Guess Who Came to Visit Morgan!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011  10:30 pm

Morgan just keeps on impressing her Proud Poppa!  She continues to improve and we are so thankful.  As I listen to Dean Martin singing Christmas songs to me, I truly understand that this is the absolute best Christmas I'll ever have.  Of course it's not because I believe Dino sings, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" better than anyone has ever tried...it's because of my sweet, precious gift, Morgan!  I have finally been able to open my Christmas present early without my mother's eyes rolling and being disappointed I found "the stash."

Sweet Morgan continues to take a few meals, per day, from a bottle.  This is very encouraging since it is the last major hurdle in front of her before she is able to come home.  The better she feeds, the bigger she grows...today, she is 4 lbs 8 oz!  While her weight and ability to take a bottle carry an homogeneous relationship, there is much more focus on her taking a bottle, for so many reasons.  We are thankful for her progress. 

Further, on the up-slope, Morgan moved back to the regular-flow nasal cannula today.  While she has been reliant upon the high-flow nasal cannula, she would still be able to come home and meet her pooch, Wagg, if she can sustain the "regular-flow."  Of course, it is much more preferable if Morgan comes home without having to rely upon oxygen, but the switch back to the regular-flow nasal cannula is another big step toward her "furry, anxious friend." 

All of that said, Morgan is simply improving on a daily basis.  We are so proud of her progress and how she continues to amaze us with her endurance and will.  I have never seen such a bundle of fire in a package as small as this one.  Of course that is a blanket statement, from me (who appreciates the detriment of such statements and the simplicity of Hemingway), but it is absolutely the truth.  She's a tough little booger that just won't quit.  I have so much admiration for this child. 

On the heels of my bragging, I will, now, unfurl the curtain in front of the mysterious visitor...I will provide three hints:  1) HO!, 2) HO!, and 3) HO!  You got it!  Ol' Saint Nick paid a visit to Morgan today!  We had an inclination that he may drop by for a visit, so she had a bath this morning and her sweet grandmother, Augusta, found the most adorable outfit for their first introduction.  Further, since Morgan can't write her own "wish list" to Santa Claus, we recruited a precious, sassy, 5 yr. old angel to help her write it out.  Morgan's first list to Santa included:

          1 Dandle-roo (a swaddling device), 1 Moma-roo (the amazing swing we continue to
          reference) 1,000,000 pacifiers, 1 new blanket and 1 TRIP HOME! 

The list was appropriate and very well hand-written...

As Morgan and her mother shared a moment, look who snuck in, quietly:

After the introduction, our Morgan wasted no time to have him take a quick glance at her precious list (we told you that she knows what she wants, when she wants it!):

We tried to explain what all was happening, so we stuffed her in a stocking to help drive in the point, while she listened attentively:

She continued to listen, in amazement, about how this guy brings her gifts (but her daddy still gives better kisses!):

She finally giggled and let us know that she had grasped the idea and that she was "okay" with it:

Later, we convinced the princess to try and go to sleep with sugar plums dancing through her head:

Of course, this portion of our fun with Morgan is, simply, focusing on the lesser importance of Christmas, but it was fun to watch our daughter interact with what lies ahead.  She was so much fun and so cute. 

We thank you all for continuing to care for her and keeping her in your prayers.  We, also, couldn't be more thankful for the wonderful people that have devoted their skills to caring for our precious Morgan at UAB. 

We thank you all and we hope you all have a wonderful start to your holiday season. 

Seth and Elizabeth McCoin