BPD + Other Fun Things

 Well....we have finally graduated from the BPD Clinic!  This means, they released us and we no longer have to keep the O2 (oxygen), apnea monitors or pulse oximeter anymore!!!! WAHOOO

The pulmonologist came in and discharged us from them and it was a wonderful feeling.  She pretty much cleared us for anything.  We still have to be careful of germs and taking her around sick people, but I've always been a stickler for that.  I know we have really taken advantage of having Emma Claire home during the summer and taking her out a lot and we will definitely have to back off on this when flu/RSV season takes effect.   They also told us we are no longer fluid restricted on her feedings, so we can start to liberalize those.  

Emma Claire and her teacher during their session on Monday

Since all of the changes, we have been letting Emma Claire sleep as long as she wants through the night and then making up the difference in her bottles throughout the day.  So for the past couple of nights, she has been sleeping from 9:30 to around 4:30 ~ 5 AM, so that means she skipped her 1 AM bottle, so I just take the bottle and spread it out in her other 5 bottles.  So far it has been working great and she has no problems taking the extra formula which is what we battled with before when we tried this approach. 

Yesterday, Tina, from Nurses for Newborns came for her visit/assessment and she had another GREAT report.  Emma Claire weighs....

10 lbs!!!

She also has grown to 23 inches.  We could not be happier for our little 'porker'.  We are so blessed to see her continue to grow and catch up.  

That is pretty much it for this week.  Hopefully now life will slow down a bit since we no longer have to go to BPD once a month along with our other appointments.  We go back to the pediatrician in early Septemeber and then have another NFN visit in the middle of August!  August will be pretty busy with my birthday, our anniversary, NICU birthday party, visit from my brother, Jen and Madison and a few friends birthday parties...WHEW!

EC having fun in her jumperoo! 

We are also planning a SPECIAL visit to see my Grandmother Allen in OKC...I know she is so excited to finally get to meet Emma Claire and I cannot wait to get some pictures of them together.  We will have to take a picture since it will be four generations of girls on that side of our family. 

Another picture of our fun shoes!  It will be a sad day when these are too small for her.

Prayer Request....Typically when I go to our BPD appt, I always try to stop by Baptist and visit the NICU as well as Antepartum.  I have been collecting items for antepartum over the last few weeks and wanted to drop it off to them.  The nurses love to see EC and they always want to know if it is okay to take her to see some of the mommies-to-be in antepartum.  These are typically moms which are at high risk as I was and are in the hospital for the duration of their pregnancy.  After a visit from the nurse and EC, one of the ladies wanted to chat for a bit and it was refershing to just sit and talk with her.  My heart just goes out to these ladies which are going into a world of unknowns as we did a few short months ago and they always end the conversation with, y'all are such an inspiration and we are so happy with what we have to look forward to.  I have never felt this way, but I PRAISE GOD that he can use our testimony and life stories to help others going down the same road. I'm glad that we can provide a word of encourgement to these families and I wish I could spend time down there more often just visiting with these sweet and precious ladies.  Please keep these families in your prayers and especially the family I met on Wednesday who just turned 23 weeks and is pregnant with triplets. 

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand