Last full day

Today is my last full day here.  I have never been so conflicted in my whole life.  I need to go home.  I have to go back to work.  I have meetings and responsibilities.   I miss the kids and Jim.  But I don’t want to go.  A big piece of my heart is here.  A big piece that cannot leave.  The only thing that is making this any easier is knowing they will be moving to Kansas in a few weeks.  The absolute only way I will be able to tear myself away.   I love this little girl that just 2 weeks ago we didn’t even know existed.  I love Madison and Andrew too.  I have enjoyed visiting with them, and hanging out.  Back to reality for me.  

Tanking up

We spent the whole day with Evelyn yesterday.  I know my time here is limited so I have been tanking up on photos.  This little girl has stolen my heart.  

I talked to Jim a little bit last night.  This is the longest I have ever spent away from him and the kids. Ever.  I miss them like crazy!    

Thinnin out the crowd

Mallory, Emma Kate and grandma are flying back to Kansas today.  They were not too enthusiastic about leaving.   This little baby has all of our hearts!  

Evie has gained a couple of ounces, and has been put back on tube feedings of milk.  She is doing good.  She is absolutely adorable and I get a huge kick out of all the faces and dirty looks she throws at everyone.  I am here for a few more days so she isn’t out of paparazzi just quite yet!  

Arizona stuff

Random pictures in no order. Because it has been a long day and I don’t have the energy to figure blogger out tonight.  We spent a few hours at the hospital this morning. And then went with Madison to fill out paperwork at her job.  On the way back to the hospital, we got lunch and walked around the Mesa community college rose garden for a few minutes.  It makes me crave spring.   We saw one of the volunteers there and she said it was good we came today because they are getting ready to trim the roses back and they would look like sticks within a few days.  Today they were absolutely beautiful!   

Mallory, grandma and Emma had planned this trip for weeks.  They were coming for a vacation.  Emma is riding mountain trails on horses.  She is having a blast!   Mallory was so happy she was already coming and could see the baby, but had a couple things she really wanted to do while she was here.  So we spent a couple of hours with Evelyn and then we went over to the desert botanical gardens and the hole in the rock for a little while.  We enjoyed both of these activities.  When we were here in October, I had wanted to go to the botanical gardens but the kids told me absolutely not.  I’m glad I got to see it.  I think it was a nice break from the hospital for Madison too.  Some fresh air and sunshine.  Madison and Andrew are back at the hospital now and report that Evelyn is doing well.  They had a day where they were letting her rest in the incubator.  She isn’t being fed by stomach while they let her rest.  She seemed very comfortable when we were there.  She has some episodes where she is so comfortable she sort of slows her breathing way down.  They stimulate her and it comes back.  It is sort of frightening, but they said it is normal for a baby her size.  I think she is doing really well, and I am impressed with the hospital and the care she is getting there.  We all just love her so much.  On the home front, Quincy is playing midwife to a set of twins born this evening.  She has been keeping me very updated!  I love baby goats!  

Happy new year!

Happy 2019!   This was the second time in 27 years that I didn’t ring in the new year with Jim.  The first time was the change of the millineum when he had to babysit computers to make sure they didn’t crash.  The second time was because we are now grandparents.  I much prefer the second reason! I did miss the kids and Jim last night.  Evie had a little bit of a rough morning.  She didn’t tolerate her morning feeding and started being very spitty.  She had a little episode with her heart and breathing both slowing down. They are cutting her stomach feedings for a little while and allowing her stomach to rest.  She seemed to be much better this afternoon.  NICU is always one step forward and two steps back.  It is hard to stand by and watch feeling kind of helpless.  One thing for sure, this little girl has wonderful parents and she is so loved by all of us already.  I can’t wait until she is home!  

Mallory, great grandma and I may have done a little shopping today.  They have some of the cutest stuff out for baby girls.  It was hard to control ourselves.  As Mallory said “Evelyn was good for my heart, but bad for my bank account!”