Summer Update

We've been a bit busy enjoying our summer, but I thought I'd take a short break and post some pictures.

Aunt Cindy gave Baby AE this adorable headband

Fourth of July

All decked out

Momma couldn't pass up this adorable outfit.

Our friends, Alisha and Ms V gave us these little violets that went perfectly.

We recently discovered this little birthmark that resembles a butterfly according to Ms A. Her hairs are blond there too.

Ms A wanted to coordinate outfits with Baby AE.

Cuddling Time

All snuggled up

I'm lovin' the huge daisy.

Ms A **LOVES** her little sister

All dressed up for church

Love Baby AE looking at her big sister.

A Visit to the Rose Garden

Reed's parents came for a short visit and the roses were in bloom, so we took a trip to see the gardens.

Dinner Time

Milk Coma

All snuggled up

Momma and Ms A

This is one of her favorite poses.

My pretty girl

Stopping to "smell the roses"

Ms A {{LOVES}} water features. Every time she sees one she asks: "Can I touch the water?!?"

Looking pretty

With Grandpa and Grandma

What We've Been Up To Lately

We've been a little busy with new baby fun, Ms A's school and house/yard projects.

Here are a few pictures of what we've been enjoying and doing.

Getting Ready to leave the NICU

At home

Ms AM made this "Welcome Home" sign for her new, little sister. {the frogs are in honor of Baby AE's birth mom}

Her "Coming Home" outfit. The bear is a gift from Reed's Intel coworkers. I'm planning on taking her picture once a month with this bear to watch her grow.

Aunt Sara took her kids and Ms A to the zoo. It was a little hot, so snow cones were enjoyed.

A favorite picture posing/climbing place

Visiting Ms A's favorite animal

Another favorite picture place

 Thanks Sara for taking Ms A to the zoo and for sharing the pictures!

While Reed was burning the yard debris, Ms A played with the water

The burn pile. The fire department came to check it out. It was too big {50 ft long and 8 feet tall}, so Reed had to put it out and burn it in smaller piles. Our neighbors weren't too please with the three weeks of ash and smoke, but it's gone!!

The remains of the burn pile.

A full rainbow off our patio. If you look closely you may be able to see the double rainbow on the ends

Fun Run at School

Intel gave us tickets to see "The Avengers". There were fun activities while we waited, ncluding face painting.

Reed removed/chipped the stumps. This one was a bit to big, but he removed the rest.

The Stump Grinder. It was FABULOUS, it ate up 12 trees and made tons of barkchips.

What's left

The Backyard

Just in case you forgot, here's what it used to look like

Another before: after the trees were cut down.

She's getting bigger. Our last appointment she weighed 7 pound 1.23 ounces and is 20 1/2 inches long.

So Hungry

Had to show off her cute ladybug and polka dot outfit and her Mary Jane socks. Thanks Clarka and Carda!!

Sister love! Ms A loves to be with Baby A and cannot wait to be able to play with her.

Baby AE's Progress

Baby AE is doing a fabulous job growing, eating and reaching her benchmarks. Here's some of the things she's working on or accomplished.

• Eating on her own {The nurses introduced her to the bottle approximately ten days ago. She loved it and quickly became a pro. Her feeding tube was removed 4-30-12. She eat about 60 ml every four hours or when she wants to eat.}
• She weighs 5 pounds, 8 ounces.
• Back to sleep {she sleeps on her back without anything in the crib}
• Tried out her car seat {she looked so tiny}. She still needs to do her car seat challenge {sitting in the car seat for 90 minutes without her oxygen levels dipping.
• Three out of Four of her immunizations.

And the biggest news: She's most likely coming home Friday, May 4th or Monday, May 7th!!!

She still having some bouts with apnea, but if she keeps progressing she'll be coming home SOON.
Here are a few pictures:

Ms AM, Daddy and Baby AE

Telling stories

Linda, the birth mom, enjoying some snuggles.

Exciting News

Here's an update on how Baby A is doing:
She weighs 4 pounds 5 1/2 ounces. {need to get the half ounce in}
She's 34 weeks {gestational age} today.
The doctor took her off her nasal canula yesterday {breathing on her own throughout the night with no 'episodes'}.
Her nurses introduced Baby A to her first bottle feedings yesterday and she did a great job. {They will be weaning her off the feeding tube, the staff will check her weight and then decide when she can come home}.
The doctors, if she continue doing such a FABULOUS job, she'll be able to come home in 3 to 4 weeks!!! {First or second week in May}

SO EXCITED!!!

Update for Baby A

Cuddling with her Big Sister

Cannot decide if she wants her palm or binkie to suck on.

Sucking on her Palm

Getting Bigger

Stats

Baby A is doing fantastic. We  will talk to the doctors the first week of May to see when she can come  home. We are hoping for the first couple of weeks of June.

In order for her to come home, she needs to:
1 - eat on her own {no feeding tube} and be able to digest her food.
2 - be at a certain weight 1.8 Kg
3 - sleep without having any issues {no apnea}

We are hoping to start bottle training her within the next week or so.  Her brain needs to be developed enough for her to suck, swallow and  breathe at the same time.

She's almost there with her weight gain. At 1.8 Kg, babies can typically maintain their own body heat.

We are amazed at all the things she needs to learn and how well she is doing. Thank you for your support, love and prayers. They are helping so much!!