March 1, 2005:  No major news, just settling in still.  I've got a "system" for making her bottles for her pump, and we're still trying to make it as easy on ourselves as possible. 

 

March 2, 2005:  Theresa went to her Pediatrician at the TCH Neo Grad Clinic today.  She saw one of the resident doctors, Dr. Frances, who seemed pleased with her progress (it has only been 5 days). 

 

Her current weight is 3.98 Kg (up from 3.725 Kg at discharge), so she has been gaining around 50 g/day (that's more than average!!)  It seems she is making up for the lack of weight gain in the hospital, even despite not having the syringe pump that was recommended by the nutritionist (because it forces the fat from the breast milk into the baby instead of leaving it coating the bag like her current pump does).  She is 20.8 inches long and her head circumference is 38 cm.

 

This was the first time I have taken Theresa out in public since she isn't supposed to be around crowds.   I was trying to "shield" her from all the prospective germs with a blanket over her carseat in the stroller, but it seemed that every place we went there was someone coughing or sniffling.  I never would have noticed before.

 

My mom came to help me while my grandmother watched Nathaniel, and even with the assistance it was a tough job.  Getting her equipment together, and making sure I hadn't forgotten anything including all her medical records took awhile. On top of all that, it was raining very heavily and driving with her in the traffic and bad weather made me so nervous!  I didn't know if she could tolerate the car seat for that long, but she did well, and didn't seem to mind it at all.

 

March 3, 2005:  Today, Nathaniel went in to his pediatrician for his 18 month check-up (a little late, but considering how busy we've been, I'd say we did pretty well).  Theresa went along with him to get established as a patient as well in Dr. Ingraham's office since she will need to be weighed weekly, and this office is local.  Also, they can take care of the minor aspects of her care, so we don't have to go all the way to Houston as often.    This pediatrician also seems concerned that we haven't received the other pump yet.  I have called and called the current home health care company, but they still haven't responded.

 

March 4, 2005:  No major updates - still doing well.  Sleep has become a commodity in which Tim and I must barter.  He gets the graveyard shift, and I take the early bird shift.  It seems to be working, but sometimes I can't sleep because I'm worried he'll fall asleep and the feeding pump will be empty and won't alarm in time (it doesn't always alarm if the programmed dosage ends before the actual amount of milk in the pump runs out, and we can't ever seem to get it 100% right when programming it.) 

 

March 5, 2005:  Happy Birthday Christin!  (my sister)  She turned 25 today, and so Tim, Nathaniel and I rushed over there in between filling up Theresa's feeding pump (while my grandparents watched her)  It was fun to get out.  We were late, and so we missed all the other company who had already left, but it was nice to not have to make small talk, because I think I would have rambled on being that we're so tired and don't have a clue as to what's going on in the world anymore :)

 

March 6, 2005:  Tim and I were on our own today.  My grandmother left early this morning.  Everyone is still living and happy, so I consider it a success!  Nathaniel misses having company, and keeps trying to go into the guest room to look for someone, though.  Theresa is continuing to blossom and grow.  She looks and feels less fragile than she did a week ago.  I'm getting more comfortable with her, and don't have to check her every 5 minutes to make sure she's doing well.  (just every 10!)

 

March 7, 2005:  My friend Jill, whom I taught with, is on Spring Break, so she is coming to pick up Nathaniel each day this week.  Today, my mom was off, so I took Nathaniel to the library story time while my mom watched Theresa.  I taught her how to work the feeding pump, and she is a nurse, so I guess I should have been more relaxed, but I was still nervous about leaving her.  She was perfectly fine when we returned home, and being snuggled and held (which she now DEMANDS by crying when you put her down.)