Name and a Blessing

I may have pushed myself a little hard yesterday...I'm a little swollen.  But still fine.  I just won't be able to wear my wedding ring or cute heels for a little while longer.  But the pushing was so worth it.

Yesterday I got to feed Olivia a few times while actually holding her.  Before I had just gotten to prop her up a bit while feeding her.  I also got to change a poopy diaper.  

Last night we were able to have our families come up and down from wherever they were to bless Olivia.  I got her all ready in her little blessing "outfit" which consisted of a white bow and blanket.  We only allowed the men who assisted and the grandparents in so as to keep the crowd small and the germs away. And of course Ella.  

It was so sweet getting to see the girls meet for the first time.  I wasn't sure if Ella would understand that Olivia was actually out of my tummy but even before she saw me she was asking Andrew if Olivia was out of mommy's tummy.  Andrew was holding Ella up to see into Olivia's bed and the look on her face was amazing.  I was being attacked by hugging arms so I didn't get a picture but it was obvious that Ella absolutely adores her "baby sister yivia."  As soon as I was free from everyone else and had forced hand sanitizer on them Ella latched onto me with the biggest hug.  I sure missed her and it was nice to see she missed me too.  

We then proceeded with the blessing.  I couldn't hear super great because, well, the CICU just isn't super quiet and Andrew was also a little emotional.  But I heard enough.  And I didn't cry near as much as I thought I would.  It was such a sweet experience.

After we kicked everyone out so we could do some family pictures.  While Andrew was fetching our awesome photographer, Lindsey, Ella and I sat by Olivia.  And our conversation was so sweet.  Ella held her hand and said "Thats my baby sister yivia.  I yub her."  She then pointed to my tummy and said "She came out of there."  She did very well with her sister.  She was a little upset about the "ban-aid" on her forehead but after explaining that it was to help her heart feel better she didn't mind so much.  She wanted to hold Olivia's other hand but we had to explain to her that it was owie since it has her IV in it.  After that Ella was a little more nervous to touch her baby sister at all.  It was so sweet seeing how gentle and careful she was with Olivia.  I just hope she isn't so scared of touching and loving her once she is a little more tube free.  Of course that won't be for quite a while but still.  

Family pictures were a little difficult.  The nurse offered to let us hold Olivia for them but with Ella there it was much easier to just leave her in her bed and crouch around her.  But we got 'em.  I will post some as soon as possible.

After we had to say goodbye to Ella again.  I really hate having to say goodbye and goodnight at the same time to both my girls.  It is pretty miserable.  Andrew just doesn't snuggle like they do :)

It was a tiring day but so sweet.  There's just so much to be grateful for every second of this experience.  As hard as it is being away from home and missing having a normal newborn experience I still feel so lucky to have this beautiful baby girl who is as healthy as she can possibly be in her condition.  

On a side note, Olivia's surgery is now scheduled for Monday morning with Dr. Kaza as the surgeon.  I have heard excellent things about him and when we met him yesterday I really liked him.  It helped that he said he would treat Olivia like she were his own.  

And more pictures will come soon.  I just didn't bring the upload cord in with me today.

Oh, and Olivia is really really really loving her milk now.  She will down her 10 cc's in a second flat and want more.  But, she's a sweetie and doesn't throw a fit when she doesn't get it.