Day 2

Monday the 5th started as a pretty great day. She had regained a ton of color overnight and very high, stable oxygen levels when we arrived in the pre-dawn hours.  They had also done a procedure that allowed her tiny lungs to develop faster and help her breath easier.  By breakfast she was off of all ventilators, breathing normally, and was getting ready for her first bath. The nurse helped Natalie through the steps of bathing an infant and I watched, videoed, and took as many pictures as they would let me.  Here is one of her all cleaned up and happy.

We also got to spend some quality time with her for the first time in 24 hours.  Natalie got to bottle feed Blair her own milk and I got to hold my baby girl for the first time.
 

 

Later that evening, we got the surprise news that her respiratory rate was increasing and that she'd have to go back on ventilation.  We thought we had handled the fact that she was premature pretty well and her rapid improvement had been a huge answer to prayer; but this news rocked us.  No matter how 'normal' it is for babies of her age to struggle and have setbacks, it is still devastating to hear the news.  This would now be three straight nights of almost no sleep...

-Matt