A visit from 'the boys'

Claire's cousins Alex and Ryan were able to see Claire through the window last night. The nurses and the neonatal nurse practitioner OK'd Claire's removal from her leads monitoring her heart rate, breathing pattern/amount and skin temp long enough for her to be swaddled and held up to a window in the NICU. Alex and Ryan were pretty excited to see her. Claire even opened her eyes - and when she crossed them Ryan was surprised. The boys are amazed at how small she is - especially her fingers. Alex commented on her tiny finger nails and held up his hand to have Aunt Holly try and show him how small her fingers are compared to his. He wanted very much to come into the NICU and touch her, but we explained that because she is so little she can't come out and he can't come into the NICU. I'm sure Karey will have to field more questions from her inquisitive eldest son. It was pretty cool to see how excited they got when Claire came to the window. There is only five years difference between Claire and Alex and she shares the same birthday as Ryan with only three years between them. I'm hoping they can have a very close relationship as they all grow and develop over the years.

In other news, Claire took 2 1/2 bottles yesterday and did good at her 11am feeding with mom. Gestationally she is 34 weeks so we're hoping she will really start getting into the whole feeding from the bottle/breast trick. Her weight continues to grow. Pete estimates she will be at 4 lbs today. Her weight Monday night was 3 lbs 14 oz - almost there.