5:30AM: Breastfeeding – hearing her gulp.

7:00AM: pump

She weighed in this morning at 7lbs, 4 oz

Dr. Megan said we possibly will turn down IV fluids today.

Another chest xray done this morning.

Nurse today was Kathy B. (yes, another Kathy)

Kathy called the lactation consultant and left message for them to stop by and confirm Olivia and I are doing this breastfeeding thing right.

Dr. Megan said: weaning her off dopamine. Turning off IV fluids and monitoring urine output. Olivia is on amoxicillian 2x a day. Scheduled us for Upper GI and Ultrasound for Monday morning.

Evening Nurse was Nicole until Midnight and then Marie.

At ~ 11PM Dr. Mel Collins ordered a potassium test. It came back a bit “low” (2.9) so they gave Olivia potassium orally with her midnight feeding. SHE HATED IT.

3AM: Breastfed for half hour (both sides). Pumped 14 ml after (at midnight pumped 30 ml – one ounce).

Completely off dopamine. She is getting slight IV fluids to prevent dehydration

Arnie called with an update…

Olivia took a bottle yesterday morning and has been breastfeeding very well since yesterday afternoon.

They are starting to wean her off of the dopamine (sp?) and will be turning off the IV fluids soon if she continues to eat very well and gains some weight. The cardiologist was very impressed that Olivia is breastfeeding already. Definitely a great sign! Olivia’s eat is the key to everything. She needs to start gaining weight.

Her oxygen levels have been terrific.

Monday, an ultrasound and upper GI is scheduled to check her organs, check if the spleen is there. They may start her on a low dose of antibiotics after this.

Olivia is still in the PICU because the NICU is still booked, and she may just remain there until she is released. Arnie and Tricia are hopeful that Olivia will be released on Maddie’s birthday, July 29. That’s less than a week away! What a wonderful birthday present that would be.