5 days and a sleep left!!

Things are really starting to come together now. Our home assessment was completed by the Care Group (medical supply company) today and we passed so that's a relief. I was worried with us just moving and the house not completely put together that it would affect us negatively, but since we have ample space for her equipment and supplies now, things went quite smoothly.

I spoke to the social worker today and the plan is this: Medical equipment and supplies will be delivered to our home on Thursday. Either Thursday or Friday we have to take the car seat to the hospital for Analeigh to complete a car seat challenge. This will determine whether or not she'll be able to be transported via car seat not only home but to future doctors' appointments as well. They'll put her in it after a feeding for an hour and a half while monitoring her sats. If she doesn't do well and a car bed is necessary, they'll send us home with one of those. Friday after Michael gets off work, we'll head up to the hospital to room in that night through Saturday night. We'll come home at some point Sunday for a little rest before heading back to the hospital Monday morning. She'll be discharged before noon (probably somewhere around 11am) and transported to our home via ambulance along with Clear Lake Regional's NICU transport team. We aren't clear yet on whether or not there will be room for us to ride in the ambulance with her or if we'll have to follow in our own vehicle. Once we arrive home, home health nursing will be waiting for us along with our Care Group rep to get her in the house and settled.

The social worker finally managed to find a pediatrician willing to take her with her special needs and her insurance... the only thing is, we'll have to drive all the way to Beaumont. On the upside though, she says he comes highly recommended. Thankfully, she'll have had her 6 month immunizations before leaving the hospital so we won't have to immediately take her to the doctor to get them. :)

I've been sick the last few days so I haven't been able to go see her... they don't like to let you in with a cough and runny nose. :( Michael has been going by himself but tonight we chose to stay home and get in some R&R before the craziness sets in. I called to check on her though and was told she's had a great day... been getting all the nurses to play with her! She's taking between 3-4 ounces per feeding every 3-4 hours, which is great. She weighs 11 lbs, 7.3 oz now. Our baby girl is getting big so fast! 

Okay boys and girls, that's all for now! :)

9 More Days!!!

We're getting closer everyday to bring our sweet baby girl home.... 9 more days to go! Today is a busy day for us because we're moving into a bigger place in order to accommodate Analeigh's medical equipment and supplies as well as having an additional person in our home at all times. Where we are now just is just too small! The place we're moving to is next door to my parents, has a yard, a covered car port and 3 bedrooms. We'll have a much bigger living room and bigger bedrooms.

After the move this weekend, the Care Group will be coming to do their "home assessment" on Tuesday, then Thursday they'll deliver all the supplies and equipment she'll need. That Friday and Saturday night will be spent rooming in at the hospital in order to ensure we know how to provide all the care she requires (ie: preparing bottles, giving required medications, breathing treatments, suctioning, cleaning and changing her trach and operating the ventilator). Sunday will be our "day of rest" and then she'll come home sometime during the middle of the day on Monday, October 4th by ambulance.

It's exciting but I suppose a bit scary at the same time. It's not that I don't feel like I can handle her care, I just wonder if we really have everything we're going to need for her. I've tried to get things over the last several months as I thought of them, but from time to time someone mentions something I never even realized I needed. I guess all new moms encounter that, not just ones with "medically complex" babies like me. LOL. :) The dietician said they'll send me home with a case of formula and I know I have diapers and wipes to get started so I'm trying not to panic. 

Keep our family in your prayers, please. Pray for a smooth transition home and peace for not only us but her doctors and nurses as well. I know they are nervous about sending her home on the ventilator but they also know she needs the love and attention she'll get at home. Plus... she can't stay in the hospital forever. I know she has them all wrapped around her little finger but they've had her for 6 months... it's our turn now!!! :)