Update on Hope

So it has been a rollercoster of emotions the last few days. Hope was born at 12:04 pm on Sunday. It we were so happy. Shortly thereafter she became a little cyanotic, and she had to have a little oxygen because her oxygen saturation went low. In order for Hope to breath on room air, the nurses would try and take the oxygen away and see how she would do. Each time her oxygen saturation would dip too low. A chest x-ray was ordered and it demonstrated some infiltrates indicative of either pneumonia or a problem called respiratory distress syndrome. She had to be moved to the special care nursery. They put in IV's in her cute little hands, and oxygen by nasal canula. The most difficult thing was that we were not allowed to hold her. Addy couldn't go in, and could only see her through the window. Here she is:

Monday morning she didn't improve so they stared IV antibiotics. By the afternoon she looked wonderful, eyes were opening, limbs moving around, and her skin was beautiful. We were so happy:


Monday evening however, she took a turn for the worst, and stopped breathing. They had to put a mask on her and give here more forceful oxygen. She looked lethargic, and the nurse said she looked septic. Apnea and sepsis carries a much more severe prognosis, so I was very worried.
Late last night, she seemed to take a miracle turn for the better. The nurses were able to wean her off the oxygen, and she was breathing on room air without difficulty. Last night were were able to hold her in our arms. We went from worry to excitement. She tolerated her bath, and today she was finally able to take milk.
This is her before she was completely off the oxygen:

So it has been a roller coaster. It appears that she is doing well, and we will be excited to take her home. If all goes well, we may be able to take here home on Thursday after she finishes her course of antibiotics. We are so fortunate that she is doing well. She is absolutely beautiful. Amazing to be so excited about the simple things of holding your baby, giving her a bath, and watching her eat. Hope has been a long time in the works for us and we couldn't be happier. I know many people have lent us faith and prayers for which we are truly grateful. So many people are concerned and praying for Hope. Our heart goes out to those who go through more tumultuous times. She really is a miracle to us, and an example of how much good there is in the world.