Two Months 3/6/13
Melissa
Today is Hattie's two month birthday. What a wonderfully crazy two months it's been! As first time parents this journey has been "normal" for us because we have nothing to compare it to. Our time in the NICU has been smoother than most, but it's been our journey, and it's still been terribly hard for us. We are completely blessed and we know we have a prize at the end of all of this. We will get to be home together as a family soon! (Hopefully before Hattie's three month birthday.)
One month ago Hattie still lived in an incubator. Today Hattie lives in her bassinet and gets to wear clothes.
One month ago she was eating 25 cc every three hours. Now she's eating 40 cc every three hours!
One month ago Hattie hit three pounds (1,369 grams). Today she weighs 2,202 grams or 4 pounds, 13.67 ounces. She has gained over 800 grams in the last month and three whole pounds since she was born!
One month ago we just started nuzzling. Now Hattie is taking full feeds from a bottle and doing ok with breast feeding.
What a difference a month makes. God is so, so good!
Hattie took her whole bottle at 7:30 a.m. and was fed through her tube at 10:30 a.m. I nursed her at 1:30 p.m. She ate 10 cc and received the rest through her tube while we were kangarooing. My dear friend Katie came to visit this afternoon. We had so much fun; we talked a lot of girl talk and Hattie was entertaining us with all the silly noises she makes.
Hattie was a little cranky for her two month photo shoot. We thought her grumpiness was because she was so hungry but when it was time to eat she only took half of her bottle. We took a family nap while Chris and Hattie were kangarooing tonight. Nurse Jen told us later that when she came in to check on Hattie all three of us were sleeping with our mouths hanging open. You think we'd be embarrassed but we don't care–we're tired! Chris fed Hattie a bottle at 10:30 p.m. and she ate 33 cc.
I was invited to attend the kick off meeting for the upcoming 15th annual Miracle Miles 5K and 15K event in September. Miracle Miles is the NICU's single largest fundraiser providing financial support for the NICU and the expansion project. The meeting today was full of leaders from the hospital and foundation, community partners and NICU parents. Dr. Alexander leads the charge and gave me a very nice introduction. I'm looking forward to serving on the committee and helping raise money for the NICU that holds such a special place in my heart. Dr. Alexander and this NICU saved Hattie's life and changed mine for the better. I will do everything I can to give back to this place.
