Grandma's Lena Update

As most of you know by now, Lena is in the hospital--Austin Children's Hospital. James' blog filled you in on the details. She is doing very well as of today. She was dehydrated when we brought her in besides having a high fever, although they kept saying in the emergency room that she didn't look sick. They are giving her antibiotics and fluid intervenously. They have done numerous tests to try to narrow down what could have caused the fever. (Finding tiny little veins is a nightmare.)

Probably the most significant development is that April's milk finally came in last night. Lena is nursing beautifully now and sooo much more content. We have to wake her to feed her most of the time. We are now proudly presenting wet diapers to the nurses. Tomorrow they will do another attempt at a spinal tap (after three unsuccessful tries in the emergency room Sunday night). We are hoping that she will be able to go home tomorrow night.

April and I are having such a sweet time "rooming" together in her room. We laugh and visit and take care of Lena, pretty much oblivious to the world out there. We try to keep the iv from getting tangled around everything in the room as we love on Lena. Just now April looked down her shirt and proclaimed, "Hey, I have a cleavage!" It is delightful to be with her as she discovers "all the things about having a baby that no one ever told her." She says she is going to write a book about it.

Every now and then I get a panic attack about Christmas, but I know this is where I want to be right now. I am thinking about the office party that Jill, Trisha and Marty are doing right now at my house. That is a little strange to think about.

I am anxious for all of you to meet Lena. She is a little(?) doll. I am telling her all about her aunts, uncles and cousins. Meanwhile, keep praying that all continues to go well. They are taking her situation very seriously here and taking very good care of her.

I love you all and miss you more than you can know. I need to know that you will love me no matter what happens at Christmas. I plan to come home Saturday if all goes well here. Love to you all, Mom