I was a little flustered when I got to Blythedale after getting lost and it being such a hot day, so when I walked in to see Piper getting freshly cleaned off and suctioned after a massive vomiting episode, the flustering was even worse. Then the nurse told me I had to put on a gown if I wanted to touch/hold Piper. That was just too much salt for my wounds and my tear ducts decided to have a parade all over my face. In my head I was thinking "stop crying, freak!" but I couldn't. Thankfully the nurse was really nice and didn't make me feel embarrassed about it. The reason for the gown and gloves, is that Piper is on contact isolation because of a harmless bacteria that she tested positive for several months ago. Sometimes they dont make us gown up, but at blythedale they always do. It is just the stupidest thing in the world to have to wear latex gloves to touch your child. I do a pretty good job of making the best of Piper's situation, but when I have to treat her like a scientific specimen experiment instead of a rolly polly, giggling and cuddley baby, I'm prob going to freak out (tears).

Although that intro sounds really negative, I had an awesome visit with her. I think once I calmed down from my drive and she calmed down from vomiting, we were just thrilled to see eachother. The nurse even said I could skip on the gloves today if I promised to wash my hands really good before leaving (i didn't, muhahahaha) which was really nice of her. So, piper and I just played away. We read some books, watched some sesame street dvds, practiced kicking, I tried to teach her how to clap again (still nothing), we rocked and that's about it. I signed Jake and myself up for CPR training in a few weeks and after that, all we have to do is get her off contact isolation and we can take her out of her room! She is still doing great on the portable vent and they even got her one of those hospital strollers that are special for vent babies.

I just feel mass amounts of joy on days like this. She was good the rest of the day without any desating or anything. It's actually nice to have my suspicions confirmed by the nurses who haven't seen piper in 7 months that she is a very different and much stronger baby than her last stay there. The nurse today told me that nurses have gotten in arguments about who gets to watch piper for the shift and said that she is the most popular baby in the unit. Not to brag, but all three hospitals she has been to have told me that. Which is more confirming that Piper is the cutest monkey-frog ever. If you dont believe me, see below. the end.