Gabriella Faith

Gabriella has officially doubled her birth weight (920g) and we are counting up to 5lb. The RN mentioned that they are scoring her for feeding cues and would possibly try oral feeding in around 2 weeks. We are feeling thankful that she is fighting so hard and thriving. She is still breathing on her own with a smidge of O2 blowing into the isolette. I know she is supposed to grow out of her apnea moments, but I took a guess and bought the owlet sock monitor while it was on sale for when she gets home. They have been able to wean the caffeine and talked about weaning the prolacta supplement from the breastmilk coming through the NG tube. She is more and more like a recognizable baby when I hold her. I love to rest my chin on her soft head and see her sucking on the pacifier. She started cooing randomly on Aarons chest a few days after her cpap was off. Those little noises are so reassuring as she cannot communicate and to me, it means she is content.  I got a call from Akron the othe...

I have been soaking in the moments at home with Hannah and haven’t been able to share the celebrations for Gabriella today. We are playing Barbies, cooking and getting out a few Christmas things.  Happy 50 days (7weeks) little Gabriella Faith! I made a sign and painted my nails like confetti to celebrate her fight. She kicked off week 7 with kicking off her nasal cannula c-pap and killin it breathing on her own. Her lungs are still very immature and she is having moments of apnea or holding her breath. Those dips in stats are still just as scary as the first. They are increasing caffeine again to see if that helps before they would put oxygen in the isolette or put her back on nasal cannula. We are so thankful she is growing, increasing tube feeds and is on her way to 4lb.  A few thoughts from earlier last week:  And just like that, I have been living the NICU life for almost 50 days. I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m still scared when I hold her and ou...

Since I posted last, Gabriella has made it over 3lb, is taking 27ml of breastmilk per tube feeding, has been taken fully off of vent settings and is on nasal cannula c-pap only. The doctor this week has been explaining that little to no change is a good sign at this point and I should be proud of the breastmilk because that is what is helping her do so well. I am still amazed by her tiny body having incredible strength and endurance. It is truly a testimony of the miracle of life as well as one of resilience.  I always wonder how much to share. I don’t like to talk much (when I do, I forget how to talk or remember what I want to say after it’s too late) so when I write, everything I’m thinking comes out and I am lengthy. I know this is my private life, but I also like the idea that it is documented. That other mommas know they are not alone and I hope that Gabriella gets to read someday about how much we care. We have been continuing the every other day shuffle and I thi...