Monday, May 31, 2010

I Think She's Ready Now

Bella and Nana


Keep it up


Is that a double chin?




So here we are at day 59 and the only thing keeping Bella in Sacred Heart is her feedings. She is almost there, oh so very close! We just returned from another great but short visit with Bella, John and Lori. Nana's visit was long overdue and Bella has grown and changed so much! Her cute little rolls and dimples are really starting to develop.
On my last visit, it was so wonderful to be able to hold Bella but we had to be careful not to stimulate her too much. Our visits were rather quiet, because if we talked to her too much or moved her too much(like rocking her), her oxygen levels would drop. Even though we had to hold her quietly and calmly, I still loved every minute of it. Now Bella can handle the stimulation better, at least in small doses. She actually needs the stimulation to keep her awake sometimes during her bottle feedings. Although Bella is almost 2 months old, she acts like a typical new born, in that she often prefers to sleep instead of eat. Unlike our teenagers who can sleep late and then eat us out of house and home, it is necessary for Bella to eat a little bit every 3 hours. It is not good for her to go long periods of time without eating. She is up to 38 ml of formula and feeds through her bottle 3 out of every 4 feedings, receiving her 4th feeding via the feeding tube. This gives Bella some extra resting time, which is critical to her growth. When she takes her bottle, it is like an exercise work out for her, and if she’s tired when she starts, then she would rather nap than eat, which doesn't work out very well. When Bella doesn’t complete her 38 mls within 30 minutes, the remaining milk is then given to her through her feeding tube. Sometimes, if she's really hungry, she will suck with such force that she gets strangled. This, however, doesn’t bother anyone but Bella, Lori handles everything like a seasoned mother!

Bella continues to grow. She is up to 4 pounds 15 ounces and has started growing out of some of her “preemie” footy sleepers. She is off of her caffeine and only needs to build up her strength in feedings until she can take ALL OF HER MILK during EVERY FEEDING!! This is what we are waiting on. These last few weeks are the most anxious of them all, as we continue to see the end of our stay here approaching. It just can't get here soon enough for us. Bella will turn 2 months old on June 2 and John and Lori’s stay at Ronald McDonald House will be up for renewal again. As convenient and wonderful as it has been, if they are not able to continue to stay there, it will not be as hard now, knowing that she will be coming home soon. The need is still great at RMH. Just this week, a family we know has required the services of RMH. At first they were told it was full, but then an opening came up shortly after they were put on the waiting list. Praise be to God for looking out for those of us in need.

Even More Recent Update
Lori and John came home last night for a surprise visit and when Lori called this morning to check on Bella, we had more good news. Bella has taken all of her feedings since Sunday morning by bottle. And just to let us know she's ready to come home, this morning Bella yanked her own feeding tube out! The nurses decided to leave it out for now and see how she does!!

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him."
I Samuel 1:27


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1 comment:

richnsam said...

To God be the glory!! Sending up prayers of thanksgiving and that she will continue to grow and develope and get to come home soon!