The Long(er) Goodbye

So, it's offical. Annie is in for another week. She is doing better today but still having some challenges when she is eating. I have figured it out though. Jaeden is the littlest one around but seems to be in charge of who is coming and going. I firmly believe that we are not allowed to leave until Jaeden is ready and, well, he is in charge. Yes, it's true, Annie's freedom is in the hands of an itty bitty baby. Whoever thinks preemies aren't the boss of us full grown people is nuts.

So, now that our good-bye is a little longer, we will resume our thanks to all those wonderful souls who have been taking care of Annie.



"Breathe, Annie. Breathe, Annie". This is what I think of when I think of Theresa (she is on the left). She took care of Annie on one of her sickest days when she was fighting her second round of infection. She was on CPAP and Theresa had to take her off for a second and, quite simply, willed her to be well. I just remember thinking that, on such a scary day for us, I was glad to have Theresa taking care of Annie.

In the middle is Dorie, she is our new buddy who takes care of our wee ones in the step down room. She's very laid back and fun to have around but always on top of things with Annie. We were having a tough time with Annie's feeding today (it's alot of work for Annie) and Dori was gently coaching us along throughout (and making sure we didn't screw up!).

Jenny (on the right) helped me get through giving Annie her first bottle! I was all thumbs and Jenny just chatted away while we got Annie fed. She is such a warm and caring person.. only to find out she is Mom to three young boys. It's just not possible to have someone that sleep deprived be so nice!

Finally, in the middle is our buddy and fellow horse enthusiast Taryn. Taryn is heading off to Cali soon and I know I speak for many of us in saying that we will miss seeing her around the NICU. As for us, Taryn was the nurse who put Annie in my arms for the first time. I was so scared -her head barely fit into the crook of my arm- but Taryn handed her gently into my arms and from that moment on Annie was no longer a tiny, sick baby --she was my little girl.