| HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! ! |
| Valentine's Day Update: As Amanda is now cresting the 7 pound mark, we are beginning to think of her like a normal little newborn (but very high on the cuteness scale of course!) We are going to stop posting frequent weight and health updates as her "issues" are much the same as any other newborn. We now find that we have a very happy baby who likes to be held a lot. She also seems to know exactly what she wants, whether it is to be fed, changed, held, or given "some space". She can even turn into Amanda-Demanda if mom or dad don't guess right! And without a doubt, we know she is a most resilient girl after all she has been through. On this most wonderful Valentine's Day, Amanda and her parents send all of you her many web "fans" our love and thank you all so very much for your many good wishes and prayers of support. We KNOW that they have worked! |  |
 | With Mucho Love |
 Grandma Ruby gets a turn at "Mandacare" & no more tube! | January 22 Update: Amanda is doing beautifully and thriving at home after three weeks. After the first week, she was eating well enough that we only used the feeding tube overnight. After just two weeks, she was breast-feeding so well that our pediatrician, Dr. Higham, gave us the go ahead to remove the feeding tube altogether and go totally with breast and bottle feeding. Starting out with a visiting nurse coming by every day, Amanda now no longer needs that extra support either. After leaving the hospital at 5 lbs. 7 oz., Amanda has adjusted to her new environment, gone completely "au naturale" with the feeding, and has still gained weight, so that she is now a "robust" 6 lbs. 1 oz. She is alert, happy (and fussy of course at times!) and well on her way to being a "normal" newborn baby. Mom and Dad are doing well, even with the waking up every 2-3 hours at night -- and are probably the only parents to bring home a baby from the hospital and suddenly feel like they have more time in their lives! It will be awhile before Amanda can come out and play, and our doctor has advised us to restrict visitors to the absolute minimum -- but we look forward to Amanda being able to meet many of her "fan club" in the spring. |  Annamadonna & child |
 Evan |
are overjoyed to announce the homecoming of their daughter, |
 Annamarie |
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who escorted her into this world and then returned to heaven. In loving memory of Noah Bernard Evan Shu (Aug. 18 to Aug 18, 1997) & Melanie Hope Shu (Aug. 18 to Aug. 31, 1997). |
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 | Things are looking up for Amanda Grace! |
Dear Friends & Family,
It has been such a roller-coaster ride of a year that even an expanded edition of the "Shu News" couldn’t hope to cover it, but Amanda’s web page here covers many of the details. Suffice it to say that, we are starting out the new year with a little of God’s grace in the form of a beautiful daughter.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Meow, when do I get my turn?"
To read Amanda's update at Month 4 (1/1/98) Click Here
To read Amanda's update at Month 3 (11/22/97) Click Here
To read Amanda's update at Month 2 (10/20/97) Click Here
To read Amanda's update at Month 1 (9/20/97) Click Here
To read about Noah & Melanie, Click Here: Triplets (8/19/97 & 9/1/97)
To go back to Amanda's Main Page Click Here
You can E-mail us by clicking here: The Shu Family