9w2d old--and SO much is happening

64 days old/days in NICU

Weight: 5 lbs 8 oz (+10 oz)

So much has happened in the last week. I kept meaning to blog but something would come up and I wouldn't be able to. The hospital blocks blogger for some weird reason so I can't use the computer there to do it.

I don't even know where to start. Let's see...well, as you can see Ella has gained just a TON of weight since last I posted. 10 ounces in less then a week! She cracked 5 lbs last week, which is super exciting. She's doing absolutely amazing at breastfeeding. She's still getting her NG feedings but today the doctor said she felt it was time to introduce bottles to Ella since she's so good at breastfeeding, and enjoys it so much. I'd originally planned on not introducing bottles at all but the doctors say we have to give her 2 bottle feedings that are fortified once she's home. I don't know if I'll actually do that, but we have to do it in the hospital at least. Now, you may be asking, why are we introducing bottles now? Well, let me tell you why. 

BECAUSE ELLA'S COMING HOME!!!!!!!!!

Before we get TOO excited, we don't actually have a date but it's going to be soon. Very soon. Like, within 2 weeks (possibly SOONER) soon. Doctor says before Christmas and we should know more by the middle to end of this upcoming week. They started weaning Ella down on her high flow cannula and she's currently at 1.5 liters. 1 liter is the lowest setting for a high flow and is the transition to a low flow cannula. As soon as she's on that, all we have to do is get her down to 1/4-1/2 a liter and figure out how she handles that and she is ready to come home, as long as she's taking all feedings from breast or bottle and gaining weight. This could all happen VERY quickly. The weaning from the high flow has happened much faster then we anticipated once they started it. Even her neonatologist was surprised. Dr. Camp (dr. on this week) started taking her down .5 liter every few days. On Thursday, she was down to 2 liters and Dr. Camp said she was absolutely NOT going to wean her ANY more until the following week when a new doctor was on and they could take her labs. Well, on Friday, Ella was still only needing 25-30% O2, which was what she'd been needing on the other flows. So, Dr. Camp turned her down to 1.5 liter!! And, even better, Ella is still only needing about 30% O2. Occasionally a bit more, but she averages 30%. Today (Monday), a new doctor came on. After her blood gas was checked, and she'd still been on 30% O2, he turned her down to 1 liter!! Hopefully, by tomorrow, Wednesday at the latest, Ella will be on the low flow cannula. 

So tomorrow I'm going to bring our own bottles, to help with the transition between breast and bottle. I also brought Ella's carseat into the hospital and told them it's motivation...that the carseat was staring at them, willing them to send us home! No, we're not doing the carseat test yet (which is where they sit her in it for 3 hours, with a full tummy, and see how her O2 is and if she desats) but it's going to be happening soon, so I figure it's just one more thing I won't have to worry about later...plus it's kind of exciting to bring it into the hospital knowing that it's going to be needed soon!!! 

Sunday, Santa came to the ICC and NICU to see the babies. They took a picture and are giving us a copy of it. I'll try to get it up. Here are some pictures from Santa day.