Only silly people say that new babies can't really smile!!

While doing K-care, Ella repositioned herself so her arms were folded under her head <3

19 days old/days in the NICU

Weight: 2 lbs 15 oz

Everyday things just get better and better. Ella is on 6 ml an hour and is on 23% air. Room air is 21% so by tomorrow, she'll probably be breathing room air! You and I breathe 21% so it's a really big deal!! :) She was on 2 liters pressure on her cannula and is now on 1 liter! That's the lowest you can go on the high pressure cannula so probably by tomorrow she'll be on a regular nasal cannula!! We're days away from being switched over to the Level II NICU. Respiratory wise, she could be there although they said the prefer to have them on the regular nasal cannula but it's not a requirement. Some nurses have told us she needs to be on full feedings and some have told us she doesn't but still, we're within a week of being switched over to the Level II NICU. We're going to stay where we are because we're really happy with the doctors and the system. It's only about 15-20 minutes away from us and quite frankly, I don't want to deal with the stress of learning a new medical system, new parking, how to get there, new doctors etc. It's just not worth it to be 5 minutes closer! Also, you can't see it but Ella doesn't have a SINGLE IV in her body right now!! Her last IV (in her arm) was removed today!!! SOOOOO exciting!

You may be wondering about the title of this blog. Well tonight, Ella smiled at both Shane and I. You may not believe it but you're just silly if you don't he he. He had his hand on her head and was talking to her and Ella opened up her eyes and looked at him and smiled. She did this multiple times while I was pumping. Then I was over there talking to her with my hand on her head and she opened up her eyes and the corner of her mouth went up into a definite smile. We didn't have the camera or we would have taken a picture, but without a doubt, she was SMILING! Sooo sweet. Her smile is absolutely beautiful!