65 grams!!

Eva blew past the 4 lb. mark two days ago with a 65 gram increase in one day..we were so proud, though slightly expecting something of the sort. She is called by the nurses 'Mangione', meaning a big eater.(could also translate into glutton) Notice how alert she seems in the pic...we have been told she may not really wake up til her original due date..but we catch her for a few minutes wide awake and alert every day.

On a slightly disappointing note, Eva will most likely be at the hospital over Christmas, as she has a follow up eye exam on the 27th...either way we are ready for her having unpacked all her belongings, set up a crib, and tending to all the little things little people need.


Auguri!

Impending homecoming..

So here we are all up to date....Eva weighs as of yesterday 1740 kilos = 3.77 lbs. She would also be at 35 weeks should she still be in the womb. Not bad at all. She needs to reach 1.9 or 2 kilos to go home, have solid feeding habits, and be all around in great shape. Her feeding tube has been removed. She had a blood transfusion, which was scary, but routine and a good sign still. On any given day she will gain 50 grams. All of this to say we seem to be in line for a possible homecoming on Christmas Eve...

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Christmas wear...

More Festive pics..

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Our first bath....

Things are moving fast now...We were asked to help out for the first time in administering a bath...Christi should be writing this note, as she in fact was the one, and is was very precious. Eva loves baths and who wouldn't, especially when it's followed with a head to toe lavender oil massage.This is highly recommended after a particularly tiring day...Hmm...another way we are called to be like children?

This of course lead to her falling asleep on Christi's shoulder, and not having the strength to nurse...Yes I said 'nurse'! I didn't quite mean to slip it in under the radar, though a pic would have to be a savvy one and has yet to be taken. Christi has begun nursing, though it is quite difficult for Eva as she is so little, and the opportunity is only once a day out of 8 feedings. We'll get there. Especially as Eva is quite rigorous about it.

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Monkey di Natale!!

We were quite startled to find what seemed a festive Christmas monkey in place of Eva....Having had the feeding tube and the tape moustache removed was visually quite jolting. It really is like seeing someone who has freshly shaved their moustache. Thank you for the fabulous outfit as well(you know who you are), as she was the envy of the ward...

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I have to say this is one of my favorites thus far...She was wide awake and peacefully taking in Christi, myself and her bed. This also one of the last days with the feeding tube...

2nd Bottle!!

The bigger deal of course was the first bottle, which neither myself or the camera were present for....So here is the 2nd...

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Pretty in pink

She seems to be lightening up a bit, starting with the eyebrows, which are now blonde. Her eyes are still very much a mystery..

The 'Fencing' position..

Apparently the 'Fencing postion' is what babies strike often while resting..I'm sure this may be familiar to many of you. It seems a bit more Flamenco to me.

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Family time..

This is what our daily routine looks like....

The bed and Holy card..

This is Eva's new bed. Notice the little nameplate which reads, 'Mi chiamo Eva'...Also notice the holy card sent to us by my niece Madeline...This significance of this particular card is great. If you see her, please do ask her about it as it is a wonderful story....or ask her Mother Miriam, Aunt Rebecca, or Grandma Mangan.

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enjoying the 28th..

Tai Chi

Free at last and upgraded to a big girl bed, Eva was quick to show us some of her moves. While not really knowing much of anything about Tai Chi, the fluid movement and distinct patterns she moves her limbs reminds me of what I think it may be...limb movement is indeed a form of exercise for babies and premies.

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Some last views from the incubator...

A curious look out and a tremendous yawn were indicative of her leaving her plastic home...

Greetings earthlings...

still growing...

November 25th...

Not much to say....just trying to catch up and show what we've been enjoying!

November21st....more marsupial

Technical Difficulty..

I have finally found the time and sat down again to share our little girl with you all, but the internet is not cooperating....I cannot upload anything at the moment...

I'll try again tomorrow(I promise), as it is time to head out to the hospital and see my girl....

Let's begin again...welcome!

It's been a while now since we have had a chat. I'm not so sure where to even begin, but to flood the blog with pics of our beautiful and healthy little girl...I

These couple pics are some of the last from the Intensive Unit where Marsupial therapy was a little more necessary and common. Let's begin..

Graduation

Upfront I must apologize for no new pics, but our time has been a bit compromised as of late. We're on it.

On Sat. we walked into Eva's room to find the c-pap oxygen machine hooked up again...but no Eva to be found!(a new premie in her place) She's swimming with the big kids now..As her progress has been so good they moved her into the SUB ward.(no idea what it stands for) An obvious difference being instead of 3-4 babies in 1 room, there are now 17 in a slightly larger room. They range from Eva's size to full term babies born up to the minute. It's been a bit disappointing as it is quite crowded on the weekend, not allowing the physical space for marsupial therapy. Christi swaddled her for a bit today, though it's not quite the same. We should find space during the week, as visiting hours are expanded. Eva is growing..she has gained 50 grams in the past 2 days for a grand total of 1150 grams...

Buon Domenica

100 grams!!

No pics just good news. Eva has gained 100 grams and is now 3 weeks old. I am the lucky one who just came back from a session of Marsupial therapy. I recommend it..
Her new grand total is 1100 grams=2.45 pounds...not bad. Kate where's the commentary been?;)

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Babbo Natale

"Babbo Natale"(Father Christmas) was what one of the nurses exclaimed looking at Eva with her super cute little hat and stockings. Not sure how much of it was that she looked like Babbo Natale, as reminded the nurse of the coming season..?? anyway, enough of that.... She is doing well, as are we at this point. She is even a candidate to be moved to a less volatile ward, as her progress has been superb. She looks quite content if you hadn't noticed. The strange winter lighting effect is a combination of some of the cold neon lights being turned off casting long cool shadows. And of course the icy stocking hat..

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Nappy change

Here's me changing her nappy..Pampers 'micro' edition. We fold these in half at the top to make them seemingly fit.

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My girl..

Bon giorno tutti! This is retroactive to Sunday afternoon...This was my first time really holding her. (We did hold her for 2 seconds the day after she was born, but this was a bit of a formality, and not so therapeutic for her)

Peace was realized. When we are holding her, her breathing and heart rate are nearly perfect and consistent almost the entire time. They dim the lights prompting her to open her eyes and look to and fro. Her mouth and poutty lower lip hang open most of the time, except when making little squeals of contentment. It's as if she is swimming at times as all her limbs seem to kick out in unison.

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Ciao from Nonna A - I'm so thankful to God (and Roger) for letting me come to Florence to see the cutest little girl in the world! Eva Claire is so beautiful and petite and perfect-and as usual pictures don't do her justice! She certainly was born in the right place because everything here is little - little baby, little house, little kitchen, little coffee pot, litte bread... Their one room (well the bathroom makes two) home is so bright and cozy and miraculously finds a place for everything including me. We've had so much fun. My favorite spots (besides the Churches for Mass) are of course the Ospedale where we ride the bus to see Eva every afternoon (parents can only go during visiting hours), the little (of course) grocery store and local laundry mat and Fra Angelico's beautiful frescos in the Monastery cells of San Marcos. We've cried some, laughed alot and eaten huge amounts of pizza, pasta and chocolate. We watched the Sound of Music and (I) can't stop singing Eva Claire to the tune of Edleweis. Thank you for your prayers for my trip! I did get to Rome to see a little (of course) Papa Bene in his window for the Angelus last week. I really wanted to bring everyone's love to Christi and Bill and have tried to be helpful, loving and kind. I'm starting my journey home in a little while and feeling sad but very thankful. God Bless the little Mangan family in Florence! Chiao!

Marsupial therapy Day 2

So here are some sweet pics of Eva and Christi..This may also offer a better idea of how big she really is. At this point she is plus 70 grams over 1000. We had to make an early exit as another baby needed some procedure, thus no therapy for myself.

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Marsupial therapy!!

So, today we began 'Marsupial therapy'(skin on skin...like mother kangaroos and koalas)...This was huge. We came in, and for Christi her first time in three days as she was running a fever, and found her incubator quite barren from many of the instruments used to assist her breathing and feeding. Not only did they stop her c-pap breathing treatment, but also her nutrient tube through her belly button. First thing they asked was who would like to begin Marsupial therapy first...I of course deferred to Christi.

Regrettably between the two cameras we brought, one was missing the memory card, the other ones battery was exhausted. Sorry all. We dimmed the lights, pulled up two reclining chairs, and Eva rested on Christi's chest for over two hours. It was so peaceful and needed. It was hard for us and I would imagine Eva to place her back in her little blanket nest in the incubator. She has made it so far, thank God.

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2 for the road..