Liftoff!

Sara donned the going-home duds mom knitted for her while pregnant. The anklets, as well as everything else, were slightly large.

Flashing some papal hand gestures for reasons she did not divulge, Sara bid adieu to the NICU staff as she was strapped into her escape pod.

Home at last, Sara snuggled with her nana.

As hoped, Sara's growth continues to mirror the changing of the seasons. Our neighbor across the parkway sported the first blooms in the neighborhood this past week. (Shows what a complete lack of chemicals can do for a garden!)

And here our story ends. Thanks for coming along, folks, especially with your support and optimism. Sara is negotiating with her writing staff at the moment regarding future blogs, but no projects or schedule have been announced. Themes under consideration include Sara's Road to Carnegie Hall, Sara's Path to The White House, and/or Sara's Big Moment in Oslo.

Special thanks to the paparazzi who provided some of the pictures in this blog.

....2....1...

I know you can't see it very well, but that rainbow to the right of the street light, seen driving home from the hospital today, is the sign that Sara will be okayed for discharge tomorrow! Surgery went well... 2 hernias fixed, and she went back to feeding and being awake right on schedule.

(ahem)....3....

This morning, Sara gathered her things, including her escape pod, and moved to the new (actually, exceedingly old) hospital for tomorrow's surgery. Preemies need to be strapped into their pods for an hour to be cleared for the launch for home. She thinks it's a silly requirement, but will do anything she has to in order to go home.

Who's that girl?

Thankyou, physical therapist, for providing a big-girl bed with a musical mobile and mirror. All the better to see my chubby cheeks!

Hernia

Small inguinal hernia needs to be fixed before she can go home. Surgery tomorrow.

....3....

Sara hit the 4 lb mark today. Perhaps not coincidentally, doctors announced that the intended discharge date is..... Thursday. Sara celebrated by.. well, sleeping.

....4....

Today's weight: 3 lb 14 oz

muuuuah-ha-HAAAAA!

The inventors of Chinese water torture have nothing on these guys.

...5...

Today's weight: 3 lb 12 oz :(

....6....

Today's weight: 3 lb 12 oz :)

....7....

Countdown? 7? Does this mean Sara's going home in 7 days?

Welllll, no. Nobody knows the exact date. Let's review.

Before she can go home, Sara has to be able to.....

1. Keep herself warm outside the incubator. CHECK.
2. Eat on her own. CHECK.
3. Breathe on her own. CHECK.
4. Weigh at least 4 pounds. N/A -- since she's growth-restricted, they've waived this requirement.
Also. Go 5 days without apnea and/or bradys. CHECK.

So why can't she go home tomorrow??

Two words: Scope creep.
Doctors have now decided it's also important that she gain 25-30 grams every day.

*sigh*

Today's weight: 3 lb 11 oz

....8....

Baby Beldar, having overheard doctors this morning announce that she could eat at much as she wanted, sucked down 15 oz this afternoon (her regular daily regimen has been 8 oz), promptly threw up about an ounce, then fell asleep.

Good times.

....9....

Kicking back in the onesie her nana brought her, Sara was nonplussed by the results of today's eye test. It showed the first stage of retinopathy of prematurity, and calls for weekly check-ups. The first two screens showed nothing, so we're hoping this is an anomaly.

Now holding her heat well and nearly making it through feeds without falling asleep, she now has to make it through 5 consecutive days without "a's and b's" -- episodes of apnea (pause in breathing) and/or bradycardia (slowing of heart rate).

Today's weight: 3 lb 8 oz

Beginning countdown in......10....

No more feeding tube!

Approaching Escape Velocity

No more oxygen!

Progress!

Sara gave a shout out to her friends in the blogosphere yesterday while visiting with her godmother, who traveled many miles to meet her.

Today's big news: She's now in an open crib! Doctors are no longer concerned with her growth rate, which has led her to a whopping 3 lb 8 oz. She's also taking full feeds in other ways than the feeding tube -- another of the four tasks she must master before setting out for home.

Happy day!

Slow growing

In addition to prematurity and hyperthyroidism, it seems something else is at work in the growth-restriction department. Input and outgo are both being tested for calories etc., and Sara's liquids are being supplemented with extra calories. Since the new bed doesn't automatically adjust according to her body temp but stays steady -- and at nearly room temp -- she's wearing clothes every day in preparation for an open crib. Today's weight: 3 lb 2 oz.

Meanwhile, Sara sat around with the family and told a few jokes on Sunday afternoon. Only four visitors at a time are allowed in the NICU, so she did two sets.