On the Road to Improvement

Evie is doing much better today, and I've taken the opportunity to commemorate her first (and hopefully last) hospital visit. She sleeps in what is officially called a "jumper crib," but I call it "baby prison."

In order to monitor her pulse oxygen levels, she has a tube attached to her big toe that glows. She's always trying to pull it off for a closer look, not that I blame her--it is funny looking:

Evie is still on oxygen, but only half a liter a minute now instead of the whole liter she was on when she first got admitted! She's also used to the tubes in her nose now; in fact, she screams when someone takes them out because she knows that she's about to get her nose sucked out.

She also screams when she has to have another nebulizer treatment. I have to hold the mask over her face so the mist can get into her lungs and help clear her out.

Even from the first night, the Albuterol never worked, and they've finally stopped giving it to her. I think they're going to stop giving Evie the racemic epinipherine soon, too. Last night, it seemed to be helping her a little, but today it hasn't had an effect on her at all. When the doctor came in, he decided to take her off of the treatments for a while and see how she does without them. I'm sure Evie will welcome the reprieve! In the meantime, she's still wheezy and coughing quite a bit, but at least her coughs are somewhat productive now. Other than that, though, she's getting back to her usual silly and sunny self.

For example, I put her down for her early afternoon nap with a bottle. Then I turned down the lights and went to the other end of the room to talk on the phone without disturbing her. When I walked back a couple of minutes later, she was covered in milk, holding her bottle upside down, and very studiously squirting a puddle on her belly. It was so cute that I just had to get a picture of it!

It helps that she has the giraffe her Nonna, my mom, gave her. He's been her constant companion through this ordeal, and has helped comfort and cheer her.

Todd has also brought some of her toys to the hospital to keep her occupied and happy. They seem to be doing the trick, especially her cell phone!

When all else fails, Evie plays with the crib itself. Even though she looks like she's in jail, she seems to be enjoying being able to reach through the bars and she loves pulling herself up and banging on the plastic roof.

She's such a little ham, which I'm taking as a very good sign. At this rate, I'm really hoping she'll be able to come home in the next couple of days! Wish us luck!