NICU Journey Week 6 - The Great Flu of 2016 & Cross Stitchs

Anastasia's growth this week: 
Weight: 1315 Grams!! (Was 1180 Grams)
Length: 39 Centimeters 
(Was 36.5 Centimeters)
Age: 6 weeks old 
(Should be 33 weeks gestation)





Friday
Yesterday was miserable. I had the flu with a fever of 101.7! I took several naps so I basically slept the day away. I have a horrible cough and have lost my voice. This makes it so I can't visit Anastasia. I couldn't even call to check on her, my voice was gone. Char had to call in for me. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Being ill and unable to see your child is just dreadful.

Here is a picture of a bear cub I made for her and Rory's room. 

Saturday
Yep, still sick as a dog. In fact, my cough sounds like a bark. No visits in the near future.
I miss her so much!! I haven't seen her since Wednesday. 

In other news, Anastasia has been bumped to 28 calories (normal breast-milk / formula is 19-20 calories). She's just not growing as much as they want her to. Normally, a preemie should gain at least 15 grams a day on average. She's around 12 grams. One may think "Well 12 grams is close enough." But we need her to grow if we want her to start using a bottle in a week or two. She needs all the weight she can get because sucking on a bottle burns up calories like none other. 

I got to watch her get a bath via webcam tonight. She protested a little, once the nurse wrapped her up in her towel more snugly she calmed right down. Anastasia was very alert but passive during her bath. I hope she stays that way when she comes home. Maybe I'll need to visit at night sometime and someone can teach me how to bathe her the same way. Then the nurse played with Anastasia's curly black hair for a few minutes. It helps me to see that she's in good hands. 
   
 

Palm Sunday
If you guessed that I'm still sick, winner winner, chicken dinner!! Ugh. This sick thing bites. But now Char is getting it. Rory is having an awful time (this is the first time he's really been sick). 

I talked with a nurse today. I asked her what the employee rules are regarding the flu. She said they can't come in until their fever has been broken for at least 48 hours. That she has the same type of flu and missed work for nearly 2 weeks. That means I can go visit Anastasia maybe Wednesday more like Thursday. Sigh.  

She's a super sweet nurse, so I asked a favor of her. I asked her to hold Anastasia between cares for a little bit. The nurse replied that she'd never been asked that by a parent before. She normally holds babies when it's feeding time or if they're fussy but never when they are content. I told the nurse I just wanted someone to hold her and cuddle her. To let Anastasia know she's not forgotten about in the least. The nurse promised me she'd hold her and pass it on to the night shift as well. 


Monday
Still sick with the flu. I thought I was over it until my temperature returned at 102 F. So not fun. Rory is still sick too. Poor little guy. At least Anastasia is safe, sound, and doing well. 

I finally figured out what the rules are regarding visiting while ill. I'm hoping Wednesday or Thursday I can visit her.  We also made plans to visit family on Saturday / Easter Sunday. 



Tuesday
Yeap, still ill. But I feel like I'm getting better. I got an update on Anastasia. She's 2 pounds and 13 ounces! She's up to 25 mls per feed, which is almost an ounce. So almost an ounce of her is just food!! 

I have been watching Anastasia on the webcam off and on all day. I just miss her so much! I want to cuddle my tiny girl. My heart and arms ache just to hold her. I asked the night nurse to hold her for me again. I hoped to visit tomorrow but with my fever being what it was yesterday, I don't want her to get this bug. (Plus, there is a nasty snow storm brewing and that isn't a pleasant drive. Worth it if you can see your baby, otherwise, not so much).

Wednesday
Well got my hair cut today. Chopped off a foot, yep 12 inches. In other news we got Anastasia's crib today and got it all set up. It makes her coming home one day all the more realistic. 
Yes, still waiting for the fever to go away. I swear this flu hates me. 

Thursday
So it looks like I won't see her until Friday or Saturday. Sigh. But here are some cross stitch I've been working on for her.  The first is a cute little fox pup. The second is a tiny baby bunny.