Writing from Fairlawn NJ, I relay Jen's update on Gabrielle. Yesterday was eventful. Bottle feedings increased from every other feeding to 2 of 3 feedings. The amount increased a couple cc's to 30 cc for each feeding. Also, Gabrielle graduated from her isolette to an open air crib after passing a 24hr body temperature test. Although very pleased with these advances, Jen and all of the parents involved were unhappy when the NICU closed our small room because of a nursing staff shortage. Gabrielle spent yesterday afternoon and last night in a different room with eight other babies where the quarters were a little too close for comfort. With the new busier environment, no isolette to filter the noise, and even a draft overhead, it's not surprising that Gabrielle didn't gain any weight yesterday. She's 3 lb 3.4 oz, unchanged from Monday morning. Thankfully, the NICU re-opened our small room this morning, so Gabrielle and Jen are back in their more comfortable, quieter corner. Additionally, the staff gave Jen some literature on car seats and what to buy (diapers, etc) before the baby comes home. It's getting closer!

Don't be alarmed if there's no posting within the next few days. I may or may not have Internet access in NJ, where I'll be using the computer to study for part III of the national board in optometry.

Happy Easter! Today Brie is 3 lbs 2 oz. She is wearing a cute little ducky outfit. We tried to shrink one of her dresses to put on her for a picture, but it was still too big. She has been doing well with her bottles and hopefully soon can have one at every feeding. She has also been weaning down to room temperature in her isollette. She has to do 24 hours at her current setting and then she can come out to an open crib. They like babies to be 3 lbs 5 oz prior to coming out of the isollette, but she is small for her age so they may try her sooner.

Today we hit the big 3 lbs!!! She has a sign above her bed marking the occasion. She was held most of the day. Today she was held by grammie Smithgall for a few hours during her feeding. She has been doing well with her bottle feedings. Today she took 2 from mommy and is allowed to take one every other feeding. She was very awake today and was looking for more food when her bottle was finished.

Today our little peanut took 2 bottles from mommy. She did pass her isolette test and now can officially wear clothes. I think she likes being bundled up. Most of her clothes are too big, but she will grow into them. Her weight today was 2 lbs 15 oz. Hopefully soon she will hit the big 3 lb mark. Yesterday she had her eye exam. They found that her eyes are immature. Go figure she is premature! Now she will have an eye exam every 2 weeks until they are mature. Tomorrow they may allow her to take a bottle every other feeding. She seems to like to eat from the bottle so hopefully she will tolerate it well.

Today is a big day for Brie. She is weening from the skin setting to air setting in her isollette. If she passes the three hour test she will finally be able to wear clothes. Before I left today she was in a pink outfit. It was so nice to see her in clothes. She is a little under the weight limit for air setting, but she has been very warm for the past few days on the air setting. The nurses said because she is small for her age she is ready. She is 2 lbs 13.5 oz today. She also got an increase in her feedings today to 27 cc.

Today Brie is 2 lbs 13 oz. She continues to gain weight steadily. They increased the amount of her feeds today to 26 cc- soon she will be taking an entire oz at a time. She is going to have an eye exam either tonight or tomorrow night. It is routine for the eye doctor to see them at 4 weeks of age to see how her eyes are developing.