Week 1...survival mode

Week 1 Survival Mode has gone well overall. Poor Gabe got a cold the day we brought Alyssa home from the hospital. It's nothing extremely concerning, just a virus creating lots of drainage. 2 days later...Alyssa sounds congested. Lets just say we've been dealing with alot of saline and bulb syringe to clear out the sinuses on both kids. I didn't even think newborns could get sick this early, but I guess I was wrong. Alyssa is also making a little bit of a high pitched whistle sound when she takes a bottle. They think she may have a little bit of floppiness in her airway or it could be related to her congestion. Either way, the doctor is not too concerned as long as she does not appear in distress and thinks it will either go away with the cold, or she'll get over it when she gets alittle bigger. Either way, floppy airway are not words to throw around lightly considering Gabe's history. Alyssa's weight is 5lbs 15oz on Friday which is good. I still like the sounds of 6lbs a little more.

Alyssa is still a little bit of a lazy feeder related to her being pre-term. We went to lactation this week for some help. She did have a minor tongue tie (stage 2) that they clipped. It was so tiny and thin she didn't even really cry. That has helped some. She is able to nurse a little, but she falls asleep quickly. She takes a bottle fine because it is less work than nursing. She also doesn't open her mouth very wide, so it's not the most comfortable thing for me, but it has improved. The lacatation physician said to try to keep up with it and in 2-3 weeks, she'll be a different kid as she approaches her due date and has more wakefull periods. The process currently is try to nurse, offer her a bottle, burp her and hold her up right so she doesn't spit up and then pump. It's about an hour long process that we do every 2-3 hours. She only take 1-2 oz per feed because she's little and gaining strength still. It's alot of work, but like I said, I'm trying to stay with it for another 2 weeks and see if things improved. Otherwise, things have been great. She is an easy baby. I feel better emotionally this time around without the worry of heart surgery or health problems in our future. I feel like I am able to enjoy her more. Gabe is doing well. I am not able to try to lift him for another week, so that has been difficult. I am trying to make a point to give hime attention as well. We read books and work on puzzles and do some fine motor exercises. Justin has been great with Gabe's care from therapy, to bath time, to taking him and picking him up from school. Gabe has noticed Alyssa. He'll say baby and give kisses. He loves when we point our her eyes and nose and ears. He gets a little unsure when she screams for her bath, but otherwise, he kind of ignores her after awhile.

We're tired, but very happy and thankful.