Two weeks in a nutshell.

So that I can catch everyone up and start blogging more up to date, I'm going to try and fill everyone in, in one post on what has happened the past two weeks, but summarize it the best I can, I'm leaving out lots of little details, so these are more big picture bullet points but I want to get up to date. So let's see, in the past two weeks Eleanor has:

• Made her appearance in the world weight 3lbs 11oz. 16 inches long. at 12:50 on September 16, 2017. A little over two months early
• She was hooked up to a CPAP bubble machine (basically helps her breathe), a feeding tube, IV's, heart rate monitors, oxygen monitors, lots of warm blankets and a cute yellow and white stripped hat.
• Everyday she has been given more and more breast milk. She is currently up to about an ounce of my milk, which I have to say I'm so lucky that that has gone well for me, it's something I can provide to our sweet girl.
• She has gotten lots of kangaroo time (when ben and I get to hold her skin to skin) it's great for their weight gain, helps them have a more stable heartbeat and breathing pattern, helps them regulate their body temperature and comforts both Eleanor and us. It's a stress reducer for us and certainly lifts our spirits when we can hold our girl.
• She was slowly weened off the CPAP machine and now just has a small tube in her nose to help with oxygen flow. 
• She is getting fortification in her milk. Basically a way to give her extra calories to help her grow. Think of it like a protein shake for babies :)
• She is peeing and pooping and loves to save the big diapers for her daddy, who, I must say is becoming a pro at diaper change time (And he loves doing it too)
• She dropped in weight which is normal for any newborn, but has since brought her weight up to 3lbs 12 oz. Grow baby grow!
• She had a few set backs with eating, lots of spitting up and not tolerating the fortifying of milk, but we have since adjusted that and she seems to be doing well again
• Ben and I have begun to learn what every beep and alarm that goes off means and we are quick to fix the issues. 
• She is still learning how to control her breathing, which is common in preemies. They have a hard time regulating their breaths, which is stressful to mom and dad, but from what the doctors say, it's super common and comes with time. 
• We love doing her care time with her. Care time consists of diaper changes, temperature, feeding, hand hugs and seeing her awake. We know she can't quite see us now (she just sees shadows) but when she looks our way we both lose it every. single. time. 
• She is becoming more alert each day and that makes it all the harder to leave at night but we know she is in good hands
• She recently has been able to start wearing preemie onesies. Putting an outfit on her for the first time was the best. thing. ever.
• We got to do our first bath with her the other night. That was so special. It was a sponge bath, but a bath none the less.
• She likes to sleep on her tummy. She is content as can be. Only cries here and there. Fingers crossed she stays that way when she comes home!!

Overall, Eleanor is making the right steps to growing. We know not every day is going to be highs and have been told by the nurses that it's a roller coaster ride in the NICU. There are peaks and valleys and that's just part of #preemielife. 

We are in love with our nurses and doctors. People who have been in the NICU before say they are angels and they are SO right. We leave every night knowing our girl is taken care of, but most importantly, loved and loved hard.

In another post, I'll talk about NICU life so far, but I think this is a good start to our little blog. It's a way for y'all to keep updated and a way for us to look back after she's home and well and reflect on this time in our lives.

We can't thank everyone enough for all the love and support. We have such a village around us and trust us, we feel it each and every day. Keep the love coming. 

Eleanor says thanks for all the love. She feels it too.