BABY KINA - a week of progress

Since her surgery last Thursday, Kina has been improving every day.

(Sunday's visitors - Danny, Vika and Bubba Filimoeatu, Tevita and Vai and the little girls)

Saturday, her ventilator was taken out. Since the babies are on so much pain medication after surgery, it's routine to put them on a vent for a few days to make sure they continue to breathe at a normal pace. They took it out and she kept breathing.

On Tuesday, she graduated from her heated bed to a normal crib - that was a big deal for us. It means her body is getting slightly more independent.

On Wednesday, she got her Anderson's tube taken out. This tube was in her mouth and draining out her stomach to avoid bloating since she was born. It started out a yellowish color, but had turned totally clear and very sparse. This means her stomach is getting more normal . . . and she won't have that annoying tube anymore - it got in the way of her binky:)

(Wednesday's visitors - my mom and Tali)

On Thursday, we began the very slow process of introducing food and she got her first drops of breast milk! I've been pumping since she was born and am so excited she's finally taking a little. She has been fed TPN (or concentrated nutrients) through an IV since the beginning. It's a slow process because they have to make sure she can digest what they give her before they can give her more.

(Friday's visitors - Grandpa Limihi)

Her "belly button" is healing very nicely. Since her abdomen was open in that area, she was born without a belly button. When the surgeon closed her up, he created one with her skin. It looks ALMOST like the real thing:)

Lastly, she has stooled 3 times since surgery. WOOHOO!! lol. I never thought I'd get excited about poop, but what can I say? I'm ecstatic!

It's been a great week. We've gotten to hold her (she LOVES being held) and she's starting to look more and more like a healthy little baby every day. She is Beautiful!!