15 Weeks Old!

Amirah had her first bottle today and did GREAT!!!

I can't believe how good the fast few days have been. She came off the vent last Friday. It's amazing how when you give up the power and just accept how things can change. I had fully accepted that she would come of the vent when she was ready and the next time I went to the NICU she was on the CPAP.

She was really cranky on Monday, so they decided to try her on the nasal cannula, and it helped some, but they suggested I bring in a bouncy seat. So I did....and she LOVES it. She likes to sit up and look around...she's a big girl, loves to be held and talked to.

Today they decided to try her first bottle feed. The nurse started feeding her (I got a few photos) and then she had me feed her for a little while. She ate 24ml (out of 45ml) with NO problem. She actually did so well they are going to try bottle feeding 1 time a shift, not just the 1 time a day.

We also found out she has a little bit of damage to her eyes from the oxygen. It really isn't that bad at this point, but the doctor will re-examine her in 3 weeks. We aren't getting to upset about this at this point. But will keep everyone updated.

That's the big stuff for now. As always, there are no words to express how grateful and blessed we are. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the continued prayers and love.

Here are a few photos of her from the last few days.

14 weeks 1 day

Today was a hard day for me... actually, this past week or so has been pretty emotionally draining. For the 3rd day in a row I got my hopes up about Amirah coming off the vent and yet again was disappointed. Andy lovingly reminding me that she really is doing good and I should "breath" and continue to be patient. I realized that I am running out of patience.

I think subconsciously (maybe more consciously than I would like to admit) every day past my due date that Amirah isn't home is harder.

Ok, onto the update on Amirah...she is still on the oscillating ventilator but her pressures and her oxygen levels are really close to what they want them to be so she can go back on CPAP. She started eating again on Tuesday and has had no troubles with that. She had lost 12oz while she wasn't being feed (down to 5lbs 2oz) but as of tonight she is back to 5lbs 13oz!

I haven't taken any new photo's of her recently, until yesterday she had a IV in her head because the veins in her arms weren't good anymore. But today they were able to put the IV back in her arm. I will take some photo's of her tomorrow.

12 weeks 6 days!

this is a photo of Amirah with no CPAP on and no feeding tube

Well, until today it was a pretty normal week. Slowly coming down on the pressures and the amount of oxygen she gets...slowly gaining weight (she's up to about 5 lbs now)...sleeping...pooping...spitting up. Typical baby stuff.

We did find out that they want her to be on a PEEP (not sure what it stands for, but it is how they measure the pressure they are pushing the oxygen into her) to be a 4 before they switch her to the nasal cannula. She is currently on a 5 (she was at a 7 on Friday). Her nurse yesterday was trying to push her a little bit because she think she will be more comfortable off the CPAP.

On Sunday, the doctors told us they think she has an inguinal hernia. They were going to have surgery come look at her. On Monday Surgery came to look at her and they wanted an ultra sound. Basically, they found that her right ovary and fallopian tube have prolapsed, this was caused by her hernia. Because of this they are going to perform a surgey on Friday morning. While they are in repairing the right side they will take a look at the left side and possible do a precautionary repair too. This a very common surgey. The biggest risk for Amirah is that she is going to have to be put on the vent for the surgery.

That being said, we are going to ask for some extra prayers today, and at the time of surgery. Me and Andy are ok, our biggest concern is the vent. We (or really she) have worked hard at coming of the vent. We are just trying to remain postive and have faith.

We know how blessed we are and do remember that we have just hit a little bump in the road.

Here is a photo of Amirah and her daddy napping together today...

11 Weeks 1 Day!!

O my gosh! I can't believe we haven't posted in over a week... sorry to keep you in suspense, but the truth is not much has changed with Amirah's progress. She is still on the CPAP, she is still eating like a champ, and she is still growing bigger :)

One pretty new development is the awareness she shows when she's awake. Before she would open her eyes, look around but not really focus on anything. In the past few days she is really looking into our eyes. I have no words to describe the feeling of looking into her eyes.

She is also beginning to root around as she gets close to feeding time. Unfortunately we haven't been able to breast or bottle feed yet because of the CPAP, but its a terrific indication that she is rooting.

I spoke with her doctor yesterday and basically we are still in a waiting stage...waiting for her lungs to get stronger. She is doing great, but her lungs still need to develop more. He is confident this will and already is happening, and we just have to be patient. And his feeling is she will be going home in a month or so.

Needless to say we are totally excited to think about her coming home. And for me (I can't for speak for Andy) every day an eternity. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR HER TO BE HOME :)

Yesterday Nana held her for the first time. She responds incredibly well when being held. Her oxygen levels saturate really high. Hoping that her Aunt Jessica will be able to hold her tomorrow.


Thanks again for all the continued prayers...she still needs em :)

One last thing, thanks to my sisters for the lovely baby shower last weekend. It was extremely special.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!