LOVE, CHARLOTTE

THANK GOODNESS for being early!  We arrived at 645 this morning to spend time with little miss pre surgery and at 7, the OR team was raring to go so we left.  Charlotte was awake and as we held hands, I almost couldn't let go.  She has the tiniest little girl hands which kept squeezing mine.  I say, "Mommy squeeze, Baby squeeze" a thousand times a day from my bedside post usually.  It's never too early to start teaching, right?  Fortunately, she's stronger than Mommy is and as we left each other I know she was telling me that she'll be fine.  

Overnight she made us a Valentine - my favorite ever.  I'm so happy because this is her first footprint that I have to hold.  I know there will be many more which we make together, alongside her big brother, but today's will be my favorite.

My little Charlotte had a good night of rest, is tanked up, on the lowest flow possible on the ecmo machine and is ready to get this show on the road.  And today marks a very special day - it's her scheduled c-section delivery day.  I think it's another small miracle from God because it's her new beginning, her second birth.  Happy Birthday, Char Char.  Mommy and Daddy love you.

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WEANING

Today's main goal is weaning Miss Charlotte from ecmo, or as I call it "the blood machine."  Her body has had a good day and night of rest and we're hoping that her kidneys only continue to function well as she is slowly weaned.  The goal to be off ecmo is tomorrow afternoon.  Our PRAYERS are for a smooth transition as well as for the obvious: that Sweet Charlotte's body got the rest that it needed while on ecmo.  

Her swelling has reduced a lot overnight.  A huge praise!!  She is still swollen in her face and neck but it has started to lessen around her eyes and nose at least.  Makes Mommy happy for her.  Granted, she's on a lot of happy medicine, so she shouldn't feel anything but nonetheless.  It's like what brushed hair and a clean face on your toddler will do for a mother, right? 

She's currently getting her head ultrasound to check on the bleeding.  Again, we PRAY that it hasn't gotten worse.  We are waiting for the 72 hour infection results.  PRAY for another negative result.  She will have a vascular ultrasound on her abdomen due to something found on a previous one.  It may be a cluster of blood vessels or just one that had been poked and is angry, but it needs to be looked at.  We PRAY that it doesn't need attention, regardless of what it is!  

We've enjoyed the past 24 hours of 'quiet.'  Charlotte is doing what she is supposed to and this not only makes me proud of her but also relaxed.  We continue to pray for God's healing touch and for the doctors' wisdom as they care for our precious one today on her 10 day birthday as well as for the days to come.

TIME

Time is a funny thing.  This morning the last thing on anyone's mind was putting Charlotte on ecmo and now that's exactly where she's headed.  As Patrick has kept you informed, Char Char (a name Big Brother has given her), has declined all day.  The last reading showed that her lactic acid had increased yet again.  This time to 9.2.  Certainly not the highest of the day, but given the fact that her kidneys are not producing any tee-tee to put it in "laymen speak," and among many other factors, Dr. Mendeloff has decided that her only chance at survival is to be put on ecmo.  

So as "well" as Miss Charlotte has been doing, especially given her small size, at the end of Day 2, we find ourselves needing more time.  We are hopeful and pray that this aides in her recovery and she is weaned off successfully.  We know that God's perfectly made plan is firmly in place and that He is the Great Healer.  We pray for a successful next few days so Char Char is able to come off ecmo, get healthy and head home.  

As always, we thank you for your CONTINUED PRAYERS.