We received another report of "good" from the doctor today. He increased her feedings again so she's now up to 6.5 cc every 2 hours. Although she hasn't been tolerating her increased feedings initially (she's thrown up at least once a day for the past two days after they increased her food), she is gradually tolerating more and more. She had thrown up around noon today but then had less "leftovers" when they checked her tummy before feeding her while were were there.
We weren't sure how big her little tummy is and asked the nurse today whether they would hit a stopping point of increasing feedings based on the size of her tummy. Her nurse, Audrey (I'll try to include their names now so that you can all get to know them as well), explained that her little tummy will continue to grow as they feed her more. She also explained that there's a sort of mathematical balance between how much "food" (i.e. milk) and how much "IV" (i.e. the IV food items she gets) they give her. As her stomach grows, both the amount of food and of IV grow. As she begins eating more food, her IV amounts decrease.
Last night's weighing showed she's up to 2 pounds, 8.7 ounces. Each day we get a little closer to her birth weight. Those who have seen her in the NICU recently in comparison to having seen her when she was a couple of days old agree that she has grown noticeably. I especially notice the growth in her little fingers, which are getting more plump each day.
Tonight is bath night so we'll be sure to post photos of those tomorrow.
Thank you all so very much for your prayers and generosity. Each morning when we hear from the doctor, it is such a blessing to know that no matter what the news we have the prayers of hundreds over our little girl.
3 comments:
Oh, she is just precious, you and your family are in my prayers, I love the pics of you holding her, you are glowing as well :0)
Thanks so much for sharing all the fun little details. It so amazing that she is getting stronger every day. Praying for the strength of you and kit as well!
Oh, I'd say THOUSANDS!! There are people praying for you, Kit and Ellie who you will never meet. We went through that with both of our NICU graduates :) It can be very overwhelming, but in a "good" way! We are praying for you several times throughout the day, for God's comfort and love to strengthen you. We all love the pics (especially our 4 year old!) and info you are so good at writing out... it makes us all feel like we're so involved :) God bless you both, and little Ellie... Nate, Dana, Katey & Maddie Biehl (Dana is Benji's cousin)
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