A very special package and an update

We have been so blessed with so much support from family, friends, coworkers, and strangers. Everyday we come home to cards, emails, phone messages and packages. Each and every one of them help us keep our spirits high and remind us how lucky we are.

A very special package arrived this week, not only because of what was in it but because of the little girl (and her parents) that sent it. Amber, my cousins' cousin (got that?), and Todd have certainly been in our shoes. A little over a year ago they experienced a lengthy hospital bed rest and the preemie rollercoaster. Their beautiful daughter Dylan was born early and is now a beautiful and healthy 1 year old. Their story gave us hope during the darkest days of bedrest and continues to give us hope each day that we walk into the NICU.

This week we received a GIANT box of preemie clothes, blankets, hats and booties as well as a very special note from Dylan and her parents! Not only will Virginia be the best dressed baby in the NICU but she will be wearing clothes full of luck, hope and happiness. Thank you Amber, Todd and Dylan!

An Update

Virginia has had a good week. She has even gained a few ounces. They continue to increase her feedings and lower her supplemental nutrition. She currently receives 6cc's of breastmilk every 2 hours and the goal is to get her up to 8cc's every 2 hours. We are hopeful to reach this goal in the next few days. Once Virginia is at that goal we can remove her central line. Yes, we are now hoping to remove the central line that just weeks ago we were praying to get in.

Virginia has been making progress with her ventilator settings. It tends to be a "2 steps forward one step back" type of thing, but we are happy that she is making steady progress. We are hopeful that she can get off of the vent in the next few weeks. She needs to get a bit bigger and her vent settings need to continue to be lowered in order for her to graduate from the vent.

V opened her eyes earlier this week! Ill try to catch a picture of them in the next few days :)

Specific prayers that we could use this weekend:
That her doctors are able to further lower her ventilator settings and make progress toward getting off of the Vent.

That Virginia continues to steadily gain weight.

That the Doctors are able to remove her central line and discontinue her supplemental nutrition in the next few days.

That her lungs continue to clear excess fluid.