Something to be Proud of...

I don't need to listen to the Montgomery Gentry song to get teary eyed, these days... okay, let's be honest... full-out sobbing happens easily too. But, I'm really happy to say that ever so slowly, I'm crying less. Today, Cora's Kangaroo Time was really pleasant (for the 4th day in a row) and I found myself feeling a lot of pride, for both of my girls!!

Again, I was present for the Doctor's Rounds, and I'm starting to feel like I get what's going on, at least more so than before my first Rounds experience on Monday. Yikes! But, today, was really a good report. There are so many specific measurements/test results/therapies, that I probably won't remember everything to document here, but here's what I remember as the biggest items:

• Overall, Cora's health is Excellent. She is a Preemie and that means that all of her little teeny tiny organs are not fully developed. So, I'm learning not to get too caught up on any one piece of information. (I said: "learning"- not a master, yet!)
• Her electrolytes are imbalanced, so she's been getting a couple medicines for this over the last 2 days. Fortunately, she's responded well to the medicines!
• Because of the added medicines, they stopped fortifying my milk, as to not put too much strain on her tummy. But, even without the milk fortifyers, she's gained weight over the last 2 days! Woo Hoo - seriously!
• Warning to Cora in 12 years... this may be embarrassing, but please keep in mind that this blog is therapeutic for me. :) But, Cora's bowels are moving really regularly!! The nurse today complimented my milk for this.

I have been so proud of Stella's behavior with all of this. She is such a joy and she is so loving and happy that it makes me so proud. The nurses have reminded me to focus on 2 things which are worth being proud of Cora: 1) She was on the ventilator for less than 48 hours, and 2) She got her PICC line out in just under 2 weeks of life!