Siblings

Happy 4-month-birthday Gabrielle!! We love you so much and love your smiles, cuddles and your beautiful and calm temperament!

We have been at the hospital with Gabrielle for 6 days today and the boys miss having their sister at home.

James and Michael just love "Abrielle"; she definitely lucked out in the brother department! Michael cuddles his little baby doll "Abrielle", while James really would like to come and live at the hospital with Gabrielle and I.

The boys came to visit 2 days ago and her face lit up when she saw her noisy, busy, and energetic brothers. James loved to stand on the chair and help the nurses. He started by giving her a saline nebulizer while talking to her whole time. This line sticks in my mind: "Don't worry sweetheart, you're ok". A future doctor in the making perhaps? It was a beautiful moment for me to watch.

Gabrielle seems to be slowly improving. I wish she was able to bounce back as kids sometimes do, but I am noticing little differences each day. I stayed the night last night and we both slept the entire night. Before bed, she needed a new IV site, and after much poking and proding, and crying they finally were able to find a vein in her hand. It was not fun, watching them try so many times before finally finding one.

Today is a new day. I do not know what tomorrow will bring or what the rest of the day will bring. Gabrielle has taught me that we can only live in the present.

I do know that she continues to need oxygen support, saline nebs every 4 hours, antibiotics, and a saline drip to keep her hydrated. Her feeding has slowly improved, and she continues to flash the cutest, gummiest smile. She has lost weight and the doctors are concerned. The next step...an NG feeding tube will be inserted later today to increase her volume of breast milk.

Gabrielle you are the most beautiful, strong and brave little baby I know. I love you.
xx