Abby's First Report from Home!

Written Friday, August 11, 2006
We’re home! And we’re exhausted! Guess who has decided to be a night owl? That’s right… our Abby didn’t sleep at ALL last night. It’s 4PM right now on Friday, and guess what? She’s sound asleep. Can’t wake her up for nothin’. I just feel bad for Kelly right now. Bless her heart; she let me sleep last night! I didn’t get the best sleep but Kelly got zip. Literally. I’d wake up every 30 minutes or so and find Kelly still holding or rocking Abby. She Maybe 15 minutes here and there. All you current parents are laughing right now I’m sure.

It was quite the day yesterday and very emotional, but it is VERY nice to be home. Kelly and I find ourselves looking around for the NICU monitors, the nurses, and where to put the diaper when we’re done with it. Should we weigh it? Where’s the temp a dot thermometer? The gauze? The chickapea wipes? Hey! Abby has no chords connected to her! Hooray!

Other than the opposite sleeping schedule, Abby is doing fantastic. She is starting to take the bottle again. The G tube is serving its purpose and anything that Abby doesn’t take from the bottle goes in that way. We’re nowhere near where we need to be yet in terms of Abby being able to feed 100% from a bottle, but not to worry. She’ll get it. Our Abby has proven that she can conquer just about anything.

As for the nursery, I have two words…. What nursery? We haven’t done anything! Remember, Kelly went on strict bed rest in the hospital at the end of March at 23 weeks. Ever since then, it’s been all about the babies. Abby sleeps in our bedroom though in a co sleeper, which is a crib with the side open and is level with our bed so Kelly can literally roll over and see Abby. It’s perfect for now. After we get somewhat settled we’ll tackle the baby room. Kelly is going to be very busy though. Abby already has a ton of appointments scheduled. 4 days a week Abby and mommy will be back up at CHOC at the developmental clinic. 3 of those days are for her feeding therapy (the whole suck, swallow, breathe thing) and 1 day a week for physical therapy for her motor skills. On top of that she’ll have her pediatrician appointments (which because of her prematurity will be quite frequent), her neurology appointments for the shunt, her G Tube appointments, her eye appointments for the ROP, and her acupressure appointments. That’s right people! We’re pullin’ out all the stops. Abby is going to have to work a lot harder to learn the basics and starting now is the best thing for her. Wow! Even just re reading that I got tired. I have no idea how momma is going to do all that… with no sleep. Actually, I’m not worried. Kelly has amazed me during this and continues to. Her commitment to Abby and her well being is off the charts.

I can’t express how happy we are right now. We want nothing more than to take Abby out and show you all. Unfortunately though, she’s still on lock down, per doctors’ orders. With her shunt and her G Tube, we need to be extra careful about any kind of infection. Please know that we’re DYING to show her to you all!!!

Thank you EVERYONE for EVERYTIHNG. So many of you have done so much. It means the world to us. Our little Abby is home. Unbelievable. At the begining, there were moments when we weren’t sure if this time would come. But it has arrived, thanks to all the love and prayers from all of you.

STAY TUNED FOR "ADVENTURES OF ABBY LYNN…. VOLUME II." HER DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE. I’ll keep writing as long as you keep reading!
Abby loves you! (We do too)