Emma Meets Her Sister

Today was an exciting day for little Emma.  On our first visit to the NICU this morning to see her, we were told that the plan for the day was to extubate her.  A little after her 2pm feeding, they took the breathing tube out.  We got back in there to see her right after this happened, and she was a little mad!  She was kicking and throwing little punches and crying.  We were a little concerned by this, but the respiratory therapist that was in the room at the time told us that he was very happy to see that.  He explained that it means she's fighting!  She calmed down rather quickly and seems to be adjusting back to life on the C-Pap rather well.

A little later in the day her big sister Eden came to visit her.  Mommy and Daddy took Eden down to the NICU around 5pm this afternoon and she got her first look at baby Emma.  Eden was very excited to see her.  She told Emma that she loved her and kept repeating "She's sleeping Daddy."  Eden calls her Emma Rae.  She also says "That's my sister.  That's not Mommy's sister, that's my sister!  That's Emma Rae."

Another positive development for little Emma today was her bilirubin levels dropped.  High bilirubin means they have jaundice and hers was quite elevated for the first couple days of her life.  They had a very bright bilirubin light shining on her and she was laying on a lighted blanket as well.  Well, they took away the lights today so all that she has left right now is the blanket.  She's continuing to excel in a lot of ways and we are very proud of her.  She's tougher than we are, that's for sure!

Tomorrow is going to be a tough day for us.  The hospital is discharging Britne and we are going to have to go home and leave our little girl here.  It wouldn't be as bad if we lived closer, but we're 45 minutes to an hour away from here, depending on traffic.  I still think we'll find a way to make it over here pretty much every day and spend a good amount of time with her.  But we won't be able to just go see her whenever we want.  I'm sure we'll get used to it, but we are dreading it for now.  So keep us in your prayers along with little Emma.