Sayla Grace continues to amaze us. The doctors and nurses are pushing her limits, and she's not only meeting those limits, she's starting to exceed some of them! Here's the latest from our afternoon visit...

Her Billirubin levels are down to 1.7!! The nurse is going to ask Dr. Bruce if we can turn off the Billi light since it's so low. She doesn't have to get down to zero for the light to be off, so we're hopeful that even just for a little bit we can give her face a break from the Billi mask. It's possible her levels may rise again, but we're fine with that, as long as she can have a break.

They have stopped giving her Lipids!! Lipids are basically liquid fats, and she's been getting them through her PICC line since she's been there. Because she's getting so much breast milk now, they decided she no longer needs the Lipids.

Her TPN level is down to 1, which is the lowest setting. TPN stands for Total Parenteral Nutrition, and it's basically a mixture of vitamins and minerals that she's getting through the PICC line to supplement the breast milk. But since they've increased her feedings, she needs less. They might even stop them all together soon, which means they will take out the PICC line. They are dragging their feet on this though (and I'm happy they are), because if they take out the PICC line, and she needs another IV for some reason, they will have to stick her again. They can't just heparin lock the PICC line like they would a normal IV. If it's not being used, they have to take it out. So it could be in for a little bit longer as they see how she does over the next few days.

They've increased her feedings to 6cc's every hour for 3 hours, then an hour break. So she's getting 18cc's every 3 hours. 30cc's is an ounce, so she's on her way! 18cc's looks like a lot when I see it in the syringe, but really it's not that much.

She's pooping regularly now. Though they did give her a Glycerin Chip today because her belly was looking rather large. It worked, and she pooped twice.

She's up to 2 hours on the Nasal Cannula, and 2 hours on the CPAP. And she's doing very well while on the Cannula. They will gradually increase her time on it, and decrease the time on the CPAP.

Her Brady's and desats (when she drops her oxygen levels) are down, and typically only happen when she's being messed with or when she's wiggled her prongs out of her nose.

She weighs 1lb 12oz. If she continues to gain an ounce a day, she'll be at 2lbs by Saturday!! We will have a little party by her bedside when this happens!! And if she keeps up with an ounce a day, we might get to hold her around the second week in September!! Oh what a joyous day that will be!!

We got her chest x-ray back, and it's still "hazy, but consistent with RDS." RDS stands for Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and is common in babies her size. She was diagnosed with RDS after the first chest x-ray. They have been so blasé about the whole thing, I forgot to mention it.

It means that her lungs are under developed. Think of a new balloon. When you first go to blow it up, it's very difficult, because the balloon hasn't stretched out yet. But if you blow it up, then let all the air out, the second time you blow it up it's a lot easier.

Her lungs are like that balloon. Except every time she takes a breath, it's like blowing up the balloon for the first time. It's because her lungs do not produce enough of a chemical called Surfactant. Surfactant helps to keep the lungs open, so that it's easier to breathe. Babies normally make Surfactant during the third trimester. Since she was born in the second trimester, she didn't have time to make an adequate supply. But now that she's growing bigger, she's starting to make more Surfactant, so her RDS should clear on it's own with time.

The only long term side effects are the possibility of increased bronchial infections in her baby and toddler stages, and the possibility of asthma. But she could grow out of it completely and have no side effects.

But as you can see, she's moving right along! Thank you for your continued prayers!