Day 5...preparing for homecoming

Well the nurses have officially started to prepare us for Stella's homecoming. So Friday is still the day that we are suppose to bring her home. We learned this week about something called the "Family Room". This is a room that the mom and dad stay in with baby the night before the baby comes home. So we have plans to be at the NICU on Thursday at 5:00pm to begin the journey home. They do this in case the parents have questions throughout the night and most importantly to monitor the baby's vitals every 4 hours. The nurse told us we do all the work just like we would at home they are just there for support, in case something happens or we need them. We are excited for this night to come. We have watched 3 of Stella's roommates go home this week and can't wait for our chance!! Also, Stella weighs 5 pounds tonight!!! The Dr. put her on rice cereal with her formula to help her gain weight, and this also helps prevent heart rate drops and helps with acid reflux. So as of right now it seems to be working. She is eating about 60cc's every 4 hours, so schedule-wise the nurses have done a great job getting her ready for us. The Dr. has also talked with us about Stella getting a shot to prevent RSV, a respiratory virus that can sometimes be fatal. Since she was a preemie and has an older sister, she is a high risk to get this and this also means we are pretty much home-bound until April. Thankfully we can take walks around the neighborhood to get some fresh air, but malls, stores with lots of people and being around other kids is a big no-no. So needless to say, we are pretty excited about Easter, this should be about the time we venture out as a family. Well, that is all we have learned. The next blog, hopefully will be written from the family room, we are pretty excited to journal the first night with our baby. We are certainly praying for God to prepare us as we bring home a baby that is truly not much bigger than one of Sittre Paige's babydolls.