Home to Ontario

My mom brought Hattie over on Monday so that I could see her. Between feedings, we went to the Ronald McDonald House basement, which is full of toys. I was amazed how much she has changed during the two weeks I spent in Boise. She is talking so much more and loves to play with her cousins. We will definitely miss them when we return to Texas.

After 8 days in the NICU, Anna was released. She really has done wonderfully. She had no developmental delays - she breathed on her own from the beginning, never needed a feeding tube, and didn't have any problems nursing. Many premature babies have trouble sucking, so we have been very blessed. One of the nurses said that lots of babies born at 34 weeks are in the NICU for about three weeks, so we are glad our stay was so short. I stayed at the Ronald McDonald house Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, going to the hospital first thing in the morning and staying until 9 at night. It certainly made recovery from my c-section easier, since I simply sat around knitting or reading while I waited to feed her. Tuesday morning the doctors determined that she had gained weight consistantly for the last few days and we got to go home.

Hattie already loves Anna. Whenever she sees her, she squeals "Baby!" and runs to see her. So far she has been pretty gentle with her. And she loves to point out all of Anna's body parts - eyes, nose, fingers, toesies, head.

We'll stay here in Ontario for two more weeks, then travel to Utah for the wedding of Paul's brother. And finally we'll travel back to Lubbock with Paul. Although I wish we could be together with Paul already, I'm so glad to be back home with my parents and sisters and out of the hospital.