Morgan Kate

As I have said before the NICU is a roller coaster of events, but it is also a roller coaster of emotions for parents. There are days when things are great and you feel really good and positive about things. There are other days when you are numb to everything around you. And then there are days where you are just having a "low" and can't seem to get out of it. This past week Travis and I have had our share of lows. It's not because things weren't going well or because something happened necessarily, it was just a dip in our emotional roller coaster. You just wonder if you are doing all you can do, or if you did something wrong. You wonder if things are ever going to get better. We worry all the time, we want nothing but the best for Morgan Kate and we are trying our best to be patient, but we just want her home so badly. Today all three of us had a really good day. Travis and I are trying to stay positive!

Dr. B decided to turn Morgan Kate's oxygen flow back up to three. She was having to work a lot harder and going back up to three has made things some easier. Also, her oxygen parameters have been changed. For the past several weeks her oxygen saturation parameters have been 85 - 95 - meaning that if her oxygen sats dropped below 85 (too low) or got above 95 (too high) then an alarm would go off. Today her parameters were increased because she is older and are now 90 - 98. With the increase in parameters her oxygen needs have increased slightly (where 87 was okay before, now it's too low). So today she was at a flow of three and and anywhere between 30% - 35% oxygen. When we left tonight she was at 31%. All in all, she is holding her own and doing a great job! 

Dr. B also said he was a little concerned about her rapid weight gain. Remember, Wednesday night she was four pounds and thirteen ounces and last night she was five pounds and four ounces, meaning she gained almost seven ounces in just two nights. Dr. B said it could be because she is catching up from last week or it could be fluid. They will keep a close eye on this because if it is fluid then it could make breathing a lot harder. Tonight she weighed in at five pounds and two ounces. 

She did much better with her bottle feeds today. They are continuing to keep her at three bottles a day. I fed her at 3pm and then again at 9pm. She did well with both feeds. She ate, burped and then was out like a light. 

This afternoon Morgan Kate got to watch some TV. The hospital had the USC game playing so Travis and Morgan Kate got comfortable and watched some good ole' college football. Adorable!

Every time I look at Morgan Kate I am reminded of how amazing God is. He has truly blessed Travis and I. We have this precious perfect little gift that is working incredibly hard. I wish I had the strength and courage Morgan Kate has! I am also reminded of all the moms who told me, "You will never know a love like the love you have for your child". As cliche as it may sound, it is so true.