It feels like we're waiting for Christmas morning...

... BUT EVEN BETTER...

As many of you know, we were suddenly and unexpectedly given the GRRRRRREAT and overwhelming news that we WILL be getting Brontë home by Christmas and most likely by the end of this week... She is currently in observation, and has had a few test which we are waiting for results on... but the NICU staff members are shooting for Wednesday (THIS WEDNESDAY!)... so as long as her test results come back fine, she continues to gain weight at a steady pace, and she has no events (apnea or bradycardia) we'll be able to have her home by this time tomorrow! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

Last I posted, she was still getting fed mostly through a feeding tube... now, just days later she is taking ALL her feedings orally and the tube is GONE! That was the last thing that needed to happen before talking about discharging her, and it happened FAST! (It's like she knew that was her ticket home)

Being that Brontë was so premature, she will require specific care tailored to her needs, so Nick and I are having to take some classes in preparation to care for her at home, and in the event of an emergency (which we'll hopefully never have to use), but on top of that there is just so much regular baby prep stuff to do to get ready for her to come home...there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the days.

Initially, we were stressed with everything that needed to happen in such a short amount of time... but there have been so many people that have volunteered to help us in more ways than I could have ever thought to ask, and THAT is making this time much, MUCH more enjoyable for Nick and I... We have truly been blessed above and beyond by amazing people all around us... God has not only been working in Brontë, but also through her, and I am blown away to see God moving the body of Christ in response to her.

Today we celebrate her 5th week birthday/"would have been" 34th week of gestation... and Nick and I are lying in bed trying to get some much needed sleep, but how can we?! We just are awe struck with God's sovereignty and goodness! He's had this in His plan all along, and His reasoning, which has begun to unfold already, will continue to do so throughout her life and ours.

Growing like a weed!

Hey everyone, Emily here...

Brontë is doing really well the last few days. She has been moved yet again to another portion of the NICU , she is now in a room with only 7 other babies, all of whom are doing well and getting close to reaching their goals to go home... SO THIS IS VERY EXCITING THAT WE ARE THERE NOW TOO! We're still not sure when she will be able to come home, but it ensures us that we are definitely on track and that it may be sooner rather than later... We just celebrated her 1 month birthday and Nick and I sang Happy Birthday to her in the NICU... just as we did on her actual day of birth. 

I hate to use the phrase "supposed to" because God always knew and planned for her to come when she did, but it is hard to believe that we are still 7 weeks away from when she was "supposed to" be here... with that said, the NICU staff always tells parents to plan to have their babies home around their due date... give or take a a couple weeks... However, if babies are really thriving it may be realistic to have them come home a month before their due date... so if Brontë's homecoming truly is coming sooner rather than later it maybe just over 2 weeks from now! 

The real determining factor of when she will be able to come home now is how well, and how fast, she catches on to bottle feeds and nursing. As of now, her doctor has ordered 1 bottle feeding per 12 hour shift, and 1 dry breast feeding session each 12 hour shift to practice nursing. Normally, the suck - swallow - breathe coordination doesn't set in until closer to full term, but they begin to learn the skill on average at 34 weeks gestation... She is equivalent to 33 weeks currently, and they started her with this practice last week... she is progressively getting better with her bottle feeds, and the nurse is now working on getting orders from the doctor to increase her bottle feeds to twice per 12 hour shift and also to start true breast feeding possibly this weekend! 

Brontë weighed in last night at 4 lbs 2.5 oz and has been growing like a weed... her little preemie clothes that were falling off of her just 2 weeks ago are now leaning more towards being too tight! (though we can probably make due with them for another week at least) She has been gaining about an ounce every day... sometimes more, sometimes less. 

It is amazing to think of the progress she has made in this first precious month! As many of you know she has been hooked up to nearly every contraption, and on almost every medication that a preemie could be on, but now, only a month later... She is off EVERYTHING with the exception of her feeding tube!

As far as prayer requests goes please pray... 

1. That Brontë continues to develop her feeding skills... specifically breast feeding as we will soon be trying it for real... 

     2. Her brain bleed is still present. There have been no changes (good or bad) since they found it... They are still saying that as long as it’s not getting bigger then it’s just a matter of time before the blood is reabsorbed... please be praying that it doesn’t get any worse, and that it begins to go away.

     3. Nick and I are both sick right now, and as such, are not allowed to visit the NICU until we are symptom free... pray this comes quickly.

     4. That Nick and I are able to get ready for Brontë's homecoming... there is still so much to do and SO much we need to get... all the essentials like a car seat, a crib mattress, diapers etc, etc. (A clear indication we didn't have the expected 3rd trimester prep time. LOL) If any of you feel like helping us with this, we would appreciate it. You can check out our registries at both BuyBuyBaby and Babies"R"Us

http://www.buybuybaby.com/regGiftRegistry.asp?wrn=%2D280714111&

http://www.toysrus.com/registry/search/index.jsp?_flowExecutionKey=_c83941C5D-9C17-9D29-4979-DDD83034663B_kC706F22B-0115-6E09-6CF1-34AA944892C2&overrideStore=TRUS