New Room, New Attitude #8301

Well, it’s 9:00 and Emme’s asleep until they wake her up.  Today was uneventful, yet full of milestones.

My day started by watching our churches service online.  We attend Cornerstone in Nashville and today was their big 4th of July celebration.  It was good on screen, but I’m sure it was phenomenal in person.  Pastor Chris has been here all week for visits and he did a really good job today.  Who knew he could dance like that?

First, we had to devise a plan to get Emme to take her formula.  The nurse in ICU decided that it was time for a little “tough love” and I decided to take her advise.  We had brought Emme’s own bottles in after the advise of a friend, but she still wasn’t taking the milk.  So today, she got nothing to eat, except milk.  We decided that if she got hungry enough, she would take it, and she did!  So far we are up to 24 oz for the day which isn’t bad considering we had nothing except applejuice and Pedialyte for the past week. 

Next, we moved up to the 8th floor.  After 5 days in ICU, it was a pleasant change of scenary.  Don’t mistake me, I was thankful for the constant care that the ICU provided, but it’s a little overwhelming to see trauma after trauma.  There are a lot of hurting folks here at Vanderbilt Children’s.  Please keep them all in your prayers. 

After moving up to the 8th floor, Shannon went to fetch us some lunch from Jason’s Deli.  I was so thankful to eat, since it had been almost 24 hours since my last real meal.  In the ICU, you can’t bring any food back to your room so you have to leave to eat.  Here on the 8th floor, you can bring food into your room which is nice.  We have enjoyed snacks all day from some friends who visited yesterday. 

Lunch was great, then two of my students and their parents came to visit.  I’ve never worked somewhere that has shown me so much love.  My Stoner Creek family is amazing.  I guess when you go through something like this, you just realize or put into perspective the important things in life. 

After our visit, Shannon and I snuggled ourselves onto the lovely twin and a half pull out sofa.  I can’t say that it was too comfortable, but while you’re here you just don’t even care.  Emme slept and so did we for nearly 2 hours.  Well…Shannon got 3, but are you surprised?

Emme got up and I fed her a good bottle, then we took her out for a walk in the hospital.  We took her out to a play area on the 6th floor, to the fish pond on the first floor, and for a little piano playing on the 2nd floor.  Daddy played and Emme sat and smiled.  We’re almost back to normal.

We should be leaving here either tomorrow or Tuesday.  I have a good feeling about it being tomorrow, but we will see.  Shannon says he’s ready to get home, and of course I am too, but I don’t want to jump the gun.  We will do what Dr. Kelly thinks is best. 

I guess that’s about it for now.  We are signing off and going to bed.