Growth

Happy New Year!

2008 has been one to remember, 2009 will be one to try and top.  

Since the last post, Adeline has grown into a wonderful and healthy baby girl.  No more, do we look at her and think how fragile she is.  Gone are the times where we pause before picking her up to make sure the pillow, chair, glass of water, bottle and everything else is in its proper place so that nothing goes wrong.  For the past forty days she has been doing what babies are supposed to do, telling mom and dad when she is hungry, when she is messy and when she is happy by making the most joyous grunts.  Pretty cool.

All three of us are learning/growing everyday.  As parents we try to decipher every noise and movement that Adeline makes.  The question that is asked all to often... "Is that gas or hunger pain?".  We (Aimee mostly) are on the same sleep schedule with Adeline (as if there is a choice).  And most importantly, we are learning how to sooth our baby.  We are getting better but know we'll never fully figure it out.

Adeline has the most important job of all...to keep getting bigger and stronger.  Since coming home on almost 30 days ago, Adeline has gained 2 lbs. 2 oz.  At the doctor's on New Years Eve she weighed 6 lbs 9 oz!  Each and every day we note how big she has gotten over the past 24 hours.  It something that is so incredible to witness but also sad knowing she will never be this way again.  We try to put her in preemie clothes (up to 5 lbs.) to reminisce but her belly is literally busting out. 

Our holidays have been wonderful.   On Christmas eve we gathered with family, either in person at the dinner table or by video chat two states away.   Christmas day was by far the most special.  We did nothing but be together all day.  Daisy even got a walk (Christmas comes but once a year).  

New years eve was a true night of celebration.  We invited two families, whom we met in the NICU, for dinner.  We figured that being the 1st time parents of a preemie girl, they would have similar plans as us...a quiet night at home.  We had a lot of  fun catching up, remembering days in the "U", wondering if your daughter did the same as ours.  Before we knew it four hours passed as we sat at the table with babies sleeping all around us and 2009 was here.  It was memorable night. 

Since coming home, we have been moving pretty quickly.  Being parents of a newborn infant and preparing for the upcoming holidays has not left us much time to just hang.  As the decorations are coming down, and Adeline sleeping more and more through the night we can start to settle in.  We may even to try and get out and catch a movie.

  

Needless to say it has been an incredible month.  

Each day brings new blessings.  We can't wait for tomorrow.