Day 14: March 31, 2012

What a wonderful day we've had! Kailyn's Grandpa Yaeger was in San Antonio for meetings this week (he lives in Delaware). The boys were going to make a trip to meet him halfway to see him for a few hours but he decided to grab Uncle Steve in Austin and make a trip to Lubbock! We haven't seen them in several years and it was a wonderful surprise! Robert smoked a brisket and cooked some venison. It was a delicious dinner and an even better visit! We took Grandpa Yaeger and Uncle Steve in for a quick visit with Kailyn. They of course fell in love with her! They can't believe how alert she is and how great she looks! We were so glad that they were able to see her! There's no telling when we will see them again. Miss Kailyn also hit 3lbs 0.5oz today!!!!! We are so excited that she is finally gaining weight! Today Jake received his orange belt in karate! We are so proud of him! Those boys better watch out, Kailyn's big brother knows karate and is a pretty good shot with a gun too!

Day 12 & 13: March 29th & 30th, 2012

Sorry for the combined posts but the last 2 days have kinda run together. Kailyn has had a good couple of days. Tonight her weight was at it's highest yet at 2lb 15.6oz!!! It's so exciting to see her grow and change every day! She had some periods of apnea tonight that scared us. We know it's normal but that doesn't make it any easier to watch. Praying for a better day tomorrow! Today is Jake's 11th birthday, can't believe it! In a few weeks we are going to take him and some friends to camp out at the lake!

Day 11: March 28, 2012

Had a great day today! Mom got in some kangaroo care with Kailyn and loved every minute of it! The Dr. rounded while Mom was there and gave her a great report! And added that she is beautiful too (but we already knew that)! Today was bath day so after Daddy got off work we had some dinner and headed up to the hospital. Kailyn did good and got to cuddle with Daddy and Mommy after. We even got a few pictures without the feeding tube and tape on her chin! Today Jake also tested for his orange belt! He's moving up and doing great! We are so proud of him! Hard to believe he will be 11 on Friday! Before we know it he will be driving and headed to college!

30 weeks! March 27, 2012

Well, today we reached 30 weeks! So, that means that hopefully in about 6 weeks Kailyn will be home! She continues to be a trooper! Still having times when her heart rate drops but she bounces out of it quickly. Still scary to see but the nurses and doctors there are amazing and we know they are taking excellent care of her! Mommy got a little kangaroo care in today and Daddy got in some good cuddle time too. Mommy's friend Laura made some precious things for Kailyn and sent them all the way from North Carolina! She is much more talented than mommy when it comes to sewing and crocheting!

Day 9: March 26, 2012

Not much to report today. Kailyn is doing great! She is tolerating her feedings and is up to 30ml's. Her weight tonight is up to 2lb 12.7oz! They measure them every Monday and in one week she grew 3/4 of an inch! She is her Daddy's girl! She is more alert everyday and is quite a little flirt! The nurse took the best picture of her sucking her thumb last night and sent it to us. We also got one of her sticking her tongue out! It was priceless! Daddy got her stroller and car seat all ready to go today and tonight we are working on stuff for her room. Here's to another day closer to having her home!

1 week old! March 25, 2012

Today was a special day! Kailyn turned one week old! Mommy went to visit while Daddy was working. It was really hard but we didn't have any cuddle time. Today was also bath day and we wanted her to save her energy for that. So, we just talked and mommy gave her lots and lots of kisses! She had 3 more episodes of her heart rate dropping but again the Dr. reassured us that is to be expected. They are checking her lab work in the morning just to make sure all of it looks good. When Daddy got off work we all ate dinner together then sat in the yard and played with Gunner. When it was time we headed to the hospital for bath time. I must say Jake has been great during all this. He goes with us every night and sits in the waiting room playing his games or reading his book. I think he's just waiting for the chance to see her :( She did pretty good for her bath, still not her favorite thing! She was up to 2lb 12.3oz. Kailyn and Daddy had cuddle time while she ate and she fell asleep fast. When we put her back in bed she was out like a light in her new, bright colored sheets! Counting the hours until tomorrow's visit!

Day 7: March 24,2012

I went to see Kailyn today while Daddy was at work. They said she had a good night. She was down to 2lb 11.7oz, sure hoping to see a gain tomorrow! She did great with her feeding. Didn't spit up any! Have I mentioned that I could stare at her for hours? We went back to see her after Daddy got off work. They said that her heart rate had dropped 4 times during the day, they have told us that this isn't uncommon but it's sure not easy to hear.

Day 6: March 23, 2012

Have you ever felt so many emotions at once that you didn't even know what you were feeling anymore? You didn't know if you should laugh or cry or maybe even scream? Well, that's how I've felt this week and I think I can safely say that Robert feels the same. Heck, maybe Jake too! I can honestly say I don't think my emotions have ever been on a roller coaster like this. Don't get me wrong, my primary emotion is Gratitude. Gratitude to God that our Kailyn is doing so amazingly well! But along with that gratitude there's anxiousness, fear, powerlessness, sadness, and of course that overwhelming love that takes over your soul when you have a child. Mix all those together and I feel almost certifiable! I find we do better when we stay busy but that doesn't keep me from counting the minutes until we get to see her again. To see those big eyes work to focus on the world around her. To see that sweet little smile and even hear that beautiful cry. I was thinking today that I don't know what will be the more joyous occasion, when she was born or when she comes home! Until then we will keep ourselves busy, keep on with our daily routines of school, work, and activities. But the highlight of my days will always be seeing my babies healthy and smiling! Now, enough about me..let's get to the real reason you all visit this blog, Miss Kailyn! She was wide awake today at our lunchtime visit! She stayed awake for about 45 minutes just taking in the world around her. We love watching her respond to our voices, she especially responds to Robert's! We could both look at her for hours! Her weight was up 3oz today, making her a whopping 2lbs 13.4oz. Her only issue right now is she's having a little problem with spitting up. They are working to find her perfect balance. We left her tonight all snuggled in her bed and on her way to dreamland.

Day 5: March 22, 2012

Today was bath day! We love bath day because it really gives us some hands on time with Kailyn. Again, she fell asleep while we washed her hair. She was otherwise very alert today. She was bright eyed for most of our visit. We got to put one of her new hats on her and wrap her in one of her own blankets for cuddle and feeding time. She looked so precious! We learned that we can't put her in her clothes until she gains some more weight and isn't using the warmer at all. She was back up to 2lb 13oz today! Her umbilical IV is out and she is doing great with her feedings! She's already at her goal! She also got some cool Texas Tech sheets for her bed! Tonight she was wide awake and all smiles! We even got FaceTime to work so Jake got to talk to his baby sister. Unfortunately by the time we got it to work her tummy was full and she was a sleepy girl, so he didn't see her with her eyes open and haming it up. She had a cute little bow in her hair tonight, I guess the nurses did that. We still had to take a flower pic for Aunt Lacy..and even found a crocheted hat that kinda fit!