Graduation Week

Richard O. gained 11 ounces during week 3, and we were so busy that I didn't manage to update all week long!

Things continue to develop well -- he gained another 4 ounces over the weekend, bringing his weight to a record 21 pounds, 7 ounces! He now drinks 1 ounce of milk with each of his 4 meals, and 1 ounce between meals, and he's eating over 20 foods. They also had him try eating finger foods during the meal ("chewables," as they call them), and he will now begin eating them during his feedings as well.

Two families "graduated" last week, and I miss both of the moms already! We exchanged emails and phone numbers so we could keep in touch, and I look forward to hearing from them again soon.

We spent the weekend at the Jersey Shore with both of my parents, at Dolly & Lou's beautiful beach house on Long Beach Island. The weather was cold and kind of rainy, but we had a lovely time watching the birds outside the windows and climbing up to the top the Barnegat Lighthouse (all 217 narrow spiral steps, and it was so windy at the top that little Richard O. actually fell OVER! My heart nearly stopped!)

There was a "duck parade" that waddled past the house several times each day, and so we took Richard O. outside to feed the ducks. He ate the bread that he was supposed to feed to them, and would have loved nothing more than to just chase them right off of the end of the dock. Thankfully, the life jacket we had him wear had a convenient handle on the top so we could hang onto him. The weekend was filled with a multitude of baby giggles and overall cuteness, and I think it was healing for all of us to get out of the house for a few days.

We continue to be grateful to the many people who continue to contact us to ask how Richard O. is doing. Our days are so incredibly full that it is challenging to reply to even a fraction of these calls and emails, but rest assured that they are most sincerely appreciated. We are looking forward to coming back home to Ithaca and seeing our wonderful, loving, and supportive friends once again.