Today I got to visit our little Olivia twice. I wish I could do that everyday.

Funny story from the day: Three times a day the nurses do what is called, “Cares.” The main things they do during this time are take the temperature of the baby, change the diaper, rotate the baby, measure, the tummy, and provide colostrum care (giving the baby colostrum by mouth with a q-tip). The parents can help with Cares. Jeremy and I have done all of it, except the rotating and measuring. The nurse and respiratory therapist usually handle this. Today I changed Olivia’s diaper. Her poops could be described as soft serve peanut butter, lol. And it was a decent size for her little body. After I finished they still had to rotate her and suction out any fluids from her lines. By the time they were done, she had already pooped again and it was even bigger! So funny! I let the nurse change the second one. We joke that she did it on purpose because they were messing with her so much. She is a diva and does not like to be messed with. But who can blame her?

A few updates:

• Yesterday they took Olivia off the jet ventilator and had her on a conventional ventilator. But this morning her numbers were not as good and they decided to put her back on the jet.
• Her glucose was low, so they are giving her fluids through an IV again.
• Olivia’s PDA is large which is contributing to a heart murmur and lung issues, so they have started giving her Tylenol to help close it up, or at least make it smaller. In case you don’t know, a PDA is a small hole or opening in a baby’s heart that allows blood to flow between the aorta and pulmonary arteries. This opening normally closes within a few days after birth, but if it doesn’t, it can cause too much blood to flow to the lungs. 
• Her chest x-ray is still hazy, so hoping all the adjustments they are making will help.
• She is stable and doing well with the treatments they are giving her.
• She is doing well with her feedings, gaining weight, and pooping like a champ still.

Liv’s important dates:

• Age: 15 days
• Gestation: 27 weeks and 5 days

Update on me: Yesterday my blood pressure dipped a little low, so I reached out to my doctor and they took me off one of the blood pressure meds I was taking. Hoping I can be off the remaining one soon.

OK, I think that’s it for now. Until next time…