standby. patient not ventilated.

Today was a big day for Darla Jane! She got her peritoneal drain out which is one of the the 3 that are near her heart (once she gets the other 2 out we will get to hole her again!),her catheter(which I'm sure she really wants me telling everyone...but it's one less tube connected to our little lady) AND her ventilator! She is still needing oxygen but not too much...and she is taking breaths on her own! I can't believe the progress she is making.

Here they are removing the breathing tube.

Look at me! no ventilator. But she was mad mad at us for bothering her.

All that work can make a girl tired.

Today was a day. The Lord really knows how to take a soul who feels like they are getting close to the end of their rope and provides a light for them. A place to hold onto and help climbing back up. I know we will be on a roller coaster ride but I and thankful to know that the light of Christ will help to bring us up from our lows and help us to more fully appreciate the highs. Every day is a blessing with Darla Jane and with all those in our lives. It's not worth getting upset at the little things. It's more important to love and appreciate what others bring into our lives.

and after I started this post...the day got even better! Since she is off of her sedation meds Darla Jane is getting back to herself again. She was awake for a long while this evening and I could tell she was feeling much better. When she did get a little fussy all that came out was little squeeks. When she they put the breathing tube in, the tube goes right along the vocal cords so it will take a little time for her to get her voice back. But for now, she's out little squeeker.

I think this may just be my new favorite picture of our little miss.

AND...if all that wasn't enough we thought we'd try a pacifier. The nurse said a lot of times these little kiddos build up an aversion to things being in their mouths but not our darla jane. She took to it like a pro.

Today was a good day.