Burrito baby

It looks like Liam will be coming home tomorrow. Despite all of today's drama (circumcision, hearing test, open crib) he has still gained almost another ounce (20 grams) and he is maintaining his temperature in his open crib. His weight is now 5 pounds 3.2 ounces (2359 grams).

The nurses showed us how to swaddle Liam so that we can do it at home. When he is wrapped like this we think he looks like a burrito baby. Tonight when Tobias was holding him he realized that this would be the perfect way to watch soccer with Liam. We both had to laugh when he said that. Tobias even acknowledged that out of all the thoughts he could be having about Liam coming home, he was surprised his first thought was about watching soccer with him. I am not too surprised, Tobias has given Liam the Bundesliga highlights every week since his birth. I bet Liam's first couple sentences will be 'Oliver Kahn would not have missed that.' and 'Juergen Klinsmann needs to stop experimenting.' :)

Burrito baby in his open crib


Tobias practicing his soccer hold

In all seriousness, it is amazing what a relief it is to be told Liam is coming home. We both feel like all the trauma of the past 3.5 weeks has gone away and we can now look forward to life at home. We are very grateful for the good care that Liam received in the NICU, but we are not going to miss making 3-4 trips a day to the hospital. It will be nice to let Liam set his own schedule at home and settle into life with us.

New digs

Liam had his hearing test this morning. It was really neat to see how this test works. Since infants can't tell you they hear the sound, this test measures their brainwaves to see if the are processing the sound. Thankfully there are no issues with his hearing.

Hearing test

Check one. Check two. Check out! Yes, Liam slept through the entire exam.

After his 12:00 feeding he moved into his open crib. We'll see how he does maintaining his temperature. If all goes well they still plan to discharge him tomorrow. We will find out at his 8:00 feeding if he is going home.

Liam's new digs - his open crib

Doing well

I was anxious to see Liam this morning to see how he was handling his circumcision. When I arrived he was doing really well. He is eating well and sleeping a lot, which is pretty normal. I was relieved to see that he does not seem to be in pain.

He will be moved to an open crib today and he may also have his car seat test. The plan is still for him to come home tomorrow, but we will have to see how things go. The nurses have said it is typical for babies to be a little 'off' the day of circumcision. So, if for some reason, he has an off day, he may come home Thursday.

At least we know it is soon!!!

Keep praying for 'unser Kleiner' (our little one). Pray for his recovery from surgery and added strength and stability each day.

Looks like Wednesday will be the day . . . time to schedule the bris

Call the Mohel - no twitching!

We have spent the past 2+ weeks wishing the NICU staff would give us some kind of idea when Liam would come home. Today the nurse said it looks like Wednesday, unless something unexpected happens.

Liam has handled his feedings very well and has increased the amount he eats from 40-50 ml to 60-70 ml. He now weights 5 pounds 1.2 ounces (2302 grams).

Tomorrow he will be moved to an open crib to see if he can maintain his temperature. Then he has to pass the car seat test (where he sits in his car seat for an hour with no breathing complications). If he passes all those things then they plan to discharge him Wednesday.

Of course, now that we have an anticipated day we are trying to be cautiously optimistic in case something unexpected happens.

Now to the bris. Liam's circumcision is scheduled for tomorrow. When I arrived this morning for his feeding the nurse apologized to me and told there had been a mistake because she had a consent for circumcision for Liam. I told her it was not a mistake and that we were planning to have him circumsized. She got a very confused look on her face and said she assumed we would have a bris (Jewish rite of circumcision).

Apparently a rumor has made it's way through the nursing staff that Tobias is a German Jew (apparently because of his name). I explained that Tobias was indeed German but that he was very Lutheran. We had a good laugh about it all . . . except for Liam. I already apologized to him today for what is coming tomorrow. Oy weh!

Please continue to pray for Liam to gain in strength every day. We would love to bring him home on Wednesday!!

So far so good

So far Liam is handling his bottle feeds very well. Not only is he eating well, he is eating more than he did before!

The nurses are very optimistic and they have begun talking about his transition home.

Please continue to pray for his strength and progress every day.

Project Runway

This morning when we went up for Liam's morning feeding we noticed that he had managed to get his arm out of his t-shirt. We tried to explain to him that this is the NICU and not Project Runway. Besides, off the shoulder is not a very masculine look. :)

Liam's weight is now up to 4 pounds 15.3 ounces (2248 grams).

Liam following the words of Right Said Fred - 'I'm too sexy for my shirt.'

Today will be first day that Liam tries all of his feedings by mouth. If he can maintain this then he is one milestone closer to coming home.

Morning feeding

Getting all of his feedings by mouth also means his feeding tube is finally out!!

No more feeding tube!! (Let's hope it stays out!!)

Back where we began

Tobias and I were in the middle of setting up Liam's nursery when we had to make our unexpected trip to the hospital. Three weeks later we were able to get back to the nursery. Since I am still not allowed to do much physical activity Tobias ended up doing all the hard work. Thanks to Uncle Bruce for helping with the really heavy lifting. At least now we are ready for Liam to come home. . . hopefully soon.

Tonight the nurses said they are going to recommend that Liam be moved to all bottle feeds. The doctors will have to agree. And, Liam, of course, has to be able to tolerate the feedings. Getting to all bottle feeds is one step closer to getting home.

Ottifant

There is a comedian in Germany named Otto whose trademark is an elephant called the 'Ottifant'. Tobias decided a few weeks ago that Liam needed his first stuffed animal to be an 'Ottifant'. Mami and Papi helped us secure the Ottifant since we could not buy it from the US. Since Liam is now in the NICU and not at home, Tobias wanted to make sure he still had his Ottifant.


When Liam comes home his Ottifant is waiting for him in his crib.


By 8:00 PM tonight Liam had gained back the 15 grams he lost overnight. It's been another long day and Liam was ready for sleep when we left.

Still working

Liam contiunues to feed well. The nurse said he lost 15 grams (0.5 oz) last night, but she was not too concerned about it. She felt this could be due to his new feeding routine and they may need to increase the amount of this feeds. For him to be able to come home he will need to take all of his feedings by mouth and move from the isolette to an open bed and still gain weight.

He still has a ways to go, but the doctors and nurses agree that he is doing very well.

I can't believe I ate da whole thing!

The nurses in the NICU said that when Liam hit about 34.5 weeks we would begin to see progress quickly. Our little man is working hard and progressing steadily. He now weights 4 pounds 14.2 ounces (2217 grams) and is feeding like a champ.

He is now feeding one of three ways: bottle, Mom, and feeding tube. Considering he would not be expected to do any of this if he were still in the womb, he is really doing great. The doctors and nurses are very pleased and we are happy to continue seeing progress each day.

Today we aggressively 'up-ed' his feeding schedule. When I put him back in his isolette after the 1600 feeding he just collapsed. The nurses called this pose 'I can't believe I ate da' whole thing!!'

Growing boy!

This morning we were very encouraged to hear that Liam's weight is up to 4 pounds 13 oz (2183 grams). He continues to do well with his feedings and, so far, he is keeping up with his schedule of bottle feeds every other feed.

When Liam had his eyes checked on Tuesday the ophthalmologist recommended a follow up in two weeks. Liam's doctor in the NICU has scheduled that follow up as an outpatient visit because he does not think Liam will still be in the NICU at that point (assuming his progress continues). This is not something we were supposed to find out, but it really encouraged us a lot to hear that the doctor feels his progress is that strong.

Poppa was my transportation this morning and he got to see Liam again for the first time in 10 days.

Go, Liam, Go!

I just got a call at home from the NICU, which any parent who has a child there will tell you stikes terror in your heart when you see they are calling you at home. My first question was if everything was alright and the nurse assured me it was.

She was calling to let me know that the doctor wants to try increasing Liam's bottle feedings to every other feeding. This has come a lot faster than we expected so we'll have to see if he is ready for it. She said they will try it, but if it wears him out they will cut back.

At least it is a positive sign that they feel he is ready to try this. We'll have to see how he does.

Mommy and Liam during his bottle feeding

Tired boy

Yesterday was a big day for Liam with lots of changes to his schedule. This morning when I went up for the morning feeding he still seemed to be recovering. He continues to do well with the bottle. It is a lot of work for him and this morning he feel asleep with 6 ml to go. All in all still a successful feeding.

Good news is that his weight has increased to 4 pounds 10 oz (2098 grams).

This morning GG (which stands for 'Great Grandmom' AKA Granny) took me to the hospital for the 8:00 feeding. Below is a picture of GG visiting Liam.

Since I still can't drive I am dependent on lots of help from family to get to and from the hospital. Yesterday Connie and Mom (AKA Nanna) went with me but I forgot to get pictures of them with Liam. Thanks again to Mom, Dad, Traci, Granny, and Connie for helping get me to and from the hospital.


Please continue to pray for Liam as he works to learn lots of things he normally wouldn't be expected to do for another 3-6 weeks.

Another big day

Liam had a big day today. The doctors have changed his feeding schedule so that he is eating every 4 hours instead of every 3 hours, which also means he is eating more per feeding. He is now getting two bottles a day. And, he had his first eye exam. So far there is nothing concerning with his eyes, but since they are not done developing they recommend a follow up exam in 2 weeks.

Since he has done so well with the nurses giving him bottles we are now allowed to give him bottles. Tonight was our first time getting to give him a bottle. The nurses warned us that he would likely be very tired tonight because the eye exam tends to exhaust the babies, and in addition to that he has had a lot of changes to his routine today. They were right. He was absolutely exhausted tonight, but he still managed to drink half of his bottle before completely crashing.

Please continue to pray for his development. Please also pray for endurance for Liam, Mommy and Daddy.

A milestone!!

'Little Liam' (as his cousin Abby calls him) hit a milestone today. His weight is now above his birth weight. He is now 4 pounds 7.5 ounces (2026 grams). His birth weight was 4 pounds 7.4 ounces (2025 grams). After birth he dropped to 4 pounds 3 ounces. Going above his birth weight is real milestone.

This means he is now maintaining his temperature, taking bottles, and gaining weight - all very good signs!!!

Below is a picture of Liam in one of his favorite positions - hanging out in his isolette with his ankles crossed.

BYOB

Liam continues to make progress every day. This morning the doctor wanted to try his first bottle feeding. He completely finished his first bottle with no problem at all.

This is encouraging because it shows that he can manage the suck, swallow, breathe combination. This week we will be working hard on feeding. Typically they start with one bottle a day, then move up to 2, then every other feeding, then every feeding. When he gets to every feeding his tube will come out.

He continues to maintain his temperature and the doctor said this morning that all of his numbers look good for a preemie his age.

Please continue to pray for progress every day.

Nurse Sara giving Liam his first bottle.

T-shirt time

Last night the nurses said they were going to put Liam in his first t-shirt. This will allow them to lower the temperature of his isolette to begin measuring how well he maintains his body temperature. One of the criteria for him to come home is that he be able to maintain his own body temperature without assistance.

What a difference a week makes

Liam was born one week ago today. All day Tobias and I have been playing the 'one week ago this time we were . . . ' game. It's amazing what a difference a week makes.

One week ago this time Dr . Bob was telling the family
that mom and baby were fine.

One week later - Mom, Papi and Liam in the NICU. Our first family picture.

Documented diaper change, 'Krankenbruder', and forklift babies

According to the nurses Liam is doing great. They plan to move him into a smaller isolette today since he no longer has any lines or IVs or things that require the nurses to have lots of space to work.

Liam is beginning to show signs of getting ready to eat. Typically the suck, swallow, breathe instinct begins at 34 weeks. This week we hope to see a lot of progress.

When we went in for Liam's 8:00 feeding he was already sucking his fingers and he let us know he was ready to eat!!

Now that Daddy knows he can successfully change Liam's diaper he gave me permission to document proof.

Daddy and the diaper
(BTW - check out the fingers and toes. No question who his mother is!!)

Tobias has already said that he is amazed how the birth of Liam has changed everything in an instant. Fatherhood has definitely changed Tobias.

Dad in the NICU-required stylish hospital gown and Liam (hiding in the blanket)

Just so the Jankes know . . . Fatherhood has changed Tobias, but not entirely!

Another funny for the Germans, as we were in the NICU today I was talking to Tobias about one of the male nurses. The word in German for a female nurse is 'Krankenschwester' (sister for the sick). I naturally assumed, then, that a male nurse was called a 'Krankenbruder' (brother for the sick). Tobias had to laugh out loud when I said that. After he finished laughing he informed me that a male nurse is called a 'Krankenpfleger' (carer for the sick). Somehow I think 'Krankenbruder' is going to stick and be inducted into the Lori Denglisch dictionary. :)

We also had a funny moment in the NICU earlier this week when a full term baby was admitted. Since most of the babies in the NICU are premies, they spend several weeks there and the parents get used to seeing one another on a regular basis. Premies are usually so small that their weight is measured in grams and not pounds. Typically weights range from 750 grams (1.5 pounds) to 2,400 grams (5 pounds).

You can imgaine all our faces when a 10 pound baby ended up in the NICU. She looked like a giant compared to our babies. One of parents asked if that baby was premature. The nurse said she was full term, just very sick. When babies that size end up in the NICU the nurses refer to them as forklift babies since they are not used to picking up babies that size.

And finally, a sweet picture of Liam sleeping on Mommy this morning.

Please continue to pray for 'unser Kleiner' (our little one). Please pray for normal development and progress each day. Pray for Mommy and Daddy too and we try to balance life between the hospital and home.

Daddy does diapers and other things from today

Cameras were not allowed, but Tobias successfully mastered the technique of changing a diaper in an isolette. After years of resisting, he finally had to make good on his offer of changing diapers when it was his child. Way to go, Dad!!

Aunt Traci also came to the hospital today to see 'little Liam', as Abby as always called him.

Visit from Aunt Traci

Liam continues to make progress. He is starting to gain weight again and tonight he even began to feed. This gets us one step closer to getting the feeding tube out. We are hoping for a little progress each day so that he is feeding on his own in the next week or so.

Kangaroo time with Mommy

Dreaming

Liam continues to make progress. We are still working on getting him to feed, but that remains a work in progress.

Today we got to see him sleeping contently several times.


We wondered what he might be dreaming about. Tobias thinks he knows what it might be . . . .

This is a gift from our friend, Coy, who found this on vacation when he was Germany a couple weeks ago. This is an official soccer uniform for the German National Soccer Team, size 3-6 months. We know what Liam will be wearing on game day!!! Thank you, Coy!!

More time to love Liam!

This morning when I went up to see Liam I got very good news. Up until now we could only hold him one time per day. Now we have permission to hold him during any visit. More time to love Liam!!!

He continues to do well. Since he is now eating more they removed his central line. The only tube left if his feeding tube. It will probably be a little while yet before he gets his breathing to the point he can feed. But once that happens he will no longer have any tubes to worry with. Since he loves to pull them out, he will probably be one happy guy when that day comes!

The 'Pistol'

Liam holding Daddy's hand

Our morning visits to the NICU are always special because we get to hold Liam and feed him outside his isolette.

This morning when we arrived we got the same report we usually get - 'He is a pistol!!' The good news is he appears to be waking up now about 5-10 minutes before his feeding time very fussy (screaming bloody murder is what the nurses said), which is what we have been hoping for.

His nurse feels he is ready to get more food so we are increasing his feeding amount. We are hoping this is a sign of growth to come!! Once we got to hold him and feed him he quieted right down. He opened both eyes today for the first time when we were holding him.

As soon as we got a quick look he closed them again and went fast asleep. He got to sleep on Mommy's tummy for about 15 minutes before he had to go back in his isloette. The nurses have been really great to include us in every day things and to allow us to do as much as possible. This morning I got to change Liam's diaper. We both get to participate in feeding and enjoy that a lot.

Below are some pictures from the morning getting Liam ready for his feeding.

Mommy and Liam after Mommy's first diaper changing in an isolette

Daddy and Liam - Liam sporting his 'bilirubin shades',
the season's 'must have' in the NICU

Pray for a fussy baby!

That's probably not what most parents pray for . . . but we certainly would like Liam to be a fussy baby. When Tobias made the 1:00 delivery the nurses said Liam was starting to get fussy - which is a good sign.

We are working on trying to get him interested in eating. So far he has been very content with his feeding tube. The nurses have said that he sleeps through his feedings and wakes up in between. Yesterday he began to show signs of starting to wake up and geting fussy when he needs to eat. Please pray that he will continue to become 'fussy' when he needs to eat.

Please also pray for continued lung maturity. His breathing is still very erratic. This is not something that they are concerned with, but before he will be able to begin nursing he will need to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing. Right now his breathing is too erratic to be able to coordinate all three.

This is all something that will come in time. If we had not interrupted him he would not really be expected to do this stuff until about 36 weeks in the womb. Now he has to try to learn it all a lot sooner.

When Tobias got home about 1:40, he said Liam's message to Mommy was 'chill out'. Tobias said when he got there Liam had his eye covers on (which look like big soft sunglasses), one leg was tucked in his bed and one was hanging off, one arm was over his head and his pacifier was an arm's length above him - - a sign that he threw it. Tobias said he was resting well and just 'hanging out' in the incubator.

Daddy's Day

'Bias got to have lots of quality time with Liam today. This morning he was able to hold him for the first time. We didn't know they were going to let him out of the incubator so we didn't have the camera with us. However, the NICU keeps disposable cameras in each bed so that the nurses can take pictures of the babies since the parents can't be there all the time. I did get a picture of 'Bias holding Liam but we'll have to deal with getting film developed and scanning the picture to get it online.

This evening the nurse wanted us to feed Liam (via his feeding tube, which is now up his nose since he kept pulling it out of his mouth), change his diaper and take his temperature. Neither of us felt comfortable with the diaper yet but we covered the other items. 'Bias fed Liam. Since Dad did since such a good job helping with the feeding, he got drafted to make the 1:00 AM delivery to the hospital. Hey, there has to be at least one advantage to my driving ban of 4 weeks! Thanks Dad!!!!!

Lala's going home!

Today Lala gets to leave the second floor of the hospital for the first time in 11 days. Thanks to her speedy recovery from the c-section she will get to go home today. We'll of course be back at least two times per day to visit Liam until he gets to go home, too.
Over the coming days, we can finally finish setting up Liam's nursery which was interrupted the day Lala was admitted to the hospital. Everything will be ready when we can welcome Liam to our home.

Kangaroo time

When we went to visit Liam this afternoon Tobias put his pacifier in his mouth. As soon as Liam started sucking the pacifier he stuck his thumb into the opening of the pacifier so he was trying to suck his thumb through the pacifier.

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One of the difficulties of having a premature baby is missing out on all the 'normal' things like holding your baby. We are now in the 'Mother & Baby' department of the hospital which means we are surrounded by all the full term babies spending all day with their parents. At night we hear all the babies crying but can't hear ours.

This morning I was really down and I told Tobias (through tears) 'I need to hold our baby.' Thankfully Liam's doctor agreed and we were able to have kangaroo time with Mommy this afternoon.

What's in a name change?

When we originally picked out Liam's name it was going to be Liam Christof Janke. We chose this name because it was connected to Tobias' grandfather, Wilhelm Janke, and Tobias' brother, Christof Janke. Last Thursday we received word that Tobias' great uncle, Erich Janke, passed away.

Tobias decided he wanted to continue a 'tradition' this his grandmother, Käte Janke, started when naming Tobias' father. Papi's name was originally going to be Klaus Jürgen Janke. At the last minute they learned that Papi's uncle, Erich Prinz, had been killed in World War II. In order to remember her brother, Oma Käte, changed Papi's name to Jürgen Erich Janke.

Tobias thought it only fitting to add the name Erich to Liam's name in order to remember his great uncle and his father . . . and Oma's decision to change the name at the last minute.

Onkel Erich with the Canadian Cousins at the Janke Family Reunion in 2006

Tobias, Mami and Papi - Jürgen Erich Janke

Now to Liam Janke - When we went to see him this morning in the NICU he was resting contently. His breathing has improved and they have removed all of this lines except his central line and his feeding tube. The central line will remain in because it is the easiest way to give him medicines and it runs in his belly button, which means he can't feel it. The feeding tube will be in until he can eat on his own.

Although we have not seen this side to him yet, the nurses inform us that he does not hesitate to let them know when he is not happy. If his ability to make noise is any indication of his lung strength, they say he has very powerful lungs. Looks like we may have a 'loud Liam' on our hands. But that continues a tradition from my family . . . I was known as 'loud Lori' as a premie!!

Look mom - no vent!!

They removed Liam's ventilator last night at 1100. Tobias went in at 400 today to see how he was doing and be brought me this picture, since I was not allowed to get up at that time.

Liam is breathing too rapidly right now but is still breathing on his own. They are also monitoring a heart murmur, which we have been told is pretty typical for babies his age. Tomorrow I am supposed to be able to hold him for the first time so he can have 'kangaroo time' with Mommy.

Mommy getting to see Liam today without his ventilator tube.

Tobias walking from the OR to the NICU to be with Liam after his birth.

Daddy's hands

Liam is now settled in the NICU and adjusting to life in the outside world. If he continues as he is now they are planning to remove the ventilator tomorrow.

Lala got to see Liam for the first time this evening. In this picture 'Bias is touching Liam and giving him love from 'Daddy's hand'.

Please pray for Liam. He is doing as well as premature 33 week old can do. Please pray for continued lung maturity and his blood and blood pressure. The placental bleeding has caused his blood to be a little low and they are working to get his blood where it needs to be. (Thanks to all the 'O' blood donors in the world; he is getting transfusions of 'O' blood now.)

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Liam arrived!!!!!!

Here he is!!!!!!!!

15:12 Eastern Time, September 13, 2008 Liam Christof Erich Janke was born at Riverside Hospital, Newport News, VA.
4 lbs 7.4 ounces, 18 inches.
Per the doctors and nurses, he is doing as well as could be expected. He is active and breathing on his own. The respirator now just monitors airflow.
More pictures and details to follow very soon!

What door was that again....?

Last night brought a move from Ante-Partum back to L&D. While Lala got wheeled over in her bed, 'Bias made 5 trips between the two rooms transporting Lala's belongings and all the goodies our visitors brought. Next time we'll rent a truck!
The night was uneventful and Liam never seems to be bothered by any of the excitement. 'Bias spent the night on the somewhat-comfortable sofa bed in Lala's room which is cooled down to an ice chest.
Even the nurses are beginning to ask whether or not it is too cold for comfort in the room but Lala is happy to finally not be hot.
With the upgraded status, the prediction right now is that we'll not go to next Friday...

What's behind door number one

Yesterday we knew our options were:
1) bed rest in the hospital
2) bed rest at home
3) deliver the baby

Today I learned that my future is behind door number one. It's bed rest in the hospital until delivery. Right now the goal is to make it to 34 weeks which will be one week from tomorrow.

We are now getting a crash course in premature babies.

Text book pregnancy

I have been chuckling today about all the visits during my pregnancy where I heard 'it's a text book pregnancy.' Dr. Bob said it's still a text book pregnancy. The text book has just changed to 'Complicated Mysteries.'

The good news is the level of amniotic fluid has increased. The bad news is that the bleeding started again. Once again, everything visible is fine with Liam and with me. It all remains a mystery. Because of that the doctor has said I will not go home until I deliver. Looks like bed rest in the hospital . . .

Please pray for Liam's lung maturity and for an uneventful delivery.

The waiting game

The news today is the same as the news the past few days. There is still nothing obviously wrong with Liam or with me. Still no explanation for the complications.

Today is another day of bed rest and monitoring. This evening will be another sonogram to monitor the level of amniotic fluid with another sonogram at the specialist's tomorrow to see if the level is still dropping. Once we know what is happening with the fluid level we will know what our next steps are. Depending on what they find the options that I know of are:
1) bed rest in the hosptial
2) bed rest at home
3) deliver the baby

For now it's a waiting (and resting) game.

Kick them in the shins!

As the reality of bed rest starts to set in, I have been trying to find some 'tips and tricks' for surviving what we hope will be at least 5 weeks of bed rest. My favorite advice so far has come from my sister-in-law, Ginger, who had 14 weeks of bed rest with the triplets. She gave me some wonderful advice and then said, 'Oh, and be ready to kick anyone in the shins who says to you how lucky you are to get a mini-vacation. Kick them! Kick them as hard as you can.'

A conundrum that has become a dilemma

Those are the not the words we were hoping to hear from the specialist today . . . but that is what we got. All the tests today still do not show any reason for complications but they continue. I will be in the hospital for another 48 hours to monitor everything.

Please keep the doctors, nurses, Liam and us in your prayers.

The Simple Life

Today has been a good day. Everything remains stable with Liam and the pregnancy. This was welcomed news because it meant my status has been reduced from Labor and Delivery to Antepartum. That change means the monitors are off, the IV is out, I can wear my own clothes, and I got to get real food!! Hospital food has never tasted so good.

I am practicing for the bed rest that is to come now. We have figured out how to get all of the following within arm's reach: work computer, work cell phone, personal computer, personal cell phone, dissertation reading items, DVDs, blankets, pillows, all necessary cosmetics and medicines.

I'm only allowed to walk to the bathroom so those 10 steps are a highlight of the day!!

Tomorrow I will have another sonogram to see if they can find what may have caused the complication so the doctor can determine the extent of my bed rest. We are hoping for modified bed rest, but we are mindful that the priority is keeping Liam safe so we will adjust to whatever comes.

The best husband in the world! He has been by my side every step of the way and has made numerous trips home to get that 'one more thing' that I need.