recap of day 2

Evelyn had today what is best described as a pretty typical and overall uneventful second full day. Fewer guests overall, but both mom and baby had a fair share. Including seeing each other for the first time since Evelyn and I made our trek to Children's at 352am on Monday. The nursing and medical staff that have worked with her to this point have been amazing. I could take the time and thank every person who has touched our lives, touched her little life and made us feel comfortable but I'd likely miss someone and I personally would be upset that I excluded them. What I can say is that even staff members in different areas of the hospital already know my name and what I can share about my little girl in general passing whether it is when I sneak over at midnight or am standing at security to get Laura's badge. She's special and if I can tell everyone in the building every detail right down to a doctor explaining to follow the black smudge on the floor all the way to where it meets the carpet...clear across the campus of Barnes into Children's then I will.
Important details for today:

Evelyn officially has a birth certificate filed... weird that you still have to do it the old fashioned way.

Don't believe in the power of a parent/child bond making them both feel better- Laura was not able to produce a drop of breast milk until she held Evelyn... I am proud to say I personally transported the first of it to her bedside at 1140pm.

Still unsure- Evelyn's heart rate and breathing rates (both so vital at this tiny age) both were at there best when she was with her mommy and daddy.

She is still breathing with only the help of a CPAP. That means those tiny little lungs are doing the job they need to do.

She made little squeaks and almost sighs while we were with her and holding her closely...she remembered us and was not angry about birth... see c-section really is the way to go :).

When dad walks into her room and says 'hi, hows my little lady' either one of her legs or her arms is almost immediately moving. I never really thought a baby recognized their fathers voice as much as people claimed, until I noticed there is substantial movement when I come into her room. Just proof she knows the parent to soften up first (haha).

She did lose a little less than 2oz since birth in weight...those with babies born full term that would be like you finding out your 8lber lost 8oz; so while normal to lose a little in the first hours it was tough to take.


Couple of other things on the day that stood out:

Evelyn's mom needs to stay in everyone's thoughts while struggling to keep get her stats back to normal after preeclampsia. Sure birth is the cure...but we only had 840 grams of cure and we might have needed 1600-2000 (Evelyns weight...yes I am a calculations nerd)

Those concerned with dear old dad- The current author of this note did in fact get 6 full hours last night and will get 6-8 more tonite. I will sleep while I can, but not until I make sure Evelyn, Laura and lets not forget big sister Madeline are all taken care of for the night.

Madeline is excited to let everyone (and apparently I mean everyone judging on the conversations she has with me) know about her tiny new sister. She is a great kid and will be an amazing big sister.

Good night for now.
Love you Evelyn

Tim