Holy smokes! This is lots of work. We really don't have time to relax at all until Rylee and Reagan go to bed. I only have 30 minutes until Madison needs more drugs. Rylee is still up or I should say up again. Kari has hit the sack and I am on solo patrol.
Here is the run down on the latest events:
I called the chief pilot's office to get the fax number for the family leave paper work. Last Friday they told me get it in when you can, there is no rush. Today it was "We need that paper work NOW!" Again, I am not pleased with how this has all gone down. Fortunately, the doctors went out of their way to get the papers faxed by the deadline.
Madison has set off her monitor four times today with a high heart rate. We were a little concerned about this and so we called the pediatrician. It was after hours so we got some doctor who was on call. Dr. Hagarty, I think. Boy did she rub me the wrong way. Every time she asked a question she would start talking over me before I finished answering. I got the feeling that she had a bit of the "God complex." I hope we don't have to deal with her again. It took me 15 minutes just to get in "here is what is happening. Do we need to worry about it?" Answer: No. Not as long as her heart rate isn't staying up. It is only when she is crying.
Reagan has been a terror today. She is still not feeling well. Still cutting teeth and fighting off that cold. She has not let us sit still all day. During the feedings we just had to let her cry. That can be a little hard on the nerves.
Rylee seems to be doing much better, she is just not sleepy.
Kari is wore out. She has been a trooper. We were going to switch shifts this evening and she was going to take the 11p.m. and 2 a.m. feeding but she just couldn't stay up anymore. The 11 and 2 work pretty well for me, I am kind of a night owl anyway. Although, I am scared to sleep between the feeds. After the other night when Jordan's alarm didn't wake me, I thought it would be best just to stay up till after the 2 o'clock feeding. Once I go to sleep I am pretty much dead to the world for three hours.
It is a little overwhelming thinking of all the doctor's appointments we are going to have to go to over the next few weeks. It is about all we can handle when we don't have to move them more that three feet. We go to the preemie eye doctor and the pediatrician on Monday. Then there is a cardiologist, sleep study, and a bunch more that I don't recall at the moment. I though that driving somewhere with two was work and they didn't have all the wires and O2 bottles to deal with.
Rylee definitely has a motherly instinct. She loves to watch the feeding and "help."
This is Kari under Mark's sign on! It's 9:30pm and I am loopy and oh so tired. I'm sure Mark will update you on today he has the 11pm and 2am feeds. I have the 4:30 am and 8am feeds. I have got to go to bed now!! I'm still in love with my angels, but again oh so tired! Night night!
It is amazing. You can do more than you ever thought you were capable of doing.
They really look alike when they are right next to each other. The difference in size is not very noticeable.
Bunker has been looking quite put out. He walked over to Jordan's crib, sniff, sniff, sniff. He walked over to Madison's crib, sniff, sniff, sniff, and then just looked at me with his head cocked to one side. It was as if he was saying "What have you done?"
Madison is home! We made it back around 8 p.m. and we have survived the first double feeding. Getting to and from the hospital was a nightmare, traffic was at a stand still. We made it though. Wow, I can't believe that I am typing this when I have so much to do...
Here are some photos:
This is what the traffic looked like on I45...and on 610...and on 59. I could not catch a break.
Madison getting ready to leave for home. At home Mom is anxious for our arrival.
All strapped in and ready to go.
The girls seemed pleased to be in each others company once again.
Mom left this out and Rylee took advantage of both parents being distracted with little sisters.
And this is what she did.
Rea helping Dad harass the Doctors
I can not get anyone to tell me what is going on! It is very frustrating. Since yesterday morning I have called the hospital at least 10 times. I spoke with one doctor who didn't know what was going on and was going to have another call me back. We were supposed to have Madison home yesterday and we are "chomping at the bit." I will now call every hour, on the hour since that is what the doctor yesterday told me to with the oxygen people. _____
Changing Gears! The doc just called and I am going get Madison after the 2:30 shift change.
Rylee and Reagan are sick. And it is completely our fault. We had a flat tire the other day and we walked over to the mall while it was being fixed. While at the mall we allowed them to play where all the other filthy kids play. I can't imagine what we were thinking. Even though we slathered them liberally with anti bacterial foam they still got sick. Now we are being extra careful with washing everything before going near Jordan. I really hope that they have not passed it on. Even a cold could put her back in the hospital. We will have to monitor Jordan closely.
Last night was a bear. Rylee was up all night, I can't believe that she is awake right now. Reagan slept ok, thankfully. Kari took the 2 a.m. feeding even though I had agreed to take that one. I guess that I was more tired than I thought, because Jordan had an apnea episode while being fed and the alarm didn't wake me up. That is troubling to me. I was only slightly more with it when I got up to give her the 5 a.m. feeding. I found out that even plastic bottles can shatter if you drop them just right. Good thing for me that Rylee was up to "help."
We called the hospital this morning and the nurse told us that the doctor did not sign the discharge paperwork. We are not sure why. The nurse said that they may want her to complete the whole 5th day of being apnea free. I asked that the doctor call us back, but have not heard anything yet. We also have not received the oxygen machine for Madison yet. I am starting to get the feeling that Madison might not be coming home today.