Audrey's First Day

Baby Audrey's Footprints

Aunt Keka here again...

Baby Audrey has had an amazing first day of her life.

I was wrong in my first post about her birth. Audrey is not on oxygen. In fact, the little girl has mostly been breathing on her own the past 24 hours! Last night, before Jennifer went to bed, the nurses did put Audrey on a "CPAP" (continous positive airway pressure). The CPAP is not to help Audrey breathe, but to help expand her lungs as they weren't expanding enough on their own.

The nurses told Jenn and Kevin that if Audrey was doing ok throughout the night, they may be able to remove the CPAP on Sunday.

Again, the little fighter proved her strength.

By 8:30 on Sunday, the CPAP had already been removed, much earlier than the nurses expected.

When Jennifer got to Audrey's room, she found her little one sunbathing. Well, not really, but she was laying under a bili light, which helps heal babies who are slightly jaundiced, as Audrey is.

She also was given a little bit of oxygen today through a nasal cannula, but she is not dependent on it.

Little Audrey cries a lot, which breaks Jennifer's heart, but Kevin and the nurses remind her that crying wil help strengthen her lungs. While Jennifer wants to comfort her daughter, she cannot yet hold her, and does not touch her for fear of hindering her progress.

Today continued to be a big day for the Troyer family. Big brothers Dawson and Lane traveled to the hospital to visit their Mommy. While Lane spent most of his time eating (go figure) in the room with Aunt Tara and Uncle Lee, Dawson went with his Mommy and Daddy to meet his baby sister.

The sheer size of Audrey caught Dawson off guard. She was also crying which scared him a bit. He didn't stay long, but tells everyone he talks to about his "Mom's new baby". He also can say Audrey quite well, which makes everyone smile. Back in the room, he introduced himself to a nurse and explained that he "is 4. Baby Lane is 1. And baby Audrey doesn't have a number yet!" :)

Jenn wants everyone to know how much hair Audrey has! Jet black hair! And she says that she knows that a 2 lb. 14 oz. baby is going to be petite, but that Audrey has the most delicate features. A tiny nose and long skinny fingers. She is pure girl.

Jennifer also talks with so much pride about Kevin. Kevin has stepped up to the plate, playing single father to both Dawson and Lane at home. He drives back and forth to the hospital as much as possible, caring for his wife and his little girl. All of this while also attaining his masters online.

Jennifer can't wait to get home to give him a break and some time to do something fun. (Kevin better take advantage of that! I wouldn't push for the trip to Vegas though! ;)

The preemiest of preemie clothes couldn't begin to fit Audrey at this point. She is still so small. The doctors expect her to be in nicu for approximately eight more weeks, which means many, many, many trips to Aultman for Jennifer and Kevin. Jennifer expects to be released from the hospital tomorrow, when she and Kevin will begin planning for Olivia's services. She will be sure to post all information, plus her feelings for their little angel when she gets out of the hospital.

Audrey has become the focus of the entire family already. If love could heal all wounds, and by all accounts it does, this little girl will be out of the hospital as quickly as she was delivered. (Did I mention that Jenn was in hard labor for less than an hour?!) Audrey is the subject of every phone call, every text message and nearly every e-mail. Papa and Nina are rushing home now to see their first granddaughter!

Audrey will continue to grow both phsyically and spiritually and emotionally as the days continue. It will be an amazing and bittersweet day when we are able to celebrate her finally "getting a number"!