Mar
31
What a Difference Three Days Makes.
From the ventilator, to rated CPAP, to normal CPAP, to a high-flow nasal cannula—all in 72 hours. Obviously my child is some sort of breathing prodigy, if you ignore the fact that the “all in 72 hours” happened seven weeks after her birth. But surely that is a minor detail. “Genius of respiration” it is!
She’s damn cute, too, even if she insists upon cheesy French music for her 60-second video montages. She says it’s because she’s not even supposed to be born yet.
Babies. Always with the excuses.
180 Comments
Nice work Simone!
She’s just perfect.
But we already knew that!
Yay!
She is absolutely brilliant and gorgeous!
Hello sweet girl!
Simone is absolutely amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your joy with us!
She is a beautiful little wonder baby!
YAY! congratulations!
Oh wow! She is SO ALERT. What an amazing kid you have.
Such a beautiful girl!
She is so sweet, my 5 year old son watched the video 3 times because he said she was a and I quote” A sweet little ticklish girl.”
Lovely, lovely, lovely!!
Way to go Simone! I’ve been thinking about you guys a lot and what wonderful news to hear! This has made my Monday :D.
And what a sweet video. The memories it did bring back…..
Give her kisses for us. She’ll be 10 years old and talking back and driving you crazy before you know it ;). Take care, Alexa.
Glorious news and Simone is adorable … I am so happy for you thanks for taking the time to share this joy with us all.
Beautiful seems like a pale, insignificant word to describe her. But I don’t think the English language has anything to encompass the enormity of her beauty and strength. Funny…I have a feeling she’s going to be a lot like her momma…
She is gorgeous…and definitely a genius as well. Loved that little startle she did towards the end of the vid. She’s adorable.
She is adorable! And brilliant.
This got my week off to a wonderful start. She is a beauty, just look at the wonder in her eyes!
She definitely is a “Genius of respiration”. And absolutely beautiful!
Wonderful…and yes, genius. If you should have 10 seconds spare energy, any time, can you let us know how YOU are doing, aside from the total commitment to Simone in the NICU, like…how is the pumping/feeding going? Your general spirits right now? How are you handling your post-birth body and changes, or can you even think about that? Do you get any sleep?
I see these pics, and know what complete absorption you must be experiencing, and then wonder, is there any you left at all right now to even tell us how that you is doing?
Or is that just a totally ass-like question. Didn’t mean it to be.
Beautiful. Hopeful. Wonderful. Thanks for sharing her.
YAAAAY!!! Oh I am so thrilled for you and for her! Good job, little girl! What a beautiful video too. She is just perfect.
Awww….Yeah for Simone. She is an incredible little girl.
My goodness, Alexa, she’s BEAUTIFUL! And so alert! What a miracle baby. It’s extraordinary to see her looking around, and breathing as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. Bravo, Simone!
Simone rocks a nasal cannula!
And the paci – wow – look at her go! Sucking ability high on list of crucial things all babies must do. :0) So, could I say she sucks big time and you would know that I mean that as a compliment of the highest order?!
Look out room air – here we come . . .
Congrats.
What a wonderful way to start a Monday! She looks so strong. What a totaly sweetie. You and Scott must be feeling pretty good, too at this point. Thanks so much for the video.
Uh, holy cuteness. I love how she has mastered the furrowed brow look already. Cerebral just like her mum.
Yaaaay! What a beautiful sweet girl she is. I am breathing a huge sigh of relief for you, congratulations!!! So! Exciting!
I love the puffy pink pillow beneath her. She’s like royalty.
I am SO glad my husband just fixed our computer speakers so I could actually watch a video…and here I am simply filled with tears and wonder for all…she is simply the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.
What wonderful news Alexa,
Pam
Yay Simone! What amazing progress and wonderful news and – GOD! – she’s the cutest baby ever. Love the rosey red cheeks.
You guys must be ecstatic. I’m amazed at how giddy I am right now for people I’ve never even met. I have already sent the link to my mom and sister who’ve been following along, too.
She really is damn cute — look at those eyes!! — and congratulations on her double graduation! Amazing, wonderful news, Alexa.
Absolutely divine! Thank you so much for sharing this. It completely made my day!
Brilliant!! What a wonderful sight. You must be so relieved. Simone is beautiful, strong and obviously just wanted a bit of a rest before doing more for herself. It’s a big job being a baby these days especially when thrust into the world before you’re quite ready for it.
Looking forward to the Home-going Queen pics
Thank you for the Oscar-worthy short film! The lighting was a little bit flat, and I found the Bazinian framing a touch indulgent, but the lead actress has star quality. Gorgeous, and such breathing! Very Sophia Loren.
What a Beauty!
Genius, clearly. And gorgeous. And so alert, and a power sucker! Destined for greatness, this one is..
Yay Simone!
Right, so I *might* have been checking this blog obsessively all weekend because I was dying to know how the CPAP went…
Breathing, sucking, and looking around! Simone is a genius indeed.
Beautiful.
I’m a MN native rooting hard for this little MN native.
she is going to graduate Summa Cum Laude in breathing soon! And on her way to honors Oxygen!
GO SIMONE!
YAY! Hey, does she give lessons? Maybe she could show the other NICU babies a thing or two. :)
Way to go baby girl!
What a great way to start my week. Thanks for the video, Alexa. Your little star looks great.
She’s beautiful. I’m all verklempt.
GO SIMONE!!! YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR!
What a cute girl, and what an alert look! It’s wonderful to see her looking around and taking in the world she is not even supposed to see yet. Oh, those little preemies are SO special and mine doesn’t cease to amaze me.
I’m so happy you found the time to upload this video. Your daughter has star quality. Wishing you a wonderful week!
I agree with the “genius” assessment. Also, hooray!
I am in awe! How wonderful!
Cute! Cute! Cute! I love the way she’s looking all around and those sweet little hands and that FACE! I’m just melting. She was adorable before but she’s even lovelier now. I’m afraid to see the next video; my laptop might explode from her sheer awesomeness.
SO CUTE. Yay Simone!!
Wow-she looks AMAZING!!!! So alert and breathing like a champ. Congrats on the great progression, and all sorts of hugs to the beautiful girl! (Too many exclamation points? Can’t help it-what wonderful news to great me on a Monday!)
You know that famous Minnesotan says something about children around here being above average… she certainly is living up to it. And look at her suck. Wow!
What a perfectly adorable video debut.
Thanks for sharing that, Alexa! Simone is a breathing queen!
She has looks AND brains! Total package – Pure Genious!
Leaps and bounds! What a sweetie.
I just wanted to say that your little girl is absolutely beautiful! I’ve been lurking for a while, privately cheering on your daughter’s fight to do what we take for granted, but today I must say hello and wish you continued good health for your Simone. All my best to you, your husband, and your lovely baby.
Wow! That’s tremendous! What a strong little girl she is. A Mighty-Mite! So glad to see you post the GREAT news!
She is so clever! And cute. Congrats to all on her “promotion.”
She is so beautiful!
She’s beautiful!
She is so adorable and holy crap, look at that sucking reflex, she is going to be eating like crazy pretty soon! Definitely think she is a genius. She figured out the one way to get you to stop bugging her with that stupid CPAP is to just blow right past it. Way to go Simone! You are now huge steps closer to going home!
Cheesy or not (and I think not), your music choice is perfect! She looks amazing. Yay Simone!!!!
Wonderful, wonderful news! I have been checking every day after your last post to see if things had gone OK, and I am so relieved and delighted for you guys that they’re going well. Hurrah for Simone, Respiratory Genius! May she come home with you soon, soon, soon!
Oh my, live in action! Chouette!
What a precious, sweet little baby girl! How exciting to watch her on video!! :) Thanks for sharing—the cheers are still coming her way!
Amazing, she is. Breathing like a big girl! I am in awe.
Ohhh, so pretty!
She’s so beautiful!
She looks so healthy and so strong. She is gonna make it, 100% make it with no long term problems. I see preemies every week in the work I do and this little one is just amazing. wow!
FANTASTIC. Simone is beautiful and amazing. I am so happy for you and Scott.
She’s gorgeous! And clearly very, very smart.
Utterly fantastic! So amazing. I’m so happy for you.
but wait! what’s circulating her blood now!? :)
congrats on the big step! she’s a stunner!
Great news! Definitely a beautiful little girl!
Simply awesome. I’m crying tears of joy for you all.
Patti
IVF/First Time Mom to be in (hopefully) 10 weeks or so
Little did you know that you were going to put Brittney and that Hilton girl out of business when you had Simone. Go Girl Go…..
Awesome! Way to go Simone!
Go, SIMONE!!! She’s gorgeous.
I am so happy to hear how well Simone is doing; what a marvel of pulmonary prowess!! This is exactly what needs to happen before you can all go home–it’s just a matter of time now–and yes, she is absolutely precious and adorable!!! Congratulations Scott and Alexa!!!!
YAY!!! I’m so excited for you! And she’s seriously adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, that made me cry. Happy Monday, Flotsam Family!
What exciting news!!! She is so cute! Congratulations you guys!
awwww. wow that was amazing. so happy to hear the good news. what a spunky little thing, your daughter!
I agree with the poster who wants to know how YOU are doing.
I am another one who has been checking your site several times a day to see how Simone tolerated her extubation.
Dare we call her a “feeder/grower”?
Simone just made my whole week. Doing a dance over all that good news!
YAY! Hooray! She looks fabulous!
Oh Alexa, that little girl is just so beautiful. Your heart must be beating with joy over her. I am glad the breathing is going well also.
Dude, she’s freaking amazing. She’s obviously a prodigy and I am so damn proud of her. Seriously, I am so happy.
That is the sweetest music I’ve heard in quite some time.
Look at that beautiful paci going! So much easier to see with a NC! She’s definitely a respiratory genius! Great news!
I just want to reach in through the computer and cover that beautiful little girl with kisses.
What a gorgeous little girl.
That last shot? Of her breathing along merrily? Yeah, she looks like a baby. An honest-to-God, “I could have been born yesterday” furrowed-brow pissed-off old man look of a baby. All of that in a good way, of course.
You’re getting there. Simone will beat you to it.
Oh, lordy, you’re not going to start posting on those Gifted Breather sites now, are you? All about how your child is so much better at breathing than those other babies, and can anyone recommend a NICU that will really challenge her, and what about Harvard’s respiratory genius program?
Well, OK. As long as you keep posting pictures and videos.
Hooray, babygirl! She is gorgeous of course.
SHE IS SIMPLY GOREGEOUS!
I love seeing Simone sucking away, dancing to the music and watching you! Hooray Simone! Hooray Alexa & Scott!
Keep kicking bootie, Simone!
hooray, little respiratory genius!
You go, baby girl!
What an absolutely amazing miracle she is, Alexa. So beautiful, so alert. She’s such a gift. Couldn’t have happened to nicer people. :-)
I’ve been following your story (I’m in the UK) since I saw a link to your blog from another, and from the first reading I was hooked. This is such awesome news I ust had to post and add my comments to the others saying how gorgeous Simone is and how excited and happy I am to see that she’s doing well. She’s just beautiful and you’re amazing to be coping so well and still finding time and energy to blog.
Well done Simone and Alexa!!
I was on the seat of my chair and the ends of my fingers every time I logged on to see if there was an update on Simone. WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!
It’s not entirely fair that she’s brilliant, beautiful, AND has such a great mother. But, you know, I suppose those things are compensation for having to hang out in the NICU.
GOOD GIRL! Keep it up Simone.
GO Simone!! Yay!!!! Keep it up sweet Simone. We are all pulling for you! It won’t be long now until you take her home. :)
What a beautiful girl. I have been reading your site daily…your daughter is amazing as are you and your family.
I think you’ll find that the rapid improvements snowball on one another and become the norm. My daughter went from refusing a bottle one day to, literally the next day, eating a whole ounce in just about 15 minutes. They just suddenly decide to do something and then they do it (a trait she still possesses today, by the way, only now it’s not about using a bottle, it’s about using the potty).
I’m so glad she’s getting herself off the O2 and breathing like a big girl!
Clearly brilliant, as is her mama. Good going Simone!
Oh my Alexa. I’ve been away. And you have been through so much. I am happy and sad for you. I can’t even begin to put myself in your shoes.
She is beautiful.
Genius it is!
She’s beautiful as ever!
This is the first time I have smiled all day-thank you for that. She is absolutely adorable! She’s changed so much already!!!
Oh, I’m just in love with her, she’s SCRUMPTIOUS! And so utterly appealing… I want one just like her! Those wonderful little bright eyes peeping all around and taking everything in… fingers crossed tight that Simone won’t have that same hospital view for long now. She’s giving that soother a right old gumming: she looks good & peckish for something more nutritious pretty soon.
And those little wandering hands that look so nonchalant… they toy with their tubes, they caress their cannulae… and then, swift as a striking snake, they twitch the gastric tube all the way out before the hovering & suspicious Mummy can even get a hand to the cot. Infant promptly settles down with a self-satisfied look. And so it begins…
Go Simone! Misbehaving is Fun.
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!
Good Job Simone
Wow – over a hundred comments in only 10 hours. :)
Go Simone!!
That’s just awesome news,
J
She is so strong! She is really doing amazing with her breathing! She has the very serious look of a newborn “at work.” I’m so happy for you ;-)
I am so proud of you baby girl!
I was hoping to see some good news today and this is so wonderful! Better than I hoped even! I loved seeing her beautiful face and her curious eyes! She has so much to figure out! Yay!!!!
She is beautiful. That little newborn open-and-closing of the hand kills me. Sigh.
Way to go little girl! =) I’m so proud of her!
She is damn cute. Glad she is doing well with the nasal cannula and didn’t need that CPAP long at all.
She is just so gorgeous! I just want to give her lots of kisses!!!
Hi baby Simone! You’re adorable and such a good breather!
Oh my god, Alexa. This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Your little girl is looking so very strong and so very beautiful.
Much love.
What a little cutie pie! Thanks for sharing the video! Way to go Simone!!
I keep coming back and looking at this – it’s perfect. I’m so happy for your family! Shes got quite a personality – I wonder where she got that from?
Nice job, blood circulator! Which model did you have? The Nimbus2000?
Amazing! I’m so happy for you!
She’s perfect!
oh my goodness, she is SO CUTE! my daugther (21 months old) is in love with her, she climbed over me and was saying, baby! baby! :) simone you are beautiful!
In the second angle shot, her cheeks actually look – dare I say it? – a little chubby! That’s beyond excellent.
The video brought tears to my eyes. Life is such a miraculous thing. She is breathtaking…hope that’s not a bad pun. Simply amazing little girl.
I love her.
Go Simone!!! You are awesome! We really like the cute video’s of you!!! You are such a sweetie! Tell Mama thanks for keeping us updated!!!! Praying for you!
She looks awesome. Yay!
God bless babies and God bless Simone!
Way to go Simone!! I knew you could do it. Thank you Alexa for the movie. She is gorgeous and she is doing well.
So thrilled for you! She’s beautiful!
What a beauty! She’s amazing!
I actually have tears in my eyes from watching the little movie. Thanks so much for sharing, Alexa – I’ve been checking your blog daily to see her progress. I haven’t posted until now, but I’ve wanted to do so many times. I’m so excited that she’s become such a brilliant respirateur, to quote Marcel Duchamp. Way to go, Simone! :)
Remarkable! I happened upon your blog searching for information on the children’s book Flotsam… I’m addicted. Simone is such a fighter! Stay strong, keep faith that she will soon be home and years will seem like minutes and this will be a memory. I will continue to check this page. Your wit is wonderfully written. Thank you for sharing with strangers. We all need some hope and Simone seems like a ray of just that!
YEAH Simone !!! We are so proud of you — what an accomplishment. Thanks for the video. We have been thinking about you and hoping that all went well with the CPAP trial and it looks like you went above and beyond !!! Way to go — Samantha
Now maybe, just maybe, with Simone going great guns with the respiration, you might actually be able to breathe a little easier yourself Alexa!
I can not wait for the next instalment, at this rate Simone will be taking herself for a walk into the kitchen and making pancakes or the likes.
Absolutely stunning! Yippee!!!
Those eyes! Those hands! She’s like a little genius dictator, waving her arms around to call her servant-parents to her side. She’s perfect!
Ach! So beautiful.
I started to cry as soon as she moved her arm. i can see you in her face–shes gorgeous.
i am so so happy for you
Adorable! And such good news. We readers can’t wait to see what other talents Simone has.
Beautiful!! Absolutely beautiful!! She’s so coming home soon :)
This post reigned supreme over all other content on the internet today. All of it. Including the New York Times, Wonkette and D-listed. Where is that music from. It sounds like an alien teletubby lullaby on acid. But somehow strangely perfect. I was so happy to see this I watched at least 5 times. Best to all of you.
I can only imagine the pure joy of having a baby succesfully come off the vent, and believe me I imagined it thousands of times. I am really thrilled for your family, and especially your tough, beautiful little girl.
Simone you are made of awesome! Rock on baby girl!
She’s beautiful, Alexa!
Thank you for sharing. She is truly gorgeous!
OH. MY. GOD. She is breathtakingly beautiful. Those eyes. THOSE EYES! This video made me cry. Not sad tears, though. We love you and Simone and I can’t wait for the day you post videos of her prancing around in cute little dresses to the same song.
Howled my way through the video so I can only imagine how proud you and your husband must be. Wonderful, wonderful news xxx
How completely precious is she???!!! It must be so amazing to watch her gestate right in front of your eyes- I know it is for me! Very best wishes and tons of joy to you and your beautiful little Simone.
Watched the video, then read the comments and I am still crying tears of joy for the divine Simone. Am also looking forward to first birthday videos.
I check this site often and think of you and Simone daily. What an incredibly awesome thing to see her breathing on here own and so alert and active. This has truly made my day.
Is it wrong to wish for twice daily updates?
She is just beautiful. Perfect, and precious, in that way that babies are. I’m so proud of her!
Well,that just made my heart swell. What a wonderful little girl.
oh my god! she is so beautiful and brilliant and talented and just incredible!!!
God bless you Simone, you are my hero.
Kisses to your whole family.
That is the most beautiful video I’ve seen in a long, long time – way to go, Simone!! What a cutie whe is! Thank you for posting this.
I have been lurking since Simone was born, but must come out of the shadows to offer my congratulations to Little Simone. Way to go girl!
BRILLIANT GIRL! Yay for Simone. And what a beauty, I loved watching those clips, she is so cute!
She is amazing! And adorable too.
I love your blog. You have inspired me. I began reading your blog when Simone was born. Then a few weeks later, my water broke at 26 weeks, and I have been in the hospital ever since (now 28w2d) trying to keep this baby in. When my water broke and I was terrified, you and Simone gave me hope that we might just have a happy ending, and you continue to do so. Thanks for that.
She is so gorgeous!! And boy, can she suck! She is really looking good!Yay!
OMG, she is so freaking adorable. Yay for the respiratory progress! Awesome.
Wow! Isn’t she growing! The speed that she’s achieving everything is brilliant! Keep posting the updates when you have time, this blog is compulsive reading! And I join with the other commenters who would like to know how you’re doing – we’re all thinking of you!
Hooray! The best movie I’ve seen this year! She is so sweet!
Gorgeous!
peace,
kath
Love this! She is getting so big!
What a pretty girl! Glad she’s doing better!!
Alexa, I am struck by how pretty Simone is! Look at that little face! Well done! Bravisimo!
Princess Simone.
How amazing, thank you for sharing more of her with us, Alexa.
She’s so alert – look at those big eyes! And those lovely long fingers…
This totally made me cry. Way to go, Simone!
What fantastic news! You go Simone! Atta girl!
I know that it has already been said, but she is amazingly beautiful. Congratulations again!
I’m so happy that she’s ok – and she’s very precious…. just like her mamma…
Go Simone!
Oh, my heavens! She’s perfect!
What a fighter, too. Go Simone!
The little wandering hands brought tears to my eyes. Go little Simone, go, we are all cheering you on!
Wow! Just wow! She’s a breathing genius, and look at those eyes!
You must be so proud! Yea, Simone!!!
Amazing, excellent, and wow, she’s a genius indeed. What a strong little sweet one!