NICU - Day 24

Date: December 16th
Gestational Date: 31 weeks 4 days

Madelyn had a chest x-ray again this morning. It actually didn't look as good as yesterday's (left lung looks MORE collapsed that yesterday morning) but because she is doing so well on her labs, they moved her to a traditional ventilator. All of the sudden, her room is quiet again. No more loud machine or incessant beeping (the old ventilator was literally beeping for a few minutes every 5-7 minutes). It is quiet enough in here that I overheard several conversations in the hallway today. At least one of which I'm sure the doctors wish I hadn't heard.

I like my popsicle

Grandpa Wayne came down and spent an hour with Maddie today. I ran into him by the elevators as I was arriving at the hospital. He claimed that she stuck her tongue out at him today. I think he probably said something insulting to her beforehand (like when he compared her size to that of a meatloaf). Regardless, sticking her tongue out at people (especially people that provide cuddly presents) is not acceptable. We had to have a talk about it.

And you're going to hear me ROAR!

Sarah came by again today and is getting close to finishing the hand-quilting part of her third quilt. Also, she brought me Dove chocolate, so she will be invited back again soon. There is craft group tomorrow in the Mother/Baby Unit and then also in the NICU parents group. Double craft time for me!

Me and Sarah!

We overheard the fellows talking about what babies could move to Bay 2 and they said that it was between Maddie and another baby (twins were born so the other baby did move today). The one doctor said that Maddie's blood gases are the best of any baby in Bay 1 and, "It is like she doesn't care that she's only using one lung." Maddie has spent most of her day on her right side, so we're hoping that the left lung will open up tonight.

I got to change a couple diapers today! It has been awhile but the nurses asked if I wanted to today and so I did! Maddie waited until the nurse had changed the dressing over her ostomy and then pooped. She also had moved her dressing and was pooping all over the top of her diaper shortly before that. We also heard her passing gas several times today. It sounds sort of weird since it comes out the side of her stomach instead of her butt. Amazing things that we witness in the NICU!

Trenton came to visit tonight and spent some time with us. He took pictures of us and video of Maddie being her usually wiggly self. She waved at us and peeked at us occasionally.

Maddie also had the iv in her left hand taken out, so now she just has the PICC line in her foot. I warned the nurse when she took out the iv that Maddie most enjoys pulling cords with her left hand and that she has only been on good behavior due to that hand being less flexible with the iv in it. Sure enough, just a couple hours later, she pulled off one of her heart monitors on her chest. The girl is so talented. (Thank you Trenton for the videos!)