New pictures. =)

Here are the newest pictures of Flara and one of big sissy Noël. On the day these photos were taken, Flara was 33 weeks and 2 days and weighed 3 pounds, 7 ounces. This was also the day that Flara was able to be dressed in baby clothes for the first time!

She currently is 3-8 for her weight. We're facing another round of tummy trouble so Flara's feedings had to be decreased again. At least this time they were not stopped completely. Feeding intolerances are always very scary for us... it can be a precursor to a very serious GI problem called "NEC". Please pray against this! Also, the slow-down in Flara's feedings means she will need IV fluids even longer. We are past one week on her PICC (central line) being in... the longer it's in the more nervous we are for infections. Her first PICC became infected at two weeks. The sepsis that resulted has taken Flara a full month to fully regain the ground she lost, so we are really praying that this, too, will not become another problem.

She's still at 3L of flow/minute on her cannula. She was given a trial at 2L, but she just wasn't ready for it. Her medications to help with her heart rate drops was increased today. She was having more events, so she may have been outgrowing her doses. She was also started on a new medicine today, 'Reglan,' that will help her with GI motility. This is to help to keep things moving and reduce reflux. She actually had a large number of changes and additions to her orders today. We are hopeful the new changes will help Flara out.

It again has been a stressful weekend. Mike's had a sinus infection, so only I held her Saturday. It did provide me a long cuddle time, but I hate for Daddy that he didn't get to cuddle with his little gal. I was glad to see Flara Saturday and to get to do skin-to-skin holding with her... that was the day her tummy troubles started. I always feel better seeing her when I get word that we've gone a few steps backwards.

Today is Sunday... my dreaded no-visit day. The day has gone quickly, though, so I'll be seeing her shortly come morning.

Please continue to pray for those things I listed... infections, lung improvement, tolerating eating. Also, please pray for Mike to get better, Noël and I to stay healthy (although Noël now has a runny nose), and for Mike and me to not be bitter from our delivery. The delivery story hasn't made it here yet, but it has left us with a strange multitude of feelings and emotions.

Enjoy the pictures!

Noël is very helpful. She's pumping! (If only it were that simple!)

Sweet little Flara holding Mommy's hand. (She has really grown from the first similar picture at a few days old!)

Little Flara listening to Mommy.

Snuggle time.

Peaceful baby.