Jend I think I speak for us all here, we are here for Dave, Andrew, Winston and you. You are a true inspiration to us all, the strength and courage you have shown us all through this. Glad you are heading home with Little Andrew, he is so precious. Will be keeping you all in our prayers, I know this is hard. I am sure Abigail is safely in your Dad's arms where they both are watching over you all. God Bless!

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Jen - that was really beautiful! I know your dad was waiting for that little angel!!! The other night when we found out I sat in my bath thinking of you and Abigail, and I thought of my grandfather (he passed when I was 5) and thought about seeing him again and how Abigail was with her family too. Take comfort in that. (((((HUGS)))))

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Jen - We are all so proud of you and what you have done. Glad to hear your being discharged on day 81 and things are going well. Abigail will always be with you & in our hearts forever. Andrew is going to be fine and grow to be one strong boy and will never forget what his sister did for him to make it here. We love you.

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Jen ~ My eyes filled with tears when I saw him...he may be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I thought Karen's story about her grandmother's twin was wonderful and amazing too. And I'll certainly be thinking of you on the 3rd.

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BTW, I just printed his picture and showed him off around my office (hope that's okay!). He looks so good.

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LOL Steph - I did the same thing and I have him hanging on the board in my cube.

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http://rchiprean.abmp.com/index.html

Jend I will be praying for you as you go through making arrangements. How exciting to get out of there and when will Andrew go home?? I look forward to more pictures of him! Adorable as he is!!!

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I am home - sitting on my chair with my feet up. I definitely think I did too much today! It feels good to be home- but i would rather be here with my little guy - and I would feel even better if Andrew and Abigail were here with me ! it is just something Dave and I are going to have to get through - and I know we can do it together.

Dave finalized all the arrangements while I sat with Andrew this a.m. and early afternoon. I went back to my room (got a late checkout) pumped and waited for Dave. He and I then went and hung out with Andrew again. I got to hold him twice today. He even drank what i pumped out of a bottle - which normally they don't start doing until 34 weeks and he is only 32 weeks. He didn't drink it all but a little bit is better then nothing - and they don't want to push him. His nurse chased me out...she told me I needed to go home and get my rest - so she let me hold him around 4:00 but that was it - then I had to go home and rest. I am a bit sore ! It feels so good to be out!

I am getting used to breast pumping - it is not easy. It feels like there is still so much in there...but it is not coming out when I pump. I'll just keep at it. The lactation consultant told me that I couldn't wear my underwire bra because it was leaving a mark and would block my milk ducts - so I had to go braless - so lovely! Poor Dave is running out to pick up a few different bras for me so I have something!

Thank you all for the blinkies...I can see them now!!! You are all so sweet . Andrew, Dave and I are so lucky to have all of you thinking for us - as well as praying for Abigail.

They always tell parents of NICU babies to expect their baby to come home around their due date - but the doctor said - if he continues to make progress he may be able to come home as early as 35/36 weeks - which is only 4 weeks away. Today he is 34 weeks.

Thanks again everyone! Hope you are all well!!!

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Jen

Jen - we pray for you every day and will pray even more on 6/3 - that is so nice that she will be so close to you at church every week. Andrew is a perfect little guy!

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Jen, that's wonderful that he is feeding well -- he sounds like he will improve rapidly; I hope for him to be home with you soon. And I'm glad you are physically feeling okay and I'll bet that fresh air is fabulous.

Rest is good. It's also only been a few days -- lots of stress, not so much contact with him, try to relax physically as much as possible to pump. It may help or may not help to try to to it while you are there with him, depends on you. Worth a try.

I'm glad you've felt us lifting you up; you will continue to have so many thoughts and prayers over the next week and the coming times.



P.S. Glad you can see the blinkies. Tammy did a beautiful job on this new set!

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Jen, so glad you are home! I have found with pumping that the avent pump has these petal thing on the pump part that are very much like a baby nursing so it come out easier. The other thing you may want to do is have a glass of wine to relax you before you pump. Good luck! Pumping is hard work but Andrew will be very lucky to get anything you can give

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Jen Deep slow long breaths while pumping with eyes closed, soft music and think of Andrew the whole time. Worked for me. Takes a while to get in the zone. New moms tend to look at the pump and think why is this milk not coming out and it is hard for your milk to letdown. Plus it takes a few days for it to get going good. I am so PROUD of you for pumping. Keep up the good work mom. HOW IS WINSTON???? So Happy to see you I am sure! Did you kiss all over him???

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ME again...

The hospital social worker gave me the name of a site where we can update Andrew's information. I sent the link to family and friends so they can keep tabs on Andrew!

I wanted to share with all of you too!!

Go to thebabyStatus.com - Caring Communications and then enter the Username and Visitor Password shown below.


Visitor Password : whipples
Patient Name : David and Jen Whipple

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Jen

Jen-thanks for the link! A tip on pumping that helped me was to have a pic of Liv to look at. I always got more that way. That is so exciting that Andrew is already taking some of your milk! He is so handsome by the way!! Tons of prayers coming your way for a smooth transition back to "civilian" life.

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I tried the link, and maybe I'm a tard, but I couldn't get it.....it said I didn't have the right username/password....

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sorry -

Once you click on the link:

username is winston
password is whipples

Hopefully Andrew got all the brain cells i lost during pregnancy!

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Jen

Jen, thank you for sharing that website so we can stay updated on Andrew's progress. He is such a handsome little guy. The next time you go to the NICU ask them for a blanket he has been laying on and hold it next to you when you pump. The smell of him will help your milk come down. I would love to see more pictures when you get a chance!

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