Things Could Be Worse

Can you believe this big girl is my preemie?!

The above picture was taken last Monday. We took Mini in to get a checkup so she could get her RSV shot. I thought our nurse Malissa was going to faint. She got the all clear and her mean shot in the thigh. Surgery to have her tether fixed was scheduled for the next day but had to be moved to Friday which actually worked out better for someone to care for Bug. Colt and I arrived at the hospital at 9:30 in the morning and Katie was scheduled to go in at 11. We waited in a bustling room with all ages of kids waiting to be repaired or explored. While we waited I held and kissed Katelyn a lot. She was of course fussy because she was hungry so I let her chew on my fingers, I think she is in the pre-teething stages.The anesthesiologist came and had us walk her to the hug and kiss spot. I didn't really like saying goodbye but i knew she was in great hands. 

Yummy mama fingers

While we were in the surgery waiting area I tried my best not to listen to other families reports from Dr's. One family who was sitting just across from us had been there since 7am. I overheard, I assume the father, call a concerned grandparent and report that surgery went well. Their daughter was in surgery for 7 hours so that doctors could repair her heart. They had to leave her chest open and packed to help relieve swelling and then they would sew her up. The father told the person on the phone to be prepared for a shock when they visited. I sent my baby in for a simple repair, their daughter was in for what sounded like a complete reconstruction. I felt a little silly for thinking that the almost 2 hours was such a long wait. Things could have been worse.

Sleepy baby

It took a while for Mini to wake up enough to eat. I held her on my lap and let her squeeze my fingers all evening. I had to make a quick trip to the instacare because of a stupid cough that won't go away. I began coughing and was getting stink eye from nurses and the parents we were sharing a room with. I got some meds and returned in time to give Katie some pain medicine and send daddy home. Around 9pm I was getting Katelyn settled and comfortable. We had a new roommate with their 7month old come in and because the staff needed to get them settled I left the door open. Katie was in the front bed and I could hear the mother in the room next-door having a tough time. I assumed her baby had a seizure and had vomited because the nurse assistant ran in with towels. All of a sudden I hear the mother scream and yell for help. The code blue alarm was pulled and the mother went hysterical. I went out into the hall to help her because Katie wasn't in need so I tried to calm the mother with the help of the nurse assistant. We tried sitting her in a chair, she would get up and go to the door and see the staff working on her little boy and go nuts again. She was swearing and screaming not to touch her and then she would fall to the floor. They had to call security in case she got physical. A nurse came out into the hall and assured the mother, who was all alone, that the Dr's had her baby stable. I took it as my time to go back in and check on my own baby. When I walked into the room I saw the mother of Katie's new roommate standing between the two cribs talking to both of our babies. She asked me if I was okay and all I could say was "Can I have a hug?" We squeezed each other ad began crying. We introduced ourselves and suddenly this stranger became a relief for my shattered nerves. Cindy and her husband James are first time parents to an adorable little girl. While at the babysitters their little girl fell off the bed and got a concussion. We didn't exchange a lot of information but we got to know one another and I was grateful to have someone there to talk to after all the commotion. Finally around midnight things were settled down and we tried to get to sleep. I was informed by morning that the baby who flat-lined was moved to ICU and his frantic mother was given something to calm her down. Things were tough that night but we made it through. 

By 4am Saturday after being bothered with vitals every 3 hours Katie decided she wasn't going to sleep unless I held her. I had to cuddle her on my lap and try not to kink my neck from dozing in and out of sleep. In the afternoon we got a visit from daddy and Emma. Katie rested a lot and downgraded to Motrin for pain. She had to be on her back for the first 24 hours but she didn't really feel like playing much anyway. We caught up on sleep and said goodbye to our roommates. We were all alone and I was so grateful to have quiet. Our night nurse was great. She helped give Mini a sponge bath and we talked about books. We settled in for the night and slept much better. Katie's surgeon came early Sunday and checked on her. He said that when he cut her tether it seemed to snap back into place it was under a lot of tension. He signed her discharge orders. We left the hospital by noon and went back to Colt's parents house to take one last load to our house. We got all moved in on Monday and we are trying to get into a routine in our own space.

Fix-a-flat

Tuesday I picked up Katie's corrective helmet. It is so cute. She has to get used to it so we have a schedule of building up to wear it 23 hours a day. She will have to wear her helmet for 3 months. Emma wants to cover it in princess stickers but I'm not too sure. Her incision is healing and we won't have to go back to have any stitches removed. She cannot have a soaking bath for a month but she can have all the sponge baths she wants. She has been good this whole week. Still not eating a lot and she wants to rest but today she actually played with her toys under the play gym. She is such a happy baby. She has the best smile. Emma is so protective of her. We went for a shopping trip last night and Katie had to wear her helmet. Emma made sure that the shade on the carrier was up so people wouldn't stare at her baby sister. It is nice to be back in our house. Emma can't wait to play with the kids. The house is still up for sale until January, or a miracle, whichever comes first.

Happy Baby

I am such a lucky woman. I have 2 beautiful girls that are such a joy in my life. My husband takes great care of all of us and makes sure we have the things we need. Now if only I had that crew from What Not to Wear. I need a make over, like REALLY bad.