Hello,

Baby Claire now weighs 3 pounds 1 ounce!  We are so very happy that our daughter continues to do well.  She is getting 8cc feedings every 3 hours.  The feeds are being advanced slowly to allow her tummy to digest the breast milk.  She is being followed closely and hopefully she will continue to tolerate gradually larger feedings.  She remains in the isolette which allows her to continue to grow and put on weight.

Claire is now the senior member of the NICU ward :)  There are 10 babies currently receiving care which is keeping the staff busy.  I was able to hold Claire today again which was wonderful - for an hour!  She slept most of the time but cooed on occasion, became cranky when it was time to eat, and then mellowed again and was quite alert with eyes wide open after eating.  She is so incredibly cute - I can't wait until she can come home.   Alan called while I was visiting Claire and I placed him on speaker phone so that he could talk to her.  Claire recognized his voice and opened her eyes!

We learned that there is a car seat test that Claire will need to pass before she comes home.  It is likely that she will be less than 5 pounds when she is ready for discharge and the test is required for preemie or small babies.  Basically they will monitor her to make sure that she is in proper position which will allow for appropriate oxygenation.  It is an easy test - she just sits in the car seat with the pulse ox monitor in place for an hour.  We haven't reached this milestone but it is nice to know what is around the next corner.    

Claire, Alan, and I appreciate all of your support - thank you for checking in.  I will visit Claire again tomorrow and and will update you as to her progress.

Thanks again,

Denise & Alan