Day twelve in NICU

So... Last night Lillian was waiting for her bottle and freaking out while the nurse was preparing it, she got ahold of her feeding tube and pulled it right out! (She must have been listening to our discussion regarding her feeding tube yesterday!) Lillian did so well through the night with the bottles that the nurse did not put in a new NG tube. Look how precious she looks now with no tubes hanging out. Today the Dr. was very happy with Lillians' progress that she said if things continue to go well we may be able to take her home on Monday.

Day eleven in NICU

Today I was able to breastfeed Lillian 4 times, successfully! Her bilirubin is slightly elevated but not high enough to require lights. Lillian is going to get bottles of breast milk tonight instead of through her NG tube and if she can handle the bottles without getting worn out then the nurse will pull the NG tube out tomorrow.

Day ten in NICU

Today Lillian is 10 days old! I showed up at 8:30 this morning and she was wide awake looking around. I attmepted to nurse her 4 times today and 3 out of the 4 were successful! I attended Dr. rounds with Lillian today and the team is very impressed with her progress yet still no idea as to when we get to take her home. The Dr. thinks her bilirubin may be increasing slightly and he plans to check it with morning labs.

The kids are staying at grandma's house again because I need to be at the hospital for at least four of Lillians' feedings. This coming up weekend I may be staying the entire night with Lillian to see how well she nurses throughout the night.

I am also going to talk with the Dr. in the morning about stopping her tube feedings for about 6 hours, allowing Lillian to get hungry and nurse more.

Lillian was taken off oxygen at 4:30 pm today and when I talked with her nurse at 9:30 pm she was still doing great!

Day nine in NICU

Today the Dr. discontinued her IV therapy and the nurse was finally able to take out that nasty IV that has been moved DAILY! Lillian was also moved to a different room where she will stay until we bring her home. The hospital requires parents to pass off all kinds of things before you can take your baby home so John and I started with the check list. Today we passed off a CPR class. Now you would think with me being an RN I would not have to do this little pass off but yes they made me watch a video, take a little written test and practice CPR on a doll.

Lillian continues to be at 21% oxygen and her team of doctors have increased her tube feedings daily.

Grandma Sharryl brought the kids up today to see their sister. They are all impressed as to how she looks compared to a few days ago while on the ventilator. Grandma got to hold Lillian for the first time today, Lillian and grandma both loved every minute of it!

Day eight in NICU

Today Lillian was moved to a different room and placed in a crib. I was also able to get her dressed for the first time. She is slowly starting to understand the concept of breastfeeding... now if we could just get her to understand the concept of suck, swallow, and breath all at the same time!

Day seven in NICU

Lillian is one week old today! Today I was able to attempt to breastfeed Lillian, she latched on great but really had no idea that she could fill her belly this way. She would latch on and then look at me like "now what do I do?" Her oxygen level is the same today and her bili level continues to decrease.

Day six in NICU

Today was a great day!! First they took Lillian off the CPAP and placed her just on oxygen. Second Lillian's bilirubin level has decreased so they removed the lights and her little bug glasses. Third, they removed her central line from her belly button. And the best part, we got to hold our little Lillian for the first time today. I have to admit even though I was very excited to hold her I was also very nervous!