Keena's baby

My Friend Keena from High school delivered her baby prematurely 6 days ago at just 31 weeks gestation. Two months too soon. When she first went into labor last Thursday she was at Baby's R us registering for her baby shower another month and half away. She felt some cramping and after talking to her OB's nurse she jumped on her scooter, yes I said scooter (insert unbelieving snickers and giggles here) and she drove herself to the hospital. They tried fervently to stop her labor and had thought they had done it. three days later She had been discharged by her Dr and was waiting for the nurse when she started cramping again. It wasn't long before she was in labor and delivery. It was very scary for her, he was a mere 3 pounds 12 ounces and I think somewhere around 17 inches long. Tiny little thing. But, thank God.. He’s here.
He’s doing very well considering and although he’s in much need of some baby fat he’s a healthy baby boy.

Chandler Jay Evans
I have seen him twice now, and today I brought my camera in for his first official photo shoot. It was fitting considering I was scheduled to take Keena’s maternity pictures this weekend.

He is in an isolate until he can maintain his body temperature

Keena gets to hold him a couple of times a day. I came at one of those times.

Since his suck reflex is not quite there he is getting her breast milk through a tube in his nose.

Keena does Breastfeeding therapy by just lying him next to her bare milk supply. They want him to recognize the smell and be familiar with her so that when he can start to nurse in a few weeks he'll know where he's going.

Mommy's hands cover his entire head and then some

I just love how he is holding her finger and looking up at her.

And LUCKY ME! I got to hold him! I didn't expect it, and when I picked him up it literally felt like I was picking up one of Megan's dolls. He was so light and tiny. If it weren't for the slight protests and flailing limbs I would have mistaken him for one!

Such a sweet face...

Keena can't wait to get his tube out.. The goal is for him to maintain his own temperature and to be able to eat all his feedings from a bottle or breast. When those are met, then she can take him home.

Look how sweet his little foot is below!

and a little bit of Mama love. She loves him so much you can just see it in her eyes.

oh and this was to show just how really small he is, because its hard to tell in most of the pictures. we were trying to think of something that we could compare him to and then keena pulled her brush out of her bag. It really shows how tiny he is. that's just a normal sized brush!