Random things

Pictures can really be deceiving, can't they?  You don't even need photoshop sometimes. I say this because the pictures I recently added to the blog don't really give an accurate picture of her size.  Even I am surprised at how she looks like a healthy (even a bit chubby) baby in the pictures.  If you want an idea for Rachel's size - keep thinking 'doll'.  Just to give you an idea:  I had to measure her arms for my Grandma to sew her a dress and my mom didn't even believe me!  The circumference of her arm is 9 1/2 cm.  I can wrap my index finger around the thickest part of her arm and easily touch the base of my thumb.  See what I mean?  I'll try and add some pictures that give a more accurate perspective.

Something I haven't mentioned earlier:  While we were at the Flames House, some of the staff (nurses, doctors) had a theory about Rachel's coughing.  I wish I could remember what they said - I was a bit distracted with our kids that day.  But I think the gist of it was that maybe she was coughing because of her lower oxygen levels and the need to get more air in?  I'll have to ask again about that.  She usually coughs after she wakes up from a nap and sometimes during a feed.

Rachel is also sleeping longer stretches and......She now seems to have a more distinct night and day sleep pattern - something I thought might never happen.  This means we are sleeping a bit more altogether.  Yay!

We continue to be amazed at people's generosity.  We picked up more food from the church freezer just before our time at the cabin.  THANK-YOU.  A friend dropped off some beans from her garden and our neighbor cut them for us.  (I love beans - unfortunately my family doesn't.)  Friends watched our kids tonight so Dave and I could go to Nose Hill park for a walk.  More friends are watching the two older kids on Thursday night too.  I've gotten lots of encouraging emails/cards! I could go on and on. 

We also received some pictures in the mail from a photographer with "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep"*.  They were taken the day after Rachel was born.  Our parents were both there that day (as well as most siblings) and at the time we thought we might have a very short time with her.  The pictures are amazing.  I don't know how she got such good shots on such a chaotic morning in such a small room. (doctors and nurses coming in and out etc..) They are all good - I can't decide which ones to put here.  More to follow later...

*NILMDTS photograhers volunteer their time/services to take pictures of babies who are expected to die shortly after birth. Here is their website if you want to know more. http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/home/

May 22, 2010