Whew!

I know it has been a while since my last post. It has been really busy around here. We had visitors this past weekend. My old neighbors in Alaska, who now live in Georgia, came to visit us for my birthday. We had a great weekend. I finally made it to the Zoo. Delilah slept the entire day. She really loves her stroller.

It is amazing how fast the kids have grown up. Alex was only 4 months old when they left Alaska and now he is 2. Michelle has grown like a weed. She is almost as tall as I am. I can't believe she is 9 and in the forth grade. The kids really enjoyed meeting Delilah. Alex wanted to hold her constantly. It was so nice having them here. It felt like old times.

I have also been preparing for my Final Exams, which I took today. I am so glad they are finally finished. Unfortunately, I don't have much time between semesters. The new semester starts Monday, but I have already started working on my assignments. This semester is going to be harder then the last. I am beginning to regret choosing Biology and Economics. Both will be very demanding on my time. Even as daunting as it seems, I will push on. I want to be able to provide the best for Delilah and that means a college degree.

Well it is off to the books. Daddy is home, so I have some time to study. I will try to post as often as I can.

Play Time

Digital Scrapper

For an early birthday present, my husband let me order the Bamboo Craft. This is a Pen Tablet for my computer that I use for digital scrapbooking. I am an avid traditional scrapbooker, but our apartment does not have the space for me to work. (I had my own craft room in our last place, but now it is a nursery.) In order to keep up with my layouts, I decided to give digital a try. With the Tablet, I also received Photoshop Elements (PSE) and other programs to work with. After spending the last few days watching tutorials (during Delilah's naps) on how to work PSE, I finally completed my first page. It was so much fun and much easier then I thought it would be. As for my first layout, I am pretty impressed with myself. What do you all think?

Sleeping Beauty

She is so cute when she sleeps. She loves to throw her arm across her body and lay on her side. So stinkin' cute!!

Full Time Mommy=Exhaustion

Wow! I know everyone tries to tell you how exhausting parenthood can be, but you don't really know until you are fully emerged in it. The first week home with her has been wonderful and exhausting. I was fully aware of the late night/early morning feedings. I just wasn't all that prepared for the toll it took on me physically.

We did great with the nursing the first few days. She did best with it in the hospital. But after a few days, my milk supply started to decrease to what she eats, which is only 2-3 oz a feeding. Before, I could pump upwards of 5-6 oz, and the milk would free flow when she ate. She isn't as interested in nursing now that she has to work for it. In fact, she refuses to nurse. She has pulled a 180 and now prefers the bottle. So, instead of exclusively nursing her, she gets her breastmilk from a bottle. This means now I pump after her feedings. (I luckily have quite a supply of frozen milk from her time in the NICU. So if my milk disappears, she will have breastmilk for a month or two.) Time doesn't exist for me anymore. But do you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.

Bath Time

Last night was Delilah's First Bath at home. She has had sponge baths in the NICU, but this is her first bath in her own tub. I think she really liked it. She groaned a little once, but she seemed quite content in her little tub. She wasn't all that happy to get out of the tub. I think she was a little chilled, but once she was wrapped up in her robe (lots of growing room for sure) she was happy again. I may be a little bias, but she is the cutest baby girl ever!

It's Official! She is home!!!!

Yesterday was D-Day! Discharge Day!!!! Delilah officially left the NICU at 5:41pm (which you can see in the photo). After 4 weeks of waiting we finally were able to bring her home. One of the most stressful car rides ever; especially in the middle of 280 rush hour. (For those unfamiliar with 280, rush hour lasts for more then an hour, more like 24 hours.)

We are so happy and relieved to have her home. We cannot thank all of you enough for your prayers. It is wonderful knowing there are so many people out there who love us. We can't wait to introduce her to everyone.

However, Delilah has a few more hurdles ahead of her. There has been a preliminary positive blood test for Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). We don't know a lot about it right now, but we have follow up appointments with the Geneticist to do more tests and to learn more about PWS. I have done very little research myself (don't want to over react to anything until I speak with the Geneticist). I know that it affects eating habits, causing childhood obesity, and she could possibly have future learning disabilities. I am very optimistic, though. She has already proved she is great at breast feeding, which most babies with PWS cannot achieve. And, according to Sally, the occupational therapist, her muscle tone is back to normal for her age. Please keep those prayers coming as we learn more. I will keep everyone posted, but results and news will be a few months coming. Until then, I will keep you all updated on her day to day life at home with Mommy and Daddy.

By the way...today she is 1 MONTH OLD. Unbelievable! Time really does fly with a new baby!