We spent a lot of time with Zoe today working on her feedings. He goal is 50 ml per feeding. Her feedings are scheduled at 12, 3, 6, 9, 12, etc. If she doesn't take at least 50 in a sitting, she is given the difference, up to 50, through her NG tube. So, the goal at the beginning of every feeding is getting to at least 50. If we get a few days in a row strung together, without the need for the NG tube, then they will likely remove it, before we return to AZ.
When we arrived at the hospital today, we were told that Zoe finished both her bottles on the overnight shift. Then, in the morning, she had one, which she only took about half of. We were there for the next feeding. We filled the bottle up and started feeding, 50, 40, come on Zoe, 30, 20, almost there Zoe...you can do it, 10, 5, 4, 3, and no more. Zoe hit the wall, but she gave it a valiant effort, so she had a measly 2 ml's pumped into her NG tube. Not too shabby.
Before the next feeding, I laid her in my lap, and we gave her a pep talk. She probably understood about, oh 0% of it, but maybe she heard the desperation in our voices. Because we are optimists, we filled the bottle up to 73 ml's. She must have taken something away from our pep talk, because she stepped up and delivered a personal best 63 ml's! Nice work! Poor girl was fighting to stay awake, but she delivered, as she's been doing since she was born.
Time for the 9:00 p.m. feeding. She was still passed out from the end of the last feeding, but we woke her up, changed her diaper, she received her lasix (to help with fluid retention), and we put her in Stacey's lap. Stacey gave her another pep talk and said she was going to meet her goal on this feeding. We filled the bottle up to 70 ml's. After spending a half hour, and nudging her awake once or twice, Ms. Zoe delivered another solid performance and took down 55 ml's. Thus, no need for the NG on the second feeding in a row.
We left before the midnight feeding, but we told the nurse we would be disappointed if he didn't get Zoe to break her personal best of 63 during his shift. We need to keep the string of NG free feedings going.
The ultimate goal of the CCU is to prepare the patient, and parents for discharge. So we were signed up for an infant CPR class tomorrow and an NG class on Tuesday, although we are holding out hope that the NG class will be moot and not necessary. We didn't see the cardiologist today, but we heard a rumor through the nurses that there may be some concern about flying home with Zoe on a commercial plane. Listen here doc, if you can get Blue Cross/Blue Shield to foot the bill for a private plane, I'll pass out snacks and drinks. Something tells me, however, that such an extreme measure won't be required.
While we spend time at the hospital with Zoe, Grandma and Grandpa Muenich (Granny and Papa) spend time with Emmy, both at the rental house and taking her around Philadelphia. Thanks Granny and Papa! Emmy even got her own seat on the bus yesterday.
Emmy's playtime yesterday included her first formal meeting of her new baby sister. She was apprehensive at first, but as I held Zoe in my arms, Emerson slowly approached. She pointed to her and said "Soe." At one point, Zoe started crying and Emerson's face quickly changed to a look of worry and concern. She said "hurt" then grabbed a blanket and lightly set it on Zoe. She will be an awesome big sister.
Since Emerson just met Zoe, it provided a great opportunity for our first family picture.
Zoe looks so teeninsie in that great big bed. You are all amazing. Truly. (((Hugs)))
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