Friday, October 3, 2008

Sweet Catherine, yeah, yeah, yeah...

Hey Catherine, they've been letting you "trial" on the nasal cannula. This is the graduate school of ventilators. You, your mom, and I have that it common. You seem to like the cannula better than the CPAP, so if you keep doing well, they'll let you keep it. Good work, we are so proud of you. We like getting to see your face so clearly. Your mom and I are trying to decide who you look like:), now that we can see your whole face.
Dad



hi sweet babe-this is mommy=) just wanted you to know i think you still look a lot like your daddy. it's not quite as obvious as it used to be-your eyes are big like mine and your face is still expressive like me, but so far dad is winning out (but that means you look like your aunt nikki so no complaints here) =) i also wanted to tell you that you're breastfeeding like a champ. you're such a rock star. we were able to start trying when you had your first trial on nasal cannula a few nights ago, and the third time we tried you latched on and went to town, acting like you didn't spend your first month and a half of life without doing it! i'm so proud of you my sweet girl. they let you spend more time on nasal cannula each day, and once you get up to a certain duration, they just let you stay on it and never wear that yucky cpap mask again! (you hate it so much-you get very grumpy when you have to put it back on) it's been fun watching you each day and learning more of your little quirks, and coming up with our explanation for why you get fussy at a certain time of the day, or at a certain time in your feeds, or routine, etc...it's quite complex with all the little issues you have going on-fentanyl withdrawal (you're still having some trouble with that, but they say it takes at least as long to get off it as you were on it), a potentially small tummy, intestines possibly not in the exact place they were meant to be...but you can do it...you amaze me even more every day-i love you=)

ps-the name of this post is another song that daddy sings to you-he sings the song "sweet caroline-yeah yeah yeah-good times never seem so good" but he sings cather-ine to rhyme with caroline. he's goofy. i think you will like him like that-i do=)

29 comments:

Emilie Smith said...

I can't decide who Catherine looks like but I know she's pretty!!! I'm so glad things have gone well this week. I can't believe she is already 6 weeks (almost 7) old. Praise the Lord! Love y'all!

Deb said...

Oh my goodness! She's beautiful! Her eyes are so expressive. What a long way she's come in such a short time! Yeah for cannulas..now you can better reach those sweet cheeks~! Have a great weekend and enjoy your miracle!

Sis. Gail from Camp Creek said...

Way to go little Catherine! We are all so very proud of you! You are such a strong little girl. All of us down here in Georgia who belong to the churches of your great-grandpa and great-grandma, are praying without ceasing for you, your Mommie, and your Daddy. You are such a precious and very beautiful little baby to all of us. We are so thankful that your Mommie and Daddy are sharing the sweet story of your birth and your tremendous achievements since your birth with all of us. You are a strong little fighter, and God is blessing you every single day to get better and better. We are longing to come onto this site one day soon, and read, "Little Catherine is going home." We will give God all the glory for that of course. Sleep well sweet baby girl. We all love you! Your cousin, Gail

Erin said...

I would say going by these pictures she looks more Donnie-ish...maybe it's the more serious intellectual side we are seeing in these...but in other pics like the mirror one I was leaning toward Katie at least partially! Love you guys and so glad I got to see you briefly a few weeks ago!

Jane - Mom Generations said...

I see beauty and love and joy and sweetness in Catherine's exquisite face... and I hear beauty and love and joy and exquisite words and prayers and blessings surrounding her. With all of you, I praise God!

Sharon - Mom Generations said...

Catherine's beautiful face and her gorgeous eyes are a gift to all who have come to know her! She is all beauty and loveliness and perfection!

E said...

SHE IS PRECIOUS! She looks like a totally different baby with the nasal canula thingy. I am so happy for y'all!

Abby said...

oh my! my sister and I are sitting here squealing in delight. look at you girl! love your outfits...love this wonderful news.

Unknown said...

Look at that sweet girl!!! Keep up the great work, Catherine!

The Microblogologist said...

She is beautiful, wonderful to see her sweet face!

Blessings,
Karen

Raych said...

Shes precious Katie! I am so happy that she is doing so well. You and your husbands faith is inspiring.

A Southern Wedding Belle said...

It doesn't seem fair to the poor Mom who went through all the months of pregnancy and the birth, but first-borns always seem to look like their dads. In your case Catherine, you have a wonderful legacy of beauty - both physically and spiritually on both sides of your family. And if you look like your sweet Aunt Nikki, well then - WOW! All I know is that you are precious and beautiful. Keep growing strong. Love, Mama Debbie

E said...

Oh it makes me smile knowing that you have been able to nurse! That is so awesome! I love ya!

Anonymous said...

How beatiful you are, how much you have grown and the progress you have made! Awesome work Catherine. Everyone is continuing to pray for you, mommy, and daddy. Great job on the canulus! Love your outfits, and you totally look like daddy, so serious! Keep up little rock star on the breastfeeding- that is special you and mommy time and i am sure you both love it!

Megan said...

What a beautiful, sweet face your baby girl has!

Anonymous said...

Yea!! Big steps! I'm so happy that the breastfeeding is working out well for y'all. I think she looks a lot like Donnie. We'll keep praying!

Kathy Davis said...

Such great news! Off the nasal C-PAP and onto the cannula. The greatest news of all is the fact that little Catherine is able to breastfeed now. That special bond between mommy and baby is complete and I know daddy is so happy that his two girls now have that connection. It only shows how far God has brought you all. She is growing and has grown lots more hair too! Pretty soon she'll have pigtails(o: We love you all and continue to pray for this continued improvement and steps forward in your lives as a family together. Enjoy your weekend together as much as I know you do! Please give her an extra kiss from Aunt Kathy, cousin Jincey and cousin Mitchell. Happily written~ Aunt Kathy

Mimi's Toes said...

What a miracle baby. She is growing and is oh so beautiful.

Abby said...

oooooh breastfeeding! that is so so wonderful! keep it up sweet baby girl...and mommy and daddy.

Catherine & Sofia said...

This is my first time reading your letters to Catherine and I love it. Catherine is absolutely beautiful! I wish you all the best and can't wait to hear that you get to take your baby girl home. My daughter is now 2 1/2 and I remember the day I brought her home like it was yesterday. It is such a long hard battle, but worth every second. You are all in my prayers. God Bless

Love, Catherine
Sofia's Mommy
LCDH 4-18-06

Bekah said...

Its so good to see that sweet face!!!

Missives From Suburbia said...

YAY!!! She looks so beautiful, and I'm so glad nursing is going well. It's one of the most amazing experiences of motherhood!

Anonymous said...

Catherine, did I mention how much I love your expressions and your hair! Beautiful Girl.

Hannah D said...

Oh wonderful happy tears of joy that breastfeeding is going so well for ya'll. I have been praying for this milestone and now I am singing praises to our heavenly Father, He is so good! Oh Catherine, I am so proud of you amazing baby girl, keep up the good work! Hooray for nasal cannula and being able to see your gorgeous face even better! I love ya'll so!

twinsplusone said...

We are still praying for your precious Catherine. We are following your blog from a twin blog we randomly came across. We have identical twin boys, who are both precious angels. Our Joseph is a miracle, God used the NICU doctors and multiple surgeries to heal him! It is amazing that God chose you to be the parents of a very special little girl. As I rocked Joseph to sleep tonight, I thanked HIM for healing Joseph in the NICU 16 months ago! Stay strong, Catherine has just began her testimony. We have added Catherine as a prayer request on our blog under "friends." Praying from Tennessee!!!

Megan said...

Wow!! Catherine, your pictures are so precious! I am praying for you and your mommy and daddy! Your story has touched my heart :) You are in inspiration to all!!! God is sooo good!

Elaine Davis said...

Sweet Catherine! I don't even have words! You are SO precious and beautiful! I cannot wait to hold you. Just thinking about it makes me so excited! I know I've said that a million times, but it's true! We are so thankful for you. I love picturing your daddy singing sweet cather-ine :)

ilse sears said...

I went to visit your grandma in Mableton yesterday (I call her Mama Nicholas) and your Dad and Mom were there. The conversation we had was all about the three of you. We are all behind you all and our heart and souls are pulling for Catherine. I have been reading your blog for months and have become very attached with Catherine. Do not be afraid of the tracheotomy. I have several of my students and a nephew who have had them and the scars are barely visible. The best thing is that they are among us. I happen to notice that you use lower case letters except when you write about God. Your faith with Him is commendable and so strong. You are well protected. We love you.

Fer said...

She's beautiful! I'm glad she's doing better :)