Sorry I didn't post earlier. I now get to hold her a lot more so I have less time to post on my blog! Here she is being held by her daddy, snug as a bug in a rug. She has had a great day and night last night. Some levels were up (Co2) but they have come down now. Her heart rate was also in the 190's for a couple of hours so they were getting a little concerned but it is now back in the 170's. They weaned her down on her hi-flow nasal cannula from 6 to 5, the lowest level is a 3. After she if off that, they will put her on just an oxygen nasal cannula and then work on weaning her down off of that. I wanted to comment on a few things that I have forgotten to mention. Her weight: they weighed her today and she weighs 8.07 which is almost her birth weight of 8.1 pounds. She is just a tiny little squirt. When I mention that she is crying, she is so hoarse from having the breathing tube down her throat for so long that you can hardly hear anything. Poor little sweetie, they say that her voice should recover and come back after several days. About her feeds: they are spinning my milk and taking off all the fat. I am officially a cow now who can offer whole or fat free milk! Taking the fat out takes the calories from 20 to 10 calories per ounce. She needs 30 calories per ounce so they fortify it with portagen which is a fat free formula. So I'm hoping that some antibodies are better than nothing and it gives me a little more incentive to continue pumping. Anyway, she is doing well and I find I have a bigger smile on my face today. I am finally starting to feel a little less stressed out. It was fun to hold her today and be able to get close enough to kiss her little face. I couldn't do that when she was on the ventilator. I feel like I have my old baby back. (my pre-surgery baby) She is so sweet and the days are getting more and more enjoyable. They say if she continues to do well that we might get to move to the 3rd floor in a week. We'll see!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Little Princess
Sorry I didn't post earlier. I now get to hold her a lot more so I have less time to post on my blog! Here she is being held by her daddy, snug as a bug in a rug. She has had a great day and night last night. Some levels were up (Co2) but they have come down now. Her heart rate was also in the 190's for a couple of hours so they were getting a little concerned but it is now back in the 170's. They weaned her down on her hi-flow nasal cannula from 6 to 5, the lowest level is a 3. After she if off that, they will put her on just an oxygen nasal cannula and then work on weaning her down off of that. I wanted to comment on a few things that I have forgotten to mention. Her weight: they weighed her today and she weighs 8.07 which is almost her birth weight of 8.1 pounds. She is just a tiny little squirt. When I mention that she is crying, she is so hoarse from having the breathing tube down her throat for so long that you can hardly hear anything. Poor little sweetie, they say that her voice should recover and come back after several days. About her feeds: they are spinning my milk and taking off all the fat. I am officially a cow now who can offer whole or fat free milk! Taking the fat out takes the calories from 20 to 10 calories per ounce. She needs 30 calories per ounce so they fortify it with portagen which is a fat free formula. So I'm hoping that some antibodies are better than nothing and it gives me a little more incentive to continue pumping. Anyway, she is doing well and I find I have a bigger smile on my face today. I am finally starting to feel a little less stressed out. It was fun to hold her today and be able to get close enough to kiss her little face. I couldn't do that when she was on the ventilator. I feel like I have my old baby back. (my pre-surgery baby) She is so sweet and the days are getting more and more enjoyable. They say if she continues to do well that we might get to move to the 3rd floor in a week. We'll see!
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21 comments:
Oh what a sweet Little Princess she is! Congratulations! The fact that you have a big smile on your face today brought a big smile to my face too!! What a great day!
WOW!!!!! She looks great. The first night that we moved to the 3rd floor after our first PICU trip we felt like we were at a cozy hotel (surely our most expenses hotel stay, besides the 4-5 months in the PICU). We had a room to ourselves, PRIVACY (seriously lacking in the PICU, as you know) AND you could eat (legaly) in the room. You also no longer have to share the nasty, drain clogged public PICU parent showers. Yuck! I also had to do the flip flop thing as well. You will now have your own newly remodeled bathroom. WONDERFUL! You however do feel like you have to be at the hospital 24/7 because you no longer have your personal private nurse (I did miss that) but it is amazing to have your own family time together and my kiddo's (including the one I am happily married too) loved the Playstation in the rooms. I hope so badly that you get to move upstairs. I was always sad to leave our PICU nurses and doctors but it is one step closer to HOME!!! We are so happy for your little miracle and pray that you and your family may continue to be blessed with Faith, Happiness and Peace.
With Hope, Faith and Love,
Shauntelle and little Kaidence
Yea! Glad to hear she had another good day! That picture of her is so cute. I can't imagine her moving to the third floor, how exciting!!! Can't wait for my turn to hold her~ won't that be a treat!!!
Aunt Stef
So so happy that she is progressing so well! I just can't control my tears (of joy of course!) when I hear you get to hold her more and get to snuggle finally-you deserve it so much. I bet it's hard not to just squeeze her so tight to make up for the last month! About her weight, I know they probably want her to get chunky, but for you, with her being still little, at least you didn't miss out on that tiny newborn stage (my kids chunk out so fast I blink and miss it)--it's my favorite! I love that she is all swaddled up, it made me sad when she was all uncovered just laying there--I bet she can't get enough of you, Tom, being snuggled and hearing a heart beat again! Congrats again! XOXOX
Your description of your incredible day with Gracie has made us so happy! It is great that you can finally hold her all day! Gracie - you have brought so much joy into the lives of everyone who loves you and who is following your story!!! I hope next time I visit at the hospital it will be on the third floor..Thanks for sharing the good news and making our day better!
Love, Natalie, Alan and Kids
We are just so happy for you guys!! We can't wait for you guys to get off the PICU!! Send our love to Gracie, she truly is a miracle!
Emily and Mike
what a precious picture!! She is so beautiful and it is so nice to beable to see more of her face. We continue to pray for your family & hope that you will get to move to your private room:).
Yeah!! Another great day!! Three cheers for Gracie!! She is so dang cute! I bet you never want to put her down! :)
Oh, she looks so good. She looks so rested and healthy. Just beautiful. I'm so glad I checked in before I headed off to bed. Sweet dreams little Gracie!
Love,
Teresa in VA
She looks SO good and a lot happier than yesterday. Today is my birthday and it was great to get on and see that she is still doing good. That would be great if she was moved out of the PICU. I am sure you guys are thrilled with her progress. Take care!
Thanks for letting us watch your miracles unfold!
Nice job on the pumping! I know that pumping is not fun. You are such a good mom. I'm glad you are having a better day & I hope you continue to have a smile on your face!
So cozy in daddy's warm arms! We are just so happy for you guys and little Gracie girl. As a side note, my daughter Ashley (4) who has played with Callie a few times gave up her beloved dolly this week in an effort to stop sucking her finger so much. She thinks that we sent the dolly in a package to baby Gracie, which is what I told her we could do, but really it has been sent to my mom's house! She keeps wanting to check the blog to see if Gracie got it, so maybe someday when Gracie is home we can get a picture of the two of them together for Ashley to see! I tell you this just to reiterate the way Gracie has stolen the hearts of so many, even my little girl!
She is absolutely beautiful. So glad she's back in your arms where she belongs.
She is so stinkin' cute!!!!!
We are so happy she is doing so well!!!
Yah!!! This is such a great post. It's so nice to hear good news for a change, give her a kiss for us!
Love,
Tiff
Keep up the good work Gracie! My little HLHS guy turns 7 today! He wants you to know the fight is worth it and to keep it up! You are beautiful and we wish you the best.
Hugs and cuddles, that has to be the best yet for you guys. She certainly is a sweetheart. Moving to the third floor sounds like it will be great thing. Glad that the stress levels are starting to come down a bit for you too!
A bunch of us logged on together last night at Sariah's during scrapbook night! It was so fun to see this great picture and post! I have to say I had been waiting all day... :) Gracie just looks cuter and cuter everyday! This last photo looks a lot like Stef's little Nick (better get another bow on her little fuzzy head!) I'm so happy for all of you. You know you could make a bundle by pre selling tickets to get a minute to hold her when she gets home. The line would be a mile long :)! Have a wonderful snuggly day and give her a smooch from her "aunt Leslie."
You said it PRINCESS That is exactly what she looks like in this picture!
We are so happy she is doing better and so happy you are able to hold her. We are so thankful for our Heavenly Father for answering our prayers. Hope you have another great day like yesterday. we love you guys.
Love The Bunkers
One of the best posts ever!! I'm so happy that she's doing well. She's a treasure. I'm so glad she's able to have you and Tom hold her so much. Here's hoping she gets to "move on up" to the third floor soon!
Love,
The Millers
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