I feel guilty that we have not been with you for nearly as many hours the last few days. Daddy had some mandatory trainings that he needed to be at for work, and since Mommy can't drive, I have been dependent on someone to get me back and forth to the hospital. We were very fortunate to have my mom and sisters visiting, but since we can only take two people into the NICU at a time, we haven't been able to take all the kids with us. I have definitely spent more time in the evenings with you, and it is a much needed time to recharge my batteries and remember what we are patiently waiting and praying for - that you will just come home.
The doctors have slowly been removing more and more tubes from you. Saturday night they removed the feeding tube that was in your nose since you were now eating a 50 milliliter bottle every three hours or so. Mommy is also pumping for you every three hours, so we make sure to properly store everything just as the hospital instructed and replenish your supply every day. It is going well and you have an abundance waiting for when your appetite really kicks in.
You briefly had an IV inserted in your foot for a short round of antibiotics, but I think that it was taken out today. You are still on an oral medicine that will help lower your bilirubin (which is still making your skin a shade of yellowy green) but most of the doctors have told us that it will just take your system time to work it out and that your healthy appetite is a good sign.
Late Saturday evening, your Aunt Rachael and I had a great time keeping you company. We arrived just after you had a bottle, so we were happy to just hold you and enjoy watching you sleep. Your sweet little lips kept opening and closing, and you kept tucking in your bottom lip to make silly faces. No matter what we tried to do to tickle or rouse you, you were totally zonked out! About 10:30, I couldn't wait anymore and started to unwrap you from all your blankets so we could get you dressed in your first clothes from home. We picked an adorable soft onesie with a monkey on it! When you finally woke up, we had a good chat with a hematologist that was consulting on your case, and he reassured us that even though your antibodies' status is unusual, that you were born just in time and are slowly making great progress.
Sunday evening, we decided to break the rules a bit and sneak your sister in with us, even though it is supposed to only be two visitors at a time. I guess one of the nurses more familiar with us had told your daddy that we could probably be overlooked for a short visit. Sure enough, we got a bit of resistance when we arrived, but they gave in since we promised to be short. Cameron was so excited to see you and she even wore a fancy dress and her big sister necklace. We kept telling her to use a quiet voice because there are so many other babies and apparently she interpreted that to mean she could just tiptoe and still talk loudly!
We had a great time getting to hold you and Daddy even gave you a bottle later in the evening. You seem to sleep almost all the time we are there except for when you are eating! The nurses have told us that you are pretty laid back, eating slowly and not fussing much. The brief occasions when I heard you cry lasted for maybe 10 seconds before you were worn out and gave up. You do seem to really love your big green pacifier and I am happy to already have more of them waiting for you at home!
Still no word on a departure time, but Daddy and I are about to head up to see you in just a little while. We have missed you so much today! Mommy went to my doctor to have my tummy taken care of, so hopefully I will start to feel much better in just a few days. Other than pumping every three hours, I am getting pretty good sleep. I think I will be very grateful to be waking up in the middle of the night as long as it means you are there with me.
Here are a few more pictures from our last visits... We love you so much!
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| First Kisses from Your Big Sister |
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| Almost a whole family portrait! |
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