Happy Easter

This week has been great. The boys are both doing well. The nature of NICU life makes me nervous to type such bold statements. Aaron is off all medications that support his systems. He is two days off dopamine which kept his blood pressure where it should be. His blood sugars are much more stable; he only requires two heel pricks a day. He has gone from 1 cc of breastmilk to 12 cc (a little over 2 teaspoons). Today he weighs 2 lbs. 7 oz.!! The GREAT news is that the hole in his mitral valve is GONE. Aaron has no regurge and his heart has gone back to normal size. He had a new head ultrasound that showed that the bleeds he had are smaller, his ventricles look more normal, and his brain in general looks more normal. This does not change any neurological outcomes for him, we still do not know, but we are hopeful. I continue to pray that he would be completely healed. In general, I would say Aaron looks a lot like what James looked like 3 weeks ago. He is still on a ventilator, albeit it is a self-weaning type of ventilator. Aaron has begun to be super sensitive to noise and light (as James was). He gets very angry at times and would cry if he was not intubated (breathing tube goes between the vocal chords). I think the most difficult thing for me, is seeing him "cry" and not be able to comfort him. Today he looked very comfortable and peaceful. Also, he did have his first regular (breast milk - no more miconium) poop. We have had genuine answer to prayer and we praise God for his Grace. Please pray that he continues to require less support, that he continues to grow, and that his body heals.


James is on 2.5 liters of O2 running at a rate of room air. He is doing well. I can almost emphatically say the boys have blue eyes. At times he is very awake. His eyes look huge on his little body. Today James weighs 3 lbs. 7 oz. which is awesome. He takes 32 mls of breast milk every feeding. He is much more interactive than he used to be and less sensitive (able to handle touch and sound). [From 4-13-09 James will probably be able to wear clothing and start to breastfeed this week! He gained weight. Possibly 3 oz. yesterday. I am excited to be able to take some part in caring for my boys.]


Both boys had their eyes examined Thursday. They both have stage 2 retinopathy, ROP. Basically, the eyes as all systems are not fully matured in preemies. Once born, preemies eyes do not develop quite as they should. Blood vessels of the eye, that are still forming, do not grow properly. If the condition does not progress, the boys may just need glasses, have nearsightedness, and maybe a lazy eye. Most of stage 1 and 2 ROP (90%) spontaneously corrects itself over a few years. Please pray the ROP does not progress.

We are thankful to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We are doing well and our thankful for our supportive family and friends, Hannah, our boys, and our Savior. I can honestly say that apart from God and HIS strength through us, that I do not know where we would be. We have a peace that surpasses our understanding and we are truly being carried through this trial with hope for the future no matter what it holds for us. Happy Easter.