After Ashlynn was born and had to be put on oxygen, they kept her in the NICU for observation. Days seemed like weeks! Looking back and seeing that we were only there for a few days is shocking to me- because it felt like an eternity.
After a few days I was discharged but was able to stay in my room on what they call a "hotel stay" so I could be there to breastfeed Ashlynn every 2 hours throughout the night. I was so grateful I got to be there with her, but had a hard time being there by myself without BJ and the kids. I was so sad that the kids couldn't meet their new baby sister and I know it was hard for the kids as well.
A few times BJ had his sister JQ or my aunt Amy watch the kids so he could spend an hour or two at the hospital with Ashlynn and I. I was so grateful for those times.
Everytime BJ would come he would tell me to go rest since I was up all night feeding her and spending all or most of my time in the NICU, but I had a hard time doing it because I wanted to spend time with BJ when he came. Needless to say, those nights in the hospital I was pretty sleep deprived lol.
After a few days I was begging BJ to come and let me visit with the kids. He brought Pizza and we had a little Pic Nic out in the waiting room. I was so excited to see Kaylee and Connor. I kept telling BJ how much I missed them, and he said to "bottle it up" because soon I will be home with three kids and not have anytime to myself. ha ha
LOVE these kids!
Papa Bruce helped watch the kids overnight and took them to church on Sunday; so when he came to trade cars with BJ he was able to come in for a little bit to hold Ashlynn. I was so grateful. It was hard not having visitors in the hospital. I was grateful everyone was being cautious as to not get Ashlynn sick, but it was lonely at times.
One night while I was rocking this sweet precious baby and singing Primary songs to her, I couldn't help but tear up. What an amazing miracle and blessing it is to have this sweet spirit join our lives. After our struggle with infertility; I was beyond grateful and blessed to have her join our family.
The NICU had the cutest bows and onsies. Since she was whisked to the NICU and struggled for a little bit, she didn't get her first bath until BJ was home with the other kids. It was a bummer he couldn't be a part of it. But I was able to help with her second bath in the middle of the night one night with the nurse.
Her poor little hand had the huge IV in it. OUCH! She was quite the trooper though ;)
Speaking of OUCH....this is the first pregnancy and post par tum where I had such large and swollen feet and legs. It was pretty painful. It definitely made me realize how blessed I am to not have these issues throughout pregnancy.
I sent Connor this picture of Ashlynn with his favorite color bow on her head (Orange!). He was pretty excited.
My amazing Visiting Teacher and friend Tish Adamson took the kids one day for a few hours and sent me these pictures. How cute is Kaylee's hair?! Oh, and Connor is just chilling with his very own bag of cookies. Too fun! What an amazing blessing we had to have amazing ward members/friends/family to help us through this hard few days.
In order to go home Ashlynn had to do an oxygen trial in her carseat. Since they were unable to get her on RA for an extended amount of time; they decided to send us home with home oxygen. I was so grateful to finally take her home, but was sad we had to take oxygen home with us. We were very hopeful we could get rid of that oxygen within the first week.....though it didn't end up that way.
