Jake & Ben 6 days old

Our little boys are almost one week old! We can’t believe it!! We fall in love with these little guys more and more each day we see them! They are so precious!

JAKE AT 3 DAYS OLD

BEN AT 3 DAYS OLD

The first week in the NICU has been pretty uneventful. The doctors are very pleased with the boy’s progress. Jake came off the vent after 24 hours and went right to the nasal cannula which just pushes air up his nose to help expand his lungs. They expect to take that out today. His feedings are going really well. He is digesting his food and going to the bathroom as he should. Ben was on the vent for 4 hours, the c-pap for 24 hours and then had his cannula taken out today. He is officially getting no help with his breathing. His feedings are also going very well. Both boys had brain scans that came back normal. We will have another brain scan to look for brain bleeds on Thursday. The doctor said it is highly unlikely that they we will have a brain bleed at this point with as well as they are doing.

Both boys are experiencing random bradycadira spells. This is where their heart rate dips down and pops right back up. The doctor told me he expects babies of this gestational age to be doing this. He said they will out grow these spells. Thank God!!! They are really hard to watch! The nurse usually has to go over to the baby and tap his foot to get his heart rate to pop back up. Every time I see this happen my eyes well up with tears. The nurses said I will get use to seeing them but I don’t think that’s possible!

The boys have to meet three goals before they can come home. 1) Breathing on their own, which we have accomplished, 2) Sucking and eating via a bottle. Usually babies don’t develop their sucking reflex until 34 weeks and that’s when they will begin bottle/breast feeding. 3) Maintaining their body temperature. So one goal down and two to go! Today they actually lowered Jake’s isolette temperature which means he is almost ready for goal number two.

It is very hard to leave these little angels every night. I usually have a good cry on the way home after leaving them. I know they are in great hands but it doesn’t make it any easier. We are just so grateful that they are doing well. I just pray every night that they can stay on this path. We are so grateful for all of your prayers. I know I have said that a million times..but I can’t thank you enough.