Chunky Monkey

Uncle Gabe started calling Hannah "Chunky Monkey" about 6 pounds ago. I think she's finally grown into the name.


We put up a tree this weekend, so we could hang up Hannah's first Christmas Tree ornament, from long-time family friend Jan (who happens to be a professional doll-maker).


Hannah's started noticing the toys we put on the play mat, and you can almost hear the wheels turning in her tiny brain as she tries to make sense of her surroundings. Here she's studying the stuffed lion from Aunt Mel.


Tonight was the last visit from the nurse that has been checking on Hannah since she came home. Sad, because we'll miss Norma (although she promised to come back to visit), but happy because this means that Hannah is healthy enough that she doesn't need home nursing visits! She's still on 150 milliliters of oxygen per minute, down from 250 when she first came home, but she's gaining weight, eating well, and developing normally.

As usual, we're way behind on our holiday shopping and mailings, and there don't seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done before Christmas rolls around. But this will most definitely be our best Christmas ever, because we've already gotten our present and she's more than we dared hope for. Thanks again to all of you that have been sending cards, gifts, emails, and prayers. We can't thank you enough, and we'll never take you for granted.