two trying days - time for a break?

I hesitate to say good day out loud for fear that the phone may ring. But it was - a good day that is. David has been put back on the regular ventilator at rather high settings but seems to be tolerating it well. His epi has been decreased significantly. They will leave him on the nitric oxide for the time being though. So overall, better than yesterday - or even this morning. I sat with a finger on his little foot for awhile this morning and this afternoon. He rested quietly and pushed against my finger every so often - it was the only part of him not covered by a tube, tape or his little positioning froggy and I didn't want to disturb him. He yawned and seems to have found his tongue over the last couple of days - he sticks it out constantly. Brent and I even asked if there was something wrong - ha - as he had it sticking out on the last couple of visits. We were assured that nothing is wrong and during this evening's visit he was sucking, blowing bubbles and playing a bit which was fun to watch. He is not out of the woods but is slowly making progress. We are once again so thankful for any little steps in a positive direction. Oh and he is making lots of urine again? The doctor has increased his fluids accordingly and has no answers as to why our little guy wees so much. I suppose I shouldn't question it too much if it's not causing difficulty?

Mary Louise is doing well overall. She has not had any of her saved cultures come back positive for yeast so they think that the one that did may have been misread. She still has a bacterial infection but it is taking longer to grow in cultures. It is still a large concern but is being dealt with. They tried again unsuccessfully to place a peripheral arterial line and are still trying to save her umbilical arterial line to prevent repeated needle sticks. The most exciting news is that they are planning to extubate her tomorrow if she continues to wean as well as she has been from the ventilator. I am trying not to get too excited - well I'm really not trying - I'm actually exstatic that there is even talk of extubation. Even if it doesn't happen tomorrow, it will happen soon right? So, after extubation, she would have a nasal cannula (the little nose prongs) with oxygen running through it. She would be breathing totally on her own. We may even hear her cry eventually! They haven't started feedings just yet but will most likely do so before the end of the week. Her eye lashes are growing very long - and blonde and she opens her eyes and stares in our direction rather often. She also kicks her little feet when a hand is placed under them - just like she did when I was pregnant - and grips our finger when we put it in her open hand.

Cherishing this progressive moment...