Update

I don't have any pictures to put up but I wanted to give an update. We thought Claire might be coming home soon but she started having some problems last night. She had some episodes of Apnea, where she stopped breathing, and hasn't done well keeping her temperature up. They are running blood work to see if she has an infection or what is going on. On top of this, I got really sick last night and can't see her for at least 24 hours. When it rains, it pours.

I am grateful for the nurses that care for our sweet girl. I would rather her be taken care of at the NICU, then to bring her home and have something terrible happen. Please keep her in your prayers and thoughts.

Home preparations

Claire continues her progress. Today they ran this test to make sure her vitals remain good while sitting in her car seat.

Update

Claire has been making great progress this past week. Almost too fast for us to document. It seems like every time we go in to see her she has made progress, even if we just left her for an hour to eat lunch. She is now in an open crib and maintaining her own temp very well. She has no IVs in. She is eating 4 times a day (the other feedings are through a feeding tube for the time being.) She is growing (as of last night she was 4 lbs 6 oz.) With any luck they will take the feeding tube out in the next couple of days and in a week she can come home. It will be so nice not to have to drive over to the hospital several times a day.

Claire is Eatting

So today Claire was given the chance to breast feed today, and she was able to do it twice. This morning she ate a lot, but she spit it all up shortly after (she just hadn't figured out how to swallow her food. She did it again this evening, but this time she held her food down. We are constantly amazed at how quickly she doing things on her own.

Attached is a video of us burping her and she is intrigued by the camera and is just tired.

more pics

Claire does not have all of these tubes anymore but I am behind on pics. The sunglasses from the previous blog were for her jaundice. She looked so cute. New pics coming soon.This was Malcolm playing in my hospital room!

pics of claire

Claire

Our little Claire is doing very well. She got off her oxygen completely tonight and looks so pretty without that tube in her nose. She finally went to the bathroom on her own which is a huge deal! We never thought we would be so happy to have our child poop! She continues to maintain or gain a little weight. She is more alert and can't wait to breastfeed. She isn't allowed yet but she roots on me and licks me when I hold her. Everyday we are impressed with her growth and can't wait for the day we will bring her home. We thank our Heavenly Father for this sweet girl and pray for her to continue to do well. Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts. We are posting a video from tonight. She was alert, looking at me and was just plain sweet.

Malcolm is doing well considering he is being bounced around to different babysitters. It is difficult to leave him in others care while we figure out our new crazy schedule. He understands he has a sister, but only Johnny and I and grandparents can see her while she is in the NICU. He has to wait until she comes home. I know he will be a wonderful big brother. Malcolm, mommy and daddy love you. You are being so patient and sweet during this difficult time. We are proud of you .Nothing warms our heart more than being near you and hearing your sweet voice and watching you play. We love you