The feeding tube was removed on Thursday 2/14 in the afternoon. At that point in time they were monitoring Kathryn's eating volume on a 12 hour basis to make sure she consumes her minimal feeding requirements. I planned mentally for her to have a set back and that her tube was most likely going to have to be put back in, but.... as usually she surprised us and has been taking her feedings appropriately since the tube was removed.
Look at how cute her hands are! :)
So, since she was eating appropriately and passed her car seat test, we were pleasantly surprised on Saturday morning when we arrived that they said, "Today is the day, you get to take a baby home!" We were a little shocked, as we were thinking she may go home on Sunday... but Saturday was definitely a bonus.
So today, we enjoyed the last day in the NICU with two girls as patients. Sam fed and snuggled Anna at 11:00. Anna is starting to take more of her feedings with a bottle. She usually does not finish her entire feeding with a bottle, but she usually finishes half of her feedings from a bottle. Everyone in the NICU is amazed at how alert Anna is, and how well she is feeding, especially because she is so small.
I nursed Kathryn today at 11:00. She, recently in the past few days, has nursed a little bit better. She usually takes about a half of a bottle after I nurse her. I look forward to the day when Kathryn can be strong enough to take an entire feeding from me instead of having to finish her feeding off with a bottle.
Then all of the arrangements were made to take Kathryn home. We met with our doctor and our nurse to make sure we had all of our instructions. We fed Anna and Kathryn one last time in the NICU and off we went.
Sam was able to "ring the bell", which plays a lullaby to signify a baby is born at the hospital. They usually ring the bell after delivery, but with the care needed for the girls, that step was missed. Sam and I enjoy hearing the bell ring the lullaby every time we heard it while we were in the hospital. So, it was exciting for us to Ring the Bell for Kathryn today!!!
We quickly learned as Sam placed Kathryn's car seat in the car, that the driver seat of the Prius needed to be pushed forward. Therefore, I drove the 3 of us home from the hospital. Hmm.... we may need to figure out how four of us are going to fit in the Prius going forward. Am I going to have to do all of the driving.....??? Can we even fit all 4 of us in my car?? Yikes!
We did not worry about it for now, and instead enjoyed the first two feedings with Kathryn home. She makes sweet noises as she dreams and so far both feedings have gone as expected. Praise the Lord!
Today Kathryn weighed 5lb 9oz upon her departure and is 19.5 inches long. I think that is a good sign that she may be a tall girl when she grows up.
Anna weighed 2lb 14oz on Valentines day, 2/14. How fun, she will always be able to remember that day and how much she weighed. Both Sam and I were hoping the girls would be born on Valentines day as they would have been 36 weeks and 1 day old. However, we have been amazed at the progress since they were born, and are so pleased with how they are developing. We are thankful we had minimal complications, and instead have been able to enjoy the past 3.5 weeks with them.
Today/Friday evening Anna weighed 2lb 15oz. We are hoping she will weigh 3lbs when we visit her tomorrow. What an accomplishment for Anna the first day her sister visits her in the hospital. :)
Tonight will be a test to see how we can manage making bottles, pumping, feeding, changing and eating.... ohh yeah and did I mention sleeping?? Yes hopefully all of those activities will be accomplished on our first night home.
Ohh yeah, while all of this activity of Kathryn getting to go home today, IU BEAT PURDUE! GO HOOSIERS! This is the first game I have missed during my pregnancy... but I think the outcome was worth the prize I won. Taking my daughter home for the first time.
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