Hard to imagine we would ever get to this moment. Ten weeks ago we were looking at a 1 pound baby. Today the little runt crossed the 5 pound plateau. Ultimately it doesn’t mean much, she just weighs five pounds. It’s not a particularly big medical milestone. But it just feels like a big deal. I can’t really explain it but for some reason we were getting excited when she was closing in on 5 pounds. Anyway here is what a 5 pound baby, who used to weigh 1 pound, looks like.
Five Pounds of Solid Steel
The fact that AM is taking a bottle once or twice a day is a bigger medical deal. She normally gets her formula and breast milk through a feeding tube. Lately she has been getting one bottle per 12 hour shift. She took 30 cc of a 40 cc bottle the other day. That is huge. The suck – swallow – breathe reflex that every baby needs to be able to eat is a hallmark of a preemie’s maturity. It’s normally an intuitive skill. While it’s still intuitive for a baby born 3 and 1/2 months early, it takes a while to develop. So all signs on that front look good.
Here are a few shots of Anne Marie feeding. The face to the side action is to help keep her from choking if she gets ahead of herself and takes too much milk.
More Please
Hey! Where did he go?!?
“I got your 1 pound baby right here bro.” BOOM
Another first was achieved this week. She beat her big brother to this milestone by about three years. I’m of course speaking of the vulgarity. Frank started dropping the “D – word” a few weeks ago. For some reason he fires off the word damn-it in three round bursts. I have no clue. Well, Anne Marie has topped her big brother. This may be a portent of sibling battles to come. In fact I’m sure it is. Take a good look at the next picture. What do you see?
Hahaha. That’s my girl!
Frank's Place 
It’s all a big deal! Love the finger!
Oh yeah I know it’s a big deal. I was saying medically it didn’t mean anything more than when she hit 4.8 pounds. Unlike when she took her first bottle, graduated to a crib from the incubator, etc… those were big medical milestones.
The 5lbs just had a special quality to us.
Ok this is her mom leaving my first reply. The look of disgust and misery in the last picture is related to the fact that she just got her immunization shots and her eyes examined. My poor baby! So she probably is giving everyone the finger! Frank, I am happy to report has quit saying the d word, and has decided to just talk all the time.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention that Frank only recites the psalms now.
Love her!!!!!
Amen sister.
Aww, she looks so mad in that last picture! Poor little sweetie!
Apparently a few vaccines and an eye exam is her line in the sand.
So thrilled with the 5 pound milestone. Every step forward is a milestone in my book. Loving her personality!!!!
Thanks
Already a little firebird! Love her (and of course all of the Linardos) so much!
Thanks Maggie. Love you, and all the Marshall’s, too.
Its great she’s got to 5lbs. I have been waiting for her to hit that milestone too. Thats because I was 5lbs when I was born – and that was a long time ago. So if I could make it back then, I am sure Anne Marie will make it now to be a fit and healthy girl. Can’t wait till she’s running around your home making you wonder how she can tire you both out so much!!!
It’s weird really, we just had 5lbs as some sort of turning point. Still a month at least in the NICU but the 5lbs just feels like we may be over the hump.
Oh I do hope so. Can’t wait to see pics of her sitting up taking notice of the world going by.