Fussiness

While I wouldn't classify Nora as a "colicky" baby, we have definitely entered a new stage of her growth...a very very very fussy stage. Shortly after hitting the 2 month mark (or zero, when talking about her development), she changed from a very mellow baby that only cried when wet or hungry (and stopped as soon as the need was met), to a fussy gassy little girl that screams for what seems like hours. I am not sure how the parents with truely colicky babies survive. It is so painfully to hear her cry and not be able to do anything to fix it!

Phil and I are starting to figure out how to deal with this new behavior and what causes it, but it is trying nonetheless. Consequently, our sleep has become even more erratic and our house even more of a disaster. I suppose just another bump in the road of parenthood! We can't wait to climb over this one and take on the next, hopefully it will involve a little less crying!

Shots suck!

Today Nora had her 2 month shots including the Synagis vaccine for RSV. She did not love being stuck with 4 different needles, but Mom is glad to know she is on track with her vaccinations. No major preventable illnesses in this house!

To get the dosage right for our tiny little girl, they had to weigh her, and I am happy to report she is up to 5lbs 9oz!! That is 8 oz up from last week-she is packing on the weight!

Things here in the Ambrose household are going good- we are looking forward to a visit from Grandpa and Grandma Reale and Auntie Kathy this weekend.

Over 5 POUNDS!!!!

Yesterday Nora had her 2 month check up, and she weighed in at 5 lbs 1oz and is now 17 inches long! We are so excited that our little girl is growing to "regular baby" size and will soon be in "regular baby" clothes :) As far as everything else, we are all doing good- still working on ways to get more sleep at night. Of course that probably won't resolve for at least a couple months when we don't have to wake her to eat anymore.

In other family news, this Friday Phil will be promoted to Captain! He technically already holds the rank, but we have simply been too busy to do the ceremony. I will post pics on in our family album this weekend.

Growing, growing, gone!

I am so very proud to announce Nora has outgrown her first outfit! Now to many parents this many not seem like much of a milestone, as kids tend to outgrown things faster than we go through toilet paper, but let me assure you, to the parents of a preemie outgrowing something is a HUGE milestone! With "preemie" sized clothing practically falling off her tiny body just a couple weeks ago, getting to pack away a tiny outfit because it doesn't fit is very exciting!

We went to our first check up on Tuesday, and I am happy to report everything is good! She gained 80 grams-slightly less then the docs would hope, however we have another check up next week. Hopefully, she makes up for the lack of weight gain between now and then. Considering the amount she is eating, I will be surprised if she doesn't gain a bunch :)

Phil and I are still slowly adjusting-do you ever get used to this schedule? We, of course, struggle with the lack of sleep, but we are finally figuring out how to get all the "must do" chores done in between feeding the Hungry Monster. All in all life at home is even better than we had hoped.

and a baby makes three!

Nora is finally home! We got all packed up and out of the hospital yesterday afternoon. I can't even describe how much of a relief it was to get out of the hospital. Now we are just trying to adjust to a whole new schedule and setting.

Hugs to all! thank you so much for all your thoughts, prayer, cards, and well wishes! We made it out of the hospital, now Phil and I just have to survive the next 25+ years! :)

In the hospital again!

Yes, I am in the hospital again, but not sick this time. Last Thursday I started "boarding" at the hospital in preparation for Nora's homecoming. The doctors, at that time, expected her to be home by Sunday. Well, here it is Tuesday and both of us are still here!

Nora has gained sufficient weight (she is up to 2000 grams/4 lbs 6oz), so now we are just waiting for her to complete her 5 day incident free watch. If she is able to go incident free for 5 full days, she gets to come home!

Phil and I are holding up pretty well. We are slowly adjusting to the limited sleep that new parents get. Phil has been at home on his own since I moved into the hospital, and we are anxiously awaiting when the whole family will be together. He is incredibly busy at work, so he has plenty to keep his mind busy from worrying.

I am doing much better now that Nora and I are at least in the same building. I now have a place to rest inbetween her feedings and am able to nurse for all or almost all her feedings each day. Cutting out the commute from home has made life much less stressful. I can't imagine how much easier things will be when we get to sleep in the same room!

Up 1 pound!

As of today, Nora is 3lbs 10oz-exactly 1 pound more than when she was born. It took 3 and 1/2 weeks to gain it, but she did it! And it looks like lots more weight is on the way. The doctors are slowly weaning her off the oxygen, and she is currently maintaining her own body temp. We started breastfeeding last week and are up to 2 times a day. As she gets stronger they will increase the number of times I feed her. The rest of her feeds are still through a tube. As Nora and I become more confident and better at breastfeeding the doctors will introduce a bottle for the times that I can't be there.

Phil and I are hanging on...As we get to participate in her care more, we get less and less time to sleep, eat, and get things done around the house. However, from what I hear running on little sleep is pretty normal for new parents. Each time there is a new development with Nora, it means a schedule change for us-surprisingly we have adapted pretty well! But now matter how well we adapt, we simply can't wait for the day when feeding her means a trip to her crib, not a trip to the hospital.