First, pictures of Ava I know you all want to see. These are preemie clothes that are swallowing her!
Doing what she does best...sleeping!:
Ava and her proud daddy:
(Kimberly and Kurt were staying at the hospital, but about a week ago there were a bunch of babies born at the hospital and they kicked Kimberly and Kurt out of their room. So now they are driving back and forth multiple times a day for feedings!)
Ava is doing SO well these days! She was able to regulate her own temperature in just a couple of days. They weaned her off the heated bed and now she's wearing her own clothes. They wre swaddling her with two blankets, but they had to take one off because she got too hot! That is good news. :-) She's still in the incubator bed because they didn't have any open-air cribs, but the top is lifted and the heater is not on.
They have started letting Kimberly breastfeed Ava for any feeding she can be at the hospital, and the nurses feed her at night. She still has the feeding tube, which is what they have been using to feed her, but as of last night, they are trying to go solo on breastfeeding during the day and bottle feeds at night. If Ava can gain weight over the next two days doing this, then she may be able to go home on Friday! Kimberly is excited about that possibility, but she is also very aware that things can change and doesn't want to get her hopes up. If the night went well, they will probably remove the feeding tube today!
Kimberly is exhausted! I wish there was something that we could do for her, but since she's the only one who can feed her baby, there's not much to do. Her schedule for the last week has been:
be at the hospital around 8am for feed
feed for 30-45 minutes
drive 15-20 minutes home
pump for 30 minutes
wash and sterilize pump supplies
take a shower, run errands, try to rest, etc.
be at the hospital around 11am for feed
feed for 30-45 minutes
drive 15-20 minutes home
pump for 30 minutes
wash and sterilize pump supplies
eat lunch
be at the hospital around 2pm for feed...you get the picture.
She's been doing the feedings at 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, and 8pm. By the time she gets Ava to feed well, which last night took an hour because Miss Ava apparently can't multi-task (she needed to dirty her diaper and refused to feed until that happened!), she doesn't have much time before she has to be there for the next feed. She is looking forward to getting Ava home and not having to run back and forth to the hospital. Anyone who spends time with Kimberly feels like Kurt's parents did yesterday when they said, "After spending two days with you, we're exhausted!" That is the truth. Watching Kimberly juggle all of this is tiring and amazing. I wrote a letter to Kimberly on my blog because I am so proud of the job she's doing as a mom! (I know she hasn't read it since she doesn't have time to sit at a computer.)
8 comments:
Kimberly, I'm here via your sister's blog. I had my first daughter back in May, weighing 4 lbs. 10 oz. at 38 weeks. I hadn't expected her to be so little or have to be in the NICU, so it all came as a whirlwind. I want you to know that it'll get easier. New babies aren't easy regardless of their start! Your beautiful little girl will be out of those preemie clothes before you know, and before long she'll be squealing, blowing raspberries, and charming you with her every sassy move.
Congratulations, and hang in there :)
Kimberly, I am so EXCITED to hear how well things are progressing and I'm amazed at your stamina to breastfeed Ava. A mother's love knows no limitations, doesn't it?! Here's to praying that the transition at home goes just as smoothly!!
Hang in there, breastfeeding a newborn is exhausting even when you are at home, I can only imagine having to drive to the hospital every few hours. Feel free to come crash at my place if you ever want to, I am only about 3 or 4 miles away from NC. I am praying that Ava gets to come home soon!
We love baby AVA! She is so cute! I like the pink outfit, but EMily likes the bears!!! She is baised because she has a special bear! We hope baby Ava gets to go home soon! We are still praying for all of you!
Hi Kimberly....
I've followed your story through your sister, Jennifer's, blog..
Just wanted to say that I know a little of what you are going thru with the driving back and forth for feedings. I had to do this with my third daughter. It was truly an effort, but soooo worth it. We had such special times together during those first few days, ....it was somehow a special kind of bonding. Hang in there...you won't regret it.
Hey Kimberly! I know you're not on here, but someone tell Kim that the girls from the Mommy Club House are thinking about her. You're doing great and Ava is precious! We've had three more babies born (and one is coming today). Can't wait to hear from you again!
Kurt & Kimberly, we are so thankful for Ava's wonderful progress and for the way God is sustaining you through this trying period. We are praying for all of you!
Mike & Cindi McNabb
Congratulations. We just found out about your beautiful, sweet baby. We pray that our healing Father make Ava stronger with each passing minute. May the Lord bless you all with endless strength, endurance and of course what will come so naturally to you, love. We love you.
Julie and Charlie
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