The Waiting Game

We are reaching the point in the NICU experience that is really hard for me. I call it the waiting game.

Aubrey had issues with extended jaundice, she went on low-flow oxygen, spit-up and didn't really tolerate her feeds, and had a really hard time gaining weight. She came home from the NICU at 37 weeks 3 days on January 12, 2010. Aubrey is doing amazing now, so it is hard to remember what a rough start she had in life.

Cora, however is a strong little girl. Her lungs have been great since birth, she has never de-stated once (meaning her oxygen levels, heart rate, and respiratory rate have stayed within normal ranges), her jaundice was treated with only a couple days on the lights, she has tolerated all her feeds through the NG tube, and is gaining weight really well. However, she will still probably come home around the time and gestation that Aubrey did.

The brain connections that allow a baby to know that they are hungry, and that give them the strength to eat connect around 37 weeks gestation (which is one of the main reasons this is considered full-term). So, even though Cora is strong, we are just waiting for that "light bulb" to go off where she knows she is hungry and has the strength to eat.

She is nursing pretty well, but still has a ways to go. So, we are trying to patiently wait, but it is hard because I just want her home so bad. Being a preemie mom is very frustrating, exhausting, and emotional, but I am definitely learning patience.

We were able to take our first photo as a family of 4 today:

Aubrey is so funny when she is able to visit Cora. She still has no idea that Cora is her sister and will be coming home one day but she does get very excited to see her.

She came running out the NICU today after the picture yelling, "Nama, nama (my mom)- I touch it! I touch it!" Yes... "it" is Cora, so we will work on that, but I love that she is excited.

Steven goes back to work tomorrow. I never thought his entire Christmas break would be spent in the NICU, but I am grateful he had this time off. It has definitely felt way longer than a week and half since Cora was born. Time can be a funny thing.