job, mama! I'm glad she's here and that her progress is good, and I'm thinking of you as you get through the NICU days and keeping my fingers crossed that you all get to go home together soon.

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  76. Wonderful, wonderful news!! Thinking of your and wishing you both fast recoveries!

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  77. So happy Kaia is here with you, so hard to be separated after all you've been through. I hope you have been able to be with her more since you wrote - I had a c-sect and only got to see D in passing the first two days. Of course this isn't what anyone would choose, but everything turned out ok, and we bonded great once he was a bit stronger. What a miracle, I've been holding my breath for months with you! WHile you aren't out of the woods yet, this is a huge blessing.

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  78. *Ahem* I hate to be a nuisance, but you made mention of a photo?

    Hope you are all doing well :)

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  79. Okay, I know you're busy and all, but we need an update. :-) Hope all is well

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  80. Love her name! So happy! Update, please!!! :)

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  81. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! So happy to come on here and see this! Can't wait for more updates!!!

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  82. Congratulations!! I will continue to send prayers your way :)

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