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?;)

Babbo

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..

Babbo

Nappy change

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

Babbo

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.

Babbo

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.

Babbo