Just a Spoonful.....

Greetings from Pensacola! Ricky and I did make it down here in time for the 8 -10 pm visitation last night. Due to a remodeling project in the NICU, we found Bella had been moved to a different section of the unit. She likes it better though because there are more friends her size in the new section. They are keeping her tiny bed all covered up to try to shield her from the noise and commotion of the construction. Bella was sleeping peacefully when I saw her. The nurses said she was probably worn out because they had just checked all of her vitals and this made her very angry. She does not like to have her temperature taken. Lori actually got to take her temperature and help change her diaper yesterday. I will agree with John and say that Bella does look more restful and her color is much better than it was on Sunday.

Wednesday was pretty uneventful as far as medical updates go. This is a good thing. Bella's milk intake is beginning to increase. She is now up to 5 ml every 3 hours. What a big amount for such a little girl! Five milliliters looks like this:



For a 20 pound baby, it's a dose of Tylenol. For a 2 pound preemie, it's a meal. Five milliliters is equal to 1 teaspoon and I bet you didn't know this -- there are 6 teaspoons in an ounce! So technically speaking, Bella is taking 1/6 of an ounce of milk every 3 hours, but doesn't 5 milliliters sound so much better?

My goal for today is to get some "good food" in Lori. I guess the motherly need to make sure your baby is taken care of never goes away. After we drop by the NICU to leave Bella her breakfast, we are off to Huddle House. Then on to the grocery store because I plan to make a home cooked meal for John and Lori this afternoon. I also think I'll whip up a breakfast casserole for them to cook in the morning. So much to do.....so little time. A Nana's work is never done.

Bella's family continues be amazed yet humbled at the awesome power of our God. That, along with the love and encouragement from our friends, is sustaining us through this journey. Thank you for all of your continuous prayers.

Look at the lilies of the field and see how they grow. And if God cares so wonderfully for wild flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Matthew 6:28-30