What a lucky girl!

I tell you what, Emmy already has a wardrobe three times the size of mine! If anyone was worried about us having enough clothes since we didn't know before she was born if we should buy boy or girl clothes, have no fear. Our fabulous friends and family have taken care of her, what a lucky girl!

Saturday was my "Church" baby shower, thrown by our dear friends. (Thanks Mary Ann, Stephanie, Pam, and Sarah!) Our St. John family loves us so much, it's overwhelming! I had a great time and we have so many beautiful gifts for Emmy to use. We can't wait to get her home and put them all to use.

Mom came down Friday to help out and to be here for the shower. It was so nice to have her here, even just for a day, and she got to be there when we were feeding Emmy on Friday so she had a chance to see her out of her isolette. She's a proud grandmother, for sure!


Beth and Griffin also came Friday to meet their niece! We had a great time with them and they also got to see Emmy while she was out taking a bottle Friday and Saturday. Beth, of course, came to the shower on Saturday while Charles, Griff, and Joel kicked back at the house and played Wii and drank beer. Charles was the chef Saturday night and grilled burgers for all of us after the shower.


And now, what you really want to know...how is Emmy doing? She is doing well! Unfortunately, they decided to put her feeding tube back in Saturday. The nurses had noticed (and so had we) that she was getting very tired towards the end of her feedings once they had increased her intake to 20+ and it was hard to get her to finish her bottle. Plus, her weight leveled off at 2 lbs 10 oz and she didn't gain for a few days. They suspected that she was using a lot of calories and energy eating, so they decided it would be best to let her rest every other feeding and get it through the tube. She wasn't happy about having it back in! They also increased her calories last night by adding a supplement to my milk. Today she had gained and she's now 2 lbs 12 oz, so something is working!! Dr. Brawley seemed pleased. I fed her today at 3 p.m. and at 9 p.m. and I thought she took the bottle faster and it didn't take as much work to keep her awake to finish.

Hopefully a few days of this routine and she'll gain enough weight and energy to lose the feeding tube again. Really, she'd moved so fast this past week, it wasn't a concern that we sort of had to take a step back. She's doing great.

Charles went back to work today until Emmy comes home. Then he will take some personal leave and spend a few more weeks home as we all adjust. He's just trying to catch up and get ready to be out again for a while. We're lucky everyone in the command has been so supportive. He said everyone was asking to see his wedding ring and they were shocked looking at in person after seeing the pictures of it all the way up Emmy's arm! She is a tiny little Pickle.

Thanks everyone for all your calls, cards, gifts, and concern. Your prayers helped get Emmy here safe and they are helping sustain us now. We're anxious to have her home, and hopefully she will be soon!