Race for Ryleigh Grace!

This past weekend was the March for Babies walk, which was really neat. There were pictures along the walk of  babies that had survived. There was also a number of people who were wearing shirts in support of a baby. One of the shirts we saw was in support of a baby that only weighed 15 ounces at birth!!! WOW! That is one ounce less than a pound! You could see the little girl in her stroller, now almost 4 years old. God is so good!
  I was talking to one of the nurses a couple of nights ago, and she told me that years ago when a baby was born around 24 weeks or less, the nurses would just look at each other and say, "There is nothing we can do." They would let the parents hold their babies after they were born to say goodbye. She said they didn't have the technology to save the babies the way we do today. I am so thankful that we have made so many improvements with premature births!
  Today, Ryleigh is 9 weeks old! This Saturday we start bottles! We have been "nuzzling" to start gettting Ryleigh prepared for nursing. This means I pump milk, and then let her practice sucking. A couple of days ago she was nuzzling, and got a drop of milk. It made her stop breathing for a second, but then we looked down at her and she was smiling. Isn't that hilarious? She doesn't ever get to taste the milk due to the feeding tube that is now in her nose. So, that was her first drop of milk. I guess she liked it! Ryleigh seems to really like the pacifier, so I am hoping bottle feeding is not too much of a challenge.
  We are now around 4 pounds 6 oz! We will be at 5 pounds in no time at all! They have started decreasing her calorie intake, now that she is doing so well on her growth! Ryleigh is also doing well on the nasal cannula. We are hoping that she gets off the high flow one in the next few days. I think that is all for now! Enjoy the pics from the weekend!

Family Photo

Brent and Erika

Michael, Keari and Ian

Jilinda, Michael and Lydia

Sarah Kate

The Whole Kid Crew

Our Team Shirts won the Family Award for best shirts. Thanks Robbie and Kristen!

Candice and Jose

Group Photo (I was bummed not everyone got to be in the pic)

Kristen, Robbie and Kaelyn

Angie, Jason, Edie and Henry

Aubrey supporting her sis

Sweet photo of Harper

On the move...

Zack and Kate

The Griner Crew

Lori and Laci

Sweet Paula

Cox Clan

Andi and Amy

Feekes Fam

We wanted Ryleigh to sport the shirt too! This was the smallest size possible, and it looks so big on her!

Mom, Dad and I

Aubrey and Kate were so ready for the walk to start!

Sheri, Chad and the kiddos

Edie and Jason

 

Thanks to everyone who participated! Rod and I were so touched by the entire experience. We hope to take part in it each year! Blessings, Kam