Madelynn is continuing to improve and we continue to be amazed by her strength. Two days ago (I think, at this point don't judge me if it was ten minutes ago) she had a pretty scary test performed. She had to do a brain scan, which apparently is routine for premies at one week of age. This test identifies if there has been any bleeding in the brain since birth. Since it is standard, it is very common for premie newborns to have these brain bleeds. The treatment and path forward depends on the severity of the bleed and if it impacts future development. I was so relieved when our doctor told us that Madi has no signs of bleeding in the brain.
In celebration of this wonderful news (and because he could of course), Jason participated in his first kangaroo time. Brady, Jason and I went in to see her, changed her diaper, checked her temperature, and he got into his gown. It melted my heart to watch him hold his sweet girl for the first time. Brady and I gave them some time alone and went into the waiting room. An hour later Jason had a perma-grin plastered on his face as he came to meet us. It was the most adorable thing since adorable things, see?
Another significant milestone...Madelynn was taken completely off of oxygen today. I got to watch the respiratory therapist take it off, and she was not having any part of it! Apparently when they had put on the cannula, they placed it in her hairline, so as they took that off she was crying her little head off...you heard that right. Crying. We can hear her cry now, although it sounds more like the cutest little squeal. I love that little squeal. And...we can see her face! The only tube remaining on her face is her feeding tube.
Yesterday they also started dressing her in clothes. This is a step toward of taking her out of her incubator and into an open crib. We aren't sure on the timing of that as she will need to be regulating her own temperature at that point, but we are headed in the right direction! Plus, she looks super cute in premie clothes.
Tomorrow Madi is 33 weeks gestational age which means we get to start the journey of nursing. They have prepared us that this could be a long process. The lactation consultant told me that most newborns struggle a bit to get it down, and this process could take as long as a month to get down. I'm hopeful, and am at this point at least excited to get to try. This next step, as with any of the steps is a part of the process. She may move forward, she may move backward, but the process will eventually get us to the destination of home.
It is truly incredible the amount of progress Madelynn has made in the past 10 days. It is hard to believe that 10 days ago she was struggling so much in the womb. I almost hate to look at her pictures that the nurse took right after birth. She looks so...lethargic. She looks so...limp. She looks so...unresponsive.
(picture right after birth)
This is not the Madelynn Grace that I know today, only ten days later. Today, she is...a fighter. Today she is...strong. Today she is...active. The nurses joke that she earns the "mad" in "Madi" and has no problem letting you know when she's upset. Today I am so grateful that the only issue we've identified post birth is immaturity. She's dominating her milestones and I couldn't be prouder.
So proud of that strong girl! She is a fighter. Her journey ahead may have some ups and downs, but I know you will find the strength to get through it.
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