7/11/2012

(Ava's first outfit, 11 days old)

Ava is doing great. I was able to hold her twice today, once in her first swaddle and once skin to skin. I love their big cozy lounge chair, you can just kick back and fall asleep. The nurses always have good things to say about our little one. Babies in the NICU usually start to be introduced to nursing/bottle feeding around 33-34 weeks, because that's when they being to be able to suck, swallow and breath, instead of just suck and swallow. A few of the nurses have said that Ava shows signs of being on the earlier end since she loves her binkie (you can hear her sucking on it) and sucks her thumb/hand and will lick/try to chew you. The docs/nurses said that with a small cleft lip like Ava"s there is a good chance that it won't interfere with nursing but they will help with tip/tricks when the time comes. I also got to put on her first outfit today, so exciting! They have all sorts of cute little preemie outfits to pick from for while they are there. So glad that all of the NICU nurses seem to love babies. Jeff's parents wanted a sleepover with Cam so we were able to go out to dinner tonight, and I don't even know what it will be like to sleep in tomorrow before we head in to see Ava. Thank you all for your continues prayers and support. You are AMAZING!!! Thank you, Thlayla