Sleeping baby

Zoe went to the doctor's for some shots on Monday, where she weighed in at 8 lbs, 5 ounces, having gained 3 pounds in the five weeks since she was born! Yay Zoe! She's also perfected her signature hairstyle:

And her ability to sleep anywhere cozy (e.g., parents'/relatives' arms, moby wrap, sometimes her swing, but not her bed).

Multi-tasking

Zoe is very impressed by her daddy's ability to multi-task. Here he is reviewing a scientific paper while burping a baby. In fact, she's so confident in his multi-tasking skills that she went right to sleep on his shoulder.

Happy Baby

Zoe tagged along for Tessa's doctor's appointment on Tuesday and the doctor graciously offered to examine Zoe a day earlier than her scheduled appointment. Zoe was 6 pounds, 12.4 ounces on Tuesday, up more than 10 ounces from the nurse's visit five days earlier! She's also on the growth charts for all metrics: 20th percentile for height (20 inches!) and head circumference and 5th percentile for weight. At the rate she's growing, Zoe is over 7 pounds now.

She is still taking about half of her feedings by bottle, in order to get some extra calories during this catch-up period. Here is Zoe contemplating her bottle:

After her bottle, we tried the swing for the first time. Careful observers may note that this swing used to belong to big sister Tessa. (See fourth photo.)

We even managed to get a "smile," which was probably a prelude to the milk exiting from one end or the other.

Growing like a weed!

We had another visit from the visiting nurse today. She checked all of Zoe's vitals and gave her a clean bill of health. The most exciting thing for us, though, was when she weighed Zoe. The doctor told us last week she wanted Zoe to be gaining between 0.5 and 1.0 ounces per day. She weighed 5 pounds 8 ounces last Thursday and today she weighs 6 pounds 2 ounces (before a meal), which means that she is gaining 1.6 ounces per day!

I have a big sister!

One of the many benefits of being at home is that Zoe has a chance to spend time with her big sister Tessa. Tessa has been captivated by Zoe and Zoe looks around whenever she hears Tessa's not-so-quiet voice in the room!

Tessa is practicing being gentle with her little sister.

Oh wow, a sister!

Still growing

Zoe visited her pediatrician this morning. She got a clean bill of health and an updated weight and height. She's now 5 pounds 7.5 ounces and she's longer than 19 inches. Great work, Zoe!

First bath

Yesterday was Zoe's first bath. She really enjoyed getting off all the hospital grime and then snuggling up in a warm blanket afterwards. Here's a picture of her getting dried off after the bath. (Yes, she fits lengthwise on our dresser, with room to spare.)

Zoe also had her first visit from the visiting nurse today. The nurse was impressed with her eating skills, and with the results of those eating skills (she put on weight since she left the hospital). Tomorrow we go in for Zoe's first (non-hospital) doctor visit.

Leaps and Bounds

We had barely gotten Zoe's NICU story started when she decided it was time to come home. Good choice, Zoe! Over the weekend, Zoe progressed in leaps and bounds. After finishing with the blue lights, she transitioned to an open crib (from an isolette), maintained her temperature, and started taking all of her meals by nursing or bottle (no more feeding tube). As the doctor told us, there was really no reason to keep her in the hospital.

Zoe was in the NICU for a total of only nine days -- she was discharged on the morning of day ten. (Tessa, by contrast, spent more than seven weeks in the NICU.) Everyone is much happier and more relaxed at home. And Tessa is absolutely enthralled and delighted by our new addition. She also loved the fact that her grandparents and great aunt sent her presents to open when Zoe came home. What could be better than a new baby and stickers!?!

Here is Zoe napping after her last NICU meal:

Here we are on the way out of the NICU, very excited to be leaving with an almost-newborn baby!

Zoe has been very happy and comfortable at home, even before we took her out of the car seat: