Big Sister Day!

Ava got to hold her little sister today for the first time! She was SO sweet and gentle with her! She must have held her for 10 minutes. The first time I asked her if she was done holding her, she said "no, I want to hold her for longer." :) Cute, huh?! (For you people who are freaking out- (Ashley!), Ava was properly sanitized prior to holding her)!

Patrick was always very close, just in case. But Ava did very well and didn't move at all and did exactly what she was told to do...our little rule follower! :)
I couldn't just pick one or two pictures cause there were so many REEEEALY cute ones, so I picked several to share! Look at Ava's face looking at Bella. She loves her already. She will be a wonderful big sister.
Kisses from Ava- doesn't get much sweeter than that.
Another view! She spit up a little bit when Patrick was holding her, so I changed her clothes (which, by the way, is QUITE a challenge with all those leads and wires...not to mention her teeny size)! And when I got her all swaddled up, she was wide-eyed and so sweet. Just look at her...
Okay- a Bella update! Well, she's gaining good weight now- she gained 39 grams yesterday to bring her total weight up to 4lbs even!!! Almost at her birth weight which was 4lbs 1.3oz. She's been doing well with her eating with very few spit-ups. Her volume is where it should be for her weight now, which is great!! I introduced her to her first bottle attempt- which is great cause she's GOT to learn how to eat through her mouth for 8 feedings a day before she can go home. They only put 5cc (1 teaspoon) in the bottle, but she did pretty well. She spit out the first 1cc but took the rest like a champ. :) She's doing great in the crib, too. Her doctor said as long as things continue to go well, we could be looking at getting her home in the next 7-10 days. Now, having said that, there's really no way to predict that since it's all based on what he thinks Bella will do in the near future. Personally, I'd be surprised if it happens that early...trying NOT to get my hopes up. So, anyway, overall, she's pretty darn perfect. :)

One more picture of Ava! Here, we're going to visit Bella. She's been such a trooper and so wonderful during all this. One of the nurses gave her a preemie bottle to play with for her doll babies. Although, she likes to put water in there and drink from it herself. Regressing, perhaps? Who knows...but she's awfully cute! :)
So, don't judge, but I recently got a few episodes of Diego on my iPhone, and let me tell you, they are wonderful in a pinch! There's been so much going on since Bella's unexpected arrival and we spend LOTS of time in the hospital and the car (the hospital is 45 mins away with no traffic). So, every now and then I let her watch an episode on my phone. She gets a huge smile on her face when I give it to her. :) (Notice her shoes on her lap...she always asks if she can take her shoes off in the car...a true southern girl)!
And one more thing, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my nephew, Keegan, who turned 3 yesterday! We celebrated with some cake at Michee and Pop's house, but I didn't manage to take any pictures with my own camera...maybe I can snag some from my mom. I always love getting the kids together cause they have SUCH a great time together!! We love you, Keegan!!!