A Visit from the Cousins...

I forgot to mention two things yesterday. Craig was really excited because he noticed that the light that is helping Kay right now is an LED. He thinks it might even be one from his company. How neat that the techology that he works on everyday is helping his little girl get healthy.

We also had a visit from Nana, Scott, Annelise, Will, and Charlotte. Kay's cousins are ready for her to come home and play! Charlotte and Kay now have matching shirts to wear :) It was so nice to have a visit from them and see how much fun they are going to have when Kay comes home!!

Happy 1st Father's Day...

Craig had a wonderful first Father's Day. For his special day he was able to do "kangaroo" time or skin to skin for an hour and he got to bottle feed Kay. I was also able to bottle feed her for the first time today. Kay is now under the Jaundice light and wearing the tiniest little sunglasses. Here are a few pictures from today. She took all feedings today from a bottle and they have increased her feedings again. We are so proud of our little girl and how much she is learning everyday.

Home at last...

We have made it home and I am currently resting in my own bed. What a wonderful feeling.

Today was a big day. We met with Kay's doctor and she said they were going to up her feedings. Craig got to bottle feed her today and she gobbled up all the extra food. She did not entirely digest it so they might readjust tomorrow. We both got to change diapers and it went a little smoother this time. I got some more quality skin to skin time and we both spent some relaxing time just sitting beside her. I even got a nice nap in. Craig also learned how to burp her after the bottle. After the weigh in tonight she is down to 4 lbs 9 oz, but digested her entire 9 pm feeding!

Grandma and Grandpa stopped by to say hi before we left. The drive home was bitter sweet. When we got home we were greeted by some balloons and a very cute bow on our front door. We are going to do a family shot in front of the bows after Kay gets to come home with us!

We are now unpacked and getting settled in. We will figure out what schedule work best for us to go visit our little girl!



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Mom and dad go home today...

Well, today is a big day. Craig and I will have to leave the hospital and Kay today. It is bitter sweet. I am so excited to go home and be in my own bed. I have really struggled with getting any rest here. I am hopeful that what the nurses say is true- when I get home I will crash and not be able to move. Last night I was so excited because they were not going to have to check my vitals every couple hours for the first time in days. I thought for sure I would get some rest. Instead I could not get the thought of leaving Kay out of my mind. Craig and I spent a long time together last night talking about and preparing ourselves to leave. I think no matter how much prep we do it is still going to be the hardest thing we will have ever done so far. Our hearts, minds, and bodies are exhausted and life as parents has just begun!

We are trying to figure out how to best manage our visits to the hospital over the next several weeks. We have some prep work at home we need to do before she joins us and we have to find the fine balance between the valuable time she gets with us to bond and the very important rest time she gets while in her bed. I have no doubt we will be able to get it worked out.

I will try to post more pictures and stories of our last day here. Keep us in your thoughts on this important day!

First snuggle...

Kay has been doing great today! We got to visit with her several times. They even let me do Kangaroo Care or "skin to skin". This is where they put the baby on my chest and cover us with blankets and let us snuggle. It was so special. Kay slept almost the entire time and I even got a small nap in. After a little over an hour the nurse put her back in her bed and she decided to open her eyes and check out mom and dad. It was very neat!

Nana stopped by and got to take a quick peek before heading over to help with Kay's cousin Charlotte. It was neat for them to meet. We can't wait until she is able to be held by everyone.

We got to visit Kay again tonight. Grandma got to see her for a few minutes and then had to step out so we could discuss all the latest information with the nurse (only two people are allowed in the room at all times). Craig got to change her diaper for the first time. It was very humorous. It is really hard to get your hands inside the holes and hold her tiny body. On top of that she decided to "dirty" her new diaper right as he took the dirty one off. She weighed in at 4 lbs 10 oz tonight. Only down 1 oz, so far so good! They did half her feeding through a bottle nipple. It is amazing how tiny everything is for her. Here are some pictures from our day. Notice how small the blood pressure cuff is compared to Craig's wedding ring...

Sleep...

I am typing while waiting for my breakfast and Craig is taking a morning nap. We both got some pretty good sleep last night. Grandma and Grandpa came over and brought us dinner last night. Mom helped me take a shower. It is amazing how much more "human" a shower can make one feel after so many days of bed rest. My goal for today is to take another shower and get out of this hospital gown.

Dad and Craig visited Kay while mom was helping me and they got to see her open her eyes and take a quick peek at the outside world!

Craig and I went for her 8:30 feeding and got the latest updates before bed. They did 1/2 of her feeding by syringe directly into her mouth last night. So far so good on the weight. She has remained steady. The nurse said this is great news, but to still not be surprised if she drops some in a few days.

Craig just got a quick report this morning and the nurse said she did well throughout the night. They said she was a little warm so they reduced the temperature on her bed.

We will go for a visit around her next feeding time around 8:30! They said to try to limit visits to feedings because it helps keep the stimulation down. This will be our plan for now.

Nana flies in from Nashville in a few hours. She was planning on coming to town this weekend to help with Kay's cousin Charlotte. This will be a fun treat for her to meet the newest addition to the Hardin family!

Thanks again for the emails/calls/comments. We are trying to start returning them now that we are more alert. They have been SO helpful and motivating because it breaks our heart every time we have to leave her side.

Love- Craig, Emily and Kay!

Kay Ellen Hardin is here!

Kay Ellen Hardin born June 18, 2009 at 4:01 am. 18 inches long 4 lbs 11 oz.

The story behind her name:

Kay was my mom's middle name (before she was married): Cynthia Kay Herse Baker and Ellen is for Craig's mother Ellen Gail Hardin and grandmother Laura Ellen Hackney.

She is so sweet! I am getting ready to post the story...the pictures are not in order, but enjoy our sweet little girl!!