2 Months

Our sweet Charlotte is two months old. 61 days to be exact. That is how long we have been in the NICU, counting grams, centimeters, milk intake, digestion residuals, temperature readings, caffeine dosages, air flow levels, etc, etc, etc. Don't even get me started on the monitor. The evil, evil, monitor. I wouldn't wish that much information on any new parent, it can be paralyzing. Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the science.

Outside of the science, I have learned (or have been reminded of) a thing or two during our time in NICU.

• Babies are incredibly resilient, much more so than parents.
• A baby's contented sigh or half smile can melt your heart and get you through the next day.
• Things can always be better and things can always be worse, one day at a time is the only way to get through both.
  
• Nurses make the world go 'round.
• I would rather have great nurses and average doctors over the reverse any day (side note: we have a great doctor).
  
• Family can hold you together, even when there is no glue in sight.
• True friends are hard to come by and Aaron and I are so lucky to be blessed with several.
  
• A great partner is worth more than a thousand helping hands, especially in stressful times.

Charlotte is nearing 6 pounds now and is still working on her three bottles. She is making good progress and I am sure she will be bumped to 4 bottles tomorrow. Occupational therapy will be by to feed her once tomorrow to see if there are any tricks to make things easier for her. These therapists are neonatal specialists, so they are the experts when it comes to teaching a preemie to take a bottle.

Things are moving right along, but keep the prayers coming anyway.

The many faces of Charlotte

I know, I know, it has been too long since the last update. Charlotte's public has made it perfectly clear that four days is entirely too long. So to make up for it, I present to you the many faces of Charlotte:

This is her, "What nap? You take a nap, I'm not tired" face.
This is her, "Get that out of my face and feed me" face.
This is her, "Ah, I love this place" face.
Little Miss is up to 2,495 grams or 5 pounds 8 ounces. She has moved back to three bottles a day and they have removed her cannula. Good news all around.

Taking a step back

Charlotte had a very big week. We started bottle feeding, they reduced her caffeine, and they reduced her air flow. She did so well during the first few bottle feeds that she moved very quickly to three bottles a day.

We now know we moved too quickly, because she has not been finishing any of the three bottles and has been very tired. It is a big work out for her. We talked to the doctor today and we all agreed that we should move her back to 2 bottles a day for now. She needs to be more efficient so she doesn't completely wear herself down. We will see how she does over the next several days and reevaluate then. She will get it eventually, but we still have some work to do to get to 8 bottles a day.

Grandma Mary has been very busy, this is her newest hat. BIG hit with the nurses.
Signing off with a wink and a smile from the little one,

5 pounds 1 ounce tonight!

We've got a regular fatty on our hands.

Charlotte's Stats

Things are changing quickly around here. Charlotte:
1. weighs 2,245 grams or 4 pounds 15 ounces. 23 grams from 5 pounds!
2. has moved up to three bottles a day.
3. has had her caffeine decreased by 5 mg. 10mg to go.
4. has her airflow at the lowest setting.

Now for some gratuitous cuteness.

Quick Update

Charlotte finished her bottle today. All 44ccs in less than 20 minutes. Dr. Wong gave an order to try a second bottle on the night shift, so two in 24 hours. She also had her airflow turned down today without any problems. Hopefully she will be off the cannula soon.

Big Day!

Sorry

We didn't get any caterpillar pictures today, because we were busy with THIS.....Charlotte got her first bottle today and she did really well. She finished 30 of her 44 ccs without any problems. We are so proud of her. It is going to take some time, but we are hopeful that it continues to go well and we can work right up to 8 bottles a day.

The weight gain continues. She now weighs 2,145 grams or 4 pounds 11.5 ounces.

All good news here, she will be home before we know it.