5 Pounder...Cheeks a Rounder!

Well, this five pounder has been doing well so far today. Ellen came in and talked to us this morning about how proud of Ellie she is! She actually said that Ellie's head looks great for her gestational age. (This was good to hear because I feel like we've been trying and trying to get her to lay on her back with her head straight and failing miserably) So that was encouraging - maybe we won't have to have the helmet after all. We told Ellen she needed to get Ellie her 5 pound certificate and she laughed and said that she didn't even know if they had them here! Yes, that's right...our Ellie's a little porker in preemie world :) Praise Jesus she did have a small stool this morning - but not really a whole lot, so I'm anxious for her to get going on that regularity! Please continue to pray for Ellie's little bowels. Eye exam is schedule for tomorrow to see how the vessel behind the retina is growing. Ellen, also said this week will include a second head ultra sound (to check for bleeding on the brain) and a heart ultra sound (to check the PDA and her soft heart murmur). Big week of testing for our little girl. Ellen talked also a bit about her feedings. She's still going to continue her at one bottle daily. Ellie just isn't ready yet. She laughed and said, Ellie's weight gains are telling us she wants to go home, but her eating isn't. She said for some babies the light blub comes on and they progress really fast and some are slower. We're thinking Ellie's choosing the slow lane for this one, but AGAIN...I have to remind myself that she is only 34 weeks gestation and we're STILL asking her to do a lot! Ellen said that if the daily feedings still aren't progressing by next week, then the feeding consultant will come and evaluate Ellie. (possible change in nipples, etc.) Prayers for Mom and Dad as we are certainly hitting freak out mode for when we go back to Manhattan. Ben is really concerned about homework. We both feel like we "should" have been using this time more efficiently in getting homework done. Of course you always see the "should" have after it's done and gone! We're trying a "you go to be with Ellie and I'll stay at Ronnie's and do homework" shift this week. Hopefully it'll be productive! Also, prayers again for Ben and my relationship - as a loving, married couple - we sure do enjoy spending time together. However, at the same time, we've never spent THIS much time together. Prayers for our irritations and selfish moments. Thanks to Jesus for Ben being such a supportive husband and putting up with my cranky, I need more sleep moments. Oh yeah, prayers for that too because I know I'm going to get less and less sleep after she comes home! Side note about Ronnies: Please pray for safety and protection at Ronnies. A couple weeks ago one of the volunteers had their wallet stolen out of their car. Then last week, another NICU family got their license plates stolen off their car. Ok, I've ranted enough...until next time. Thanks for your prayers. Have a blessed Wednesday...it's Wednesday right? :)