Little Valerie

Valerie Anne was born over 3 months early, and 25 weeks and 3 days gestation.  She was 2 pounds and 12 inches and began her stay in the NICU before I woke up from my emergency c-section.

Today Valerie is 7 weeks old.  She has made lots of progress.  She has had a nasal cannula to help her breath all her life (which she hates), but is getting close to not needing it anymore.  She is now on room air, with just a little pressure.  She spent many weeks on a machine that helped her take breaths, but is now breathing all on her own, and has been for a couple weeks.

She has been getting breastmilk via a tube to her tummy (which she periodically pulls out), but should be able to start nursing soon.  Or at least trying to nurse.

She is doing really well maintaining her own temperature, and only gets a little heat in her incubator.  She started wearing clothes about a week and a half ago; she is certainly cute in her little outfits.

She is a sweet little baby, who sleeps most of the time.  She also protests if you disturb her rest, by changing her diaper or moving her around too much. She likes to be held by mommy and daddy, though (and they are the only ones who get to hold her until she leaves the NICU.)

Valerie is over three pounds now, and growing.  She needs to chub up, she is still very skinny.  She gets extra calories with her breastmilk to help her grow.  Growing is the best thing for her right now; the bigger she gets the better she will do.  

We love our little Valerie.