VERY quick update, since it's time for Zaden's bath, followed by his last feeding and BEDTIME!
Today's weight check was positive. Zaden gained 5 ounces since Tuesday, bringing him up to 7 pounds, 11 ounces. The doctor said that gain was good, following the growth curve we had seen last Friday. So he gave me permission to continue doing what I'm doing, which is nursing him with the SNS (anywhere from 2-3 ounces of pumped breastmilk as much as possible, formula if I just don't have enough breastmilk), followed by pumping as much as I can to preserve/build my milk supply. The whole feeding process is still time consuming, but at least the nursing/supplementing sessions are down to about 30 minutes. Then about 15-20 minutes of pumping, depending on the time of day and my schedule, then washing all the paraphernalia associated with this whole ordeal. Then about 45 minutes to an hour of catching up on whatever needs to be done before I have to start all over with Zaden!
I'm very thankful that I've basically had "live-in help" for the past 6 weeks. Mom was here through this past Monday, and my college friend Megan and her daughter Sela were here Tuesday through today. They left to go home to Michigan after we got back from the weight check and had lunch. I had a great time with her--it was good to laugh again, and she was a real help with the feeding sessions as well as helping get meals for everyone, kids up and moving or in bed, cleaning up, etc. I'm not sure how we'll handle being "on our own," but I know God's grace will get us through. It has to! I certainly cannot do this on my own!
I'll be honest, I'm slightly panicked at the thought of the days and weeks to come. I really have come to the end of myself, and I know the only way we'll get through these trials is with God's help and strength. I'm thankful for those who have been His hands and His feet, helping us out in so many ways.
2 comments:
You can do it!! And then 20 years from now when someone asks you, "How did you do that?" you'll be able to stand with all the moms that say, "I don't know, I just did it!"
Just take it one day at a time and don't be afraid to ask for help from your local friends. Is there any young women from your church (late teens-early twenties) that could come be a mother's helper to you and few times a week? I bet you would not have to pay a young Christian woman much if she has a servant's heart. I'll be praying to that end! (again...wish I could come out and help!!!!)
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