Suck, swallow, breathe. . .

Any of you familiar with preemie babies know that feeding by mouth can be a real challenge. If they suck, they don't always swallow and if they do, they sometimes forget to breathe. It actually is a brain thing, not a behavioral issue. As preemies develop, these things all click into place. We have been waiting for Aenea to learn to eat and she is making progress in that department. This is required before she can leave and go home. She is 7 lbs. now and no doubt the cutest baby in the NICU.

She really wants to nurse. . . so much so that when her Mom holds her, she won't take a bottle. But that isn't working just yet, so the other day, Tom decided to give the bottle a go. Tom is a very hands-on Dad who takes an equal role in the baby/child responsibilities. He was very successful in getting Aenea to take the bottle. In fact, he was able to feed her two different times. Whoo Hoo!!!!! Go team!

This is Aenea at 11 weeks. She is one week from her actual due date of June 4. She was born at home, dropping into her mother's hands on March 12 at 28 weeks gestation. Thanks to the cool minds of our daughter and son-in-law, she was quickly whisked away to the NICU three blocks away and has lived there since. At least one of them spends most of every day with her. They are about to be rewarded with taking home a healthy infant ready to join big brother Ronan at home.

Prayers are answered.

Till next time. . .


Dale