Awake at 3am

Michael got up with Esther last night for her usual 3am feeding and while changing her diaper she peed all over her clothes. She was wide awake and naked so of course Michael took some pictures. She is just so cute and getting so big. I can't believe how much she has changed in over a week.

On Tuesday we had our first doctors appointment. Esther is now 7 pounds 4.5 ounces and 20 inches long. Everything else looked great. We are going to stop the caffeine medication but keep the home monitor on her for a couple of weeks just to be safe. She has been on a higher calorie formula but since her weight has been doing well we plan on switching to regular formula as soon as we finish the higher calorie formula that we purchased. Which at the rate she is going that will be in about a week.

Bath time with Daddy

Sorry that we have not added any pictures lately. Esther, Michael and I are doing well. It has been great having Esther home. I love being home all day with her. She sleeps through most of the day, as you can see, and is more awake at night. Esther will eat every four hours during the day and every two hours at night. She eats like a champ. We just finished our first can of formula in less than a week. Michael will help out with the bottles in the middle of the night if he does not have to work the next day. We had our first day out on Friday. We went to Home Depot for paint for the nursery. We had picked a color and I painted on Thursday but it was not a good color so we picked a lighter yellow. I will post pictures when it get all done. Tuesday is our first Dr.'s office visit. I am anxious to see what Esther's weight is now. We hope that everyone else is doing well.

Always sleeping

First Day

Our First day with Esther at home was interesting. We got home from the hospital around 11am. Michael and I were both hungry so Michael whipped up some eggs while Esther slept in her car seat. The day was going as I would have expected. Esther ate and slept. But then around 1:30 Michael went to change Esther's diaper and that is when we were christen parents. Michael decided to changing Esther on the couch. He had a pad under her but I don't think she cared because at that moment when the old diaper came off Esther grunted and Michael, the couch, and the remote control ended up covered with poo. Michael was so covered it was dripping off of him. It even went so high as to hit his collar. Michael, the couch, and the remote got a thorough cleaning. I could not stop laughing for 2 hours. Then about 9 o'clock that night she did it again. This time it was just on me.

Going Home

It has been a long awaited three weeks but Esther finally gets to leave the hospital. Heather and her family were able to come the night before and spend some time with Esther. It was especially fun for Heather's younger brother and sister since they have not been able to see or hold Esther up to this point. We appreciated the opportunity to say good bye although not forever but for the moment. We love Heather and her family and hope that they will continue to be part of Esther life and ours. We would like to thank all our families for their love and support. Michael and Kathryn

Going Home

Esther update

Esther is just moving along. In the last couple of days she has decided she likes to eat and has been doing very well with her bottles. She is no longer requiring oxygen when she bottle feeds and we have moved to 3-4 bottles a day. If she keeps this rate up she will be home soon. She might even be home before next weekend. We will see. It is all up to her.

Thanks to all those who have given their love, prayers and support. We love you and Esther loves you. We will keep you updated as to when she will come home.

Special visitors

We had special visitors last night. Heather and her parents came to visit Esther. We are so thankfull for Heather and we are so glad that she was able to come and spend time with Esther.

Special visitors

Bath Time #2

This time we remembered the camera. Esther enjoyed her bath for the most part this time. She just cried a couple of times and when she was all clean dressed and tuck into bed she spit up. I have a feeling that this will not be the last time that happens.

Other than some spit up Esther is doing great. We are excited for her to come home. It will probable be a couple more weeks but can't wait.

Sleeping with Daddy

So the first picture is of the room at UVRMC that Esther has. There is only one room like this and all the staff made sure that Esther got the best spot in the NICU.

Esther's favorite thing to do right now is snuggle and we like it too. Especially Daddy.