NICU Day 16 (December 23rd)

It was another really good day in the NICU with Noelle.  The doctor said today that he was "proud of Noelle and her progress."  He talked about how a couple of weeks ago when she was born that the prognosis looked pretty grim but explained that this is why they take each baby as an individual case and care for them accordingly.  We are so thankful to God for the care that she is receiving--it's an incredible team of people, and we cannot thank Him enough for how He orchestrated events to place us exactly where He wanted us to be during this time.  Noelle lost 20 grams which puts her at 420 grams / 14.8 ounces.  It's still showing improvement since this has been typical with her the last week, but overall she is still creeping up in weight, so that is a good sign. She is still tolerating her feeds well, even with the increases every 12 hours, so that is a praise as well.  Overall, today was a pretty quiet day for her--she rested most of the day and spent a short time with her eyes open and responding to us as we talked with her.  She did manage to pull her feeding tube out--she is forever grabbing things and pulling them off, so they have to keep a close eye on her, and it is yet another reason she has "feisty" written as a description in her chart.  It makes us wonder what we are in for with her, but it looks as if it will be anything but dull!!  They did have to put a PICC line into her arm today as the lines running through her umbilical cord had to be pulled out (they only last for about 2 weeks before the body starts closing off that area).  We did not stay and watch, but we spoke with her nurse this evening who told us that it went extremely well, and they were able to get it on the first try (a HUGE answer to prayer...especially since she is so small).  She tolerated the procedure very well and was already sound asleep when we called to check on her.  We know we still have to take it one day at a time and they expect her to still hit "bad" days and have set backs, but we are incredibly grateful to God for each day that passes and especially for the improvement and growth we continue to see in her.  He is teaching us so much right now--it is amazing how He can use such a tiny little person to change our lives so drastically.  Thank you for your constant prayers for us--it carries us through so many days.  We cannot say "thank you" enough...