**3/18/11 (10:00pm)**
Marlee,
WE DID IT!! Daddy and I just got home from your last two feedings at 5:00pm and 8:00pm today. Daddy fed your brother, who chugged his whole bottle plus about 5ml extra in 4 minutes!! He was a hungry man. Then I fed you...and I must admit I was hopeful but not counting on you finishing for me. About 10 minutes into the feeding you seemed to hit the wall as you usually do, and you had about 15ml remaining (you started with 40ml). When you hit the wall, the nurse will usually take over to get you to finish in a decent time without wearing you out trying to force you to take it from me. However, our nurse was called away for another c-section delivery (which coincidentally was one of our friends who is having twins as well!! Ironic, huh?). Anyway, the other nurse was covering for you guys and her assigned babies, so she was really busy. Mommy sat you up and got a big burp from you, then tried a new position and you finished the whole thing for me!!! I was so proud of you and so happy...I couldn't stop smiling. You are just beautiful. Every feature about you is perfect. I can't stop staring at you when I hold you, and it is so hard to put you back to sleep so quickly. I want more time with you, but I know that rest is best right now, so I have to enjoy the limited time I have with you and then let you go to sleep. You are so peaceful when you sleep. I get choked up every single time we have to leave the hospital without you, but I just keep picturing your beautiful face and it brings me comfort. God has really been showing me a lot with how to trust Him through all of this. He is speaking to me through the words of our friends and family, and even though it is hard, I am constantly reminding myself that this was all in His perfect plan for you. While I still wish every second that I could be growing you in my belly so you didn't have to work to grow, I know this was the plan since before I was born. I love you so much big girl. Tomorrow will be your one-week birthday. I can't believe you've been here for a week. I love you so much. I will come see you in the morning.
All my love,
Mommy
Parks,
You are mommy's little hungry man and I am loving it. You are currently required to have between 38ml and 43ml at each feeding, and you have been eating 45ml every time...and doing it without any trouble. I don't even worry about your eating anymore...except maybe that we need to be careful that you don't go too fast...and of course to make sure you BREATHE while you eat. One of our dogs, Kaly, has similar problems. She gets so excited at food time that she eats so fast that she sometimes chokes on her food. We actually had to get her a special bowl that has some contours in it to slow her down while she is eating. :) Our other dog's name is Shayla. You're going to love them both. They are very excited to take naps with you all the time and to follow you around to clean up any food you might drop when you start eating real food. Today on the way to the hospital, daddy noticed that the car in front of us had two kids in the backseat and they were having a straw-fight. They were holding the straws from their cups up like swords and battling each other. We both smiled thinking about you and Marlee doing things like that. I jokingly turned around to your carseats in the back and said "Play nice Marks." Yep - I think that is the first of many times I will say "Marks and Parlee" instead of "Parks and Marlee." It happens to everyone, right? Mommy is very tired though, so I am blaming it on that. We got a good laugh out of it. Both of your sets of grandparents came to see you today. Grandpa and Grandma Murray came to your 5:00pm feeding. You ate so fast that you were done by the time they got there, but they got to watch Marlee eat her dinner. Then Granpa and Grandma Richardson came to your 8:00pm feeding. They all think you are very handsome and enjoyed visiting with you very much. Who wouldn't? This morning when the NICU doctor came to evaluate you, he was pleased with how you've been doing. He said that the nurses can remove your nasal canula!! You will still keep your oxygen monitor on, and of course they will keep a close eye on you when they remove it to make sure you do ok. Every time you eat, you still drop your oxygen stats for a few seconds, but you recover on your own and haven't needed any intervention. I wish you would stop dropping it at all, but I know you are working through it in your time, and you will get there soon. I'm excited and nervous about them removing the canula, but if you still need it, they will put it back, so I'm ok with that. Besides, I can tell it is bothering you because you are constantly messing with it with your tiny little hands and you've pulled it away from your nose so many times. Stay strong tonight and mommy and daddy will be back to see you in the morning. I love you sweet boy. I miss you every second we are away. Soon we will be able to spend lots and lots of time together. I can't wait!
All my love,
Mommy
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