january 9th, 2007 - Kaia's comment

Two steps forward, one step back....that's the way it seems to go in the NICU. We try to celebrate each little progressive milestone, but each little setback hurts my heart (and probably also gives both Grant and me a few new gray hairs!)

The big 'win' today was a normal brain scan. Whew!!! We know there's still a chance for some brain bleeding, but we've been told that a normal scan after almost 2 weeks in the NICU is a very good sign. The setbacks today were an increase in Lauren's oxygen level and a slight increase in A/B's. It takes a lot of effort for her to breathe with her underdeveloped lungs, so although she was breathing room air (aprox 20% oxygen) by her second day in the NICU, she now needs about 30%. This is a sign that she needs a little more help breathing, which may lead to the need for intubation again. But hopefully she'll hold her own. We've been told that A/B's are very common for little preemies and they will continue for many weeks. She will not go home until she goes for at least 5 days without an A/B, although many babies do go home on some oxygen. This is due to our thin high altitude air. Perhaps we all could use a little more O2 here in CO!

The highlight in my day was a second opportunity to 'Kangaroo' with Lauren this morning. I will try to routinely practice some 'skin-to-skin' with her over the next few weeks, as it seems to be very good for both Lauren and for me. The NICU nurses say that babies come to expect it. "After awhile she will wake up and seem to be waiting for you to arrive at your typical kangaroo time," says her primary nurse Bobbi (who we absolutely LOVE!)

The nurses at St Joseph's NICU are just phenomenal. Of course we have our favorites, but they are all so generous, gentle, knowledgable and caring. I love to hear them describe Lauren's little quirks - it makes me feel like they know her well, like adoptive aunts. They say: "She's always more comfortable on this side," or "She loves it when I give her a little breastmilk on a qtip in her mouth to taste - watch how she seems to lick her lips, Kaia!" "Oh, she often gets a little fiesty when we change her diaper. Just watch those long arms and legs kicking!" We have learned so much from them all and we owe them so much for their wonderful care.

I can forsee that it will be exciting but scary to take Lauren home, where we won't have the nurses and doctors at our backs or the monitors to assure us that she's doing fine. But still, I'm just so excited for the day when she can come join our family at home!