Hello Baby, You had another great day. It was your first full day without the breathing tube in. You still have your feeding tube in, which you apparently also want gone, because you pulled it out overnight. That will have to wait. You have been restless all day. Your heart rate has been elevated to around 200 up from 175 ish usually. The doctors weren’t for sure why, but didn’t seem too worried. It bothered me because I could see clearly you weren’t resting as easily. The doctors checked your caffeine levels to confirm you were getting appropriate levels. You were getting the right amount. The breathing treatments they have been giving you since the tube came out can also raise heart rate in some babies. Also, when the tube comes out they stop giving you morphine. I imagine, stopping that can make a person cranky. You are also breathing differently than you ever have before, that can take some getting used to. All of these factors have probably contributed to your restlessness and increased heart rate. Hopefully, things will settle down tomorrow and you can rest easier.
During rounds the doctors were happy with your progress, but also stated you are still small even for your gestational age. With the lung steroids coming now that stinks because they can slow your growth. Last time you were on them you didn’t gain weight for the better part of a week. Yesterday you were stable and today you lost 30 grams and are back to 2 lb 2 oz. Good news is the nurses told us you can be held twice a day now. That’s good because mommy and daddy don’t have to fight over who gets to anymore.
Lindsey and Cait, our close friends got to see you last night. You got a heel prick to draw blood and Lindsey got to hold your hand and comfort you during it. You enjoy it, but not as much as her. The both love you and can’t wait for you to come home and become friends with their daughter Brynn. We love you bunches and you make us proud. Keep on growing and fighting.
Letters to Holland 