Is it even possible that we've been doing this for 15 days?! It doesn't seem like it, somehow. Then again, I can't even think about having to do this for several more weeks. I know the other day her doctor said 7-10 days, but today he said it'll probably be about 2 more weeks. So, that's 14(ish) more days...ugh. I'm still not cleared to drive, which is kinda a big, huge pain since I have to rely on others to get me to where I want to me. When Patrick drives me, which is almost every time, we've either got to bring Ava with us or have someone available to watch her. Thank GOODNESS for our family who have been so wonderful and willing to take Ava and help in any other way needed! Not sure what we'd do without them!
Bella is slowly, but steadily, improving all around. She's up to 4lbs 1.5oz. Apparently, there was some confusion about her birth weight- I said it was 4lbs 1.3oz, but it's actually 4lbs 1.7oz. So, she's almost back to her birth weight now! Yay!
Her breathing has been pretty good. She's gonna have the caffeine for a few more days. She's had a few episodes of bradycardia (decreased heart rate) in the past few days, which is typical of a preemie. She will eventually outgrow these episodes- definitely by the time she reaches her full gestation age (my original due date, September 22nd). Though, we're hoping a few more days on the caffeine will help to alleviate this problem.She took her first big feeding through a bottle today- she took 27cc (full feeding is 37cc)! She got the other 10cc through her feeding tube. This is good news! Once she takes a full feeding, then they'll start to attempt bottle feeding more often. The goal is to have her eat 8 full feedings completely by mouth. Then she'll be ready to go home...but not until then. I will continue to attempt nursing- she still gets a teeny bit of milk from me, but not much. I'll keep working at it. I just want her getting her full feedings for now (however that is)...I can work on how she gets that (nursing vrs. bottle) once I get her home and can work with her at every feeding. We probably have a challenging nursing road ahead, but I just want her home, first and foremost.
Grandpa Mike got to come by on his lunch break today for a quick visit with the little burrito! :) She was a VERY sleepy burrito today!
Everyone, please continue to pray for Bella's strength and continued improvement with her feedings. I want her home with her family. Thank you, thank you!
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