NICU Day 63

Maya is off CPAP! She went to cannula (room air) around 2pm and into a crib a little before that. You would think that this would have made her happy but she was feisty all afternoon. She would cry like a banshee if I put her down and it was hard trying to comfort her and handle Bobby getting hungry a half hour before usual. If we were home and there werent cords everywhere, I think it would be a heck of a lot easier. Her cords wouldnt reach to him! So, here I am, walking her back and forth, and trying to inch a tad closer so that I can hook his crib with my foot and pull him closer. I must have been a sight to see... But hey, whatever works! And it all worked out. Eventually, she was calm enough to hang out in a swing for a little while, which is where her daddy found her, sweet and innocent looking. He didnt believe the nurse or I when we told him to leave her be until SHE decided to wake up!

She took 2 bottles today; the first one calmed her down A LOT. The nurse and I agree that, although the tube feedings filled her tummy, they didnt satiate her desire/need to eat. She was so much happier after that first bottle. I would have breastfed her, but I had just pumped. But I held her at the breast as she ate, which is almost as nice. And she was happy. Which means I was happy. There is nothing better than a happy baby.

She also exploded into several diapers, leading us to think she has a tummy ache resulting from restarting her feeds. Her movements were not the "gourmet mustard" look of breastfed babies; they were darker and more green in color. The nurse checked for any issues and they came back clear, so it looks like just a sick tummy. Thank God. We dont need NEC or anything else cropping up! So, a sore throat and a sick tummy make for a very unhappy Maya! And a strong Maya! She was quite the girl to contend with today. She pulled her cannula off several times and yanked her OG tube out. When her nurse replaced it with an NG, she taped that and the cannula down very well. Maya has a lot of tape, but hopefully this will prevent her from yanking things off at inopportune times. She also decided to pull her leads off. 3 times. I'm not making this up. She's pissed off at the world right now.

It's great to have my sweet girl back. :)

They got their Synagis shots today. For those who dont know, this is a RSV antibody injection that is given monthly. It isnt a vaccine, rather it is an injection of antibodies to boost up the baby's immune system. This is why it isnt a one-shot deal and must be repeated every 28-30 days. The twins were due to get it right before discharge. To keep them on the same schedule, Maya had hers with Bobby's. He got his while I was pumping and apparently he gave a little cry and then went back to his business. Maya cried and cried. It was just insult to injury at that point. I just held her and felt like the biggest bitch in the world. Not only had she had to go through the whole breathing thing today but then the new feeding tube and the eye drops and then a shot. She was miserable. But it's all over now. And she is resting quietly on Daddy's chest and feeling much, much better. And she has her favorite nurse with her tonight. So life is good.

Our mister didnt have his car seat test last night because of back-to-back deliveries which left the NICU respiratory therapist unavailable. They had him on the schedule for this afternoon, but I guess people are having babies a lot these days! ;) So, he's on the list for tonight... Maya sat up in the swing and satted in the high 90s-100. I have no doubt Bobby will do the same in his car seat. They are looking at Saturday for his discharge date. They wont do tomorrow because they will keep him 24 hours post the Synagis injection to make sure of no adverse reactions. But it looks like this is it for him... I still cant believe it... I am slowly getting used to the idea that she will be there without him but it softens the blow to know that he can go in and see her.

We are really hoping that she comes through the weekend well. I talked to her doctor today and he said that if this protocol doesnt work, then they will call an ENT doctor to look at her. Please let this work... Let her take all her bottles and ditch the tube... Let her pass a car seat test and come home next week!!!