Half-caf

It finally feels like spring has arrived, which is a perfect way to end such a good week.  Elyse had another big step forward today: because she hasn't had any major brady or apnea spells since the beginning of April (only minor decelerations, which all babies may have from time to time), the doctors have cut her caffeine dose in half.  If she does well over the weekend, then she may be taken off of it completely next week.  I am feeling pretty optimistic -- she just seems so much stronger and more stable than even a week or two ago.

pretty in pink

 

In other big news, she took 12ml of one of her feedings by bottle last night.  She doesn't try it at every feeding yet -- since it's so much work for preemies to bottle or breastfeed at this stage, they don't want to challenge her too much.  But it's great that she is starting to figure it out.  She also had her hearing and eye exams done this week and passed both with flying colours.  Preemies are susceptible to an eye disorder called Retinopathy of Prematurity or ROP, which causes abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye and potential detachment of the retina.  Fortunately, Elyse is not showing any signs of it, but will have a follow-up exam in two weeks to be certain.  Here's an interesting fact -- Stevie Wonder was a preemie himself (born two months early) and lost his eyesight due to ROP.

 

happy girl in Daddy's arms

 
Finally, Elyse weighed in at 1570g tonight (or 3lbs 7oz).  She has been maintaining her temperature well, and they even decreased her "waterbed" temperature a little bit today.  Onwards and upwards!