Peanut has been in a bit of a holding pattern the last month as she’s been adjusting to some of the latest changes – most notably the addition of green beans to her diet of milk and rice cereal. Peanut’s output continues to be higher than what her doctor would like to see it and the addition of green beans (high in fiber) will hopefully help slow her digestive system down. Peanut’s copper levels have remained low as well, so a copper supplement has been added to her medication regiment.

As Happy As Ever

Still, for all the times we’re forced to wake Peanut while she’s sleeping, she remains an extremely happy baby. She continues to grow stronger in her physical therapy and has started to love the time spent on her stomach – that is, when she wants to be on her stomach. Peanut has mastered rolling over and is quick to go from her stomach to her back when she wants to. (I gave up last weekend on one designated “tummy-time” have she proceeded to roll over five times in just a few minutes.) Peanut is also trying to get from her back to her stomach – she’s done it once or twice but it surprised her as much as us and she hasn’t been able to repeat it.

Getting Stronger

The big news of the week is that Peanut’s doctor had us stop her IV as of Sunday night. Peanut was still receiving a nightly IV of replacement fluids to help counter the fluids lost with her high output. As a test run, Peanut will go without the replacement fluids until tomorrow when she has a check-up with blood work scheduled. If the lab results look good, Peanut will remain off of the IV while her hydration will be monitored at least weekly through blood draws. Peanut has been on an IV since the day she was born – almost seven months now. Her IV has always been the “safety net” for medication and nutrition when things weren’t going well, so the idea not needing an IV and having the central line removed is a bit intimidating – as odd as that sounds.

The IV Pump and Replacement Fluids

There is a very likely chance that Peanut will have to go back on the IV, so we’re still taking things a day at a time and simply enjoying the fact that Peanut is growing and gaining strength. It would also appear that she’s fallen under the wing of her older sister, as moments like this are becoming more and more common…

Since the DW forgot to post after Peanut’s last appointment, we wanted to mention that she got to see a few of her (and our) favorite friends from the NICU. We love these folks!!!

Dr. Lindower

Nurse Mikael

Nurse Tammy…and Peanut eating her hand 🙂