Ella is Five Months Old

Today we are celebrating Ella turning 5 months old.

Ella weighs: 8lbs and 4oz

Ella measures: 20 and 3/4 inches 

In the two months home from the NICU, she has had many firsts. 

Ella has:

-discovered her lungs can make noise and isn't afraid to show off her crying skills

-had her first bath in the tub

-worn her first 0-3 month outfit

-figured out how to pull mommy's hair

-learned how to prop her hand up to keep her paci in

-learned how to get her arms free from her sleep sack

-started to enjoy tummy time and learned how to inch herself forward

-visited Grandma and Grandpa's house

-gone on her first stroller ride outside

-face timed with her sweet cousin 

-been visited at home by some of her favorite NICU nurses and RTs

-visited the NICU to say hello to her nurses 

-gone as long as 15hrs without oxygen during the day! 

Ella loves: 

-her sound machine

-swaddles
-Mommy snuggles
-nighttime chats with Daddy

-her girraffe paci "Gerald"
-crying as soon as mommy and daddy sit down to eat dinner

Each day, Ella continues to grow healthier and stronger. At her last eye exam, her doctor reported that her eyes continue to look fantastic post-laser eye surgery. He is impressed with the results and is optimistic about her future vision. Ella is spending her days without oxygen support and has weaned her oxygen needs down at nighttime. This month we are still using the apnea monitor due to her bradycardias. We turned in data today and will hear something by the middle of next week.

Adjusting to the sunshine!  We made it to Grandma's house.

See you guys next month!

The Cardiologist

Today we went to Ella's first cardiology appointment. While we were there Ella had an echocardiogram and an EKG. Both were interesting experiences with a fidgety newborn. The echocardiogram was the hardest part. The ultrasound tech told me she wanted me to keep Ella as still as possible. I immediately had flashbacks to the echocardiogram Ella had before we left the NICU. That one had lasted almost an entire hour due to Ella getting cold, getting the hiccups and becoming hungry. The tech was amazing with Ella and patient as she squirmed and wriggled on the table. I am always fascinated watching ultrasound techs. So many buttons and views and no matter how hard I stare at the screen I have no clue what is happening. Those techs have to have a good poker face, that's for sure.

After the echo, we were taken to another room for the EKG. I am used to seeing my baby attached to cords and lines since we spent so much time in the NICU, but wow, seeing her attached to all of the EKG leads made my heart a bit sad. She was worn out from the echo at this point and laid much more still during the EKG. After a few attempts, due to leads coming off, the tech got the print outs she needed.

Leads everywhere!

The cardiologist came in to meet with us next. She explained that Ella has an ASD, arterial septal defect. It is a hole in the wall that separates the two chambers of the heart. She said that Ella's is  small and of no concern. It will eventually close up on its own. Next she told us that she would be monitoring Ella's pulmonary valve. Ella has stenosis of her pulmonary valve. There is some thickening of the leaflets (flaps) that open and close to allow blood to flow through. No action needs to be taken now. She will continue to monitor Ella every couple of months.

I asked how long Ella would be in her care and she said, "Until she is making 'adult' decisions." And then she chuckled. I am very pleased with our cardiologist. Her bedside manner is top-notch. For a new momma, it is comforting to have such wonderful physicians.

The Pulmonologist

Today we had Ella's first appointment with her pulmonologist (lung doctor).  When we arrived the nurse had me take off Ella's nasal cannula and turn off her oxygen. She said the doctor would want to see how she would do without it. We then went to weigh her. My precious little girl is now 7lbs and 7oz! Hard to imagine that 19 weeks ago she was born weighing 1lb and .6oz. She has come such a long way already. After her weight check, we brought her back in the room and her oxygen saturation level was still in the high 90's to 100's.

The pulmonologist came in we discussed two things: oxygen needs and apnea monitor needs. He reported that the data we turned in from the apnea monitor showed zero instances of breathing apnea, but too many bradycardias (instances of Ella's heart rate dropping below 80 beats a minute). The bradycardias are simply a result of Ella's extreme prematurity. He said as she continues to develop she will grow out of the episodes. As a result, we will continue with the apnea monitor for another month. I was a little bummed to hear this news. The monitor alarms each time an episode occurs and a light remains lit until we physically clear the event by pressing a button on the monitor. Although I did not record the number of times I had cleared the monitor, I did not feel that we had done it 23 times. This month I will be recording each time I clear the monitor or a disconnect alarm goes off. We will turn in the data again on September 1st and evaluate from there.

Since Ella's oxygen saturation level stayed high when we were there the doctor gave us the go ahead to leave Ella off of her oxygen during the day! She will remain on 1/8 or 1/16 liter of oxygen at night. Going in, I had no idea what the weaning process would entail. I am both excited and nervous about this next step for Ella. Day after day she continues to prove how strong she is.

Sleeping soundly cannula-free!