One year ago today...

Kennedy was 8 days old, weighed in at 3lb 7.5oz, and was moved from the level 2 nursery to the level 1 nursery in her NICU!  This meant she was taken off of her IV fluids, and was on her way to feeding by bottle/breast.  She became a full fledged feeder/grower at that point. 

It was also the day that Alanna came to visit us int he NICU and she took these wonderful pictures for us.

Now, a year later Kennedy is still growing like a weed.  Getting bigger each and every day.

One Year Stats!

She had her appointment yesterday, November 19, 2010 and here are Kennedy's current stats:

Weight: 17lb 13oz  (5%)
Length/Height: 28 1/4" (20%)
Head Circumference:  17 3/4" (50%)
*All of her percentiles are for her actual age - which is exciting, she is on the charts and staying there! 

She is just one long skinny child, gotta feed her some more good foods I guess!

One year ago on November 19, 1009 Kennedy weighed only 3lb 1.4oz, she now weighs over 5x that!

What a difference just one year makes....

November 18, 2009....

November 18, 2010....

One year ago today I was still in the hospital recovering from giving birth, pre-eclampsia, a likely infection, and Kennedy was fighting to grow, get strong, and learn to suck, swallow and breath (something they learn inside that she never got to learn). 

Today, she is almost 18lbs (will know for sure tomorrow, eating like crazy, crawling, cruising, talking (she says a few words - we think), and is a happy little camper. 

Change

She changes every day.  She crawls around after the toys and items she wants, she lights up when she see things that interest her (and that she wants), and she is pulling to stand on certain things (mostly pulling on my head to stand on me or the like).  But every day I just cannot believe the changes I continue to see in her.  She has gone from such a tiny little girl....

to this bright eyed, smiley, inquisitive (albeit still little for her age) girl....

We love you Peanut!

Growing up

I know that it is what kids do, they grow up.  They discover new things, learn new things, and well just keep on going and growing up.  They really do just grow up so fast. 

This weekend was one of a few this last month or two where we haven't had anything to do, and it was so nice.  So, we just hung out at home, ran out for an errand or two, but that was about it.  It was so nice to relax and play with Kennedy.  But as this post indicates, it was just amazing to watch her this weekend, she has grown into her own little person for sure.  She has her own ideas of what she wants to do, where she wants to go, and what she wants to play with.  She is so inquisitive, always looking to see what made that sound, where the dog went and what in the world mom or dad are doing.

This weekend she:

• started to stand on her own holding onto a toy.  (she isn't 100% stable and will topple if she puts her weight to one side or the other, but she does it)

• she is still just creeping, but a little bit more so (and she gets herself over to Cody, she LOVES him)

• she said daddy (it was pretty darn clear to me) and then went on to say Da one more time.  No matter how many times we tried to get her to do it again she didn't.  

(sorry no pictures of the words, haha - but here is a cute one of her and her daddy)

• She feeds herself her own foods (only ones she likes though) toast was a big no no for her, but her biter biscuits or Gerber teething cookies she's all about.  She tries with all her might to feed herself with her spoon but it mostly just ends up on her forehead or cheeks, but we let her try anyways as that is half the fun!

Kennedy also enjoys music, she will dance if she hears it, and when Austin pulls out the guitar she will just sit and watch him play (and try and play a bit herself).

But really, she's just the cutest thing ever and we love to watch her grow and explore.

How far she's come...

Yesterday as I was packing up some of Kennedy's clothing that she no longer fits into I saw the preemie clothes which she wore - well it seems like not too long ago - but 5 months ago now!

Well I pulled out the clothes to see what the differences are in what she was in, and where she will be now - she is just finally moving up into the 3-6 month sleepers.

Can you believe the difference?

The crazy thing is the one on the far left, the preemie size, Kennedy used to be swimming in that thing! 

You can't tell here, but the fact that she is actually fitting in it is crazy to think about now...

This then got me looking at pictures I have of her in her carseat throughout the past 5 months and how much she's grown since then.  (I'll only post a few of these, but you can see how much she's grown)

Here she is during her carseat test in the NICU...

February 2010

April 2010

She still has so much more growing to do too, but I can't help but look at these pics and see how far our little 3 lb 5oz, 15.75 inch, 32 week preemie has come!