Evie's Summer Hospital Tour 2011

Some people like to visit multiple amusement parks in a summer. Or maybe state parks. Evie wants to visit as many hospitals as she can.

By 9 weeks, we have been to 3 different hospitals for overnight visits. Our most recent vacation destination was St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore. We have 3 blankets (all the same colors) from Howard County, Shore Memorial, and now St. Agnes. We were hoping for a transfer to Hopkins, but no such luck.

Evie doesn't want to eat as much as she should, resulting in hardly any weight gain in 1 month. She was admitted on Friday night. She was put on a NG feeding tube upon her arrival.

I'll skip all the details. Here's what we know:

- When my milk is put into her tummy, she can gain weight.
- She probably has reflux or something that is making her fussy while eating
- She has a good latch and will breastfeed. Just not taking in enough

After montioring and lots of doctors working together, scratching their heads, she was discharged on Monday night. It's a little bit of trial and error now.

We are back home, NG tube still in. I at least have an out if she will not breastfeed, bottle feed, etc. We can put it directly into her tummy. Obviously this is not a long term solution, but has allowed her to gain weight and learn how much fun it is to have a full belly! Hopefully she will start associate eating with feeling good again.

I went against doctor's orders and let her eat on demand overnight (they want every 3). Evie happily slept for 5.5 hours. I woke her up at this point to eat. She fed well, took some extra milk by NG tube, and was back down for another 3. Mom and G did not complain with 8 hours of sleep!

Evie's fussiness is getting better and she is eating more from me. G even got her to take 1 oz from a bottle (something that hasn't happened in weeks). I'm hopeful we are on the road to a happier baby. If not, everyone keeps telling me colic babies turn around at 12 weeks. 3 weeks to go.

Through everything Evie continues to be an absolutely adorable baby. The nurses and doctors LOVED her at St. Agnes. And she snuggled with all of them. She is smiling a lot more now. She keeps giving us something positive during a very difficult time.

I'll try to keep updating on the blog. Thank you for the emails, texts, prayers, and phone calls. I obviously need to tend to Evie first and am doing my best to keep everyone updated. I'll post some pictures soon. We have her 2 month appointment tomorrow.

Once an email went out to the faculty at school, I had more offers for help than I can manage. I am so thankful to have help for the next few weeks until we get back on track. It's nice being a teacher because all my co-workers are still off and eager to help.

Keep Evie in your thoughts that she will continue to eat well and gain weight.

St. Agnes