Kickin' Ass and Takin' Names

Look at that bright-eyed baby being really held by her momma for the first time!

Elise and I got our first daddy-daughter bonding time. I've never got to hold her until today! She only cried while Kristin was taking this picture; she quickly figured out hanging with dad was okay.

Yeah, no tube.

Here's the vent being bored. Poor ventilator, you're going to have to find someone else to breath for.

Kristin and I awoke to a phone call at 6:30 this morning; Elise had enough of her ET tube, so she pulled it out. Immediately this was quite concerning for us, but it turned out she didn't need it anymore. I guess she's just eager to meet you all.

Now realize, babies often get tired from the work of breathing when they self-extubate and need reintubation, however, she is 10 hours and counting and doing great. She did have trouble at first, but they gave her support and sedation and she worked it out. She is now being maintain with humidified 100% oxygen with 20 ppm of nitric via nasal cannula. She still has her NG tube down and is getting breast milk at 16 cc/hr. Elise got to use a pacifier for the first time today, and she was doing the Maggie Simpson with it. They are going to start weaning the oxygen and then the nitric, but being extubated is a huge step and she breathing quite normally at about 60-75 minute. It feels to us like she is trying to do her part to get home with her mom, dad, and doggies sooner. Her fentanyl and versed were further weaned to 1 and 0.2 respectively and she has been quite awake, checking out mom and dad. I cried today and she looked at me and I felt like I finally had my baby. I fear any further setbacks, but she seems so strong with her breathing. She also earned a chest tube removal as her R pneumothorax has resolved. Her chest x-rays are looking better and better and she has such a good cough that she really clearing her airway well. She is still getting Lasix, but is looking like she needs less diruesis. Dr. Downey is weaning down her steroids, which will be off on Monday. Her labs have been looking great, for those interested, her last ABG was 7.41/51/90/36. They were previously concerned with her albumen levels, a protein that maintains fluid in the blood vessels instead of causing edema. Today her albumen was excellent as a result of all the breast milk she has had. We couldn't be happier with today's progress and all the staff has been happy to see her success. Enjoy the pictures, they are good enough size to save and print. Love you all,

Jason