Things I've Learned

Riley's Hospital is an amazing place for children and families. The hospital was packed day in and day out with families waiting to hear how their child did. It makes me realize how little I knew about it until I needed it. I will definitely be a pop tab collector and will add a Riley's license plate to my Jeep when I get the chance.

The nurses play a huge role in making the hospital the way it is. They treat their babies like they are one of their own. They sing, rock, pat, and love just the way you do. We returned to our room on afternoon to find Stella not in her bed. We looked down the hallway to find two nurses at their desk on the computer. One with Stella in her wagon loaded with toys and the other had a baby on her lap. Our babies aren't just patients to them. They really do care about them.

It takes days for not only the patient to recover, but for the parents as well. So if you are still sleeping every chance you get days later and your house is a mess...it is okay. The experience is emotionally and physically draining.

If you have to spend an extended period of time in a hospital you and your spouse will gain weight. Especially when McDonald's is the only thing that is open 24 hours. Brian's theory that "calories don't count while in the hospital" is not true.

Qdoba's Mexican food is very yummy. A burrito from Qdoba weights approximately 2.6 pounds (verified by the nurses on a diaper scale). Another reason weight gain was inevitable.

Everyone has more people in their lives that care about them than they will ever realize. It is an overwhelming feeling to get showered in emails, cards, texts, and prayers by family, friends, and people who you may not even know.

Never ever to take your children for granted. They are a gift from God and so very precious. Love them to pieces every day and give thanks to God for giving them to you.

Lean on your spouse in difficult times.....it strengthens your relationship. Allow him/her to see you cry and let them know when you need him/her. It is much easier to go through such an event with your spouse peacefully. There is no time and it just isn't worth it to argue about the little things.

Hoping to Break Loose Soon!!

Date Night

We tucked Stella in her bed, turned down the lights, and she was out. So we headed out for our date night. I mean, we do have the highest paid babysitter's ever, right? We went down to McDonald's got some ice cream and hung out in the lounge while we watched some basketball.....so relaxing and romantic :) I say time and time again that our journey with our Stella has made us stronger and stronger as a couple....maybe that was another purpose of putting Stella into our lives....

Blowing Kisses

It is amazing how much one day can do. Friday was much better than Thursday. She was much more content and peaceful. She opened her eyes and actually looked at us. It was great! In the evening she actually opened her eyes, looked at Brian and I, raised her only open (nothing hooked to it) foot over to me to kiss, smiled, and then with her splinted and taped IV hand blew me kisses!! Instant tears!!

Waking Up is Hard to Do

Hey Bug,
We got to see your little eyes! You opened them up and looked up at us as if to say, "help me". You even babbled a little bit and said mmmoooommm! It melted my heart. You have been making more and more progress every time I see you. You have eaten some jello and applesauce and have drank apple juice and some milk. I think it has helped you rest now that you have some food in your tummy. You hadn't eaten in a long time! I know you really want those things off your arms and foot....and soon they will be. They were able to free up one foot and you haven't stopped wiggling your toes since. It must really feel good to be free! They are thinking about moving you upstairs to the heart center and out of the ICU. They are impressed with your progress. Love you baby girl!

Mom and Dad

May 20th

Hey Baby Girl,
Your big day has finally arrived. All day yesterday we had to be at this hospital and you were WONDERFUL. You only slept for about 30 minutes, and nobody would have guessed it the way you were crawling and walking around. You wore us out. It was a very long day. We spent about 8 hours at the hospital and crashed at the hotel. We arrived back at the hospital at 5:30 am where we let you play in the waiting room for a bit before registering. Then we registered and headed back. You hated every nurse and doctor that came your way. Refused the stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, and so much more. Nurse Kim was great. Uncle Jerome was also there....I don't know if we could have done it without him. They have you some "happy medicine" that relaxed you pretty quickly. Then it was time. Time to walk back and hand you off. Uncle Jerome offered to take you back. It was very nice of him because I know it wasn't easy for him to leave you behind on the table either....but it helped mommy and daddy. We cried and turned around. Nurse Kim let me cry with her until I was ready. I knew you were in good hands.....the nurses, the doctors, and most importantly God's hands. Mommy and Daddy cried in the waiting area for awhile until family started arriving....Grandparents and aunts....it was so nice of them. It took forever. We finally got to talk to your doctor at 12:30 pm and got to see you around 2:30ish. It was very scary. You were out and tubes were everywhere. You were a fighter. You didn't like being hooked up. I didn't like to hear you cry knowing I could do nothing to help you. But the nurses took such good care of you. Each time I went back you were getting a little better and calmer. I love you baby girl....be strong!!

Letter to Stella

I hope to continue to add to this letter throughout our journey.....

Dear Stella,

Well this week has finally arrived. It has been on our mind and calendar for some time now. I've talked and thought about it for so long. We have been preparing for the unknown by making lists, phone calls, and piles. To say the least we have been staying busy! But then it actually got here and all the preparing actually turned into getting things ready. The lists came to life as the suitcases filled up and things started going into the Jeep. My insides began to tremble as I quickly realized we would be leaving our home for who knows how long and prayed so hard that God's plan is the same one as I had been praying for.

You have no idea what is going on around you. You stay happy, laughing, and smiling and to you it is just another trip away from home for awhile. I am scared for you and us, Stella. We will be with you every moment we can, I promise. You will always have mommy or daddy close by. I know we say it a million times a day, but we love you more than anything. I can't begin to tell you what to expect. I wish I could, but I have no idea. I can tell you that God is with you every moment of every day. We just have to trust Him. We have a lot of people praying for us....friends, family, and people we don't even know! It is truly amazing to be supported by so many people.

Love you baby girl!

One Way to Get Around...

Stella is the speediest crawler you will meet. She crawls on all fours, however when she really needs to go she lunges herself across the room. Too funny. She is starting to walk....video to come soon!!