"Big Brother" Colby holding Grady all by himself for the first time.

Michelle & Grady

This is how Reece & Colby slept Friday night.

Ok - so I missed a day blogging - Sorry - it's been a busy weekend. Regan, Michelle & Reece left Saturday afternoon after visiting Grady & then Ken and I had a banquet for his work all the way in Coshocton. We drove down for the banquet (took a little over 2 hours), picked up his mom, dad, sister & Colby & came back to RMH the same night. We played games until after midnight. Ken got up this morning & went over for Grady's 9:00 feed only to find that one of the nurses had thrown away the nipple for Grady's bottle (he uses a special one) and so the nurse wouldn't let him feed him. Ken wanted to try one of the other nipples, but she said no & put the feed thru his ng tube. Ken was pretty frustrated when he came back. We all went over for the 12:00 feed (I had a stock of the special nipples in my backpack) and Grady did pretty good - I think we had to put 7 mls. thru the ng. We got brave today and took Grady from his room to a little sitting area - we wheeled his monitor along & there were no other people there, so I was pretty comfortable with it. His room is so tiny & with Ken's family here, it was nicer to be able to sit in a bigger room on comfortable chairs. We were also able to watch tv & play games which made the time go fast. We stayed until his 3:00 feed - he took 60 mls (5 more than he has to take) which was great. I tucked him back in & we came back to RMH.

Ken, Colby & Ken's family left a little after 7:00 tonight. Colby & I were a mess this time. He didn't want to go & I didn't want him to go - we were both crying & it probably took 10-15 minutes from the time we first started saying goodbye to when Ken got him out the door. This whole thing has really taken a toll on all of us. I feel so bad for Colby - this has been really hard on him & I feel like I'm missing out on so much of his life! Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day emotionally!