Ba-bye Nitric Oxide

Luna greeted us with the side eye this morning. Silly girl.

Shortly after we arrived this morning, Luna's nitric oxide was removed. Ba-bye, nitric!!! Hope we don't have to see you again.

The neonatologist and nurse practitioner also believe that she might be extubated tomorrow. In other words, she might have her ET tube removed from her throat and consequently be off the ventilator. I'm super nervous about this and am praying that if it does happen tomorrow that it goes smoothly.  

And then, 10 days after she was born, I was finally able to hold my daughter. I was so scared to have her removed from her bed due to all the wires but once she was in my arms, all was perfect. She loved it just as much as I did and slept most of the time.

Daddy and I celebrated by venturing outside for lunch. It was a beautiful day. Thank God.

Chest Tube is Out!!!

We had another small victory today. When Daddy and I arrived to see Luna this morning, we were told that she was having a good day and had just had her chest tube removed. YAY!!! Although it was being used to prevent fluid from collecting in her chest, I really didn't like the chest tube and I know Luna didn't like it either. We are both happy it is gone. That is one less thing poking her. We were also told that her nitric oxide might be removed tomorrow.

Other than that, we had a quiet day in the NICU. Luna was much more active today. She was awake for quite awhile and enjoyed looking around at her Mommy, Daddy, and her nurses. We also saw her yawn for the first time which was pretty exciting. :)

Luna looking at her Mommy

Happy Palm Sunday!!

Daddy and I attended a Palm Sunday prayer service at the hospital while waiting to go in and see baby Luna (her pod was closed down while doctors performed a procedure on one of the other babies). When we walked in to see Luna we were happy to be informed that we no longer have to wear our gowns and gloves anymore since Luna's mrsa screening was negative. YAY!!! We then enjoyed lots of wonderful company from some of Luna's fans.

Uncle Rob and Auntie Rosey came by

So did the Quezada Family, Tia Angela, Tia China, and Abuelo y Abuela

Tita Steph and Tito Dale swung by too

Then our little stinker got her first official bath...YAY!!!

Good night, sleep tight, princess!! Tomorrow is a new day :)

Happy 1st Weekiversary, Baby Luna!!!

Happy 1st week to our beautiful baby girl!!! Mommy and Daddy love you so much and are so proud of you!!!

Luna had a good day today. They were able to wean her dopamine all the way down and then off by the end of the day. Her ventilator was also down to 28. Luna is becoming more and more active. She is waking up more and trying to move around. Along with this increased activity comes her crying which we saw her do for the first time today. Because of her CDH, her cry was silent but nonetheless bittersweet for us. On the one hand, its great that she's crying because that is what she is supposed to be doing. But on the other hand, she is crying and we're not able to hold her and comfort her which is heartbreaking. So of course I cried my eyes out because I just felt helpless, but I have to remind myself that we are all doing everything we can to help her get better which is the ultimate goal.

Tita Leah paying Baby Luna a visit

The peanut gallery in the waiting room

Auntie Toya came by and hung out as well!!

Day 7

We are so blessed that Luna had a good day today. The umbilical arterial line on her belly button was removed so that is one less wire to deal with. Daddy also got to change her diaper for a second time.

sleeping Luna

Lolo visiting Luna

Lola so happy to visit her first grand baby

Tita Tess and Luna

Luna getting her baby tan since her bilirubin was high.

We were so happy to get to see Lolo, Lola, and Tita Tess today. We also wanted to say thank you to Tito Albert and Tita Vivian for the very sweet and thoughtful care package. 

Day 6

We spent a quiet day in the NICU watching Luna relax. We tried to be as quiet as possible so we wouldn't wake her but nosey little Luna opened her eyes several times when she heard us or her nurses talking over her bed. We tried to keep the noise and stimulation down to a very minimum but managed to sneak in some more pics...

the cutest little toes in the world

her nurse yesterday made her a cute little sign for her area

booties courtesy of the CHERUBS HOPE tote bag...unfortunately they are too small for her big feet

thanks to today's visitors: Tio Edwin, Tia Mari, Tia Lourdes, and of course Abuela

Once again, thank you to all who have sent up prayers for Luna's recovery. We continue to pray that she rests well and continues to fight the tough battle against CDH.

I also want to send up a prayer for ALL the babies and families who find themselves in a NICU. It is a very scary place to be in. May God give the families strength and restore health to their babies.

Surprise Surgery Day

Well, today we got an early morning phone call that the team found some air in Luna's chest and were not sure where it was coming from, i.e, her intestines, lung, etc. So they decided to go ahead and do the repair surgery while trying to find the source of the extra air. Boy were we surprised to hear that news. We were expecting to spend a quiet day in the NICU with Luna, instead we rushed to the hospital to make sure we saw her before surgery started.  We were able to see her, give her some kisses, and have her blessed before surgery. But to say were extremely anxious is an understatement. I spent the next few hours holding on tightly to my rosary and my Bible. Fortunately, Riq and I were quickly surrounded by family who accompanied us as we waited to hear how things went. Thankfully, things went well. The surgeon was able to repair Luna's hernia (close the hernia and place her liver and intestines where they belong) without a patch thanks to a sac that surrounded the hernia. That was surprising news since we expected them to have to use a patch due to the size of the hernia. They also performed a Ladds procedure due to a malrotation of her intestines and removed her appendix as well.

Nurses and respiratory getting Luna ready for her surgery

I couldn't wait to go back in and see my girl

Abuela visiting Luna after surgery

Getting oral care from Daddy

 

 

So our baby girl had a big long day. She is only a few days old and we are already soooooo sooooo proud of her. We will continue to pray that she does not face any complications from her surgery and recovers well.

Thank you all for all the prayers that have been said in Luna's name. We appreciate all the love and support we are receiving from our amazing friends, family, coworkers, etc.

THANK YOU!!!!