Daytime Eater 2/24/13
Chris
When we arrived at the hospital this morning I immediately noticed some changes. Hattie's pulse-ox cable was disconnected and the blue line was completely missing from the monitor. Nurse Kristi told us that the night shift Respiratory Therapist discontinued it, taking us one step closer to a completely wireless baby. Kristi also made a closet for Hattie. We had been using a Publix bag to store her clean clothes. Kristi took the small linen cabinet in Hattie's room and put a "Hattie's Closet" sign on the front. Now we have a dedicated place for Hattie's cute outfits. We love having primary nurses who really take ownership of Hattie's care. It sure makes it easier (if leaving your baby can be described as easy) to leave.
Hattie is a very popular little girl and over the last few days she has had several out-of-town visitors. Lynn and Jay came by to see Melissa and Hattie on Thursday. (Jaybird was surprised we don't have a TV in Hattie's room!) Becky met Hattie on Friday and, of course, was enamored with her. Becky took us out for a nice dinner which was a welcomed change from frozen meals or fast food. Finally, today Melissa's childhood friend Rhianna spent all afternoon with us and our dear friend Katie visited too. Hattie is so loved!
During Hattie's daytime nursing she ate an amazing 26 cc of milk. She only had to get 6 cc through her gavage to make up the difference. She wore herself out too: she was conked out while kangarooing with me. Similar to yesterday, she didn't do quite as well tonight and ate only 9 cc. It is still better than what should be expected for a baby of her age but it is also confusing for us to see her going up and down. Please pray that Melissa doesn't get discouraged and we both remain patient throughout this process.
Hattie is seven weeks old today! She weighs 1,868 grams or 4 lb., 1.9 oz. She grew to 39.5 cm. (15.55 in.) long. As we left the hospital, Melissa and I talked about how we can't believe we have a seven week-old baby. It feels like only yesterday she was born, but at the same time it is hard to remember a time when we didn't spend countless hours at her bedside in the NICU. Nonetheless, we feel so blessed to have the privilege of being her parents.
At tonight's hands on time we gave Hattie a bath. This is the fifth or sixth bath she's had and also the fifth or sixth method we've seen for how to do it. This time the scale that we normally use as a rolling table for her basin wasn't available so Nurse Rachael put waterproof blankets in her bed and we sponged her down right there. Hattie definitely would rather have been in the bath water rather than just laying out in the open. We'll remember that for next time.
Hattie will have her second eye exam tomorrow morning. Please pray that her little eyes are developing nicely and the eye doctor does not find any issues. Please also pray that she doesn't feel any pain or discomfort during the exam and is not too stressed out throughout the day.
