Babymoon Daybook

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Outside My Window ...
I missed a season. It was summer when bedrest began and now the fall is waning outside my window. Before long, it will truly be winter. I noticed that the leaves were just past peak on my drive home from the hospital. Mike tells me they were beautiful during the week we were in the hospital.
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I am listening to...
The rhythm of the humidifier and Sarah's quiet breathing..

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Towards rhythm and beauty ...
I am so glad to have traded the schedule of the NICU for the rhythm of home We're nursing happily around the clock, as often as this sweet baby wants.
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I am thankful for ...
life itself.
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From the kitchen ...
My kitchen is beginning to come to life again. Patrick made bolognese sauce this afternoon.
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To live the liturgy...
I had a baby on the vigil of All Saint's Day. Time stood still.
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I am wearing ...
my bathrobe. I need to get dressed but I have a feeling my wardrobe choices will be very limited this morning. Maternity clothes are too big. Regular clothes are too small.
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I am creating ...
back posts. I'm writing all out of order, trying to go back and journal the last few weeks.
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Towards a real education ...
Everyone who is old enough is reading the Dr. Sears Premature Baby Book.
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Bringing beauty to my home ...
In October, the letters on the mantel spelled "PATIENCE." For November, we will spell "GRATEFUL." All of this was planned many, many months ago. But it sure takes on a whole new meaning now.
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I am reading  ...
When I was eighteen weeks pregnant and I first learned I had placenta previa, I asked God to show me what He wanted for a fast. Since I was already sticking very closely to a super healthy diet, I wasn't looking for food or drink. God pointed me to my google reader. I cut out several blogs and drastically reduced my reading time. Yesterday, I poked around a bit and caught up on what I'd been missing. Also, after spending the post-election week completely away from the computer, I had 700+ entries under my "political blogs" tab. I read very few of those before deleting the whole bunch of them. Sometimes, when I fast, I find out I've actually formed a good habit. Fewer blogs to read is a good habit, I think.
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I am hoping ...
for a peaceful babymoon.
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Around the house ...
it's well past time to put in order many of the things I never even saw when I was on bedrest.

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One of my favorite things ...
the smell of a newborn.
And
a perpetually grumpy fourteen-year-old boy who appreciates the smell of a newborn and says he wants to bottle it.

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
The pediatrician for Sarah today and the midwife for me on Friday. Other than that, it's all cuddling, all the time.
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~
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We took Karoline's doll out of her toy bed and put Sarah in it. Sarah is smaller than the doll. And so much sweeter...

A New Creation in Christ

Sarah Anne was baptized on the morning of November 4,  2008 in the NICU at Loudoun Hospital. This means that her baptism will be recorded at St. Theresa in Ashburn (I'm jotting that note here so I can remember when I need to one day). It was a very brief ceremony and we can "provide the rite" at a later date. Fr. Peter is the Campus Minister at George Mason University. All of our children have been baptized by campus ministers  (or former campus ministers). Father Peter was a huge support to all of us in the days before and after Sarah's birth. I'll tell you more about the prayers and action of campus ministry in a LONG post telling the story of Sarah's birth.

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I got to hold her for a few moments after her baptism. Later that day, she was able to take a whole feeding from a bottle. From there, she made continuous, steady  progress.

All grace.

My baby was baptized on Election Day. We count the day victorious in our family.

Homecoming

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After all his hard work, his careful protection, his heroic transport to the hospital, and his bedside vigils in the NICU, Daddy missed homecoming. We were surprised by an unexpected discharge order this morning. Daddy's in Phoenix.

This is for you, dear ...
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She was wearing her handknit pumpkin hat this morning and Diane, my favorite night nurse, had chosen a coordinating outfit. But, best of all, no wires, no tubes!

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Mary Beth was with me and we were thrilled to learn that the discharge papers had already been signed
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I could hardly believe we were really headed home. Sarah weighed in this morning at 5 pounds, 2 ounces. Her feeding instructions were "Breastfeed on demand." Yippee!
Maybe we will actually get a real nap together today.
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At last, she is home and snuggled on my chest. In our bed.
And we will stay right here until you get home. Then, we'll stay here some more.
With you...
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...and Karoline.
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My Heart's in the NICU Daybook

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Outside My Window ...
I am in an interior unit. The windows look out into the nurse's station and the well baby nursery. It's nine months since Valentine's Day--the nursery is full of plump, happy babies.
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I am listening to...
La Traviata. Earlier, it was 1980's Lite Radio love songs. Slow dance, anyone?
Towards a daily rhythm ...
I visit Sarah. I return to my room and try to rest. I pump. I repeat the pattern. But tonight, I go home..
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I am thankful for ...
the incredible hearts of the neonatal staff.
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From the kitchen ...
blech. Thank God my brother-in-law lives a mile away and brings me real food.
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To live the liturgy...
I had a baby on the vigil of All Saint's Day. Time stood still.
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I am wearing ...
a pink nightgown, my medal necklace, fuzzy socks and four hospital bracelets.
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I am creating ...
memories. It will take me years, I think, to sort them.
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Towards a real education ...
Ahhh...all my children are learning is this crash course in fetal development outside the womb and tricks on their cousins' trampoline.
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Bringing beauty to my home ...
I miss my home. I desperately miss my home. I want to bring my daughter home and hunker down for the winter. I want to hold her and nurse her and let my children snuggle in close to us. And then I never want to leave.
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I am reading  ...
Preemies, by Linden et all. It was in the NICU library. I heard Dr. Sears has a preemie book. Wish they had that one.
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I am hoping ...
Sarah can come home soon.
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Around the house ...
Ah, the house. See above.

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One of my favorite things ...
good news.
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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Sarah is writing the plans. We'll do whatever she tells us.
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~
 
   

No pictures this week. I have the camera but no cord and no photo program on this computer. Trust me, there is a deluge of photos coming in the not-too-distant future.
Please keep praying!