Little, BIG Milestones

3 WEEKS 4 days OLD

Braylin was born at 1.7 lbs.

She now weighs.....(wait for it)..... 2.8 lbs.!!!!

She is following the exact pattern she should be as far as growth and gaining weight. She continues to take my milk through a feeding tube with added calories and they have increased her feeds to 25ml. WE ARE DOING GREAT! 

Yesterday was a HUGE milestone. We got to try bottle feeding for the first time! Braylin has never had food by mouth.  The nurses prepared me that this was just an attempt to see where we stand. It is very hard for babies to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing, and for such a little baby- bottle feeding takes a lot of energy. Nevertheless I was extremely excited! My nurse and occupational therapist walked us through each step... and again reminded me to not be discouraged if Braylin did not show interest. FINALLY, I put the bottle to Braylin's mouth and.... SHE STARTED SUCKING!!!! I was shocked. She was calm, relaxed, her hands were positioned perfectly, and she sucked and swallowed her very first milk snack. Seven whole ml-- by herself! OMG!!!  That was big for little Braylin, so the rest of her food went through her feeding tube. The nurse and occupational therapist were very happy with Braylin's first bottle feeding day and amazed at her quick progress. We will try breast feeding soon!!!

Braylin did get put back on the bubble cpap. She did GREAT without any help for 4-5 days, but got tired. She was breathing great but unable to maintain her oxygen levels. The doctor thought the bubble would help her breath, allow her to rest, which would also help her grow. NOT A SET-BACK. The nurses and doctor decided because she does so well, that we would "cycle" her bubble cpap-- on 3 hours--- off 3 hours. This would also allow a more comfortable bottle/breast feeding session (which we get to do once a day). So before the first feeding, the nurse took her bubble tubes off. She left the rest of the contraption on, sock-hat, tape on face, and such... so that's why she has all that gunk on in her pics below. So far, this plan has worked and she's been able to maintain her oxygen levels during the hours without the bubble. If she continues to do well, then they will leave the bubble off longer, and on for a shorter amount of time.
Baby steps...

My very first bottle. I like to watch my momma when I eat.

If they would just take that darn tape off of my lip....

Precious moments.



Nonnye came to visit us on Halloween weekend. Lucky for Mom, the nurse took ALL of Braylin's stuff off so she got to see her with a bare face. Precious. Precious. Precious. Braylin LOVES for her Nonnye to come see her and loves for her to talk those sweet grandmother words. Thank you Nonnye for the fun weekend and for the sweet little clothes and things for Bray-Bray! (already SO spoiled) We love you.


My very first Halloween.



Now we just work on Daddy and get him brave enough to hold Braylin. It's a good thing these nurses are so great, because they WILL get him to do everything he needs to... even if he's NOT ready! ha! ha! ha!

WE have made progress though... Jared changed her very first diaper the other day. Too bad I wasn't there, because that would have been a KODAK moment! Good job, Daddy. We sure love you.