Making Steady Progress....

Rena is now eating 48 ml (about one and a half ounces) and weighs five pounds, two ounces. She no longer fits into her preemie clothes so I got to dress her in regular newborn onesie today. She is doing great with nursing.

Sophianne is now eating 30 ml (once ounce) and she weighs four pounds and three ounces. She has gained a total of nine ounces. Yesterday, she came off of her IV. We dressed her in her first shirt today. (Unfortunately, we don't have a picture of her in her shirt.) She is also doing great nursing.

Both girls are likely to transition into nippling for all their feedings (8 times a day using a bottle or nursing) to see how they handle the exertion required. If they do well (meaning they digest all their food without having major spit-ups and maintaining good stats) then it will be an indicator that they might be ready to be discharged.

The next step also will be to put them in the "open crib" where they will be challenged to regulate their own body temperature. If they can do that for 24-48 hours and nipple 8 times a day while gaining weight, our girls will be discharged. The nurse who is in charge of them this morning said that from her 30 years of experience in the NICU, she thinks that perhaps the girls will be discharged some time this weekend! She encouraged us to get ready for the possibility! :)