NICU

• Chloe was born at 6:42 P.M. weighing 1 pound 11.4 ounces and 13.5 inches long.
• Chloe's Apgar score was an 8 for the first minute and a 9 five minutes later which is extraordinary for a baby born on the last day of the second trimester.
• Because of the immaturity of Chloe's lungs she was put on a High Frequency Ventilator and given a dose of Surfactant.
• Chloe wears her first diaper.

• Chloe gets her first blood transfusion.
• Jaundice has set in and Chloe is being treated..

• Chloe was taken of the High Frequency Ventilator and put on a CPAP.  They kept the High Frequency Ventilator on standby just in case she needs it.
• Chloe received a tube directly to her stomach.  This is done to give her digestive system a kick start by giving her 1 ml of water down formula.

• Chloe started digesting food which is a major victory for Chloe.
• They have removed the High Frequency Ventilator from Chloe's workstation area.  This shows that they are confident in Chloe's breathing ability.
• Jaundice has been eliminated.

• Chloe drops to her lowest weight 1 lb. 7 oz.

• Chloe had received her first cranium ultrasound to check for blood leaks and other stuff.  It came out normal.

• Chloe moved out of a micro preemie into a incubator.  This is a good sign, because is shows that the doctors don't have to tinker with her as much as before.
• Mom read Chloe her first book.
• Dad started to teach Chloe the "Elope" word.

• They started to give Chloe drugs to reduce the water around her lungs.  This will cause Chloe to loose weight.

• Chloe start eating breast milk.

• The doctors have taken away Chloe's Umbilical Arterial Catheter, which means that she will have to pricked in the heel once a day for blood work.

• Chloe is taking being cycled between the CPAP and a Nasal tube.

• Chloe exceeded her birth weight.

• Chloe is taken off the Nasal tube and put on the CPAP exclusively.

• Chloe passes the 2 pound mark.

• Cheryl got to hold Chloe for the first time.

• Chloe got to kangaroo with Cheryl.

• Chloe exceeded the 1000 gram mark.

• Chloe started back on the cycling routine between the CPAP and nasal tube.
• Chloe started to use the pacifier.

• Chloe is back on the CPAP exclusively.

• Chloe on "Reverse Isolation" because of her white blood cells are low.

• Chloe is taken of of "Reverse Isolation", because her white blood cell count went up.
• Chloe started cycling (switch between CPAP and Cannula).

• Chloe was put back on the CPAP exclusively.

• Chloe put on Lasix to remove excess water around her lungs.

• Chloe can hear.

• Chloe reached the 3 pound mark.

• Major Setback -- Chloe must remain on Lasix until her lungs are better.  We do not know how long she will be on the Lasix or how long she will be on the CPAP.  The exclusive use of the CPAP forbids Chloe from learning eating traits like sucking and swallowing.  This is a time for prayer.

• Chloe taken off CPAP during feeding.

• Chloe finally doubled her birth weight (3 lbs 7.5 oz).
• Chloe's second month birthday.

• Chloe was taken off the CPAP and put on the nasal canula.  The Lewis family is very happy.
• Chloe reach the 3 1/2 pound mark (1600 grams).  When she reaches 1800 grams she will be put into a open crib.
• Chloe's parents were taught how to give Chloe a bath.
• Dad for the first time puts a diaper on Chloe.

• Chloe was feed by the bottle for the first time.

• Chloe drank 15 cc from the bottle.
• Dad gave Chloe a sponge bath.

• Chloe was moved to an open crib.
• Chloe's parents was told that she is progressing very quickly, so they better get her room ready.

• They started feeding Chloe by bottle every meal.  She only drank half or less of what she should but she is bottle fed.
• Chloe has no Apnea or Bradycaridia episodes during feeding (really none for the day) which is significant because this is very common for all preemies being fed.
• Chloe lost 10 grams.

• Dad and mom bought baby furniture for Chloe.
• Dad changed his first semi dirty diaper.

• Chloe got her immunization shots today (3 of the 5).
• Chloe got her hearing tested (she passed with flying colors).

• Chloe got the rest of the immunization shots (2 of the 5).

• Chloe drunk three bottles of food for three consecutive feedings.

• Chloe is off the CPAP again.
• Chloe has doubled her birth weight.

• Chloe been off of the CPAP for 36 hours.

• Chloe's CPAP has been removed from her station.
• Chloe is now eating every meal through the bottle.

• Chloe back to using the food tube for the majority of feedings.

• Chloe moved into the Open Crib.
• Chloe's parents are told that Chloe could come home very soon.

• Chloe's nursery is now completed.

• Chloe's hearing was tested and found to be excellent.

• The doctors lowered Chloe's Lasix by half (11-8-2001 when Chloe started Lasix).
• Chloe's room started getting painted with a garden seen.

• Chloe is off of the Lasix.
• Chloe is eating every meal by the bottle.

• Chloe was taken off of Potassium.

• Chloe has her 3rd month birthday.
• Chloe has her first diaper rash.

• Chloe is off the oxygen.

• Chloe was moved to the step down room.
• The doctor ordered the Apnea monitor for Chloe (She is coming home :).

• Chloe's first Christmas.

• Chloe is coming home on January 2, 2002.

• Chloe had a set back causing her medicines to be adjusted.
• Chloe's parents could not attempt the 12 hour stay with Chloe.
• Chloe got rid of her diaper rash from December 16, 2001.

• Chloe's parents stay with Chloe in a small cramped room with a monitor that dinged excessively.
• Chloe's parents are still happily married.

• Chloe comes home.
• First time for Chloe to be put in a consumer baby carrier.
• First time for Chloe to step outside a building.
• Chloe's first car ride.
• First time in her room.