February 5 baby update, continued

I spent the afternoon with dear Jossie. She's so little so her cries are kitten-like, but I can see this is a girl who likes to speak her mind. She is never too pleased when we interrupt her sleep with changing her diaper or taking her temperature. Luckily, she is very easy to soothe at this point.

We are still brady-free and we're closing in on the 2.5-day mark at 10:40 p.m. this evening. She is eating well and we had a few good nursing sessions today, which is extremely satisfying. I think it's because it's something I can only do - not a nurse or a doctor. I was there for her weigh-in, and she's 4 lbs 6 oz (2000 grams on the button, gaining 30 grams from the day before).

She had a bath last night, and her hair was in fine form, nice and fluffy in the afternoon sun.

I took a break for dinner and saw a big brother around Jack's age walking with his mommy and new baby out of the hospital tonight. Rather than feel sadness, I felt a lot of hope that we'll be in that place soon.  Speaking of Jack, Jeremy took him to the Chicago Children's Museum today while I was with Joss. While they were there, Jack put a construction hat on Daddy's head, and declared to him, "Daddy, you can be anything you want to be." He'll always be my sweet guy.

I bought Jack a few lollipops from the Argo Tea stand in the hospital lobby, and the Argo guy recognized me as the "orange lollipop lady." This has been Jack's request and we've probably bought 25 or so of these lollipops in the past four weeks.

Four weeks - I can't believe we've been doing this for that long. One week for my hospital monitoring and three weeks for Joss in the NICU. We will get through this, and we'll be home together soon.

February 5 baby update

Jossie continues to up her feedings - she's now at 60 ml (2 oz) of breastmilk per feeding. At her weigh-in last night, she was at 4 lb 5 oz, which is great. Daddy's over there now with her, and I'll spend the afternoon with her. As of this morning, she has been brady-free, which is two days now. Three to go.

Jack is fully better, which is great. We're both going a bit stir-crazy after being stuck in our condo for so long. This morning, we've gone through Play Doh, painting, building with cardboard bricks and TV. Here is Jack's Play Doh rendering of our family:

February 4 baby update

I did not go to Jossie today because of Jack's stomach flu. I have been calling all day to check in on her, and she is doing well. No brady episodes - so we're down one day on the count. She has been eating more, going from 45 ml to 55 ml per feeding, which is almost 2 ounces. As one nurse told me today, "Girlfriend likes to eat!" We will get her new weight tonight around 10 p.m.

Jack is feeling much better - is there such a thing as 12-hour stomach flu? I am glad he is on the mend. This afternoon, I asked him if he knew anyone who was sick (which I admit was a ridiculous question, as I know everyone he knows), and he replied, "Yes, Mommy. Me!"

Right about the time Jack was feeling better, I noticed the City was FINALLY clearing our street of snow and our management company was digging out our driveway for the condo garage. I also got an email from a colleague at work; we got a surprise gift of $50,000 from a new donor. I hope this good news train keeps chugging through next week. And many thanks to my friend today whom I was corresponding with through email; her twins were born at 32 weeks, and she was giving me strength and advice as she relayed her time in the NICU and dealing with her babies' brady episodes.