Long Day

My morning started very early today. Okay, not early compared to most people but for me it was early. Mackenzie had her Thanksgiving play in her classroom today at 9 and Lee and I went. My parents came and brought Jackson. We were going to take Jackson home with us but dad was so nice to watch Jackson while we went to visit Avery at the NICU.

I went in to visit with her while Lee took care of some business in FWB. I was so happy to be there while she was still receiving her feeding through the tube. I also adored her nurse today. Her name is Brooke and she use to work for Sacred Heart's NICU. Avery has gained a whole ounce since yesterday and is a whopping 4lbs 5ozs. She is STILL not taking the bottle though. It's very frustrating as a parent because you have a shockingly healthy baby who just won't eat and you can't bring her home. I still as I type and look across the room at the empty bassinet with the Boppy sitting in it.

The Neonatologist on this week (there are 2 and they each work one week on and one week off) is great. She's a black lady in her 40's who is absolutely hysterical. She's so sweet, talks a lot, is very thorough and talks to the parents to explain everything. She actually just called us to give us an update on her feedings. She went over Avery today and her heart u/s. The type of hole should not be a factor in her eating problems which is a good thing. Her corrected age is 35 weeks and 5 days. Most babies get the sucking down pat in the 36th week so it's not out of the norm for her age.

Dr. Ladd wanted to try feeding her at the next time to work on her and see exactly what it is she responds to, etc. In order to try and feed her she wanted her to be really awake and alert. Now that was a hoot to watch. She rubbed her head, changed her diaper, but the stethoscope (sp?) on her chest, rubbed her belly... I mean tried everything and she just wouldn't get up for her. So as Dr. Ladd put it she won this round but the Dr. would win the next one. The phone call from her tonight showed that Avery still won. She tried feeding her at 3 and 6 and could only get her to take 10cc of formula. She just has no interest in eating.

She thinks that it's just because of her age but she talked to Lee about getting another heart u/s done and a scan of her head. She said it is just to rule out anything else. She said that worst case it is something she might need medicine for to help her with. Not sure the entire details but will ask her tomorrow when I see her. She told us not to worry that she just likes to be thorough and make sure she knows what she's dealing with. So I'm not going to worry. I just want my baby home!

Oh... Mackenzie's play at school was so cute. It was more of a skit. It was held in her classroom and it was packed with parents. Jackson loved seeing her. Mackenzie did a great job too. Dad picked her up from school today and headed with her to Birmingham. I miss her so much. Jackson was also sad that she was leaving. He wanted to be with her. I think he's over that now that he's home. He is perfectly content being here. I'm just going to be happy when she comes home. I do have to say I am bracing myself for the chaos that she brings. Put her and Jackson together and it's loud trouble. Cute, but loud.

So all in all it was a good day. I am so thankful for my parents. They have done so much for us and been there when no one else has. I am ecstatic that we are moving to Birmingham. Lee was officially offered and accepted a job today in the B'ham area. He goes to TN for two weeks for orientation either on December 8th or December 28th, it depends on if the 8th's training is already full. Then he'll spend 6 weeks in the Crestview, FL store about 45mins from our house. I'm going to look at the school calendars in B'ham and either move up there after Christmas break or after the 1st semester is over in January. I'm not sure yet. I can't wait to live close to my parents. It's a little funny because my sister is moving from there down to Panama City in May and we're moving up there. I can't believe she's getting married.