8:40 Update

I'm back home after another good day at the hospital.

Tricia is the same. Our family and some good friends all spent time talking and praying with her today, and she continues to respond, especially to my voice. They have her on an incredibly small amount of sedatives...she'd literally wake up in less than 10 minutes if the shut it off. But, they are still worried that she would have serious issues with the vent if they did so, and they will continue to try to wean her off the vent as her body and lungs regain it's strength.

I'll be honest, even with the progress of the past few days, it is becoming harder to wait for Tricia to wake up. Although we've told her a hundred times about Gwyneth, I really don't know if she is truly conscious of her baby. I have so much to tell her, and every day brings more.

A couple of things she has going for her now without Gwyneth:
> No more 1 lb 6 oz baby (plus other stuff) taking up space that her lungs need.
> Some of her CF meds that were dangerous for the baby have been restarted.
> The tracheotomy allows the nurses to vacuum a ton of mucus out of her lungs...mucus that had built up over the past several weeks and months due to her weakening lung function/strength and the drying effect of the 24/7 oxygen tanks/BiPAP.
> Lots of much needed sleep.

Gwyneth continues to be the most healthy 25 week preemie in the history of the world! Everyone tells us that there will be some complications at some point, and while we are bracing for something, we also believe that she could continue to be the miracle to prove them all wrong (read Janet's Latest Post).

She now has 3 tiny roommates and two nurses sharing the care load. Each of her grandparents and great grandparents were able to touch her like I did last night.

She received a PIC Line in her right arm this afternoon, which went well. They also sent blood to the lab to Test for any CF mutations. I was tested before we were married, and I am not a carrier of the most common CF gene mutations, but there is still a risk. Please, pray that the tests come back negative.

Thank you so much for responding to my last post about Joe and Kendra. I walked down to the NICU several times simply to look for them late today so I could encourage them with your prayers. I hope to see them tomorrow.

Late this evening, about 140 ECards were delivered to Tricia's room with a message that it was a record number. Keep 'em coming! Every single one will be placed in a binder (lucky I'm a Scrapbooker!) for Tricia to read soon, and for us to read over Gwyneth as she grows. And, every single one shares the message of God to those at Duke who print and deliver them to us. The buzz about Tricia and Gwyneth (and their God) around the Duke facilities is unbelievable.

A HUGE shout out to the FFHS and FFMS FCA's for being the first to get baby cards to us at the hotel!!! I warned the front desk that I may be receiving lots of mail in the next week.

And, here are a few more pictures from last night.

Some Perspective

Pride

First Time On Her Belly

Nurse's Hands

Silent Cries

Eyes

My Wedding Band

Perspective

Tricia got me the camera that is taking these amazing shots for Christmas...best Christmas gift ever!

Nate