Some Pig...

Homer Zuckerman: There he is!

Arable: That's some pig.

Avery: He's terrific!

Lurvy: He's radiant!

Mrs. Zuckerman:  Well, he's clean anyway...

Not much to update about little Juliet but in the crazy NICU it's best to make as few waves as possible.  She is 2 weeks old, 33 weeks and 3 days adjusted.  She weighs 4lbs 6.4 oz, above her birth weight!  She is getting 4 bottles a day and 4 NG feeds.  She reminds me of the little runt Wilbur in Charlotte's web -- surpassing everyone's expectations. 

She has continued to make progress every day and hasn't had any setbacks thus far.  The reality of the NICU however, is that no matter how amazing your babe is doing, you are always prepared for a setback.  Yes, she is eating like a horse.  Yes, she has required no oxygen or other medications.  Yes, she is maintaining her heart rate and respirations on her own.  BUT..... She is still only 33 weeks old.  She should still be growing inside her mother for 7 more weeks.  Dr.B never fails to remind us that while she is doing spectacular, she is very, very premature.  Yesterday he told us that many babies her age would still be fed strictly by NG tube so the fact that she is up to four bottles a day is amazing.  He also tells us that if she would need extra time to get used to the increased feeding or would need to slow down and go back to three bottles a day we wouldn't consider it a setback.  She is that far ahead of the game. 

All around us new families were taking their babies home this week.  Very bittersweet.  We can't wait for that to be us, but right now we know she is in the best place she could be. 

This is her MAD face

Jaslyn is still happy with her grandparents and visiting us once or twice a week.  My mom and my aunt are taking excellent care of me and baby Juliet has been able to meet some of her aunts and cousins this week.  The NICU is getting expensive -- I think I have shopped more online while sitting in the rocking chair with Juliet than I have shopped in a store in my entire life. Everyone is surprised by how small she is in person but she is filling out her preemie clothes well and her cheeks look chubbier every single day!  She really is "some pig".