She's Gotten so Big!

While visiting NICU today, we met a respiratory therapist who was in the operating room when Andrea was born. Because she was a preterm delivery, and we had some time to prepare for delivery, (as opposed to being in a crisis situation) there was a whole team of neonatal personnel in the operating room. Since everyone was gowned, and I was freaked out, I never attended to who anyone was. While we were talking to Andrea in her isolette, the therapist came over to look at the ventilator settings and perform some routine functions. When she finished, she looked at Andrea and exclaimed "She's gotten so big!" Now, granted she's gained about half her birth weight, and has grown an inch and a half, but so far, no one has commented on how big Andrea is. Usually, we hear how small she is! Still, since this particular therapist had not seen Andrea in some time, the change in her appearance was much more dramatic.

Shortly before we left NICU, the doctors came by on rounds. As yesterday, Andrea is toward the end, because she is not critical. (Thank you, God for that blessing!) I spoke with the doctor briefly, and the plan is to continue supporting Andrea's breathing with the ventilator and give her time to get bigger and stronger. Basically, there is not much that needs to be done with her other than that. Granted, I'm oversimplifying, but she's kind of in a holding pattern right now. The nurses test her blood and give her transfusions when she needs them. They monitor her glucose and oxygen levels. They take measurements throughout the day to make sure she's digesting her food and her temperature is steady. They watch a million different things to make sure Andrea is progressing as she should. But right now, there does not seem to be any major area of concern, for which we continue to be grateful.

Now that Andrea is filling out, and starting to look more baby-like, I'm going to try to post a new picture every day. Some days she is more cooperative than others. It'll be easier to take her picture when she's out of the isolette. Right now, I do the best I can!



Please keep Andrea in your thoughts and prayers. Tomorrow she will be four weeks old, thanks to the excellent care she is receiving at Robert Wood Johnson and the prayers and positive energy of all who care about her.

"Faith can move mountains, but don't be surprised if God hands you a shovel."
Author Unknown