NICU: Day 9 - Feedings Begin

So the feedings for Lauren have officially begun. She is being fed through her nose tube right now, but we hope to progress to "all natural" or bottle feeding of some sort by the end of the day. She also had her first BM in the wee hour this morning (I know--TMI), but that's an event we've all be waiting for anxiously around here. The doctors were looking for proof her inner workings are getting into gear/weren't effected by her HIE, and she's on a mission to prove it now apparently.

Nate also does multiple "work-out" sessions with Lauren each day now. We need to do these, as Lauren was strapped down and sedated for the first 72 hours of life during her Cooling--leaving her a bit behind the power curve. These sessions consist of stretching her fingers, arms, legs, and centering her limbs to her torso (coordinated movements). Nate is a dedicated trainer, so I'm sure she'll be catching up quick-like...no push-ups just yet, but I've no doubt Nate will try sometime before she's a year old.

We've also been told that Lauren should be moving out of the "Giraffe" (NICU warming bed), and hopefully into a mini-crib today or tomorrow. This should make getting her in/out of bed a lot easier for her OTPT and neurological checks.

Right now we're encouraged by Lauren's increasing awareness/alert time, as well as the new limb movements she shows us each day. Tomorrow is a big day for Lauren, as she will be taken to get an MRI and we hope to get a better understanding and awareness of HIE's impact on her brain. So everyone please hope and pray for the best...We appreciate the thoughts and prayers at this time, as we truly know we are loved and looked after...