January 29th, 2007 11:15 a.m.

There is lots of good news to share with all of you. First, Lauren turned 1 month old on Sunday, which is a huge milestone in any preemies' life, as the first month is always the hardest. Second, and more importantly, she was upgraded from "critical condition" to a "feeder- grower" - NICU speak for all she needs to do...Feeder' and she will grow, I guess... (At least that is what we are doing with her big brother, so it must work...) We are elated with her progress. She is up to 1286 grams, but her weight fluctuates by 40-60 grams a day. Some days she gains, and others she loses. So, we are trying not to focus on the day to day changes, but more week to week. They are fortifying the breast milk with iron and extra calories.

The only speed bump in the road has come from the medical team's efforts to ween her from her bubble Cpap breathing machine, which is taking longer than expected. This really is not a problem, but something they are trying to accomplish soon. She remains on about 30-40% oxygen (room air is about 21% oxygen here in Colorado.) So, ideally they want to get her down to about that room air level before she goes home. (But, if she doesn't want to cooperate then she will be on oxygen at home, which used to scare us, but not really any more, as it seems par for the course with most preemies.)

I was able to hold her for the first time on Saturday, which was very exciting but also stressful because of her extreme fragility. I think the blankets they used to cover her weighed more than she does, as I could not distinguish between the two. Needless to say, it was about time... Connor still isn't all that impressed with his baby sister, but really likes the monitors and machines which surround her. For now, the 'zamboni' that cleans the hall floors of the hospital is by far more exciting than Lauren, but we are sure that will change in time.

We continue to appreciate your well wishes.

Grant and Kaia