Because Flara was so tired, she just snuggled down with both Mike and me and slept. While I held her, she hiccuped nearly the entire time. I felt bad she was hiccuping, but those little squeaks are just too cute! I kissed her little fuzzy head multiple times. =) Lots of people ask me to give her a kiss on her behalf, so I spend a lot of time telling her "this smoochie is from Grandmama," "this kiss is from Cousin Caleb," "this is from your big Sissy," and on and on. =) She doesn't seem to mind, either.
Flara had her repeat head ultrasound yesterday. Her brain bleed was basically identical to her last scan a few weeks ago. Although her bleed had not worsened, it has not improved, either. On her past two scans, she was improving slightly. We don't mind, though. We are so thankful that the bleed had not moved in a negative direction. No news is good news, as I always say.
Her fortification of her breast milk was increased to 1 part breast milk to 1 part 30 calorie formula. This results in a net of 25 calories per ounce of "food." She has been steadily increasing weight, so the fortification seems to be working. Hopefully, the added calcium will help her little bones out, too.
She gained 10 grams last night, or 1/3 of an ounce. This puts her at 2 lb 6 oz. Mike and I were really excited about that news. She's almost to 2 1/2 pounds. That sounds like we're getting somewhere! She definitely looks rounder, and her little rump feels bigger in our hand. She still doesn't really have cheeks yet, though. There's a tiny line defining where the top of her little booty crack will be, then nothing more. =)
We were able to see her anger in action. Haha! Two nights ago, she had to have a lab draw. That little booger can really pitch a fit! After hearing repeatedly how feisty she is, I enjoyed seeing her in action. I don't want her to hurt, and I hate for her that she has to have so many lab draws, but that little fighting baby makes me feel better. Whenever she acquires an infection, she becomes really limp and the fight goes out of her. This helps us to see that she's feeling better.
We bought Noël a 'Big Sister' shirt at one of the outlet stores. She sure loves it! She had to point it out to the other folk in the waiting room at the hospital today. She had Dolly, her baby doll, and kept telling the people "baby" and pointing to the words on her shirt. That Noël sure is something!
I was quite proud of her this afternoon. I've been teaching her objects in her right-now-favorite book "Tugga Tugga Tugboat," and teaching her more detailed body parts than just "nose." After a couple days, she correctly answered in her book tugboat, ducky, bird, captain, baby, doggy, mommy, and "dada" as she calls all men. On herself, she showed me forehead, chin, cheek (both on her face), ears, nose, tongue, mouth, arms, legs, eyes, nose, bellybutton, tummy, and tootsies. The girl isn't much of a talker, but she sure understands a lot!
My mind is a bit blank tonight. That's a good thing. I've been wanting to go running here lately... running A LOT. When we lived in Chicago, I would go on one to two hour runs down the lakefront. I called them "numb my mind" runs, which were actually always my best times to pray and talk to God. I really enjoyed running my tail into the ground. Strange, yes, but it brought me satisfaction. I've been telling Mike lately I really need to go run myself into the ground. I just wonder how long I really need to wait. It'll be 4 weeks tomorrow since the infamous delivery from h-e- ummm, blah. As of two days ago, I officially could not see the remnants of my bruises on my forearm from my fight, although there is still a firm, sore spot. Yeah, I just need to go run. I need to get lots of things out of my mind. Like bruises, fights, fears, worries, frustrations, tiredness (huh?), work, money, schedules, ARGH!
My kin are partying it up at the good ole Ft. Vallonia Days. Sure wish I could be there! That's pretty much a tradition of my kinfolk. Fried fish sandwiches, elephant ears, persimmon pudding... corny wares to buy, nicer things to buy, a really long parade, axe throwing contests, hissing and popping of steam-run hay balers... man. Dodging old horse pies along the parade route (that the juvie's didn't completely clear off), yummy October weather, 5K road races. Oh, I could go on about it. As I told my sister, my plan had been to come and waddle around (NOT telling my OB I was traveling, of course), let Noël enjoy herself, and live vicariously through their eating of the things I so much love. I would just breathe deeply and pretend I was eating it. Funny things, those plans. =) Besides, it's really cold here, and I hear it's awfully cold there.
I've delayed my appointment with "Ole BP." I better get going. Plus, my dog's tummy is in a real conniption. It's been twenty minutes, and I'm sure he needs relief. Yet again. Poor ole Dogg. I wouldn't mind so much, but there's been an increase lately in dognappings going on. I don't want to send him out into the dark alone.
Thank you, again, for everyone who is following our little Flara Sophia and praying for her. We're still not out of the woods.
Goodnight.
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