CLIMBING THAT MOUNTAIN...

We are now beginning week 5 in the NICU. It is hard to believe that I gave birth 5 weeks ago. For the past 5 weeks, we have been climbing a mountain. Mary has taken off and was a skilled climber. She has really amazed so many with her efforts.

As I stated before, we have several milestones we have to reach. Mary has been that mountain climber that pushed so hard to do so much. Well, I think she has finally tuckered out. She is beginning to tell us that she is still little and needs to slow down. I can't be sad, because she has worked so hard.

Right now Mary has accomplished 4 out of 8 nipples. This is great news. The part that holds her back is finishing those feeds. She starts very strong, but tires out. We also get one really great feed out of her, but then the others are hard work.
It is great to celebrate her success, but I also have to tell myself that she is young and still growing. Right now she should still be inside of me growing. However, all the things she was to learn inside of me, she is having to do on the outside.

It is hard not to get down some days. I come twice a day and feed her, then we cuddle. It's those moments that I treasure. It is hard to walk away, but my duty as a mom calls for me to go to Maggie. Jack then comes home and spends a little time with us before he heads out to be with Mary. I know this is just a short period, but it's really hard. I appreciate all the people who tell me to stay positive and that this too will pass. However, I do need that moment to break down. That moment too will pass!

We might be on a plateau right now, and that is okay. We will eventually over come this too and our feeds will pick up. After that, we should be closer to coming home and all being together.

I'm proud of my family and how we have worked together. We will continue to climb this mountain together and overcome what we are faced with. Again, I'm blessed with so much. I have a healthy 36 weeker and a fun 4 year old!

DAY 21 - WEEK 3

Yesterday was our week 3 birthday, or day 21 stay in the NICU. We have come so far and have accomplished so much. It's just amazing to me how well our little fighter has done!

Mary has task that she has to accomplish before she comes home. Of course the teacher in me is wanting her to be the best student! Although she is doing really well, some task are harder than others.

Many have said that this is a tiny baby and that is easy to deal with. Well, yes Mary is small. However, it's not all about her size. Mary has little milestones she has to accomplish and learn. This is where it gets hard, because you want her to do them fast!

Mary's todo list:

1) Mary has to maintain her own body temperature. She has done wonderful with this. She is now out of her bed and able to be in an open crib! This was an easy task to pass. I think she runs hot naturally like her daddy and sister.

2) Mary has to complete 8 bottle feeds a day with out a tube in her stomach. She is doing 4! They usually don't start trying until they are 34 weeks old, but she showed signs at week 33. Overall she does a good job, but she tires out pretty easy on this task. If she completes a feed great, if not they finish through the tube.

3) She will have to pass a carseat test. This will be closer to us getting home. When we talk about that you know we will be excited!

4) She can't have any Brady's. These are the episodes when her heart rate drops below 80. Jack and I have witnessed this for the first time. She turns gray and her eyes roll back in her head. It is a very scary feeling to watch and see. Part of this is her maturity. She will have to learn to suck, swallow and breath while she eats. If she has a Brady as we get closer to home, it sets us back 5 days.

Overall, Mary is the princess of the NICU. The nurses love her and fight over her. All the boys in the NICU have high demands, and Mary makes things pretty easy!

Jack and I are very blessed. We have two beautiful daughters and can't wait to finally have Mary home. We don't have a time frame, but keep praying that it is pretty soon. I'm just hoping its before the New Year so I get some time home with her before I return to work! However, if that is not the plan I'll understand and know she's in the best place.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. We are very lucky to have so many people fighting and cheering for us. Again, we are blessed in so many ways.