Sunday, October 19, 2008

2 months=)

catherine-

happy 2 month birthday sweet girl! you now weigh 9 pounds and 5 ounces. growing and growing, just like you should=) today was one of the sweetest days i've had with you so far. we hung out with you all day and you were awake and alert and content for almost all of it! you took your little naps here and there, but for the most part you just looked at us and we talked to you and told you all about our day and what's been going on around you in the nicu. daddy even carried you over to the window next to your bed and showed you what it looks like outside. it was beautiful out there with the leaves changing colors. it's what i call a "katie day" which means the sky was bright blue with absolutely no clouds. we'll have fun playing together on those kinds of days. we'll also have fun stomping in big puddles when it rains=) lately you've been smiling a lot in your sleep, and we have fun speculating what's making you do that...angel kisses, sweet dreams...all of your nurses have different opinions=) but guess what you did today! it was the first time you smiled at me on purpose while you were awake and alert and looking back at me! i loved it. i started crying a little. it was the most precious moment. we took lots of pictures of you to celebrate your 2 month birthday. i got some developed and brought them back to the hospital to show your nurses and they all loved them so much. they smiled and laughed and said "aaaaaw" a lot when they were looking at the pictures. so many people comment on your facial expressions-you make a lot of them and they make us so happy!!! you put one eyebrow up and stare intently at whoever is talking to you. or sometimes you look so concerned about something or another (i wish you could tell us!). and sometimes you just wiggle your arms and legs around and look up at us while we're talking to you with bright happy eyes and your mouth open like you want to talk back so bad! i can't wait till you can and you can tell us all about everything.

you started nasal cannula trials again a few days ago. you've been doing great sweet girl=) you've been slowly getting back into breastfeeding and improving little by little each day. we've been talking to your doctors about you being transferred back to chippenham (the hospital where you were born and where mommy works) because mommy has to go back to work full time in a few weeks. i can't have you here in charlottesville and me there in richmond half the week! that would be no good for either of us. but mommy's a little nervous about sending you back. i am fully confident you will get great care-the nicu nurses and doctors there are fantastic and it will obviously be so great for you to be so close while i'm at work (and at home-we live 7 minutes away from the hospital!). but here's a secret-mommy's a little anxious by nature and i just get nervous about moving you and changing things and people not knowing all your little quirks. we will also miss all our new friends at uva, won't we? no worries sweet one-we'll come back and visit. and i think you will like it at chippenham. these people have loved you for a while now-some before you even came out of my tummy, and sometimes they ask me when you're coming back to them=) you can do it my sweet girl. it's just a little change, and you are tough and resilient and i know you'll be just fine.

here are some of the pictures we took. you get more and more beautiful each day. we sit there and stare at you while you're sleeping and we just can't get enough of you. you are our joy precious girl=)

i love you-

mommy

sweet catherine=)

inquisitive...this is what you do with your eyebrow...you look skeptical=)

sleepy girl

this one was taken a few days ago...you were smiling in your sleep=) i love it.

23 comments:

Abby said...

happy birthday pretty baby! such wonderful news from mommy! we are still praying every day, and love getting updates. you have the prettiest fingers and brightest eyes. keep healing and getting better and better.

Beth Goff said...

HAPPY HAPPY 2 MONTH BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Praying for yall! Catherine is such a blessing!

AtlantaMama said...

since our kids share the same birthday, i always think of yall on the 19th. Happy birthday sweet girl!!! We love you.

Bekah said...

Dang, I love your daughter! I can't wait for the day when we can let our kiddos play together! She is absolutely beautiful and I love seeing that sweet face!

Tiffany said...

Happy Birthday Catherine,

I am so happy to hear everything is going well. We will continue pray and hoping that she will be at home with ya'll soon.

Tiffany

Anonymous said...

Happy 2 month birthday!! She is so alert and aware! She seems older than 2 months. We are happy to hear she's doing so well. We will be praying for the hospital transition. I'm sure she'll do great!

Anonymous said...

Catherine- Your mommy is right- you DO get more beautiful everday! My favorite is the picture of you smiling in your sleep....ahhhhhhh! So cute!! I'm glad to hear your doing better and I know you'll do fine going to the new hospital. You'll probably do even better knowing that your mom and dad will be so much closer- that always helps :) There's just nothing like the touch and sound of your parents! Keep sharing your adorable pics w/us! Happy 2 months little girl!!

Hannah D said...

oh catherine!!! hooray for all of the wonderful improvements! what a wonderful way to celebrate your 2month birthday!!! i love that you smiled at your mama on purpose yesterday too, the sweet joy a mam gets from her baby smiling at her, aaaahhh...nothing like it! i can't pick a favorite picture, they're all my favorites you beautiful girl you! love you so :)

Sharon - Mom Generations said...

Happy Birthday, beautiful Catherine. My Nana used to tell me that sleepy baby-smiles are from invisible butterflies dancing on your eyes and nose and lips... I imagine that those butterflies are waltzing and jitter-bugging and even rap-dancing in their celebration of you!

Keep smiling... wherever you are, keep smiling. 'Cuz when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you! (I wish I had made up that line... because for you, it's true!!)

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday you Beautiful Girl!!! What a wonderful post to hear - so many good things! Keep growing strong!!!

J Tabb said...

I continue to be in awe with all God is doing in and through your family! What a miracle Catherine's story is. It so points to God's goodness and healing power.
Carrie Tabb

Megan said...

Happy 2/12 month birthday Catherine! What a testiment to our amazing God your progress is! Keep getting better and stronger so that your mommy and daddy can take that precious smile home.

Deb said...

Oh this made my day! She is so pretty and such expressive eyes. This little lady has something to say and one day she will:)
I so hope that she can be transferred back to Chip. It's less travel for you guys and it will be good for you all to be closer together. Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful beautiful sweet girl, you look like you are laughing in your sleep! I love it! You do look so skepital and like your daddy. The one of you yawing is so much fun! And your hands sweet girl are so big with long fingers. Probably for that killer grip you have. I am so proud of you for doing better. And yes, mommy and daddy are nervous about moving you but i think it would be best for everyone. Maybe than you could maybe have vistors?? Well i love you and i hope you get to come home to richmond soon.

Unknown said...

Happy 2 month birthday, sweet girl! You grow more beautiful every day!

ilse sears said...

It felt like an eternity not having news about Catherine. I am so glad I was able to view the video and the new pictures. Catherine is so alert. I think it is a great idea to bring her back to Richmond althJaough Katie is concerned. I would be the same but it is going to be so much easier for all of you. God bless you all. Catherine is growing and getting to be so pretty. Jack and I love you here in Georgia.

Debbie said...

Happy 2 month birthday little one. There is one word for these pictures "adorable". You are such a doll baby.....bless you, mommy and daddy.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE ALL YOUR OUTFITS TOO, SO CUTE MY LOVE:)

E said...

Praise GOD!

Fer said...

Happy 2 month birthday! Beautiful pictures! I'm glad Catherine is improving.

Jenn Harrison said...

Been reading your letters since just a few days before Catherine was born...

Love these latest pics! She has grown so much!! She's not a tiny newborn anymore and she's looking even more healthy! She's such a miracle! Truly a testament to the HUGE power of our Father!

Hope ya'll have a blessed week!

flo&crystal@ric.va.usa said...

Dear Catherine,

Oh oh, today already OCT.24...
I missed your 2 month old birthday and figure it out after so many day later, I am sorry...

Anyway, it seems that you have a really happy 2 month old birthday with your mom & dad, it's so nice; and I know that you will be happy in everyday!!!

Love you

CDHi Admin said...

What a little miracle cherub and what a beautiful little one at that! I came across your blog this morning and just wanted to say hello and that CHERUBS is here if you need anything - we're a large international organization for families of children born with CDH. http://www.cdhsupport.org

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Dawn