Firsts and Photos

Photos first, since people have been actively lobbying for more...






As requested, the photos include lots of hair, some open eyes, and the obligatory little fingers around big finger. We probably won't do any geddes-esque poses, partly because we don't have any cute caterpillar costumes but mostly because ... well ... I mean they're cute and all, but they are all over the ward and we kind of laugh at them as we pass... We do have a ladybug outfit at home but she's much too small for it now. Later, later, there's lots of time.

As for firsts, here is a brief list:

• Her first overnight. She fed at 1:30 and again at 3:30, then slept though till around 7:30 or 8:00. She was assessed again, and received a score of "0" which is great - everything like high blood pressure, tremors, poor skin-tone etc. adds to her assessment score, so "0" means she's normal all round.
  
• Her first bath, around noon today. Apparently most children bawl and fuss during the bath, and while she didn't particularly enjoy it, she didn't cry much.
  
• Her first wardrobe - she's been wearing some of the clothes that we have for her now - little tiny onesies, since she's a small baby. I think she's a bit too big for preemie-wear but she's definitely on the small side for infant stuff. We've also been getting better and better at wrapping her up like a burrito. There's a definite trick in it, getting her snug and stable so she doesn't roll over onto her side and she can work her active little hands out of the blanket.
  

We've moved into a private room now, and will probably be in the hospital for another day or two just to make sure everything is OK. She's feeding deeply and regularly now, for 15 minutes at a time every couple of hours or so. She doesn't even cry for that. She will wake up, make little sucking movements with her mouth, and when she roots in response to a finger brushed on her cheek, she's ready to eat. She'll then feed for a while, burp, diaper and then back to sleep. Nothing seems to phase her.

She is starting to open her eyes a bit more from time to time and during her feedings, so we're starting to see what she's all about. She dreams a lot now when she's asleep, with little grunts and twitches and jerky little hand movements. Tricia wants to put her down next to Haley when they're both asleep and compare their dream-induced jitters.

One more funny little note. I had a baby countdown going on my computer and only recently did I look at it. It now says "baby! has occurred!"

I guess that says it all. I would even say that the exclamation marks are in the right place.