2 more tries and no luck

Let me start first with the good news - God is answering prayers.  I took Rachel back to the doctor's office this afternoon and our sweet girl has gained 6 ounces in 2 days!  Yes, you read that right - 6 ounces!  The nurse was so excited that she called our pediatrician out to the hall where the scale is to hear the good news.  Of course they were cautiously excited, but I was overjoyed.  As much as it hurts me to say it, I think I just haven't been producing enough milk for her.  And, she's just been a little too content to take whatever I've been giving her.  She hasn't been waking up hungry, she hasn't been the least bit fussy or anything. 

Now to the bad part of our day.  As I said last night, the nurse at our doctor's office was not successful after tries in both arms at drawing Rachel's blood.  So, I talked to doctor's office early this afternoon, and they had faxed orders over to Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth to have her blood drawn and labs done there.  We've been there a couple of times for Ethan's asthma attacks, and we love this hospital.  I certainly didn't want to take her, but if we had to go, this was the place to go.  So, when the tech calls us back I tell her about our experiences Monday and Tuesday, and she very confidently tells me not to worry because she's great on babies and we won't have any problems.  Lots of tears later (from Rachel and Mom) and after sticks in both arms and digging to try and find a vein, the tech says she just can't do it.  Still no blood to do the labwork on.  The tech said we could come back tomorrow to try again, and I promptly said that we would not be back.  We are supposed to be going to Arlington Memorial Hospital tomorrow at 11:30 to have her blood gas done, but I've put a call in to the pediatrician's office saying we won't be going to that either.  I think Rachel has been through enough for this week, and her little bruised arms need a rest.  But the bright side is that she is obviously gaining weight, and we're going to start mixing some formula into her bottles tomorrow to keep her eating 30 ounces a day (she's emptied my freezer supply!). 

We are feeling discouraged about the bloodwork, but very encouraged about her being able to put some ounces on.  We'll talk to the doctor again tomorrow to see what our next steps are.  We have cancelled our trip to Raleigh to visit my brother, SIL and nieces, and we're pretty down about that.  But, we also know it was the right thing to do until we get all of this figured out.  Thank you, all, for your prayers and sweet comments, and we'll just keep on keeping you posted. 

(We're going to try and do something super fun tomorrow as a family, so hopefully I'll have some pictures to post then.)