Bottle Feeding

Good morning! Audrey is 4lbs 3oz. She's finally fitting into preemie clothes. Her tiny clothes were still a bit big until recently. The hat in the photo was huge just last month. I'm so proud of her growth.

The big obstacle now is bottle feeding. She's been practicing drinking from a bottle with a speech and occupational therapist. Last week, she had major choking episodes while drinking. Her heart rate would drop and she would begin to turn color. Now, Audrey is taking at least half her feedings with hardly any trouble. She had a mild case of reflux, but with medicine and a milk thickener, she seems to be doing so much better. We will keep practicing with her and hopefully she'll soon take a full feeding with no trouble.

4lbs!!!!!!!

Hello everyone! Audrey reached 4lbs last night. She's gaining wait faster these days and we hope we can finally start to put some clothes on her. We were able to give her a tub bath last night, as opposed to a sponge bath. Her eyes became very wide when I sat her down in the water and she kept looking all around. After her bath, she fell asleep and was too tired to drink from her bottle.

We are hoping the next step is having her sleep in an open crib. She's currently in a warm little incubator.

Almost 4lbs

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! It was nice to take some time with family and break away from the hospital just for a little while. Audrey had a great first Thanksgiving and gained a ton of weight.

As of last night, Audrey weighed 3lbs 12oz! She's gained 12 ounces in 9 days. She is taking a full feeding from her bottle. Her little personality is starting to come through and she becomes frustrated if she's in her incubator for a long while. Last night, her daddy held her for about two hours and she loved it.

The hospital says it may be one more month, but we will be pleasantly surprised if it's sooner. I really hope we have her home in time for Christmas.

Thank God For Nurses

Good morning, everyone! Audrey is doing very well this week. She weighs 3lbs 6oz and is about 15 1/2in. long.

Audrey had quite a few visits yesterday from some of her favorite nurses. I have to say, again, NICU nurses are very special. They not only care for sick babies, but they are a comfort to parents as well. They have become instant friends and people I can look to for guidance. They have comforted me through the roughest times in the last few months and have been there to share in the joys of Audrey's progress. They have sat with me when I needed to cry, motivated me when I was exhausted, and made me laugh when I needed it most. When we leave the NICU, hopefully in the near future, a part of me will be so sad to leave these wonderful people.

Audrey will always know how much these nurses and doctor's cared for her day after day, month after month.

Thank you again...for everything!

3lbs!!!

Finally! Audrey reached 3lbs! I was so happy when I saw her new weight written on her dry erase board. I think 2lbs are all in her cheeks, but I'll take it.

Thank you all again for all of your thought and prayers. It's obviously worked wonders.

Good morning! Audrey is having a good week so far. She's eating more, and weighing 2lbs 15.7oz. She's working with an occupational therapist and speech therapist trying to stregthen her muscles.

Her bottle feeding has improved, although there is room for improvement. She's more alert and starting to like her pacifier more and more. Crossing our fingers she'll hit the 3lb mark tonight.

Chunky Monkey

Good morning! Audrey is creeping at 3lbs. She's right around the corner at about 2lbs 14oz. She's developed some rolls in her arms and legs and her double chin is pretty obvious. I have never been so excited to see a double chin. Cesar and I have nicknamed her "chunky monkey."

Audrey is continuing to practice breast feeding. She's trying to understand how to swallow and breath at the same time. It's a huge task for her, but she's getting better. After we practice she gets so tired and falls right to sleep.

We are crossing our fingers hoping to get some type of time frame on when we can bring her home. Until then, we will wait patiently and continue to watch her grow.