Good morning everyone- on our way to Maelyn for the day! We were supposed to spend the night with her last night in one of the NICUs “room-in” options that they have. This would give us a chance to have one on one time with her, caring for her, diaper changes and temperature checks and working at bottle feeding with her, but yesterday morning they told us she wasn’t taking any of her feedings by bottle and it probably wouldn’t be a good night for us to stay. They attempt feeding her with a bottle and then after a bit they give it to her through the tube if she is not interested in the bottle. She typically just falls asleep when they or us try. We spoke to the doctor yesterday and he said this all could be due to her being an “early” term baby and things are just trying to catch up since she was born at 37 weeks and 1 day. They said certain things could also be due to me having had gestational diabetes during my pregnancy. It was all a bit discouraging but she just needs time. She is the most peaceful girl and we never hear her cry. She loves her sleep and being swaddled up, seriously the best cuddles. We spent almost all day taking turns holding her. Mia and Bpop (Brian and Kim, Katie’s parents) got to hold her for the first time too yesterday! It was very special! She also got to see Mimi (Sherry, Jeremy’s mom)! 

Her kidney labs have been looking good! She is on no oxygen or IVs, really just here to continue working on her feedings. She weighs 6lbs 13.5oz right now and at birth was 7lbs 3oz, so her weight is pretty good! It’s still going to be quite a few days yet because she has to get to the point of getting her feeding tube out and then will have to do a few days of bottle feeds without any support but after our visit today and talking with the doctor, he is very optimistic that she will get to come home next week.

We let her know every day she is being prayed for, and the prayers are absolutely felt! The Lord has been our strength through all the trials and triumphs of this past week. So hard to believe tomorrow she will be a week old! 🥹

We are also grateful to God for his protection this week. On our way home from the NICU on Wednesday evening we hit a deer in the dark in the pouring rain. Unfortunately the car was deemed I drivable so we had to get it towed yesterday and get a rental. Thankful that no one was injured and that it was a speedy process of getting a rental car.