NICU Day 5: Baby Steps

It's late, but time for the daily update. Maycee had another good day. While she didn't make huge strides forward today, she did not go backward and, in the NICU, that is huge. We had an awesome nurse today, she is actually a supervisor, and quite the fireball. She was really wanting to push Maycee to drop her oxygen on the ventilator from 100 percent to 98. We laughed watching our cautious RT (respiratory therapist) and she tease each other. In the end, Maycee decided that she wanted an entirely different ventilator and to remain at 100 percent.

As for successful baby steps today, Maycee had her urinary catheter taken out. She also proved she could pee on her own when Nurse Deb and I changed her diaper. She had a little pee in the first, but as soon as her cute bum was exposed to the cool air, we no sooner had the new diaper laid under her and she let the pee fly! She ended up peeing on her bed, so we had to change all her bedding. This was actually an amazing experience because Aaron got to hold her (basically suspend her in the air) while we changed her bedding. Both Aaron and I have ached to hold Maycee, so this was quite special for Aaron.

This might make great black-mail pics for the future, but we had to capture her first pee diaper! Plus, you have to admit she has one cute bum!

The milk man finally arrived and I have been pumping milk for Maycee for the last 2 days. It's a good thing I did because Doc. Jacobs gave the order that Maycee could eat today. She receives my milk through a tube that runs in her mouth and down to her belly. She eats every 3 hours, and so far seems to be doing great with the feedings. Hopefully, Mom's milk will make her strong!!

Daddy got to feed her this time. Hold up the tube, and it all drains in. Don't let the swelling in Maycee's head scare you. It's normal, and not permanent.

Our little princess has proven to be quite picky. She definitely likes things her way. She does not like a lot of stimulation and noise, so this is her special noise curtain. She better tell her siblings the new princess will be home to rule hopefully soon.

Maycee's other first today was her blood transfusion. This scared me when I first was told she would most likely need one, but it really is no big deal and will help her oxygen levels as the new blood will provide more red blood cells to carry oxygen. They do so many blood gases that the vampires sucked her dry. The good news is that the docs have reduced the number of gases that need taken everyday. The blood gases really are the most accurate way of seeing how she is doing, so they are quite necessary.

Last but not least, we put one of the blankets that has gone through both Chloee and Jolee in Maycee's bed. We figured her sisters would want her to have it. Sweet dreams Maycee baby.