April 1, 2014 - Day 22 - Exciting news - Evelyn drank from a bottle for the first time late last night! Although it was only a small volume, we're optimistic it means Evelyn can start transitioning away from tube feeding soon (a necessary step before she can come home). Unfortunately, the big event occurred while N was at the hospital alone, so it wasn't documented.
Aren't Evelyn's cheeks starting to fill out the tiniest amount?
March 31, 2014 - Day 21 - Evelyn turns 3 weeks old today! She had an uneventful day after saying goodbye to one of her little neighbors. Although Evelyn continues to sleep most of the day, she is awake for longer periods at a time and increasingly alert. Evelyn is enjoying establishing a bedtime routine which involves having Goodnight Moon, a present from Oma, read to her.
March 30, 2014 - Day 20 - Evelyn cried tears for the first time today as she was having her feeding tube changed. Changing the tube isn't painful, but she detests having the tape removed from her cheeks. She gained weight again and is now 3lbs 12oz. We bought her car seat and stroller this weekend and are officially ready for her to come home (although she won't for weeks, it is nice to know we're prepared in terms of baby accessories).
March 29, 2014 - Day 19 - Another day, another outfit for Evelyn. The NICU provides the babies with clothes, but we are in the process of washing everything Evelyn received so she can wear her own outfits. Another baby went home from our hallway today. We are getting to know Evelyn's new neighbors, and they are just as nice as our old ones. Evelyn proved again today that everything is definitely working in the diaper department (followed quickly by getting a new and clean isolette). Evelyn loves the weekends and all the visitors she receives. She gained weight last night again, and we have everything crossed for tonight!
March 28, 2014 - Day 18 - Although it may be difficult to tell from the pictures, Evelyn's hair is really growing and her eyelashes are coming in! Our sweet nurse, Kelly, picked out Evelyn's outfits today - we're loving seeing her in clothes (even if she is swimming in the preemie size). I've finally mastered a swaddle that Evelyn can't break out of, which was quite a feat as she loves to squirm and kick. The doctors are planning on increasing Evelyn's feeding volume again tomorrow to help her gain more weight - look out 4lbs, we're coming for you!
March 27, 2014 - Day 17 - Evelyn wore clothes for the first time today! The next step on the horizon is moving from her isolette to a crib. The nurses are also encouraging us to hold her as much as possible which we are loving, especially because we were only allowed to hold her for 2 hours once a day until this point. We're hopeful that she will begin to take a bottle in the next week and a half (but we are frequently warned that every baby moves at their own pace). Another baby on our new hallway is going home this week - it is so amazing to hear about babies on their way home from the NICU!
Today marks the one year anniversary of Pop's passing. We are thinking of him, remembering all the fantastic times we had together and feeling grateful for everything he taught us.
March 26, 2014 - Day 16 - Evelyn is settling in well to her new room - she has a window, and we're loving the sunshine. She gained some weight, and we discussed her starting to wear clothes! She continues to squirm around and is showing signs that she is getting ready to take a bottle.
March 25, 2014 - Day 15 - Evelyn moved to a new room today with a view of Lake Michigan! Her room is in the area of the NICU where babies transition as they continue to improve. Although Evelyn is still in an isolette, her new roommates are all in cribs! We are looking forward to meeting Evelyn's new neighbors.
March 23, 2014 - Day 13 - We were sorry to have so many of our visitors leave today but feel fortunate Evelyn got to spend so much time with family this weekend. Oma has generously offered to stay in Chicago for a couple of months to help, and I'm not sure whether Evelyn or Oma will enjoy it more! Evelyn didn't gain any weight today, but she is still above her birth weight. She loves her kangaroo time and receiving "hand hugs". Evelyn also continues to enjoy stretching and squirming about.
