DECEMBER 17 UPDATE

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.  James 1:12

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 (5 weeks old)
32 WEEKS

I apologize for having such a long delay in updating.  Life has been a bit crazy.  The miracle babies are doing wondrously well.  They have each had two blood transfusions now. 

Mckayla is doing quite well. Today she weighed two pounds, eight ounces.    She is no longer intubated and is actually learning to use a pacifier.  This will help her learn to suck.  She is breathing on her own and she is opening her eyes more often. They keep increasing her dosage  of mother's milk every twelve hours.  Her pneumonia is clear. 

Madilynn is still having help with her breathing and is not yet able to use the pacifier.  Today she weighed three pounds.   A milestone to have made it to three pounds.  She has passed up her sisters.   She has had a few strawberry birthmarks pop out on her back.  So they will be able to identify which twin is which!  She too opens her eyes more often.   She was on an IV since she had a respiratory infection and was taking antibiotics.  Now she will be getting her mother's milk that will also be increased every twelve hours. 

MACKENZIE KAREN

Mackenzie has FINALLY gained weight!!  Today she weighed two pounds, nine ounces.  Truly an answer to prayer.  They did keep her on her mother's milk.  They are supplementing her with a high  caloric IV.  The doctors were hoping Mackenzie would be able to build her blood back up on her own, but she wasn't quite able to, so she had a transfusion on Thursday. She  too is no longer intubated and is also using a pacifier.  She has had a good sucking reflex for a few weeks already. 

 I had not seen one of the babies stop breathing until Thursday.  They get so sound asleep that they forget to breathe.  The alarm sounded and the nurse rushed in.  She only got one glove on and picked up Mackenzie and moved her arms and legs and rubbed her and set her up and down.  Her heart rate dropped right off and it was quite a frightening half a minute or so.  Mackenzie then settled back into her breathing again and the nurse apologized for not putting her other glove on, but we sure understood time is of the essence! 

Friday was the last day that they let visitors in under the age of 18.  Flu season has officially started.  The NICU also has the rule that if you have been ill you are not to enter the NICU for seven days.  Michael has a sore throat, sneezing, runny nose so he will not be able to see the babies for several days.  Jackson can no longer go in and see his sisters.  He probably will not see them again until they come home sometime in February. 

Thank you for your continued prayers for our miracle babies.  It is hard to believe that they are already five weeks old, yet still should be in the womb another several weeks.  Your prayers are much appreciated!