Celeste's First Week

The moment that we found out that Celeste was going to be born, Michael and I quickly understood that this would not be an easy road for our 29-weeker.  Our son Nicholas was born prematurely at 34 weeks and 5 days, and his 14 days in the NICU proved to be rocky for all of us.  And now we were discussing a baby who was almost 6-weeks younger that her brother at birth.  I think to say that I was terrified would be an understatement.

Celeste was born at the corrected gestational age of 29 weeks and 1 day.

She was put on ventilation for her first day.  By the following day this was quickly changed to nasal ventilation (much less invasive), since she was staying very stable.  By the time she was 6-days old, her breathing support was a nasal CPAP (one-way air), rather than the two-way breathing support of the ventilation.  Celeste "blew" us away because the follow day (7-days old), she was taken off all ventilation and was breathing room-air.  She was very happy to have all of the medical apparatuses taken off of her cute face, and was already resting better.

 At birth Celeste weighed 3lbs 2oz, which was a good start for a baby her age.  Like all newborns, much of her weight was natural swelling and and so over the next few days she dropped to 2lbs 10oz.  Although still on IV support, she successfully tolerated increased breastmilk feeds (via feeding tube) and weight 2lbs at 14.2oz at 7-days.

Not much bigger than my hand!

Room decorations, courtesy of Celeste's big brothers.

Daddy and Celeste

Holding hands with my daughter.

Celeste with her CPAP.  You can also see her PICC line in her leg, which was removed during her 2nd week of life.

1-week old!  It was a joy to finally see her adorable face.

We are so proud and astounded of our little girl's amazing progress in just one-week.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers.