Cute Video as Requested

Homecoming April 14, 2010

APRIL 14, 2010
SHE'S FINALLY HOME!

I was driving Grace to Kyle, where she attends daycare, so I could spend my usual 4-5 hours at the NICU. My phone rang. It was Kim, a NICU nurse that also happens to be a member of our church. We like to think of her as our NICU angel. She said, "Get your car seat and get your butt up here, she's goin' home!" I couldn't believe it! I started sobbing. I called Trey and the sound of my voice scared him. I did the same to my mom. I didn't even have the car seat CLEAN yet! Trey canceled his appointments for the rest of the day and we went to spring Morgan together.

Grace meeting her sister for the very first time.

Grace helping Mommy hold Morgan.

The first kiss . . . ah, priceless!

Just days before they released her.

Just days before they released her.

Progressing QUICKLY!

You know, I hate to admit that my husband was right, but he sure was this time! The doctor called me yesterday afternoon to let me know that Morgan would now be getting three bottles a day. She was doing well. I was so excited when I told Trey! Last night we were talking about it and he said, "Just watch, she'll get increased to four tomorrow." I told him I didn't think they'd increase her so quickly without having 24 hours to assess how she did with the three bottles. BOY WAS I WRONG! The doctor called me on my way out of the parking garage today to let me know they were increasing Morgan to a bottle feed every other feed, that's four a day. We are now at the halfway mark! We need to be at eight to be released from the hospital.

Eh hem, eh hem . . . Trey Hertel, I stand corrected. There, I said it!

Five pounds, four ounces!

I thought I'd use the quiet time I have tonight to update the blog. Trey took Grace down to the neighbor's house for a few minutes. I'd better type fast! Morgan has officially surpassed her birth weight today. She's now 5 lbs. 4 oz! They increased her feed amount yesterday to 50 ml. Her night nurse noted that she downed her first 50 ml bottle in 18 minutes! She was a hungry girl!

I had another appointment with lactation at 11:30 today and Morgan nursed for 25 minutes. She still took 15 ml of milk from a bottle when she was done! I have a feeling that she's going to gain weight rapidly! I spoke to the doctor this afternoon on my way home from Kyle, and she said it looks like another couple of weeks in the NICU. They want Morgan to be taking a full eight bottles a day before they send her home. It's disappointing news, but at least I will know she'll really be ready to be home at that point.

* A special thank-you to the Kaminskys, the meal you delivered tonight was incredible! We are so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful church family!

Yea for bottles!

My mom stopped by to pay Morgan a visit. This was the first time she got to hold her.

April 6th the speech therapist worked with Morgan to see if she could handle the bottle better than she did last week. She improved a lot! She downed her entire bottle in less than twenty minutes! The doctor gave the order for a bottle a day.

April 7 - The doctor gave the order this afternoon for two bottles a day. Trey, my mom and I went in to visit again tonight and Trey was able to feed Morgan her second bottle. She did great! She did get pretty pooped at the end. Trey said she looked like a drunken sailor!

Here's a better view of Morgan while Trey fed her tonight. She was such a hungry girl! She's got this bottle thing down! Tomorrow, on to breast feeding! Yea!