Look at what your prayers have done! (fr: Mommie Kim)

Hello Family and Friends!   Attached is a picture of Kiersten.  We have sent several pictures to Judy and she is checking to ensure they will work on the website.  Here is a preview of our baby girl.  Is she not the cutest thing?!!    She has been "on again - off again" with the C-Pap.  She just came back off 2 days ago.  She has her feeding tube back in her mouth...the picture shows when she had it in her nose.  We are hoping she is successful and stays on the nose canula this time.   She continues to develop fluid on her body and then they have to give her lasix (medicine) to help her pee it out.  This is why she had to go back on C-Pap the last time.  It is common for preemies to build up fluid due to less proteins in their system (per the doc).  Please pray she progresses forward without continuing this yo-yo effect with nose canula and C-Pap. Thanks!   I am meeting with lactation tomorrow at noon but have already tried breastfeeding her for short periods.  It is going OK.  Sometimes she takes it and sometimes she looks at me like "what is this and why are you trying to torture me?!!"  smile!!  We're working on it together though.  The nurses reminded me that she has been alive for 8 weeks now and is just getting introduced to it whereas newborns get introduced within 24-48 hours after birth..makes sense it would take her some time to get aquainted with the idea....   She is 4 lbs and 4 ounces.  Big Girl!!  She gets her first round of vaccinations beginning on Saturday - her first shots..yikes!!   Her second eye exam revealed NO rop and NO rp...yippee.....good thing!!  Her first hearing test went well..she hears good!!   Her red blood cell count is good but sometimes she gets behind and needs a transfusion.  She hadn't had one in a long time but had to have one last week....she is doing better now as far as that goes...they are giving her iron but since that constipates her they have to give her suppositories too...poor baby girl...nobody likes those huh?!!   Our church family wanted to provide meals for us....we accepted twice a week...harder to do more than that since we are at the hospital late some nights...but we are sooooo appreciative of the people who have brought us meals so far....Todd & Heather, Dan & Sue and Bryan & Valerie have brought us meals and they have all been great....with leftovers too...thank you soooo much!!!   Nationwide had a rummage sale this last weekend on our behalf that I heard about...I didn't get a chance to make it there but we are also very appreciative of that and the people who put it together...I will be at Nationwide again next week...for a longer time period to see everyone and say thank you in person to the coordinator(s)....I really can't begin to convey all of gratitude we feel for all of you.   Many still send letters, cards, emails, donations, help with household items...etc.....we appreciate it all...most of all your prayers...thank you!   I will send more soon!!  Sorry I have not sent updates more frequently...I am at the hospital more often now with her and that leaves little time at home.....thanks for your patience on emails and pixs...   Love and prayers to you and your families....Kirk and Kimberly