Ceiling fans

I'd forgotten that my nephew Devan loved ceiling fans until this morning...Maggie apparently loves them too. She stared up at it throughout her bottles this morning and while she played on her mat and was changed. She's mesmerized. She also loves anything that moves her; the swing, car seat, stroller and car rides. She's been doing great at home, and I'm starting to get used to waking up with her in the middle of the night. She is a firecracker when she gets mad and a smiley little gal when she is happy.

Jack is pretty much the same. They tried to extubate on Monday, and it didn't work out. The minute the tube was out the respiratory therapist knew it would have to go right back in. He has too much swelling and secretion blockage that he just can't breath on his own. The poor guy hates it and I can tell how agitated it makes him. He has been trying to pull and push the tube out, so they've started sedating him to keep him calm. When I am with him I feel like I make him wake up and then become frustrated all over again...breaks my heart to see him this way! So the plan now: they are running more tests, he is on an antibiotic until the tests come back and he just needs time. They are still suctioning quite a lot of secretions and though it is under control, he is still showing some edema. Fortunately he is back on his normal feeds (through a nasal tube) and he tolerates it really well. The doctor thinks they may try to extubate Friday, depending on how the week goes. There isn't any way of knowing whether he'll be able to breath until they take the tube out. Hopefully this time works.

Maggie and I have been hunkering down in the house during the day, then when Brian gets home from work his parents come and stay with Maggie while we visit Jack. I miss not seeing my little man during the day, but with him being on the ventilator and being so upset when he is awake, I think it really is best for him to get as much rest as he can and there isn't much I can do when I'm there. I can't hold him...I hate it!

OK- so things are OK for now. Maggie is doing great, Jack is better than before and I really just hope we are completely heading back up hill now. I don't know that I can handle another set back.