Full Feeds

Cate moved up to full feeds today. She was at 6 feeds a day, getting 6 oral feeds (by bottle or nursing) a day. Now she will get 8 oral feeds a day if she's up to it. This means her feeding tube will come out as soon as she shows she can handle all 8 feeds. She still has to put on a little weight to get out of the isolette and into the crib. She's at 3 lb, 11 oz right now. They said she could go home in as little as 48 hours once she's put in the crib. When she's out of the isolette she has to maintain her weight and temp. If she does that, then she goes home. We are so excited to take her home, but so scared! We wish we could go home with the monitors so we know when her heartrate or oxygen level drops. The nurses are telling us that she will have to be quarantined when she gets home--limited visitors (just family), don't take her anywhere (unless it's the doctor), etc. She is at greater risk for getting RSV and if she gets it she's back in the hospital and on a ventilator. Scary! I would love to have visitors at the house and to show Cate off, but it looks like it won't be possible. But as long as we're still at the hospital, visitors are still welcome (that's assuming you are healthy :)). Keep us in your prayers. We appreciate it!