Wonderful Changes

What a difference 48 hours can make! We were moved to a non-ICU room, and although she's been miserable with a bellyache--up a lot last night until we finally gave her some hefty painkillers-- she's feeling SO much better this evening, she walked not only to the bathroom but to the toy room, PULLING her own IV pole,
and best of all her esophagram cleared her for sips of water!

PULLING her pole to the playroom!

I intentionally left my flowers with the ICU desk for a few extra hours, but a receptionist with a beautiful smile delivered them to our new room and insisted they should brighten our new space. The blooms are opening now and with our family photos on the wall, it's so cheerful in here! Add in a sponge bath for baby girl with a real soap-and-water hair wash, lots of conditioner and gentle brushing out of tangles, and both of us are feeling pretty darn happy.

Can't get enough of these smiles!

So cute in her bath getup!

Last night I spent some time in the ICU common room where a friendly large family from the Dominican Republic shared some of their delicious traditional food with me. I shared with them from my considerable candy stash, and when two tired looking young men in suits entered the room I offered them some as well, only to realize that my nostalgic silent observation that they reminded me of LDS missionaries had actually been correct! Another family had requested their visit, but it turned into a double opportunity. Two wonderful hours later, we'd been visited by two sister missionaries AND received a beautiful priesthood blessing from the elders. I've also had some great conversations with other moms in the hospital and today was asked to share Audrey's story with some visiting Harvard medical students. When things start going this well, it usually means discharge is on the horizon. She's still retching up spit every hour or so, and she really only took one little sip of water when she finally got it, but hey, considering today's progress, I'll take it. The next few days will be all about building strength, getting her gut moving again and up to full feeds, plus likely a swallow study and nutrition consult. We're peacefully snuggling and watching cartoons tonight. Thank you for all the love, prayers and encouragement, everyone. It makes all the difference.

Our cheerful new room!

Finally enjoying toys again! I think she may have found every hot pink thing in that toy room, her favorite color. She put a big hot pink electric guitar around her neck before heading straight for the train table. Then she borrowed a pink toy computer AND a pink stethoscope to bring back to the room.

A little stroller snooze while waiting for the esophagram.

My celebratory salmon dinner tonight in the cafeteria.  Things are looking up, and food tastes better to me than it has in a while.