NICU Days 59-61 ~ (February 4th-6th)

Noelle continues to do very well, everything considered.  It is really getting fun as we spend time with her, and she has more wakeful periods of time in which she can interact with us.  It is also a huge blessing to be able to hold her so much.  She currently weighs 800 grams / 1 lb. 12 oz. and seems to be on a good trend of gaining weight and growing.  They have had to increase her oxygen flow in the last couple of days to help with the acid reflux, so hopefully that will help her recover from that more quickly and be able to start weaning down on her oxygen again.  She also received a blood transfusion over the weekend as her hemoglobin was low, and hopefully the added blood will help her digestion and consequently help the acid reflux as well.  She seemed to do better this afternoon with the reflux, so we're hoping that is a good sign of progress that will continue.  She will start receiving physical therapy soon.  Term babies "float" in fluid until they are born, relieving pressure from their limbs.  However, preemies are lying in a bed, and although they are switched in positions every few hours, they still often develop issues with their limbs.  The issue should hopefully resolve with physical therapy which we will need to continue daily with her even once she is home.  It's a little overwhelming some days as we start to grasp everything that is involved with bringing home a preemie baby, and yet when we think of how far God has brought us, we cannot help but continue to trust that He will sustain us and see us through all the issues she still needs to overcome.  He has been so incredibly gracious to us thus far, and we are thankful once again that He is sovereign over all things.  Thank you for continuing to pray for our family!!