Drum Roll...Please...

Thursday, October 27, 2011 10:45 pm

Okay, folks, we have a very special treat for all of you...but you'll have to wait until the end...

We are so pleased with Morgan's progress and even her doctor had a smile on his face as large and bright as ours.

Morgan has done so well on the C-PAP! All of her settings are so exciting and we are encouraged that her lungs will be able to gain much needed growth. Part of our learning experience has been that a ventilator does so much damage to lungs and does not allow lungs to grow in a healthy way due to the pressure forced into them. Now that she is no longer needing the ventilator, the C-PAP allows her lungs to take a break and relax. We are so thankful for the progress, but realize that we are still years away from totally healthy lungs.

Part of her wonderful progress is weaning off of the nitric oxide. Her current settings are at 3% and we can decrease that by 1% each day. That said, Sunday will be the day we will test her to see how she sustains her breathing without it (fingers crossed).

Today, Morgan had an eye exam and we were very elated with the results. Her eyes are growing "normally" for her age. We were concerned because the high oxygen volume could have created retina problems due to the hyper growth of vessels in her eyes. Ol' Mo dodged a bullet and we are so thankful.

Our next major task, if she passes the "no nitric oxide exam," will be to teach Morgan how to eat. The concepts of sucking, swallowing, etc. are foreign to her at this point. We know that this will be tough on her, but the high-note is that we will have passed other major issues to get to that point. We pray that this new project can start sooner rather than later.

Our sweet daughter continues to be wiggly, testy and, sometimes, downright mad. This is our indicator that she is alert and understanding of her surroundings. If we could let each of you see how red her body gets and her forehead crinkle, you could absolutely see that she is telling what she wants, or what she doesn't want, for that matter. 

This leads me to your big surprise...did I mention that our daughter is alert? Take a look, for the first time (drum roll)...here's your first peek at Sweet, Precious, Alert Morgan:

You have to love those eyes, those sweet lips that will kiss my cheeks for many years and those arms that simply can't stay still (even notice the hair product...she's already fashionable).  She is trying so hard to smile in this picture.  That little monkey has stolen every ounce of me and we can't wait to watch her grow up!  I'm usually a little more composed, but look at that picture!  She is adorable!  Who could say less?  Of course, all babies look like aliens, but this is MY alien. 

This is so special because this is the first time we have seen her without any medical supplies and/or equipment impeding her adorable face.  You can just see the position of her arms is like she is about to just throw them in the air and cheer!  She is doing  so well that she sustained no assistance during this time for about 15 minutes.  Seeing her like this was the first time I'd found the end of a rainbow.  This has to be the cutest pot of gold I have ever seen...think I'm biased?  Maybe a little... 

Please lift prayers of thanks for those who have helped our daughter progress so, so much.  Those at St. Vincent's and, now, at UAB will forever hold our debt.  Continue to pray for all of them.  Also pray that Morgan's little body will continue to grow big and strong. 

We look forward to cherishing many jeweled moments like this with our daughter and it will be impossible to not remember all of you and your prayers for her.  We thank you from our undeserving souls.  Thank you, thank you.

Seth and Elizabeth McCoin