First trip to the zoo

We took a partly rainy day, strapped both girls into the back of a 2010 Mustang, and drove to the Toledo Zoo.

First family vacation

We took our first family vacation in Vero Beach, Florida at the end of September. We learned a lot about traveling with small children and had some pretty tough days, despite the beauty and warmth of our surroundings, but eventually settled in together and had a good time.

Camilla's zero party

We celebrated Camilla turning zero on her due date, August 18.

Early days at home

Coming home

Well.... things got a little busy after that last post. Camilla was rapidly progressing and getting ready to come home. At the same time, we were also getting ready to go home--to move back into our house (which we had been renting while we were in Italy and through most of the first year we were home). Between increasing our visits to the hospital in Camilla's last weeks and preparing our house to be ready to move into, we fell behind on the blog and never picked back up again. Here is what's been going on in the last year and a half... :)

Here is Camilla's last day in the hospital, Monday, July 13. She was just shy of 35 weeks, weighing 4 lb. 8 oz.


How Camilla looked when we arrived...


Last hospital feeding


Saying goodbye to Dr. Ivaco


She's going with us!


Ready to go

First complete family photo

The nurse took this photo this afternoon in Camilla's first day in the Special Care nursery. As you can see, we have a lot more freedom of movement and ability to be close to Camilla. Eva really enjoyed it too. She was excited to see Camilla so close up and to be able to touch her for the first time--kissing her and trying to hug her. She was just frustrated that she couldn't hug Camilla quite as tightly as she would have liked to. :)

(If you click on the photo it enlarges, and it gives a great view of Camilla's face)

Graduation

Today was a very big day for Camilla. She made two big moves: out of her isolette and into an open crib, and out of the NICU into the Special Care nursery. Moving out of the isolette means that she's doing well at maintaining her own body temperature--a major step towards being ready to come home. The Special Care nursery is for babies who still need to be in the hospital, but who need much less than what the NICU can offer. This means that she's stable and well, that they don't anticipate other major problems for her, but that she just needs to be there to eat and grow.

Way to go Camilla!