Day 11

Monday 4/30

Susan had a pregnancy app on her phone that gave weekly updates for Isabelle‘s development in utero. Every Monday we would receive an email saying how big she was compared to fruits, vegetables or animals. I think the week she arrived, Isabelle was assumed to match the size of a puffin penguin. I like puffin penguins. Anyway, the email came this morning (even though Susan told the app the baby came early) and congratulated us on reaching the third trimester. Your baby is a tropical coconut! Only 12 weeks to go!

While reading the email I was struck by how early Isabelle was, I think we are both still processing what 14 weeks early means. Susan missed out on an entire trimester of pregnancy; the maternity clothes she purchased but never got to wear, the shower that is now in limbo, the nursery that still needs paint and a crib. While those are all small issues, they add to a loss that is hard to quantify or describe to others. There is a support staff here at the hospital to help work through some of those difficult emotions and to adjust to our new reality. Hopefully in the coming weeks the losses get smaller and smaller and our greatest gain grows and grows.

Isabelle entered week 28 stronger than ever, at 2lbs 0oz she officially past her birth weight! She is eating and breathing well and is more active today than we’ve seen in previous days. She is even allowed to do tummy time for small periods, which helps push some of the extra air out of her belly. After gaining 1oz since birth she will start to pick up the pace, most babies gain 1/2 to 1 oz each day as they enter the third trimester and this is no different for babies in the NICU. The next few weeks could bring big changes for Izzy!

This photo is absolutely a plug for Pampers, that is the most adorable tush I’ve ever seen. Except for the time a blowout caused Izzy to need not only a new bed but an entire new incubator… I’ll save that for another day.