Baby Steps

Hey again,

It's the weekend! That doesn't mean much for a little one in the NICU, but apparently other people get excited about that. ;-)

I had a little bit of progress in the last day or so. I gained a little bit of weight -- thanks to the stupid tube in my nose (grumble) -- and the mean nurses were actually kind of nice for a change when they took away the sugar water tube that was hooked into my hand. Now I just need to focus on eating more when Mommy comes to feed me. Sometimes I get distracted and a couple of times yesterday I got the hiccups right in the middle of eating. Yikes!

The mean nurses were also nice enough to let Daddy and Big Brother come visit me at the same time. Mommy gets to hold me a lot for feedings, but Daddy got to hold me twice yesterday after she was done, which he and I both liked a lot. I think Daddy's voice is really soothing and it's nice to be close to him. He and Mommy both love me so much! Big Brother loves singing to me while I eat. He's so awesome!

Mommy and Daddy have had a bunch of visitors, and that's been nice for them. Unfortunately, most of those visitors can't come see me, but Daddy has a TV camera that he's used to "shoot" me, although I didn't feel anything when he did it. (shrug) They wanted me to pass along that they welcome the company of visitors because shacking up in a hospital room can be pretty boring.

Okay, so that's all to say today. Hey, I'm a poet and I didn't even know it!

Love,
Katherine Tiona

Pictures, yo:

Here's me and my stupid nose tube.

Mommy, Daddy, and Big Brother still come by to say hello between feedings.

Some super nice ladies from Mommy's work brought this by. So cute! Okay Daddy, where's my allowance so I can put it in my new Elephant Bank?
(Daddy's Note: I figure she's going to ask for a cell phone any day now!)

Miss Stephanie, the nicest of the mean nurses, made this cool name tag for my apartment.

Apartment Dweller

Hey again, friends,

It's day 3 of being in this world and it's been kind of difficult for a little body like mine to keep up with everything. Life inside mommy's tummy was a LOT less stressful!

So here's how things are going: The mean nurses moved me into my own little studio apartment. It's a lot quieter in here and they say it helps them to keep me warm.

My temperature's all well and good, but apparently I'm just not feeding enough, so they've put this icky tube in my nose that goes all the way to my stomach. That was rough on Mommy and Daddy to learn that, but in the end it's going to help me get back up to the weight they want me to be.

The doctor told Mommy and Daddy that I will probably be here at the hospital for two to three more weeks. Sigh. I'd really like to go home, but I guess that this is best for me right now. Whenever I can keep my weight up and stay warm then I guess they'll let me blow this popsicle stand.

Thanks so much to everybody that's sent good wishes and congratulations. Mommy and Daddy said they're so grateful for everything.

We'd all like to ask that you keep praying that I get bigger and stronger as quickly as possible so I can get this stupid tube out of my nose, leave this apartment and go home.

Love,
Katherine

Now pictures from Thursday!

I like to strike poses for the camera.

Big brother Benjamin checks out my studio apartment.

Bear watches over me while I rest.

The Beginning

Dear Friends,

Through the miracle of modern technology -- in this case Blogger -- Daddy said he'd pass along this note and a few pictures from me.

I'm doing pretty well and spend a lot of time under the warmer in the nursery. Sometimes the mean nurse lady tries to wake me up so I can "feed" or something, but I'm usually SO TIRED! They get me awake long enough to eat some, but then I just drift back to sleep again. That's okay, though, 'cause I'm getting a little better at feeding every time I try it.

Mommy will be officially released from the hospital on something called "Thursday," but will be "board" staying in the same room while I stick around here and get stronger.

The mean nurse lady says that I have to do that feeding thing really well, stay warm on my own, and keep a lot of sugar in me -- though I don't think that means I can eat candy bars all the time -- before I can go home. I'll work on that, because I'd much prefer to snuggle with Mommy and Daddy at home than lie in this warmer most of the time. They won't even let me go to Mommy's room to hang out and watch cable TV. Nuts!

I need to mention this brown-haired boy who's my new big brother. He's cool! He and I had a little chat the morning after I was born (see the attached picture). Well, he did most of the talking, but I like hearing his voice. Here's the best part: He gave me this really cute white teddy bear with pink dots all over it as a present for me being born. Isn't that sweet?! The bear sits in my warmer with me and keeps me company.

So that's it for now. Check out the pictures of Daddy holding me at about 15 hours old. I liked having him hold me. I just looked around and stuck my tongue out at him sometimes. :-) Anyway, Mommy and Daddy love me so much. It's awesome!

Well, bye for now,
Katherine