Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:6-7)

Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. We have good news to report! It will be in bullet-points, but read them anyway - they’re not boring.

• The latest chest X-ray showed less fluid in Grace’s lungs
• Grace has been able to start breathing “room air” (no extra oxygen, no plastic dome over her head, no cannula up her nose)
• Her respiration rate is averaging 40-60 breaths per minute (20-30 is a normal newborn rate, Grace was around 80 on Saturday)
• They were able to remove all the lines connected to Grace except her feeding IV and monitor lines. This meant we were able to hold her, and Ashley was able to nurse her today! Grace seemed very happy bundled up and held close.

One area of concern: Grace’s white blood cell count was at the high end of normal, as of Sunday morning. Newborns’ white counts often spike, but this could also be a sign of infection. With only two data points, it’s tough to know which this is for Grace. We’ll know more when the blood labs come in Monday morning. Hopefully the counts will have dropped, at least a little. When we get those reports, we’ll also know whether there is pneumonia or some other infection involved. If the reports are clear, it’s possible Grace could home tomorrow. We’re trying not to count on that happening, but we’re very hopeful.

Ashley is doing very well. We have to tell her to slow down, stop walking so fast, and to take it easy.

I promise more pictures are coming. Soon.