Day 8- We're home!

And while home is where the heart is, turns out it can thrive quite well in a hospital too : )

CJ and I got some wonderful news this morning at Avery's 8:30 touch time:

• All her labs came back normal
• Her jaundice level continues to decline (4.5 today from 7.5 on Saturday). They took her off all the UV lights and blanket and hope to see her levels continue to get even lower
• Platelet levels are still rising
• Head sonogram came back completely normal! No bleeds or anything suspect.
• She was tolerating the 3 cc's of breastmilk with no residuals all evening and had only .5 cc and 1 cc of residuals this morning. However, they were just breastmilk with no green nasty stuff and the doctor said to just go ahead and refeed her that and add her normal feeds on top (he literally crossed his fingers as he walked away, but said she was looking good and making positive progress) 
• Also on that note, he doubled her feeding amount to 6 cc's! CJ and I were initially very skeptical about this as we think it'd be easier for her to move up to 4-5, stay there a few days, then move up a couple more cc's, etc. I feel that shocking her digestive system might possibly work against us... but having to trust the doctors is something I need to learn. And so far, she has only given back less than .5 one time, 1 cc another time, and at 8:30 she had nothing! So maybe Mom and Dad are wrong (and we'll be happy to be wrong about this one!) I have faith that our little girl is a SuperBaby and can conquer any amount (eventually) we put in her belly.
• She did poop twice today, but only after her enema. This was the last one they have ordered for her so far, so we are really focused right now on getting her "lazy gut" (yes, she has unfortunately inherited this problem from me.... I've already apologized profusely for it) up and moving on her own.
• She had a couple Brady episodes, but were so quick and easily righted on her own, they aren't even worth mentioning (except that I think anything she does is worth mentioning). There is another little one in the NICU who Brady's about 10 times every time we are there and I am so thankful our daughter isn't having to go through any breathing problems like that. 

It was very surreal coming back to the apartment. Bowie stared at me for about a full minute clearly not comprehending what was going on. Then he did. And he went spastic nuts. I really did miss the little guy, but its funny how pre-Avery (as anyone that really knows me can attest) my dog was pretty much my soft spot. Ohhhhh how many fights I've gotten into with people about that dang dog! He totally melts me though, and I can't really pinpoint why. And though I still love Bowie so very much, the maternal instinct I had previously felt for him has definitely waned. I can safely say that while Bowsnickers is a vital part of our family, he is just a pet. I have that desperate, aching love for a human that came from me and my husband, and that is the most powerful emotion I've ever felt in my life. And the most awesome. 

Speaking of awesome, Christopher put together the whole nursery while I was gone. I'm talking full assembly on the crib, changing table and dresser. It was so lovely to come home and see that our little girl has her own space. It will be fun to decorate everything once we get into a concrete schedule and have a better grip on what our lives post hospital are going to be. Shockingly, I only fell apart one time today and it wasn't even that bad. I just miss her. I want to be able to look at her 24 hours a day, and while I know she is busy getting well enough to come home, it doesn't negate the fact that my body and heart and soul yearn for her. Our kangaroo care time tonight was amazing.... I talked to her almost the whole time and we prayed together and made plans for when she was able to come home with me. Her little hands kill me when she moves them around on my chest... she's incredible. I had a nurse tell me today a) I looked exhausted. I'm sure this isn't helped at all by the fact that I AM perpetually exhausted, am ghost white, have two toned hair and walk like someone hit me in the stomach with a bat. And b) that I shouldn't wear myself out coming up for every single touch time, since in reality, I can only touch her for about 30 min if that. She said the really important times to come every time are going to be when they introduce the bottle to her (which hopefully is in 2 weeks). So, CJ and I decided it would be best to just do her 11:30 and 2:30 times, skip the 5:30 and I would go kangaroo care at 8:30. Of course, I have stayed up to call and see how she did on residuals, etc at 11:30 since I can't be there. As of that time:

• Avery Grace gained a whopping 41 kilograms from last night!! I am inclined to think a lot of that is the increased feedings with no stool coming out, and hope that its not fluid retention or something else more concerning. That brings her weight to 3 pounds, 1.42 oz... almost back to her birth weight. 
• She had NO residuals from her 8:30 feeding! Wooohoooooo!
• No poopy diaper yet

I'll post a picture tomorrow of what CJ and I worked on today (mostly CJ, but I'll take just a little bit of credit!) I love my husband so much for the complete evolution I see in him from man to dad. I am reminded of this plaque that sits in my Dad's office that rings true now in my life: "Anyone can be a father. It takes a special person to be a Daddy." Yes kids, the cliches are true. Seeing my husband fawn over Avery, her nursery, her baby clothes has taken my love and appreciation for him to a level I never knew existed. I am blessed. 

Prayer Requests

That Avery continues to tolerate her food with no residuals.

She begins to poop on her own (I hope God doesn't blush when this topic comes up).

That her relatively large weight gain in one day is only because she's eating more and not stooling, NOT due to any infection or other problem. 

Her overall health continues to hold steady.

(Also non-baby related, if you could say a quick prayer for my friend Amber's grandfather please. He is in the hospital unexpectedly and had emergency surgery. I am praying for healing and peace for my sweet friend and her family. God is faithful, and He hears what we ask for! Thank you!)

I am bowled over by God's power to answer prayers today. As you can see, He is listening and answering and we are more grateful than ever before. I was able to spend some time at the chapel in the hospital this morning in prayer and thanks.... it was so nice. I always feel like my Grandma is with me during tough times and as I was leaving, I asked her to just go ahead and stay with Avery. She needs some quality Grandma hugs right about now! How I WISH Avery could have met my Grandma... I think being a parent is only rivaled by becoming a grandparent, and the only thing better is being a GREAT grandparent... and my Grandma would have been just that... great. 

I wish that I could individually and specially thank every single person who is praying for our family. If I'm lucky, one day I will. There is no greater feeling than to know people have your back, and that's exactly how supported we feel right now. My prayer warriors, you are MY LIFE SAVERS! Please don't think that we don't ever need your tiny prayer. Because no prayer is small. If you believe in what you asking, I believe it will be done. And I thank you, every day, every moment, for how your prayers are moving in our lives. 

Hope this finds you happy and blessed! Till tomorrow....