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Stream of Consciousness

Oh, it's been a while since I've done this, and I am pretty sure the last time I did, about 5 people read my blog.  So, for those of you who are new to the neighborhood, "stream of consciousness" posts are just the written form of whatever is going on in my little brain!  Enjoy...or be confused...

Abby now weighs 5 lbs, 1 oz and has officially hit the mark!  For your typical preemie, five pounds is kind of the magical number that points toward going home.  We know that this is just one of many, many pieces of the puzzle for us, but it's still a milestone nonetheless!  I gave her a bath today and she liked it even less than usual!  She threw quite a little hissy fit but settled down as soon as she was wrapped up and cozy again.  By now we know all of the nurses pretty well and don't have too many new ones anymore.  Today they only had 8 hour shifts because of the holiday, so we'll have 3 different nurses.  Her first two are wonderful, and I'm sure her overnight nurse will be too.  We have really been so pleased with the nursing staff at UMMC.  They are so knowledgeable and have taught me so much!  We enjoyed a dinner today at RMH with the other families.  It was a little different than the Thanksgiving dinner I'm used to, but it was really nice.  The family was a former RMH family whose son passed away from cancer last April.  They served this dinner as a way to give back to RMH.  I am feeling much better now and am able to visit Abby again without a mask.  My parents came up this evening to visit and bring some Thanksgiving leftovers, so I'm going to dig into them tomorrow for lunch!  Although, I'm getting kind of hungry now...maybe I'll nibble a bit now!  I am drinking apple juice right now and it's great. I have been trying to drink a lot more water recently to fight the caffeine urges, and it's working pretty well.  Caleb asked to sleep in the suitcase again.  Matt didn't know about last night's sleeping arrangements and was pretty confused...until he saw my face trying to stifle a laugh.  Then he was pretty shocked that I actually allowed it.  I defended myself by saying that he didn't actually sleep there anyway!  He's sleeping in his own bed tonight though!  Caleb wanted a quesadilla for Thanksgiving and was quite bitter when he found out that was not being served.  I think he finally ate all of one bite of stuffing, one bite of turkey, and a roll.  *sigh*  My dad got to hold Abby tonight for the first time.  Until now, Abby has either been uncooperative (or no one was able to hold her because of her condition), or my dad has been sick.  He was really excited to hold his fifth grandchild!  I missed our "typical" Thanksgiving and everyone who is there, but at least our little family of four was all together.  Too bad Abby couldn't enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, but I'm pretty sure her nurse Wendi snuck a little turkey in her feeding tube.  :)  We watched the parade this morning and Caleb really liked the musical performances.  The singing and dancing intrigues him!  I'm anxious to start learning sign language--not that I think we need to start using it right away, but that we will need to learn enough to be able to communicate with Abby as she gets older.  It also might not hurt to use it earlier than we really need to so that she can pick things up naturally.  We're confident that she can hear, although hearing loss won't really be determined just yet, but we will need to communicate with her in some way until she is able to talk with the trach.  This will probably be a while.  If anyone has any signing books or videos we can borrow, we would love them!  Well, I think that's the end of what is currently in my brain.  If you actually read all of this, I applaud you!  If you didn't...I don't blame you.  My mind is spinning a mile a minute.  :)

Comments

kbowman6 said…
Hi Julie!

1. Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful to be part of your extended family and to be continually humbled by your grace and joy. Your writings have helped me to have a greater sense of perspective in my life, and I am stronger for it.
2. I myself just checked out a sign-language video from the library. Haven't gotten the chance to watch it yet, I'll let you know if it is any good. Just wanted to let you know that you can probably find sign-language books/videos there if you are unable to borrow from others.
kbowman6 said…
Oh, P.S.: I just realized that blogger just lists my 1st name. Kerry Phelps doesn't want you to think I'm some creepy stalker :)
Darryl said…
I truly was excited to hold her for the first time. Even though it was short, it was so sweet! She is like holding a feather. I have never held a baby as small as she is. I am amazed that she can be moved so easily with the trach. It is my natural inclination to think she has to be kept perfectly still. Hopefully, I will get to hold her again and maybe for longer. I can't wait!
Julie said…
Ha, Kerry, I knew it was you! Let me know if you find that sign-language video to be good. There are some at our local library too, but I am not very good at remembering to return them... :)
Carrie said…
Hi Julie,
Try searching on YouTube for sign language videos. Seems to be quiet a few! Glad Abby is gaining weight!!!!
Kristin said…
Hey Julie,
I used to have a sign with you baby package that included a video. I think I may have given it to Erika. I'll check with her to see if she has it.
dannidawn said…
This is Danielle Brown :) I think that we have some sign language books for toddlers. I will try to get them to you.

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