Day 2 mid day update

First, I have to give a huge shout out to my school buddy, Erin, for lending me her school laptop. I had to turn in mine on Friday for good and we don't have one. And I'm also in 2009 where I don't have internet on my phone. Shhh RPCS people. Don't tell that Erin shared her laptop, sorry, tablet :) with me!!

So here we are 24 hours later. Evie was a big fuss yesterday. At least she showed the doctors and nurses what our life has been like. Jason and I were convinced the formula was the issue, but no one seemed to listen to us. We gave everyone a little 'tude because we are not here to have her gain weight. We are here to figure out why she won't eat on her own!!

We hung out with Evie for the afternoon then escaped/invited ourselves over to Kevin's house (that great work friend Erin's boyfriend...) for dinner. Kevin and Erin pumped us up with alcohol, yummy chicken stirfy from the grill, and conversation. We are so grateful for their support! It also helps we are now 5 minutes from Erin's place.

We came back to the hospital, got annoyed with the doctors, and left around 9:30 PM. I felt so guilty leaving Evie for the night, but we didn't have a private room and we just needed to get a good nights sleep.

Good night sleep. Ha. From 11:30-5:30. I guess that's not bad, but considering we are already emotionally drained, it wasn't enough. Back to the hospital this morning to see Evie off for her Upper GI screening

Jason stayed for a few minutes of it, but needed to make us some money. I stayed with Evie. We knew she wouldn't swallow the barium. The kid doesn't suck on a bottle! Also tried a syringe. No luck. Evie didn't tolerate the barium down her tube either. At this point I started to cry. They didn't find anything of major concern (a relief, but also frustrating). Maybe some reflux.

Back to the room where about 10 doctors of varying levels talked to me. I finally felt like I was heard. The attendant said to stop the tube feedings and go back to breastfeeding. Small victories!! Except I was sort of enjoying my new found freedom to drink more than a glass of wine and leave for a few hours. BUT she's off the million dollar formula and snuggling with me.

We moved to a private room. Yeah! Evie fed for 12 minutes from me. Double yeah! She seemed SO MUCH HAPPIER! However, we're not solving the main issue- why does she get so upset during some feedings?!

Evie's nurse is fabulous. She gave her a bath for me. Evie is now soundly sleeping after her long morning. I am enjoying a napa wrap from Eddie's again thanks to Erin for bringing me lunch.

The attendant isn't as much concerned about weight gain right now. He is now supporting me with getting her off the tube feedings asap. OT came to see me while I fed her. Randy will be back during my new feed to weigh Evie before and after. She will also come back tomorrow to work on bottle feeding with me. Another 2 people have seen my boobs... :)

Jason is back at work today. He was off yesterday. His boss has been so supportive of him caring for us. I will stay overnight now and Jason will be staying at home or possibly up in this area.

How can you help? Baltimore area peps- if anyone wants to bring me lunch or sit with me here, I'd love some company starting tomorrow. Today has been a whirlwind. And since most of you are out of town- your encouraging emails have helped (and made us cry). We are beyond emotionally drained at this point. I want someone to be me in multiple places. I need to be here now to feed Evie, but I also need/want to be home taking care of Parker and Jason. They don't eat without me there! My sister was a huge help doing our laundry yesterday. That's the kind of stuff we really need. Just trying to keep our life going while I'm in hospital land for who knows how long. Jen and Matt are coming this weekend.

We are now in room 372. I have my cell with me. We are trying to be good about our minutes and texts this month since this is our 2nd hospital stay this billing cycle. I am reading everything that comes in and appreciate it. It's just hard to keep calling and responding to everyone. More updates as they come in