Daily Dose: Saturday, February 28

Hope: day 83

Hope has had a rough day today.  The doctors were still concerned because Hope still wasn't feeling well this afternoon.  They ran some tests and found out she has gram negative rods (an infection they think is in her intestines).  They are giving her antibiotics and have stopped her feedings until she is back and perking up.  If she does not have more positive changes, there is a high likelihood that over the next few days more definitive testing will be done to determine if there is a pocket of infection that hasn't been taken care of already, which could potentially mean the possibility of surgery.

We are praying that Hope will "rebound" quickly from this little bump in the road.  Aunt Em spent some time with Hope today and Hope was relatively quiet.  Aunt Em got to hear Hope cry today, a little tiny short cry, and while it is great to hear her, it is also so hard to watch her and think that she is in pain.  Her little tiny face shouldn't have to grimace or tighten up.  We just hope that the doctors get it under control soon so that Hope can get back on her routine of growing bigger and stronger.

Hope also had some more visitors today.  Hope's Mommy's Aunt Terri and Cousin Kelly came from Ohio to spend some time with Hope and her Mommy & Daddy.

Daily Dose: Saturday, January 31

Hope: day 55

And the "Biggest Fatty" award goes to Hope today!! She gained 10 grams so she is now up to 1150 grams. Hope's feedings have now been fortified up to 27 calories/ounce, so we expect fat results from Hope!!! But, as we have learned, Hope will do things as she pleases at her own rate. So we will just wait and see what that entails.

Today was Daddy's day to snuggle with Hope and he had a very good time. Which included hearing Hope cry some more and hearing her have the hiccups. Who knew that such a little girl good have such loud hiccups?? G'ma R got to take Hope's temperature today and change her diaper. I don't think any grandma has ever been more excited to change a diaper, but hey, it's the little things in life that count.

Today Hope sends a big THANK YOU to Cindy Hutchison's sister, for making the beautiful booty seen on her left foot in the picture above. Hope only has one on right now because her other foot, as you can see, is taken up with some sort of a monitor. But... Cindy's sister made her a full set of matching booties and a matching hat AND another set of booties, matching hat and a beautiful blanket. Thank you so much for your genorosity and thoughtfulness. Hope definitely appreciates having a warm foot, hopefully she'll have 2 warm feet soon!! The Hope Collection is really starting to bloom, just in time for the upcoming spring fashion season.

Daily Hope: Thursday, January 29

Hope: day 53; with her pacifier

Hope: day 53; just chilling

Hope: day 53; BEAUTIFUL!!!

Hope is loving being a Ninja with her CPAP mask. She is definitely enjoying the freedom of breathing on her own. Her oxygen levels are down to 28%, which is even less than she was at yesterday!!

Since Hope was doing so well breathing, her feeds were increased to 17 ml per feeding and she is gobbling it all up, so hopefully she'll be gaining weight more rapidly. She weighed in today at 1140 grams, 10 grams more than yesterday. Yesterday she was weighed with her CPAP on but today she was weighed without it so she probably did gain more weight today than just 10 grams. Hope doesn't know it but she is competing in "The Biggest Fatty" competition, against herself. So her goal weight for tomorrow is 1175. We'll see if she can make her goal weight and stay in the game.

Hope got to snuggle with Daddy today. AND.... Mommy & Daddy got to hear Hope cry for the first time when she was out snuggling. They said it was a tiny little cry but was music to their ears!

Hope is looking so beautiful without any tubes or anything and just her beautiful face with her big eyes wide open for the whole world to see!!