One of the things we have been told over and over again in the NICU is that it will be a roller coaster ride. The last couple of days has certainly felt like the roller coaster. Both girls are fine overall but there has been a couple of issues crop up for both of them.

Sunday was fantastic. When we came in to the hospital after church at New St. James Presbyterian, both girls were super cute. They were both on their tummies and looked very comfortable. Both of the girls had their breathing tubes replaced. The nurses had been requesting that Lucy's tube be changed to make her more comfortable as her tube was through her mouth. She was switched to a tube in her nose and she is much happier. Ella's tube change was not anticipated but she pulled out her tube by herself! So she also got a new tube. Both of them seem much happier and at the time both of their oxygen levels went down. Both girls are also showing signs of trying to breath on their own when we can see their tiny chests moving up and down.

Both girls also were sucking on soothers. They both are enjoying this - this is the first time Lucy has had the chance as she wasn't able with the breathing tube through her mouth. They will suck for about forty seconds and then it seems to tire them out and they take a little break. Then they are back at it - they really like their soothers.

Lucy's feeding went up to 3mL every two hours - the nurses were amazed. She has really had no problems with her feeds since the very beginning. Full feeds are 6mL every two hours and at that point babies don't recieve any other calorie supplement. Ella was having more difficulty and then changed her feeding from 2mL every two hours to 1mL every two to three hours.

Monday - this is where the roller coaster took a bit of a down turn. Ella was still having difficulty with her feeds and hadn't really digested anything all day. The doctors slowed her feeds down even more to only 1mL every four hours. While her feedings have really slowed down, her oxygen levels have really improved. She is below 30 percent oxygen the majority of the time.

Lucy's oxygen levels were going back up and they did a chest x-ray to determine the cause. The likely reason is that Lucy's right lung has partially collapsed. The nurses say this is not necessarily a routine thing but not entirely uncommon. They have put her on her left side and increased the pressure on the ventilator hoping that the lung will re-inflate on its own. This is a wait and see situation. While this is quite a concern, Lucy continues to tolerate her feedings really well. She is digesting the 3mL very well and having no problems.

This morning things are still stable. Ella is starting to tolerate her lower feeds better. Lucy has been increased to 4mL every two hours and is tolerating it. She has gotten a chest x-ray and we will know the results later today.

For every two steps forward, there will likely be a step backwards. While we know and understand this intellectually, it is difficult in reality. Hopefully, this afternoon and evening will bring a resolution to Lucy's lungs and increased feeds for Ella.