This is what’s happening here @ noon time:

• Zeke is sleeping … kind of. All the cords and IVs have been removed from Zeke’s left hand, so he keeps wiggling about his crib, rubbing his eyes and nose with his now-free hand. His eyes are closed, but I’m not sure how much actual rest he is getting.
• Zeke’s left hand isn’t his thumb-sucking hand. But if he gets desperate enough for pacification, he’s certainly smart and resourceful enough to suck his left digit for the time being.
• Dr. Petty visited around 11 a.m. and reported that, medically speaking, Zeke is doing great.
• He said Zeke’s puffiness will probably get worse today, which seems to be the case, but should start improving by tomorrow.
• He is pleased with all of Zeke’s various tests, although he is still keeping options open for a possible blood transfusion. Zeke did lose a little blood during the surgery and his white blood cell count is a tad off. Dr. Petty’s fairly certain this will improve on its own, but he wanted to prepare me should a transfusion be necessary.
• I was able to breastfeed Zeke on my right breast around 10:45 a.m. After pumping the remaining of the right breast and comparing that to all that I got out of the left, I’d say he consumed about 4 oz. of milk — pretty darn good for a kid who just had major surgery. What a champ!
• Zeke’s temp, which had gotten up to about 101, is coming down steadily and registed at 99.9 degree during the last reading.
• In addition to his occasional screaming outbursts, Zeke is doing lots of grunting/whining under his breath. Personally, I think this is just his way of communicating as best as can be expected of a baby who was cut open 24 hours ago, and is currently sedated with anesthesia and morphine. I doubt I’d be cooing, making bird sounds and saying da-da if I was in his position.
• Zeke was awakened by a nurse a while ago, and became really wide-eyed and curious, checking out all the gadgets, beeps and blinking lights around his crib. He’s back to sleep now, but I certainly think that was a good sign of normalcy.
• I don’t know why the heck food services has been bringing “food,” since all Zeke has been okayed to eat is Pedialyte and breastmilk. But I sure am thankful, since two meals of juice, broth and jello are all the food I’ve had today. It’s amazing how good simple calories can taste when you’re as hungy as I am.

I just don’t want to leave Zeke long enough to go get some grub and coffee in the cafeteria. Granny is heading this way in a bit to relieve me of my duties here for a while. After inhaling the food and caffeine she is bringing me, I’m going home for a while to shower, spend some time with Stephen and the boys, and pick up a few more things for my future overnight stays at the hospital. Thank God for Granny, who is handling childcare at Clan Dillingham through early Monday, and Gramsey and Papa, who are taking over Houston and Gabriel duties early next week.

Milestone update: Up until yesterday, Houston had been calling both “brud-urs” Zeke. Well, Granny reports that Houston called Gabriel by his actual name yesterday. I guess it took Zeke being carted off for Houston to realize that, even though brothers look alike, that they are actually two separate people.

Mommy update: Nurse Krista has ordered me a breastfeeding tray, which should include some real food options!