Eye Exam and Stuff

Sydney had another eye exam today and it shows that the ROP is still there but looking better. She will have tests weekly to make sure the condition continues to improve. She also had her shots yesterday and she is worn out from them today. Between the shots and the eye exams, she has ZERO energy. They have to dilate her eyes each time and it's quite stressful for her. A nurse told us that they even had a baby who had to go back on the vent for a few days everytime he had his eye exams because they are that bad.

She had a few apnea and brady episodes (breathing and heart rate drops) today but they didn't last long and were totally expected by the doctors and nurses. No bottle feedings were done so that she could just rest and recover and get back to being her usual happy self.

She's pooping, peeing and tolerating all her feeds so that's a very good thing. B and I were told to register for our CPR class now because she's getting ready to come home. We will do the class this Friday. We're also going to spend a night at the hospital in one of their suites and care for her for 24 hours under a nurse's supervision. This is the home stretch!

Day 67!

Little Miss is doing great and even took three full bottles yesterday. We're going to try her with 4 bottles today and see what she does. Feedings have also been increased to 38ccs and she's tolerating it well.

Weight is 4lbs 11.5oz this morning!

Good Eats!

I called the nurse yesterday and let her know what time we were coming so she held the bottle feeding so I could do it myself! It was wonderful watching her eat like a big girl. She makes us so proud. The nurses say she keeps pulling her feeding tube completely out of her mouth, so I'm thinking she's over it. Watching her drink from the bottle is like watching someone run a marathon because it takes all her energy to keep breathing while getting the food in. Her heart rate goes up and her breathing sounds exactly like it sounds when someone is running. She never appears distressed though, just very focused. :laugh: She took 25 ccs from the bottle before she sealed her lips and REFUSED to take another drop. She spent the rest of the time smiling continuously at me.

I was soo surprised at the size of the space she occupies now. The closer the babies get to going home, the more their space shrinks and the closer to the door they literally get. She moved from her fancy private room to a private corner to a little private 4x4 space in the newborn nursery now. :rofl: The nurses say that when she can tolerate full feeds for 48 hours she should be able to come home. Of course, the final say lies with the doctors so nothing is concrete at this point.

Without further ado...pics!

What she did as soon as we walked in the room:




It doesn't look like it but her the feeding tube is not in her mouth. It is pulled out before every bottle feeding but we hadn't removed the tape from her face.

Day 65

Sydney took two FULL feedings from a slow flow bottle yesterday! This is huge, people! HUGE!!! The more she tolerates getting her meals like this, the closer we get to getting rid of the feeding tube. She really doesn't need either the tube or cannula to be removed as a requirement for her to come home. Hospitals send home many babies who are right where she's at. It could be verrry soon. I really, really hope so.

It had been 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,EIGHT days since I last saw my baby...but who's counting? We shall be reunited today and if you listen carefully you should be able to hear my squealing when we get there. :laugh:

Weight is 4lbs 9oz today. Woot!

35 Weeks!

Sydney is doing great in her open bed! She's had no problems maintaining her temperature and she's so much more alert these days. Her feedings are now at 35ccs and that resulted in a 2oz weight gain, bringing her to 4lbs 7oz. Awesome!

Daddy didn't get many pics last night. This is what happens when the crazy Mommy isn't there squealing, "take a picture! take a picture!" :laugh:

One from Christmas Day:



She was being changed and she was not loving it.


Bright eyed and bushy tailed! Since we lose most of our body heat from our heads, she's wearing two hats to keep her warm. She's also sucking hard on her feeding tube. It's her favourite thing to do.

Nine Weeks Old!

Sydney was moved to an open crib last night! Yay! She's been doing a great job keeping her temp stable too. She's such a big girl.

She's tolerating her feedings really well and took some more without the tube. She's had no oxygen desaturation and her vital signs are great.

She weighs 4lbs 5oz this morning. :)

Ultrasound Results!

Today's ultrasound results show a MILD amount of fluid whereas the last one was moderate. This means that the condition has actually improved but has not totally resolved itself just yet. Our daughter is determined to teach us patience. :laugh: There is no bleeding either. Hallelujah!

Now we have to wait another few days for the neurologist to compare this ultrasound to the previous one and determine if they still want to continue with the wait and see approach.

Keep on praying!

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I cannot count it. Psalm 71:14-15