Weekly Sitrep (Holiday Version)

 Well Campers, another week in the history book.  Nothing earth shattering to add to the record.  But...still some milestones passed.

Oh, yeah, like what, juvat?

Thanks for askin', Beans!

On the episode that currently occupies a large portion of our lives, LJD * is doing well and making good progress.  Little Juvat got a call from the Nurses night before last (Friday).  That's always an adrenaline raising event when one reads the incoming caller ID.  Fortunately, it was  some good news.  LJD now weighs in at 7lbs.  Given that her birth weight was 1Lb 2 Oz, that's pretty darn good news.

Thank you, Lord!

Little J and LJW's visit yesterday also provided a bit more good news.  Now, as I've said before, I'm not a Doctor, nor have I played one on TV, but the actual Doctor and the Nursing Staff have recommended a change in some of LJD's treatment.  Evidently, one of the last, but key, problems with Preemie development is lung capacity.  LJD has been on a fairly high level of supplemental O2 since birth.  And here's where my understanding of what's going on and what might really be going on may start diverging.

Basically, there are two key data points with respect to breathing.  One is the amount of supplemental (pure) Oxygen that's added to her breathing tubes.   The other is her breathing rate.  Obviously, there's a inverse relation between the two.  If there's more O2 in the air, she doesn't have to breathe as often and vice versa.

But...What the staff is recommending, and Little J and LJW have agreed to, is to reduce the supplemental oxygen level slowly and incrementally and keep a close eye on her breathing rate.  The intent here is to get her lungs to develop to the point that the breathing rate with the oxygen level in normal air (~21% O2) will be sufficient.  She's steadily moved down in % supplemental O2 from 4+ liters/minute to 3 with excursions below.  Much like any exercise, the more you do and the more you challenge yourself, the more muscle (or in this case, Lung) capability you have.  

So...We'll see.

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that LJD was starting to develop some personality and ability to express herself somewhat.  Below, is a prime example of what I mean.

Apparently, she had just discovered that diapers smell.  Bad!  But, I'm pretty sure this photo will reappear later in life (say at her engagement dinner). 

Sorry, Lord, I had to chuckle!

I have learned that sitting in a easy chair, in hospital garb, while holding an infant on your chest in a darkened room, well...

 

It's EXTREMELY relaxing and nap inducing. Fortunately, my snoring did not awaken any of the sleeping babes in the room.

So, to change the subject, juvat, how are the Christmas projects coming?

Thanks for asking, Sarge.  Not too bad.  A little behind schedule on the final project, but have passed a couple of key milestones on it.  Photos below will document the key points in each project's progress, but since a couple of Ladies in my life are known readers...well...you know...one must maintain required security levels.

MBD's present

MBD's present is ready for deployment.

Mrs J's is a little further behind, but progress is continuing.

Mrs J's present

I'm fairly happy with the final product on the first and the progress on the other.  But...Still a ways to go on the latter.  Please keep any suggestions/ideas/ID's to yourselves. While writing this post, I had to snatch my phone out of Mrs J's hands while she was helping me try to download photos for inclusion in it.  The "In Progress" pics, might would definitely have let the cat out of the bag.

Hope all y'all have a very Happy Thanksgiving.  We're celebrating it this year in College Station.  MBD and SIL have (very bravely) offered to host it.  Both sides of their family will be present.  16 Adults plus kids.  Lots of "Prep Work" going on between now and then.  Then, we'll be reciprocating with "The Gathering of the Clans" at our place in Early December.  Both events should be "Highly Entertaining". 

I hope to develop this ability at some point in my life.

 

 See you next week.

Hopefully!

*Little Juvat's Daughter, Mrs J and my second grandaughter, born 15 weeks prematurely and still in the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit in San Antonio.