Congrats on the new baby!!! You will cherish every moment you spend with her, take it from a new (well kinda) mom. We are less then two months from my daughter turning one and I am still in aw of her.

Congrats Darling1 on the the birth of your daughter! Love the name!

she's making progress
 

hey all:

i just want to let you know that ava is continuing to improve and has increased her intake of milk. she is still trying to wean off the feeding tube but the doctors are encouraged.

keep her in your prayers and keep hubby and i in your prayers also. this is hard for us because we want her home. some days i find myself getting pretty sad because of it. any encouraging words will be greatly appreciated.

thanks for letting me share......

It is wonderful that your little one is doing so well!

Congratulations... LOVE the name! Sounds like a supermodel in the making!

This helped me....
 

Always remember when God made you He did so with a purpose and a plan. He saw all your days before you lived one of them and placed over you the covering of his protective love. He has allowed nothing to come into your life that hasn't first been screened through that love. His hand has remained upon you to this very day. He calls you by name. You are His beloved child...the apple of His eye... the delight of his heart. Today you are in the exact place He wants you to be , and tomorrow He will be with you as He has always been- in goodness, in kindness, in faithfulness.
He will never give you more than you can handle.
My prayers are with you.

I know its late, but.....
 

Congrats on the little one! I like the name Ava also. I will keep you and yours in prayer.

Q

update
 

just wanted to let you know that ava is improving. yesterday she went 3 straight feedings by nipple/bottle. this is an improvement from last week when she was getting fed by feeding tube for all but 1-2 feedings in a day.

she has gained weight and if she is able to decrease her feedings by tube and continue to gain weight she can come home. she has passed her other tests and gotten her necessaru shots. she has also droped her umbilical cord and has a cute little innie :).

i am doing better this week. last week was rough because i knew they were pushing my baby and i hated to see her regress. it was difficult for me to effectively articulate my concerns. those of you who know me, know i don't mince words. those of you WHO REALLY KNOW ME know i have a sailor mouth and can get raunchy real quick. i was so upset and confused that i was susceptible to get raunchy and i felt that in the best interest of my girl it would not have been helpful. some people have told me that sometimes you have to get 'loud' to get your point across. i felt at that moment that my child would have been best served with a 'sweeter' tone because these are the same nurses who will care for my child when i am not there. people will be people and acn be prone to be 'less attentive' and i didn't want to risk that.

since last week, i have spoken to the head nurse and the chief of neonatology. in addition, i have befriended 2 nurses who have spent a great deal of time with my daughter and have helped me to gauge ava's growth and keep her on a consistent feeding schedule, watching for different changes. they have also helped me to cope with the pain i feel each day when i leave my daughter. they have been overworked having to deal with an onslaught of babies in the unit. but these women always have a smile on their faces and take extra time to talk with me. for that i am so greatful.

well that is about all for now. i hope that my stories help some of you understand what a first time mom goes thru and a nicu mom goes through as well. i am encouraged daily by your messages past and present especially the ones that talk about their preemie experiences.

i am blessed that my girl has so many cyber aunts and i can't wait for you to see her.

please continue to keep ava and her parents in your prayers. it has been tough for me and hubby but we love each other more and more in spite of the arguments we sometimes have or the endless hours of crying. know that it has been our committment to each other as friends and spouses that helps us to endure this time. also, you can't help but melt when looking at ava's pretty eyes as she explores everything around her.

it is truly awesome, GOD is AWESOME!!

thanks for letting me share. ;)

Go on, little Miss Ava!! :)

Thank you for the update, Mommy_of _Ava!! :)

Prayers still going out to you and Daddy_of_Ava and your family. :)

UPDATE
 

MY BABY IS HOME!!!!!

RIGHT NOW SHE IS ON MY SHOULDER.

WILL HAVE PICS UP SOON.

Re: UPDATE
 

How WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!

Re: UPDATE
 

How wonderful! Now I can actually come to visit you at home and see you both.

Way to go girl... what a wonderful mama you are going to be :D

Re: UPDATE
 

Oh what a wonderful feeling that must be!!!!!!
YAY AVA!!!!!!

God Bless

YAY!!!!!!!!!!

I'm SO happy for you!!!! I pray that her health continues to improve...

*P.S. We do wanna see those pics*

Re: UPDATE
 

That's great news, darling1. :)
And Babyperson darling1, welcome to your home.

Congrats on the progress. I know you are overjoyed to have the little one home now.

Q