Sullivans' Travels: New Year's Resolution

Well, I'm guessing that some of you are thinking that my NY resolution should be to update the blog more regularly (with pictures, at that). While I haven't determined what my resolutions will be this year (amazingly, I did well with some of my resolutions last year), I will attempt to update the blog regularly. The odd thing is, I really can't tell you what I did the last couple days so that I didn't post. Just relax, I guess. Liz and I really needed it though.

I had a couple friends come in town on Wednesday night through Friday morning, so Liz and I had the opportunity to relax with friends.

Mike and Heather

Donnie

Derek

Liz and I

Ok... I noticed that the pictures are not that great. What I realized is that while I'm great at taking way too many pictures of Emma, I still don't take many pictures of friends and family (and those I do take are not quality). Something to work on I guess.

This week also marked the return of kangaroo care. Emma started doing well enough that we were able to do some k-care on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (with Dad's first K-care on Saturday). Emma did wonderfully for every k-care (as usual) except for on Sunday, where she acted up a bit.

Hi Dad!

Doesn't she look comfy?

Hey dad... only the baby is supposed to take a nap during kangaroo care!

Mom and Emma... beautiful as always

Emma continued to grow this week. Starting Wednesday or so, Emma started growing and getting active following her surgery. She even got to full feedings on Saturday, meaning she is now receiving 11 ml of milk every two hours. That milk is now being fortified with extra protein, fat, vitamins, etc to help her grow. Speaking of growing... Emma is now a member of the two pound club (currently weighing in at 925 grams). Congratulations!

On Sunday (during K-care), Liz and I thought Emma's air leak on her respirator sounded a bit wierd. However, Emma continued to do well, so nothing was done... until Monday morning, when Emma started having troubles getting enough air. After moving her around so that she was getting enough oxygen... the doctors took an x-ray and found that Emma had extibated herself. So, the doctors removed her breathing tube and put her on nose prongs... which only lasted an hour or so, and Emma had a new breathing tube put in. This one is the next bigger size, and Emma seems to like this new tube a lot (she has already had the ventilator rate drop from 40 to 30!).

In addition, because Emma is now on full feedings and no medications (aside from caffeine), Emma had her PICC line (aka IV) removed today. Here are some pictures... followed by Emma in her festive evening gown for new years (the gown is courtesy of her nurse... the gown happens to be from one of her dolls from when she was a kid)...