A Bottle? No Problem for Ms. WonderGirl!

Allie didn't have any problem taking her first bottle! Granted, we only gave her a small amount for her first attempt, but unlike some preemies, she didn't fight it when it was first offered, she didn't spill it all over the place... she just ate! This all happened on December 11th - I think it was a present for Tim's Birthday. Of course, by the time he got off work and came to visit her... she left him her own version of a present. He seemed happy with it and he is good at changing diapers, so go figure. A Daddy's Girl can do no wrong, right?

On December 12th - Allie was given a second try at the bottle. They only do this gradually at the beginning because learning to suck, swallow and breath all takes effort and coordination and she looses calories when she does it, so they just let her have the bottle at one meal throughout the day. Well, her second try.. she took the whole bottle! Perhaps it was because Mommy wasn't there to video tape and take pictures. She is probably already ready for me to put that camera away. Anyway, she took the whole bottle and did GREAT! And.. I'm not putting the camera away. All of you would get pretty upset, so I'm just making sure Allie gets used to performing for the camera.

Last night, I got to give her a bath, too! Her little umbilical cord has now fallen all the way off and she can have "tub" bath, but we did another sponge bath because we have to keep her temperature up. I did fairly well I must admit. Only forgetting a few things... like drying her hair before moving onto other parts of her body. But, that is why we have exceptional nurses at Shelby NICU and I was gently assisted before my precious baby got too chilled. Yep... Daddy got a picture of nurse Kristy steping in to help. She has a great way of helping the new Mommy without the new Mommy feeling too idiotic.

Baby Allie is now a whopping 3 pounds 5.1 ounces! She has gained more than a pound since she was born only a little over 3 weeks ago! She is doing great and keeping food down and staying pretty consistent. As she grows, she should grow out of the need for the room-air oxygen flow. She seems to be wanting to get rid of the feeding tube, though. I think she pulled it out on her own about 5 or 6 times over the past day or so. She likes what she likes and doesn't like what she doesn't like and isn't afraid to say so!

That's my girl!!