Week 3

Evelyn is officially 3 weeks old as of 3 hours from now... my how she has progressed. She looks at us regularly when we talk to her, she cries (pretty loud too) when she is upset or doesn't want to be fussed with. She spent nearly 5 hours out of the incubator on Friday chilling with mom and dad both. Finally over 2lbs, finally off the constant IVs that had sustained nutrition and medication until she was developed to the point of being able to get what she needs from breast milk. It is currently fortified with formula and she is getting about 150ml of that mixture per day (5oz) and digesting almost all of it. She has poopy diapers, she has tantrums...she loves when her daddy talks to her, she loves when her mommy holds her close. I guess what I am trying to convey here today is- she is a normal 3 week old... just in a tiny package. I sat with her today and rubbed her back and talked to her for nearly 3 hours, just her and I sitting in the room chatting...it is something I do with her big sister regularly, to find out how her day or week has gone, and as Evelyn's dad I want to know how her day and weeks are going... sure I can ask the nurse and she will tell me, but without saying a thing, I know from her how she's doing- great. I'd like to welcome all those that are friends and family of each of us to come and visit her now that she's more acclimated... however her mother and I have agreed upon some rules that we'd like you to stick to (some of which are the rules of the NICU, some of which are just us protecting our tiny little friend):

-health updates are to only be received from the nursing staff by Laura and I... just a matter of us being the ones that are in the 'need to know everything' category and everyone else being in the 'we will share what is appropriate' category.

-washing your hands for 2 minutes is not an option, its the law when you arrive. Alcohol foam is used for all entrance/exits after initial scrubbing.

-If your security tag does not say 'parent/guardian' DO NOT open the incubator. The 2 of us are just now comfortable with the idea that we are able to reach in and touch her, not quite to the point of being okay with others just yet.

-big one here... if you are coming up, make sure either Laura or myself are aware you are stopping by. Wanna see a cranky momma- be the reason she drove from Fenton and can't get back to see her baby girl and has no clue who is back there... ever seen the horn on my forehead- make me wait to see my tiny little lady. We love that everyone wants to see her, but the point here is that with the 2 person at a time max, we need to know who is there.

-2 people at a time at her bed side, period. The only SLIGHT exception is if Madeline is back there with both of us. This is not arbitrary.

Otherwise (and yes I am very aware I sound like the big bad wolf on these) we would love for you to visit and enjoy this little miracle that has graced us so soon.

Good night to my beautiful little princess... daddy will see you later this evening (since its after midnight).
love you Evelyn
Tim