UPDATE — FEEDING / BREASTMILK UPDATE
I received an OVERWHELMING response to the call for breastmilk & am blown away by the generous mamas out there who are so willing to share their extra supply with Rose. We have received more than enough and our freezer and family member’s freezers are full! It’s an invaluable gift and blessing to Rose.

To everyone who shared the post, sent a message, wrote a comment or donated milk directly to Rose… THANK YOU! I am 100% convinced that since starting breastmilk about 5 months ago (when Davy was born & I gave her the extra that I produced) that is the #1 reason why she is doing so well and thriving and it is giving her gut & immune system the best fighting chance to heal and reset from all that her tiny little body has been through. The mamas that have made it possible for her to continue on that now that she needs more volume than I can produce, you have my deepest gratitude and respect.

Here are some adorable photos of Rose eating. She is doing really well and leaps & bounds ahead of where she “should” be given all that she has been through. We’ve been fortunate enough to work with a wonderful home health feeding specialist named Christy since Rose’s multiple month hospital stay last November-March. She has had so many issues with feeding due to the ulcers. Christy has been so helpful in Rose’s journey from back just a few months ago where her only oral intake was drink a few sips of water to present day where Rose is willing to taste and try just about everything. She likes most everything and since her surgery there are no more limits to what she can eat and drink. This child and the advanced progress she makes on a weekly basis is truly remarkable.

Her favorite foods at the moment are: avocados, cheese, yogurt, eggs, macaroni and cheese, graham crackers, raisins & salmon

As soon as she can take in the calories she needs per day by food and drink, we can take the NG tube out. It’s still quite the hassle having to do 3+ feeds a day with Rose connected to the pole for about 1 hr each time, but we do our best and although we don’t know how long it will take to get her off of it, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!