Lucca 18 days old

What I saw last night.....they call it a Christmas stocking and the teddy bear in it was for me....another friend. He also can sing. I love having so many friends.


Mama & Papa & big sister & me doing Christmas...actually them unwrapping lots of presents and me blissfully sleeping!










Then we went for a walk. Suddenly they took me out of my cosy warm pram and lay me down on prickly cold hay....I pretended to sleep but was a little scared....it was over very quick.....
What are my Mama and Papa up to???












Mama & Papa and tiny me in the pram
returning from our walk.

















I love sharing my cot with Max, especially when he sings me a lullaby...

Lucca 17 days old

This morning there was a strange smell by Mama...feeding was rather difficult....
usually it is yummy mummy milk smell
but Mama did something very odd with a couple of cabbage leafs....
I wonder why????
I told her " I don't like it!"


Had a nice cuddle with my big sister and my Papa.....
Later Papa told me off: Both Mama and big sister were upset....something to do with Christmas and being in hospital, I didn't understand it...because I was born early...I told Papa it wasn't my fault, honest..... I guess somebody has to take the blame.....so why not me? If it makes them happy.....bit strange, big people, aren't they???

The doctors decided I don't need the breathing monitor anymore....yippee...I told them, didn't I?!? The only thing to go now is the tube in my nose....can't wait....I already pulled it out myself....no point, they put it straight in again!


In the evening all felt a bit different....I wonder whether this has something to do with this Christmas thing??? Then Papa got sad, I think he was missing my sisters Caitlin and Elena....but hey, there is Lucca therapy.....I made him lie me on his chest and really snuggeld into him...that trick softens any heart, believe me!









One more strange thing happened:
as I was drifting off to sleep after a glorious feed ( no odd smell, Mama must have listened to me...) I saw a big red stocking by my cot with a teddy bear pooking out.....what is this about??? I hope to find out tomorrow.....

Lucca 16 days old

Me ready to go out into the big wide world with my new friend Morle. He came all the way from South Germany....

Tucked into loads of blankets....
it must be cold out there.....













First we went to see auntie Dolores
then shopping......
and I didn't get anything....
thats not fair!!!


















In my Papa's office
bit messy.....
I love all the pictures of my sisters
none of me yet....
Mama reading my blog...













back in my cot

hope this night will be better...
last night the TV was on for hours and hours...
and a tiny tot was crying and crying...
Me and Mama didn't like it.....

Lucca 15 days old

Me without any tubes! Didn't last long and the nurse shoved one down my nose.....I still don't drink enough, so they say....And I say: watch the scale....put on 4! ounces over 2 days...


Had my first bath and hair wash today
Mama is so good and gentle with me....
still it was a bit scary....







Grandma daring to hold me.......
She came to pick Mama up
who's got "cabin fever"!?!
took her to the hairdresser to look more beautiful...
I don't know what that is about....how can my Mama look more beautiful???
Had great time with Papa
we both tried who can snooze better.....I won!
Papa was teasing Mama and said I wasn't missing her....
of course I did.....













Me relaxing on Papa's lap

Two weeks old

Yep, thats me, except my right toes....
Still got a tube in my nose going into my belly and the blue one is checking me breathing...
I told them I wont stop, but do they listen???











The first time in the arms of my big sis
We both loved being so close
I felt so safe in her arms












Papa feeding me yummy mummy milk














long sleep on hairy chest with full belly....
















Mama & Papa & me are chuffed:
twice now I've been on Mama's breast without needing a tube top up....since Mama stopped her medicine the milk tastes so much better!!!
here you see me after my workout...












Full belly +
clean nappy +
warm blanket +
close to Mama =
Heaven

Lucca 13 days old

I am so chuffed!
The nurses and doctors are so happy with me that they moved me into next door.....now I can sleep for the first time next to my Mama....like a real grown up baby!!! This feels so different.......I am soo happy!
The only thing I have to master now: feeding......
My Mama called me lazy today.....she was pushing her boob into my face and I was a little slow to start drinking....just dreaming Mama.....
She got told off by the nurse for calling me lazy, quite right. If only she would know how much hard work it still is for me....

Papa finished reading today the first little book to me, in Deutsch, "Der Koenigsgaukler". I think it is Papa's favorite book.....I saw little tears running down his cheek....so sweet....I love my Papa! If only he would have more time for me......I didn't get any cuddles from him today!

Lucca 12 days old

Me and Mama at work! You know??? The feeding business....












I was so hungry tonight.....lying on Papa's chest....skin to skin....I tought I try his breast, it's so tiny......nothing!!! what a waste of effort....now I know why Papa hasn't got Mama's wonderful smell!



Decisions, decisions....
do I want more or have I had enough?























Me and three of my friends. The one on the left is new, he is Benjamin the Elephant. He is soo soft and cuddly

















My Grandma saying hello to me
She is scared to touch me 'cause I'm so tiny.....

Lucca 11 days old

I am so proud!!!!!
Do you remember how I struggled doing the breast feeding thing???
Today I cracked it!!!!! It's still hard work, but Mama and me know what to do and we both love it! I could see Mama and Papa being proud too!
Sorry can't show you any pictures.....Mama is a bit funny about this......




This is Mama by the fridge where she keeps my milk. She is so happy to have four milk jars in it for me. More then she ever had before!


















Can you spot what is missing???
Monitors!!!
They were always so loud and made noises while I was fine and trying to sleep.....
Now they just watch my breathing but thats alright.
















Me holding Papa's hand.....his fingers are so big and squishy and mine are so tiny!

Lucca 10 days old

This is my Mama holding me proudly in my new home called Special Care Baby Unit. Everyone is very happy with me, thats why I was allowed to leave NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Another step closer to my family home.






















I love looking at Mama!
She is sooo sweet!
















Papa loves nose kisses.....


















Papa feeding me
I'm practising how to do it myself, but I'm still so clumsy......

Eight days old

Well, as you can see I'm doing fine
still lying in my cot with my 2 friends
the doctors thought I might have to go back into
the warm box, but so far I'm proving them wrong..........
I love being snuggled in into my blankets

Seven days old

One week old!!!!!!!!!!


Two big milestones:

I have reached the weight I had when I was born!

AND

I don't need a warm box anymore......I'm now a grown up tiny baby!











Me in my first "all in one"!!!!
















You will not believe it....
My Mama & Papa forgot again to bring my milk in....
what are they like????
Well, as long as they don't forget me!?!





My one week birthday party got a little spoilt...
can you see Mama's hand?
She needed a drip to get medicine,
and has to stay in hospital for that.
I don't like seeing her upset....
That's why I'm holding her hand, telling her not to worry.....
well to be honest I only managed to hold a finger, her hand is so much bigger then mine!

Six days old

Hello
Do you remember that Mama promised to bring me lots of yummy mummy milk???
And what happened? She left it at home!!! Poor Papa, he had to go back and fetch it.





snuggeling up with my mummy,
I can't get enough of it.....
















pure bliss














In my box with a real baby vest!




Today I surprised everyone. As I was lying on my tummy I managed to lift my head and turn it from one to the other side, cool! I hope it will get easier!?!

Five days old

Hello
here I am again
lying on my Papa's chest
perfect place for a relaxing evening kip
shame he hasn't got mama's milky smell...












Have a close look
Do you notice something different?
Look at my arms....
NO DRIP!!!!!!!
NO BANDAGE!!!!!
It feels so good
I can now move my arms easy peasy
All my food goes into the tube you can see in my nose, that is because swallowing is so difficult. Will I ever learn it???







This is the entrance to my home I share with all those tiny tiny babies.










Mama left me to sleep in her own bed tonight. I could see how hard it was for her to leave me. Thank God my Papa is ok, he will give her lots of cuddles. I am so excited to see them both tomorrow, and Mama promised me plenty of yummy mama milk.

Four days old

I am getting stronger, every day counts!
For the first time I put on some weight. A mere 20grams.....but I am so proud!
And I made my first poo!

Here you can see my warm box and Mama giving me one of those heavenly cuddles.




I felt Mama having a bit of a blues day.....they told her she can go home tomorrow, but she doesn't want to go without me.... I told her I will be fine, I am safe here and the nurses looking after me are so good and kind. And I know she will come and visit me every day.

Papa was out of sorts too. Something to do with "work"...I don't know what that is. Anyway I got him to do my nappy ( a first for Papa), feeding me via my tube and then to hold his hand over my head for a very long time. Guess what? He felt so much better afterwards....I could sense his heart melting and a tear rolling over his cheek.....I call that Lucca therapy.








Do I look cute or not?







My Gran visited me today. This time she touched me, she got so excited....and told me how beautiful my skin feels. I wonder when I will see my other grandparents??






This is Max, one of my friends. He sits in my box with me. He makes me feel better just looking at him. And when I am a bit down he sings to me. I call that Max therapy.
My other friend in my box is Whinnie and he has got a cozy blanket he loves sharing with me.
And then there is the big teddy bear outside my box protecting me.....he is so big he doesn't fit in here.

I am so lucky to have so many friends!




I found some messages left for me.....from people I have never meet.....so friendly and so kind, I love it!

Three days old

I gather I am causing quite a stir.......
Well here we go, more tales from a very frail life.

The Doctors are happy with me, they say everything is going as well as it could be. Of course, I say to that, I am working bloody hard to keep it that way!
Here you see me in the best place of the world again. It felt a bit strange when she put her nipple in my mouth 'cause I didn't know what to do but the smell here..... you would not believe it, it is soooo good!!!!!!!!!
This is actually the first picture with my eyes open. I don't know whether I like it.....I can only see shadows and bright lights. Occasionally it is very very bright, doesn't last long, but every time it happens Mama tells Papa off, I wonder why????


Mama and Papa love my black hair














This is my right ear













And this is my right foot lying in Papa's hand.
It still looks blue from pulling me out of Mama's tummy. And can you see those little marks? Thats were the doctors prick me occasionally...it doesn't really bother me, 'though it's a bit of a nuisance! I believe they do it to check that I am fine.....why don't they just ask me, I could tell them that I'm ok?!?





Another first time

Mama giving me a wash

I can feel her being very nervous, but she does it with so much love! I am telling her not to worry, but do Mama's listen????


Anyway I feel I made a rather good choice with her.......hope she feels the same about me....