Photos of Our Darling Girl

Daphne Jane Gainer was born on January 20, 2011. She weighed 4 lb. 9 oz. and was 17 in. long. Now, at 13 days old, she weighs 5 lb. 1 oz. She has beautiful, soft, curly hair and dark chocolate eyes. When I first arrived, she looked pale and a bit swollen, but her soft skin is beginning to show some color, and the swelling around her eyes has started to go down (her feet are still pretty puffy).

Daphne is a calm, quiet baby who cries only when she is hungry or angry about being poked and prodded by the nurses (who are really very gentle with her). She is a greedy and speedy eater, which is rare and very encouraging in a heart baby. She loves her pacifier but will settle for her thumb if no one is there to put it in her mouth. She is happy to be held all day long but will also rest peacefully on her own. The nurses frequently comment that she is a very easy baby.

I spend all day in Daphne’s room in the NICU. I get to feed her, change her, lotion her, and hold her as much as I want. I usually hold her for 2–3 hours at a time and then give her a break in her bed. It’s hard to put her down, but I always stay nearby.

Daphne is doing great for a baby with her type of heart defect (more on her condition to come). We have been very blessed. Here’s a little glimpse of our baby girl.