April 15, 2008 Wide Awake

Today will go in the record books as the best day ever in her recovery so far. She was successful with everything she attempted from morning to night. Larry and I called to check on her in the morning to make sure she was okay. We decided to hang out in the apartment for a little while and just cuddle and watch TV. We got to the hospital a little after 11 a.m. and I called it a night around 9:30 p.m.

We took lots of pictures and video taped her often today when she would do really cute things that she has never done before. When she was awake, her eyes were wide open and she even smiled a lot at us. I am sure it was just gas, but we loved every gassy smile she gave us! She would lick her lips before and after feedings, and her tongue is the cutest little thing in the world! Her daddy held her for a long time, and she wouldn't take her eyes off of him. I was taking pictures, and as soon as she saw the camera she would close her eyes to block the flash. It took me forever to get shots with her eyes open.

Larry's grandmother, Ellen Mae and his step-mom, Liz came to visit today and they got the chance to hold her for the first time. Now that she is stable, we can hold her as much as we want...so she was rarely in her crib today. She loves being held and snuggled in her blankets, but she always tries to kick one of her feet out of the bottom. So she will have one freezing foot, and one warm one.

Liz treated us to dinner at the cafeteria and we had a nice time just catching up with them about how everyone is doing back home. After we were done eating, we had to head upstairs real quick to be there for her 6 p.m. feeding. They were so excited to see her taking milk from a bottle.

The day that I have been dreading has come, and Larry has to return to the police academy. He was going to leave first thing tomorrow morning for the 8 1/2 hour drive back, but he decided tonight that he would like to go home and sleep in our bed before he left. So shortly after our family left, he told me that he wanted to head home too. I really intended on staying strong in front of him...but I just couldn't. I broke down and could not stop...it was pitiful! I walked away a few times so he didn't have to see me, but it was hard to calm down about it. Now, the academy is not forcing him to come back, they have been extremely supportive with Larry being here for his family. We know that it is the right thing to do by going back and finishing up the final weeks with his classmates. I totally support his decision to return to Charleston, and I couldn't be more proud of him. I am just going to miss him being here and being my rock through all of this. Kaydence has never been more stable, so that has helped his decision to finish up the academy.

Christine Fortney was so upset the other day because Doug had to return to work. She cried all day long, and I didn't really know what to say to her--because I knew I was going to be just as bad when Larry left. Doug leaves in the morning, and comes right back after his shift is done. She told Larry that it was so hard for her because it was the first time they had been apart in 2 months. Larry told her that it would be hard on us because this is the first time we could be together in 3 months. We have not left each other's sides since the academy let him come home, and I have cherished every second. I feel empty now that he is not here, but they promised that he will be able to call me to check up on us. I will take what I can get...lol!

Update:
She is eating 5 cc's every 3 hours now
Wide awake, opening both eyes
I think her right eye is slightly infected, they will ask the doctor's tomorrow.
She smiles, yawns, sneezes, and even gets the hiccups
Still no dirty diapers, that makes 3 days in a row
She is weighing in at 4 lb 6 oz now. She needs to be over 5 lbs to go home.