To answer some of your questions:
We are still in the hospital and will be for a while yet. Maisie is still under 4 lbs and still has a lot of growing to do before she will be released. She is still not strong enough to take a full feed by mouth and has an NG tube. This is a tube that goes into her nose and down into her little belly. Then if she is too sleepy to take the full amount by bottle or by breast, she will still get all the nutrients that she needs in order to grow and get stronger.
These days it is a lot of 2 steps forward and 1 step backwards. For a few days Maisie had great weight gain and then yesterday she lost weight. Today, when discussing her care with the nurses, doctors and lactation consultant, it was looking like Maisie’s vigorous sucking at the breast may still not be giving her enough to be considered a feed. So, it has been decided that no matter what she gets for her efforts at the breast, she will still get her whole allotted amount by the NG tube. This is to ensure that she doesn’t get ‘shorted’ in any way and that her efforts at the breast do not burn all of the calories and not get enough back. The other feeds will all be done by NG tube so that she can conserve her energy for time at the breast. I’m ok with that. The faster she puts on weight, the sooner she will be out of the isolette and the sooner she will be coming home.
Today is she last day of IV nutrients. They put in a UVC (umbilical venous catheter) at birth and have been using that up to now for all of her IV nutrition. This has been great as it stopped the need to put in a peripheral IV line, however, the longer that the UVC stays in, the higher the risk of a systemic infection. So it really needs to come out. The plan was for it to be removed at 4 pm today. Maisie’s glucose levels would then be tested 3 hours later to see if she will need a peripheral line to be put in to give her clear fluids. We are hoping that the breast milk will be able to balance everything for her and that she will not need a new line put in.
Alan is coming today and will be here for 4-5 days. We are all looking forward to seeing him and I know that he is looking forward to time with his little family.
Regarding Adoptive Breastfeeding:
I have full intentions of full disclosure, however right now I do not have the time to finish that post. Please bear with me and I will get to is as soon as possible. Rest assured: it’s possible, and I feel so blessed to be able to offer it to the little ones in our family.
PS – Thank you for sharing your preemie baby stories. It is lovely to hear of others who have been there before us and that the outcome was positive. I tend to positive thinking naturally, however it can be discouraging when there is a step backwards.
Naya had lots of the same procedures, sending you love and support, I know it’s a rough time in the NICU, but glad they can help her so much!
There are always steps backwards at first. But the good thing is that it never lasts very long and these set backs are only growing pains; everything will even itself out. Monet’s weight fluctuated a lot, every ounce mattered, but it was exciting when she started gaining 2-3 ounces at a time! Have you given her a bath yet?
that will be exciting and scary too. 
I’m so excited for you!! Thanks for the update!
Sending you love and thought of whale milk
Maise is so strong and beautiful! I am so glad things are going well with breastfeeding. I am sure everyone is learning a tremendous amount from you. Blazing the trail for the next mama!