Chowing down

Today Annie took another important step. A feeding tube was inserted and she has had two very small "helpings" of breast milk. This is a really big step for her and we are all praying that this test of her GI tract is successful and we are able to keep the milk a' comin. You will see the feeding tube in the photo -don't be alarmed. It's actually a good thing!

Elly got to hold her for ages today which was so wonderful. Her hand gestures that we noticed during her ultrasounds have not stopped -she keeps trying to shoo all of us paparazzi away!

Many thanks to Aunt Kit for her fabulous photos.

Elly's home!

Elly came home from the hospital today and we are thrilled to have some normalcy in Luke's life. After a day of Luke bouncing off the walls..we are tired!

Annie continues to do blow our minds with her perseverance. Today Elly was able to hold her for the first time. We are still in the woods of the first week but she has just completed her last round of antibotics to prevent against cerebral hemmorage. So far, thank God, so good. She continues to breathe on her own with the help of a drug that is a caffeine derivitive (love it, Starbucks in the NICU!). Finally, we are hoping that she will start being able to have breast milk in the next day or two.

There are angels everywhere keeping our Annie strong and we are thankful to everyone who has offered their prayers and support to our Annie (keep it coming!). We are so thankful that Elly was able to stay pregnant another week and give Annie more time. Every day that passes with no downturns is a blessing and it is your prayers, strength and encouragement that do make such a difference.

There are no greater angels then the staff at Lenox Hill who have provided such loving care to Elly and Annie. Thank yous don't cover it enough. The nurses who took such amazing care of Elly and now the NICU staff who are always there for Annie. These amazing women held Elly when she cried, entertained her in countless ways, taught her what on earth a 'NST Q8' is, and even searched every recess of the hospital to find vegetarian food. The perinatologists and neonatologists have given us a crash course in all the relevant research so we can continually make the most informed decisions for Annie. Best of all, Elly learned today that the resident who first took care of her in the ER in February, admitted her both times in the last week and a half, and dropped everything to hold her hand when her water broke last Saturday...has a mom named Annie! It's got to be a good sign!

Finally, Dr. Wenger is our anchor who has held us together during all of this. She is a saint and we don't know how we would face each day without all of her strength and support.

Yes, there are angels everywhere and we are very blessed. Please check the blog often for updates and pictures. Take care, and know how much we love you!

Elly, Steve, Luke and Annie

welcome annie!

Well hello gorgeous!

I’m proud to announce that Anne Burke Daugherty (“Annie”) was born Tuesday, May 27 at 10:45PM. Annie appears to be an impatient girl, she was about an hour shy of 30 weeks and entered the world at 2lb 9oz (1160gm) and 15 ¼” long. She is doing very well all things considered; we expect she’ll be spending a few weeks in the NICU at Lenox Hill Hospital where they’ve promised to take very good care of her. Annie’s mom is doing well after fighting off pre-term labor for a very important week; Elly should be back at home in the next day or two.

Sorry for the quality of picture attached, it was best I could do with the incubator.