1. The nurse just came to the room to collect my most recent supply of pumped breast milk. She looked at me with bright eyes and said, "You've got sooooooo much breast milk in the freezer. 51 bottles. Well, 54 now. Good job, mama."
And those words will carry me through many more days of pumping. I was starting to worry about my supply . . . I'll let that worry go, as we have plenty stored up here . . . and I have quite the stockpile at home also.
I'm so grateful to all the people who've helped me maintain that supply. The lactation cookies, the mother's milk tea and herbal supplements, the healthy snacks and meals that are being delivered and mailed to us. Kyle, for making sure I rest when I can. Shoot, today I'd sing praises to the engineers at medela.
2. "That's what you do for family."
As we've been on this journey we've had multigenerational support. Everett's been in the care of grandparents since the beginning of this experience, and he will continue to receive outstanding care from some of the people that love him best. And, wow. Even in our, ahem, mid-30s, sometimes all you need is a big old hug from your mama and daddy. Grandparents are special. Aunties and uncles are special. Great grandparents are special.
Special shout out here to my sister, as I can send her disorganized text messages and she can turn them in to an eloquent update for this journal. And, it's her birthday today. #LoveWins. Happy birthday, sis.
#FinnStrong
#Farrell-Mattox Strong
3. Sustenance
Today we received some of the most beautiful gifts of food. Some USMC friends make a delivery of snacks and meals to me at the hospital. And this stuff is good. Corn dip and fritos . . . fresh fruit . . . delicious oatmeal . . . veggies . . . hummus . . . cheese . . . crackers. PICU diet back in full force. They even threw in a couple "Hungry Man" type freezer meals for Kyle. :)
Another friend delivered a fridge and freezer full of homecooked plant based preschooler friendly meals. I hope y'all had a good laugh with that one! We are so thankful for ready made food that will nourish our bodies through this continued battle.
4. Denali.
This journey has been full of peaks and valleys. That is an understandment. We enjoyed some beautiful peaks yesterday. But, today we are in a valley. Sometimes, recovery in the ICU is hour by hour. The medical team keeps saying, "kids show you a lot about their personality in times like this."
We know that Finn will be a fighter. We know that Finn will chart his own course. A couple of friends sent me inspiration today that helped while I sat in wait at my baby's bedside.
My sister sent a tweet "FIGHT LIKE HELL . . . . And when you get too tired to fight, then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you. - Stuart Scott" Finn got tired. We are all fighting on our own front, in our own way.
Another friend reminded me that Finn seems to have a good day, a not so good day, then a great day.
And, finally, the cha cha. The dance we call life. I actually saw Finn performing a little Irish jig after I read this one.
5. The Luck of the Irish
You may not have realized this, but Finn's name is Irish. Sort of.
Inspired by the Irish folklore hero Finn McCool. And my family of origin.
Today we received a package from the moutains that was filled with Irish blessings. Matching t-shirts for Finn and Everett. Tokens for Kyle and I to keep in our pockets and grasp when we need strength. And a big, beautiful green fleece blanket covered in shamrocks.
We spend a lot of time singing to Finn, and one of our favorites lullabies is called Too Rah Lou Rah Lou Rah and it's an Irish lullaby. Give it a listen.
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