My first few days were a little rough. I was 31 days early so my lungs weren't quite developed yet. But, Mommy and Daddy had me sent to Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis for vacation. Here at Cardinal Glennon, a whole bunch of nice nurses are taking really good care of me and I know that I will get to go home soon to meet my two sisters, Spanky and Darla and my little brother, Stymie.

While I am in the hospital, Mommy and Daddy are trying to take pictures of me every day or every other day so everyone can see just how big I am getting.

May 24 - Well, today was the day where I made my big debut. Mommy got up to go to the bathroom at 5 AM. All of the sudden, my swimming pool sprung a leak! Mommy and Daddy ran around the house like crazy packing the suitcase. Mommy said that she was planning on packing the bag this weekend. Guess I fooled her!

Anyhow, Mommy and Daddy went to Oliver Anderson Hospital. There, Mommy tried and tried to push me out, but, I had other plans. Why would I want to leave where I was? It was nice and warm, even if the pool wasn't working anymore. So, I tricked her! I keept getting stuck! But, Mommy had the last laugh. She had Doctor Hurford (he is such a nice man) pull me out through her tummy.

Boy, was it cold! I did pretty good for a while. Then, I had trouble breathing. So, Mommy and Daddy sent me to Cardinal Glennon to get better.

I got to go for my very first car ride. This car had lights and sirens and everything. Once I got to Cardinal Glennon, my blood pressure started to drop. I wasn't feeling very good at all. They put all kind of tubes in me. One was in my mouth, one was in my hand and one was in my belly button. Well, that is enough for today. I am really tired.

May 25 - I got to meet a really nice man today. He said his name was Daddy. He has gentle hands and kept talking to me about Mommy. He seemed awful sad. I hope it wasn't anything I said.

My nurse today is Theresa. She is really nice, but she had to put me on more medication. She said it would make me feel better. I sure hope so!

I got to meet two of my grandparents today, Grandma and Grandpa Take. Someone told me that I had five grandparents. I am really lucky, I guess. The grandparents were really nice. They seemed to feel better once they saw me.

May 26 - I got to meet Mommy today! She sure looked tired. Guess she has had a rough couple of days. I am pretty much holding my own now. They still have me on blood pressure medication and this tube is STILL down my throat.

My nurse today is Jennifer. She is VERY nice. She seems to have really calmed Mommy down. I still don't feel good. All I feel like doing is sleeping.

I got to meet two of my other grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Meyers and my uncle Rocky today. They seem pretty nice. Wonder if they have given any thought as to what they are going to get me for Christmas?

May 27 - WOOHOO!!! They took off that ventilator today. And, I got to meet my Grandma Hinton. She told me about my Grandpa Hinton. She said something about heaven and angels. I don't know what that all meant, except she said that I would have really liked him.

It sure feels good to be off that ventilator. Mommy and Daddy said something about turning a corner...got me. But, I have gotten to play with my toy Eyeore. I sure like him, but he isn't as much fun as TI-Double G-Errrr!

May 28 - I have waited and waited for this day. I finally got to cuddle with my mommy and daddy. Even my Grandma Hinton got to cuddle with me. Boy, were they lucky I was in a cuddling mood. They just didn't seem like they could put me down.

May 29 - Today was a big day for me. They are actually giving me real food. They stuck some old tube down my throat, but I am getting pretty used to that. But, finally, my tummy isn't feeling so empty. Pretty soon, I'll be home eating Mommy's cooking, which Daddy said isn't too hot, anyhow. 

May 30 - You guys!! I am SOOOOO excited!!! Today was a RED letter day for me!!! I got to take my first bottle!!! Mommy gave it to me, even! It felt so good to be in Mommy's arms and get food in my tummy at the same time. And, my Grandma and Grandpa Meyers and my Uncle Rocky came for a visit. Grandma got to hold me, even. I have Grandpa under my thumb. Just wait 'til I get home!

I got that old CPAP out of my nose today and I am breathing room air. They say that once I can regulate my body heat on my own, breathe room air consistently and eat good, I get to go home. And, today, Mommy and Daddy brought up clothes for me to wear. I already messed up one shirt. Poor Mommy...she'll be doing laundry all night.

Oh, and get this...Daddy got to change a dirty diaper. Daddy said that mommy always sticks him with the spit jobs. I am not sure, but I don't think that was spit Daddy was cleaning up. Maybe I misunderstood what Daddy said.

And, I know I heard this one right! Mommy was talking to my doctor, Dr. Singh (she is a really nice and beautiful lady) and I heard Doctor Singh tell Mommy that in a few days, I might get to come home. I am so excited. Mommy and Daddy have been telling me about my sisters and brother. Just one question, what is a cat?

Oh, well, tomorrow is another day!! I hope it is one more day closer to going home, where ever that is!

May 31 - Well, I had some good news and some bad news today. The bad news is, I am not doing quite as good on my eating as I should be. I even threw up my 3 PM feeding. But, I have managed to keep down the next three feedings. I just HATE hospital food. Also, I am jaundiced again. They might have to put me back under those bright lights again. I don't mind it so much. Who wants to look as orange as a carrot?

OK, now for the good news. I got that nasal canula out today AND I got the IV line and the belly button line out. Now, the only wires I have hooked to me are an oxygen saturation monitor and a feeding tube up my nose. They are even talking about transferring me out of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Daddy got to feed me today. I opened my eyes and watched him. He really is handsome. There is no wonder why Mommy loves him so much. Well, I am tired so I had better go.

June 1 - I am feeling pretty darn good today. I had a really good nurse, Karen. Pat was there too and I really like her. I am going to miss those gals whenI get to go home. I am eating and keeping it all down. Today, I even took my entire 3 PM feeding through a bottle. I didn't do that good when Mommy tried to feed me. She'll get the hang of it soon. I have faith.

Mommy got to change her first loaded diaper today. It was so funny, you guys! Everytime she touched my little butt with the wet wipe, I just kept pumping out more of the #2 stuff. Everyone must have thought it was funny because everyone was laughing really hard (OK, everyone but Mommy). So, while I had a captive audience, I really showed off. It took Mommy three diapers to finally get a clean one put on me. It is a good thing she loves me! Anyone else would have been mad!

June 1 - Mommy's note - Emmy got a new doctor today. He seemed pretty nice. He said that he thinks we will be taking Emmy home within the week. Now, here is the best part. Duane and I FINALLY got to see her eyes wide open!!! We were getting ready to leave (visiting hours were over) and we were both on one side of the bed giving her goodbye kisses. All of the sudden, her eyes sprung wide open and she flung her arms at us as if she was asking us to pick her up. We didn't want to leave and the nurses didn't want to make us leave, but we had to. We pretty much floated home. It was nice to finally see her awake and alert after 8 days. We know that we will be bringing her home soon. Keep those thoughts and prayers coming! Also, I didn't get a chance to update any pictures since 5/29. But look for new ones on Sunday. 

June 2 - I am feeling pretty good today. I am really eating. Mommy says I am eating like a pig. I guess that is good. What is a pig?

I've got a secret....I've got a secret. But, Mommy and Daddy said that I can't tell anyone yet. Check back in a day or two. Maybe they'll let me give you a hint.

June 3 - I'M HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! The doctors sent me home to stay with Mommy and Daddy. I sure miss my nurse, Theresa, but it is great to be home with my family. I met Spanky and Darla and Stymie. They seem pretty nice. Well, I am tired so I will have to get going. I'll have Mommy put up more pictures in the next few days.