Little Hands, Little Feet

As I look at him, I just can't get over how externally developed Oliver's body is, despite the fact that he is absolutely the tiniest little child I have ever seen.  When he is awake, his little hands are always up to something.  His miniature fingers are so responsive, moving and bending all the time, trying to grasp onto whatever they can locate inside his isolet.  Sometimes he is reaching for a wire or trying to mess with his CPAP tubing; other times he is pushing a nurse's hand away from him or trying to help momma change his diaper.  When he sleeps though, it is absolutely precious.  I love to just sit there and watch him.  He is the epitome of peace.

He also has exquisite little feet.  It is hard to believe, even though I know it is true, that these are the same feet that were kicking at his momma's belly just a few weeks ago.  Whenever he is not wrapped up in his cozy warm blanket, which isn't very often, he is pumping those legs like he was on a bicycle in the Tour de France.  Momma usually holds them steady so the nurses can do their work without being in a danger of a black eye.  It is good to see he has such strong appendages, even though it is best for him to keep them wrapped up in a blanket for a while longer.  Like all children, mom and pop have to start setting some boundaries.  We have also started the process of taking weekly footprints so we can have a memory of his growth here in the NICU.  As you can imagine, with those active legs and feet, it is quite a challenge...but one we are excited to have.