Mia's Story: February 2007

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Whattaya say? 5 pounds.

Even though Mia didn't eat for two days, she still tipped the scale to a little over five pounds now. Our little one is growing fast! They started her on a little bit of milk today and will slowly increase it again. Hopefully we'll see her lactic acid level go down as the feeding increases.

Aside from that, not much more to report. We both held her today for a bit, and she slept soundly in our arms. As I held her, Francesca attacked her little neck with kisses, and though she was sleeping, a smile crept across her face with each peck.

Monday, February 26, 2007

2 Week Notice

To celebrate the beginning of her third week, Mia got a blood transfusion through a vein in her head. The nurses said this is actually the best, least invasive, and painless place to get poked, but that the parents usually freak when they see the needle and the tubes taped to the baby's head. They were correct. As upsetting as it was to see, little Mia didn't seem to mind a bit and rather enjoyed some fresh blood. She needed a little blood (only an oz.) because they had taken some the day before for some tests. The transfusion was yesterday and we decided not to take any photos. The first three pics seen here are from Saturday, when Grandma Buffo finally got to hold Mia for a little bit.

Mia's had a bumpy few days. They were upping her feedings and I think it was a little to much for her little belly to handle and she got a little backed up. They thought she might have some kind of intestinal blockage, but so far the x-rays show everything to be normal. Regardless, they've stopped giving her milk and formula for a couple of days now supposedly to give her system a rest. Now her lactic acid level has risen again to 6, most probably because she hasn't had the benefits of her mother's milk for a couple of days.

Her little belly button has an infection as well, and now they're giving her antibiotics to deal with that. Despite everything that is happening to her, she becomes more beautiful with each passing day. She seems indifferent to everything going on around her, content in her little isolette and enjoying the visits from mom and dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends very much. She asked me to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers and well wishes and says please keep it up!

Today Mia was resting and seemed very content. We visited with her a little bit, but didn't bother her too much since she had been going through so much for the past couple of days. One advantage of her not getting fed is that for the first time since her birth, her beautiful face is free of all tubes, wires, and tape, allowing for an unobstructed view of her angelic face.
I had to just sit by her side for a while and stare in amazement at our beautiful gift.

A little smile

Being peace

Friday, February 23, 2007

Weekend Update

Mia has had a great few days. She's continuing to gain weight, tolerate more food, and breathe better on her own. She's also started drinking from a bottle, but is still not totally sure what's she's supposed to do with it once it's in her mouth. The hospital has a wonderful physical therapist that has been working with Francesca and Mia, helping her to take the bottle better.

She's two weeks old today, and I'll post up some more pics when Francesca gets back from the hospital tonight. I haven't gone up in a couple of days because I've been feeling a little under the weather and don't want to bring my germs to the hospital, but hopefully I'll be going again soon.

Little bunny sleepin 2/19/07

2/19/07

Francesca gives Mia the bottle for the first time 2/21/07

Sleep or eat, sleep or eat? Can't I do both? 2/21/07

2/21/07

She's awake! 2/21/07

Papa Z and Mia 2/22/07

YAAAAWN! 2/22/07

2/22/07

Grandma Mose gets a peek 2/22/07

2/22/07

Peekin pink 2/23/07

2/23/07

Grandma Donna and Mia 2/23/07

Laura the nurse is holding up stylish backgrounds 2/23/07

2/23/07

Hangin on two fingers 2/23/07

2/23/07

Hey mom look over there! 2/23/07

Okay fine, I'll open my eyes but only a little bit! 2/23/07

Eyes 2/23/07

2/23/07

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Mia scores a 4.0

Little Mia is proving that where there's a will, there's a way. Her lactic acid level is now down to 4.0 and she continues to amaze. She's breathing all on her own now and is keeping up the good breath, though at times her breathing is a little shallow. The nurses are watching her close just to make sure she's getting enough oxegen, but so far so good!

She still has a feeding tube going into her nose, though they've started giving her the bottle a bit too. The doctors say that a safe level of lactic acid is 2 or 3, so Mia is almost there. I'm sure breathing getting stronger is helping so much.

Pretty in pink 2/20/07

Mia hates the tubes. She kept pulling them out and the nurses would find them in her mouth 2/20/07

Baby...

...Buddha. 2/21/07

Momma and Mia 2/21/07

Sleeping beauty 2/20/07

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Mia: A Week

Francesca and I stood bedside last night as the clock ticked 9:58 pm and our little love turned one week old. She seemed unfazed by her milestone and chose rather to continue sleeping and enjoy a belly full of her mother's milk, still fed to her through a tube in her mouth.

It's been a whirlwind week for all involved, especially little Mia. She's gone through more poking, prodding, and testing in one week than I hope anyone would ever have to go through in their entire life. She's a strong little girl though, and continues to make little improvements every day.

The most important improvement is the change in her lactic acid production. When the doctors first tested her blood they immediately noticed an elevated level of lactic acid. She was producing way too much and they were baffled why. Their latest theory is that she is not producing a specific enzyme that counteracts the acid production. We all produce lactic acid, but without this enzyme, it can get out of control and this is the major obstacle Mia is facing. A normal level of lactic acid in the blood is around 2. When Mia was born she was producing over 10. The doctors assured us she wasn't in any pain, and probably felt more like she had just run a marathon. Very hard for a little girl only a few days old.

One way the body compensates for excess lactic acid is by getting more oxygen, and the only way to get more oxygen is to breathe harder. So Mia's little lungs were working over time, trying to compensate for the excess acid, and most likely the reason she needed to be on the respirator. Now a week later, she is breathing on her own. She has a little tube in her nose that gives her a shot of air as a reminder to breathe, but for the most part it's all her. Even more incredible is her acid level has continued to go down, from 7.8 last week, to 6.2 yesteday, to 5.2 today! We will continue to pray and love our little girl and thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. It really has made a difference.

Some pics from the last few days: