One Month Already?

Wow. We really can't believe it's been a whole month since Max and Tyler were born. How is that possible? We have had plenty of ups and downs during the past 4 weeks, but the boys are doing pretty well right now... as are their mom and dad! We had some great visits with the boys this weekend and even managed to go out to dinner for a real date. May as well take advantage of our built-in NICU babysitters while we can!

Throughout this whole experience, we have learned not to let our emotions get too high or too low. Even when things seem to be going well, setbacks can happen at any moment. We try to enjoy the good moments and take in the bad moments, always knowing that things can change in an instant. I got to the NICU on Saturday morning ready to do Kangaroo Care with Tyler again, but apparently he had other plans. During the Friday night shift, he had about 3 or 4 episodes where he stopped breathing and his heart rate dropped. The doctors increased his vapotherm pressure and oxygen levels, which meant he couldn't come out and play because he was receiving too much support. He had a blood transfusion this weekend, receiving 10 cc's/ml's of blood on Saturday and another 10 on Sunday, which should help his breathing. The boys have already had a few blood transfusions, which is pretty common for premature infants because they can't keep up with their red blood cell production.

Max was breathing pretty well this weekend and his vapotherm pressure decreased from 5 liters per minute to 4. He had very few, if any, apnea spells so hopefully he'll be stable enough to be held soon too. Although it is a little discouraging to see the apnea spells, this is extremely common for preemies and something they just need to grow out of. They'll get there!

Both boys are digesting their milk well and are continuing to gain weight. Max is a little behind on his feedings because of his PDA medication, but he is getting 17 cc's every 3 hours, and Tyler is getting 21. As of Sunday, March 2nd, Max weighed 2 lbs 3 ozs (980 grams) and Tyler weight 2 lbs 6 ozs (1100 grams). Even though they only weigh a few ounces more than their birth weights, they are starting to look bigger and more grown up every day. We still can't imagine what they will look like when they reach 5 or 6 pounds (which is on the smaller size for a full-term baby). Seeing babies in the normal nursery at the hospital is strange... the 7 and 8 pounders look like monsters!

Sunday marked the date I would have been 30 weeks pregnant. I was hoping (and planning) to make it to 37 weeks before I delivered, which would have given us almost 2 more months before the arrival of our boys. Little did we know that Tyler and Max had plans of their own. Even though we still have a long road ahead of us, we have already gained so much from this experience. Not only do we have a greater appreciation for life and for our sons, but we are stronger... as individuals, as parents, and especially as husband and wife. One of our nurses said a situation like this can make or break a couple. A few months ago, I didn't think it was possible to get any closer to Andy. I was wrong. Things may not have gone as planned, but this detour has taken us places we never knew we were capable of going.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. Our nurse Karen found the one Colts blanket in the NICU and gave it to Tyler. Since we live in Titans territory, we may have to keep an extra eye out to make sure no one poisons his milk!

Go Horse!!

Max sleeping as usual. He is definitely going to be our laid-back baby.