The Fairy and the Mermaid

Hazel is doing better than expected. Throughout the past twenty-four hours, she has been removed from the heat shield (bed with a warmer suspended over top), is on room air (no more nasal cannula), eating, placed back in a crib, and is off all fluids. The IV in her hand has been capped off and is still there just as a precaution. Once it expires, it will be removed and a new one will not be placed into her other hand. She is very fussy and tired. The nurses are taking turns holding and comforting her. Her belly is full of air from the lack of bottle feeding and her crying. A feeding tube was placed in her nose this evening to help remove the air and give her a rest from the bottle. When her Mama was holding her and reading to her tonight, Hazel opened her eyes a few times. The white part of her eyes are very red and her lids are swollen. Other than that, you would never know she had surgery yesterday. Her color is good and her bradys are not as bad as yesterday. Her feistiness continues to impress her parents and the NICU staff. The next twenty-four hours will bring even more changes and healing. She is thankful for all the prayers and support.

Cora is training her parents very well. They are almost on the schedule she wants, sleep all day, play all night. She will sleep for a few hours, want to be held for an hour, want food, play time, then back to bed. This is the schedule she prefers. Her favorite time is when her Papa holds her. Nothing but his warmth and voice will do in the wee hours of the morning. She had some tummy time today. Tummy time helps build her neck and shoulder muscles, and helps shape her head. Right now both girls have the typical preemie head, flat on both sides and round in the back. Tummy time will help shape their heads. She has also started a new chase the pacifier in my bassinet game. This keeps her busy for extended amounts of time. Cora has her first pediatrician appointment tomorrow afternoon.