Hello All,

Claire is nearly 3 pounds 4 ounces and 15 3/4" long.  She is up to 16 cc for her gavage feedings and is doing well with minimal residuals!!  She is wearing clothes now so we have brought her preemie onesies to the hospital so that she can wear them before she outgrows her preemie wardrobe.  If she continues to do well, there is a possibility that she will be able to come home for Thanksgiving.  It is more likely that she will be ready to come home the first week of December. 

The IV may come out by the end of the week if Claire continues to tolerate increasing volumes with her feedings.  This will be a huge milestone for our daughter.  The current focus is for transition to oral feedings.  She isn't too interested right now but we are confident that she will do well.  Claire has proven that she is a great fighter and a strong baby.     

Claire is good-tempered and only fusses if there is a reason.  We are providing cares now and she barely cries with diaper changes.  She has begun to open her eyes more frequently and she is so cute as she tries to focus on our faces.  Claire continues to do her job of sleeping and growing.  We are so happy with her progress and are able to hold her more frequently now.  I am visiting twice daily now and am able to spend more 1:1 time handling Claire.

We are going to visit again this evening and I will update you soon.  Thank you all for your support.

xo,
Denise & Alan