Progress...

For those of you who may not have heard updates, Avery is doing well and making some good progress. Over the weekend they were able to take out the breathing tube. Once the tube was gone they took her off of the sedatives that were making her sleep all the time, so she became much more awake and aware. She hasn't been on any pain medications since Saturday and she doesn't seem to be in a lot of pain. She is getting more and more active but we still havent been able to get her to smile yet. Her voice is pretty hoarse and raspy from the breathing tube being in her throat.

This picture was taken over the weekend on the first day she had gotten all the sedative out of her system. She was still a little lethargic, but she was looking at us and you could tell she was much more aware of her surroundings.

As of today she isn't getting any medication except for antibiotics, she started bottle feeding again and stopped getting fluids from the IV. She has been gradually losing some of the monitors, sensors, and tubes. Hillary was also able to hold her for the first time since the surgery!

Hopefully tomorrow she will be able to move out of the ICU into a regular hospital room. They have also talked about possibly removing the central line in her neck, and maybe even the drainage tube in her chest tomorrow. These are all big steps closer to being able to come home soon!

I forgot to bring a memory card for the camera to trade with Hillary when I came over the weekend, so for now these 2 pics from our cell phones are all I have with me at home. Thanks everybody for you continued prayers and support!