A visit with Grandma Joanne

Grandma Joanne had the chance to see Claire twice yesterday. Mom thinks they were both delighted.

Claire is now ramping up her calorie intake as she has maxed out the quantity during a feeding. Mom hopes to capture just how chubby her little girl gets over the next couple of weeks. Mom learned yesterday that the key to getting Claire home will be her feeding. The less she relies on the feeding tube the sooner she gets to come home. Once she is feeding on her own she is free to be discharged. Mom now has a new motivation to get to the hospital for feedings. The nurses begin to bottle feed once they feel the babe has understanding of 'suckling'. Claire has it somewhat but doesn't stay awake very long when she is with mom. In due time she will learn and we'll be able to bring her home. It's still early so to have her latch on and go to town would be another miracle. Mom has to keep in mind that Claire's gestational age is only 33.5 weeks. With the great leaps she has made since her arrival it is hard to not get her hopes up.