Ava Darlene Blair (AKA "Cricket")

Little Cricket has landed and as such she deserved a name befitting her beauty and strength. We chose Ava Darlene Blair but it is okay if many of you still choose to call her Cricket since I'm sure the nickname will stick for awhile! Her middle name of Darlene is also Mommy's middle name. She has been with Mommy for the past 6 months helping us stay strong and optimistic through Mommy's cancer. So, now, Little Cricket, we share Mommy's strength, resiliance, positive attitude, and shining beauty with you through your middle name. We Love You!

Bad Brady!
Little Ava has decided she wants us to learn some more patience with her and reminded us she is the one in charge of her schedule here. She has been having "typical" 27 week symptoms such as bradycardias ("Bradys") and apneas. These are not fun to see as her alarms go off Red and she either stops breathing for a bit or her heart rate drops below what it needs to be, or both happen (heart rate drop triggered by lack of breathing). The nurses here tell us that although they are not welcome, these are common for her age and they are okay as long as they aren't happening too often or for too long. Occasionally, the nurse needs to gently rub her to stimulate her into breathing again. Ava may have many weeks like this, or she may stop having them in a shorter time. It's very common for babies this age, and sometimes they move forward, then back again, even back to intubation. So, once again, we are reminded to be patient and that she will be here for awhile!

She has been pooping and drinking small amounts of breast milk, so that is good. Her lungs and heart both sound good for now. Daddy got some Kangaroo time this morning and she cuddled into my chest - which was amazing as you can imagine. She even pulled out a chest hair to take with her back into her chamber! Next time I'm shaving my chest.... We are very thankful she is doing so well given everything she has gone through!

Linda has been recovering well. Her incision is longer than a normal c-section due to the delivery issues but is healing nicely. Her blood counts are good but she's still slightly anemic (so gets some iron pills here). The nurses have all been taking great care of us - this is a great hospital (only one month old)! We should be here until Saturday or Sunday which is nice since we get more Cricket-time.

I visited the hospital's "Guest House" today in Eugene. The cost is offset substantially by the Lions and Children's Miracle Network and we will probably be staying there for awhile to be closer to our little girl.

Rob.