Mom's first post

So, here is the first post from the new mom! Wow - what a week!! Last Saturday morning, Greg brought me to the hospital for "observation." A week and a day later, I am still here! I know the rest of the world has gone on around me, but my world has been limited to a few small rooms, lab tests every 4 hours, little to no sleep, medications, an operating room, a wonderful new little girl, the NICU, family, friends, and fabulous doctors and nurses. I can honestly say that we have had some wonderful moments and some really emotional ones. Prayer has always been a part of mine and Greg's marriage, but this past week, it has not only sustained us, but carried us from one moment to the next.

The day of Kathryn's birth, I was very scared and suddenly in the pre-op waiting room, I felt 1000 hands supporting me and Kathryn. I know that was all the prayers!! Please keep them up!!!

Kathryn is such a blessing to Greg, Madelyn and I, but she has such a long road ahead. Please pray for us, pray for Kathryn, pray for her nurses and specifically for her doctors (Dr. Mena, Dr. DeCarlo, and Dr. Strange).

Kathryn is 4 days old today!!!!!! Now for an update on Kathryn:

I visited with her a lot today. I think I saw her 4 or 5 times today and still plan to go down before I fall asleep to tell her goodnight (although it's already 10:00 pm)!!!! She switched yesterday to a new breathing machine called The Jet. It looks a lot scarier, but is actually a more gentle breathing machine for her. She has been on and off of light therapy for her billiruben levels, but that's very typical and expected and certainly not a scary thing!! She had a "bath" last night and she was weighed again. Her birth weight of 400 grams (14 ozs) had increased to 490 grams (probably due to tubes, fluids and blood transfusions). Last night her weight was 410 grams - still a little above her birth weight, which is a wonderful thing to hear. (It's not like she has a lot of birth weight to lose!!) When I saw her this morning, she was "sleeping" and looked so relaxed. She actually sleeps just like her big sister with one hand by her head and one across her belly. Here are a few pictures of her nap (she had moved her hand from across her belly by the time I took the pictures):

Also, Maddie's boyfriend and "future husband"(as the two of them say), came to visit today. Alex Redmond brought his family, along with new baby brother Jacob (born Monday, July 23, 2007) to visit. Alex's mom, Angie, is not only our friend, but the girls' pediatrician, so she was able to view Kathryn through the glass box today. Here is a picture of Maddie and Alex. Aren't they a cute pair?

I'll try to write each time we have news about the girls!! We'll keep you posted on Kathryn's progress and Madelyn's transition to big sister and all around big girl!! (By the way, Madelyn starts pre ballet this week for a 6 week class.) Boy, they sure grow up fast!! Please pray for Kathryn tonight and every day!!

Love, Kelly