34 Weeks: 69 Days of Life

This week has been filled with unexpected emotions of overwhelming joy and heartache. We watched our precious boy Max be moved to Atlanta for a procedure but also celebrated some big milestones for Miller and Maggie.

Frequently Asked Question

What was Max's procedure?

Max has an eye condition called ROP. He has stage 3 (out of five). ROP is where the blood vessels in the eye do not grow out straight, but spiral instead. This can cause blindness in the eye if not treated. The doctors do injections of Anit-VegF to kill the blood vessels. It then takes 4-6 weeks to fully correct itself and start to regrow. Max had the procedure Tuesday afternoon at CHOA. We had to wait until Friday to see if the injections are working. The Friday eye exam showed blood vessel regression, which means, yes it's working! PRAISE! We will know the full effects in 4-6 weeks. He will get another eye exam next Friday. And yes, he is back at NE GA with us! YAY!

How did Max get to CHOA?

We drove Max to CHOA, just kidding. There is an Angel Transport by the March of Dimes that carries babies. It looks like a Lexus ambulance! There is a doctor, RT, and nurse on the transport with him. We did get to follow him down and stay at CHOA for his visit.

Nutrition and Feeds for all Three

All three still need to gain more consistent weight. They are fed every three hours by a feeding tube. Maggie 28ml, Max 30ml, and Miller 31ml. The amount of food is based on weight. They receive 6 out of 8 feeds with +8 calories added to my breastmilk. They are still not gaining weight like they should so they now receive 2 out of 8 feeds with 30 calorie formula. They aren't receiving formula due to a low breastmilk supply, but because breastmilk doesn't have 30 calories per ounce. These 4 extra calories a day add up and we are hoping to see a steady weight gain for all three.

Maggie

Weighs 3 lbs 5 oz.
She graduated from Bubble CPAP to the High Flow Nasal Cannula on 21 - 25% oxygen. Four liters of volume (needs be on 2 liters of volume to bottle feed).
She nuzzled with Abby for the first time and did well!
She moved out of the NICU and into intermediate care. WAHOOO!
She has completed her second round of the DART Protocol.
She is now being swaddled and loving her pacifier!

Above: Maggie getting a massage by mom to loosen up her muscles

Maggie 1

Above: Maggie's beautiful big eyes :)

Max

3 lbs 12 oz!
On the NIV at around 70% oxygen. Please pray for Max's oxygen levels as they remain high.
Traveled to Children's Healthcare Atlanta for his eye procedure for his ROP.
Max is also in isolation due to his CHOA visit. Anytime a baby leaves the hospital and comes back, they have to suit up before entering his room to take infection caution. Once he gets back two negative cultures we can go back to no gloves and no yellow gowns.
Regulating his own temperature and could be moved to the open crib soon. He needs to continue to gain weight for five days in a row and reach 1700 grams.
He began to wear clothes and is being swaddled. He looks so handsome!

Above: Max's first outfit!

Max 1

Above: Max's CHOA post op

Miller

Weighs 3 lbs 15 oz.
Is big enough for clothes and is being swaddled.
Has nuzzled with Abby twice and has been doing great.
Finished the second round of the DART Protocol.
Regulating his own temperature and could be moved to the open crib soon. He needs to continue to gain weight for five days in a row and reach 1700 grams.
Moved out of the NICU and into intermediate care.
Has been on 21% oxygen on Bubble CPAP (which is room air) several times this week.
Is doing very well with his pacifier!

Above: Miller's first outfit!

Miller 1

Above: Miller with Daddy

Praises and Prayer Requests

Praise for Max's successful eye procedure.
Prayers that the medicine continues to work and his eye's blood vessel development.
Prayers for lung development
Prayers against infection for all 3
Prayers for growth for all 3
Praise for Maggie and Miller moving into intermediate care.
Prayers that Max soon joins them
Prayers against anxiety and fear for Abby and Ryan

Thank you for continuing with us on this journey! Even though our journey has been hard and painful we praise the Giver of Life, Jesus for all He has done and all He will do through the Mighty Three. We love you Lord and we lift our voice to worship you!

I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising him. I will praise him for what he has done; may all who are oppressed listen and be glad! Proclaim with me the Lord's greatness; let us praise his name together!

Psalm 34:1-3

-Ryan and Abby

Uncategorizedlifesatrip17July 22, 20172 Comments

34 Weeks: 69 Days of Life

This week has been filled with unexpected emotions of overwhelming joy and heartache. We watched our precious boy Max be moved to Atlanta for a procedure but also celebrated some big milestones for Miller and Maggie.

Frequently Asked Question

What was Max's procedure?

How did Max get to CHOA?

We drove Max to CHOA, just kidding. There is an Angel Transport by the March of Dimes that carries babies. It looks like a Lexus ambulance! There is a doctor, RT, and nurse on the transport with him. We did get to follow him down and stay at CHOA for his visit.

Nutrition and Feeds for all Three

Maggie

Weighs 3 lbs 5 oz.

She graduated from Bubble CPAP to the High Flow Nasal Cannula on 21 - 25% oxygen. Four liters of volume (needs be on 2 liters of volume to bottle feed).

She nuzzled with Abby for the first time and did well!

She moved out of the NICU and into intermediate care. WAHOOO!

She has completed her second round of the DART Protocol.

She is now being swaddled and loving her pacifier!

Max

3 lbs 12 oz!

On the NIV at around 70% oxygen. Please pray for Max's oxygen levels as they remain high.

Traveled to Children's Healthcare Atlanta for his eye procedure for his ROP.

Max is also in isolation due to his CHOA visit. Anytime a baby leaves the hospital and comes back, they have to suit up before entering his room to take infection caution. Once he gets back two negative cultures we can go back to no gloves and no yellow gowns.

Regulating his own temperature and could be moved to the open crib soon. He needs to continue to gain weight for five days in a row and reach 1700 grams.

He began to wear clothes and is being swaddled. He looks so handsome!

Miller

Weighs 3 lbs 15 oz.

Is big enough for clothes and is being swaddled.

Has nuzzled with Abby twice and has been doing great.

Finished the second round of the DART Protocol.

Regulating his own temperature and could be moved to the open crib soon. He needs to continue to gain weight for five days in a row and reach 1700 grams.

Moved out of the NICU and into intermediate care.

Has been on 21% oxygen on Bubble CPAP (which is room air) several times this week.

Is doing very well with his pacifier!

Praises and Prayer Requests

Praise for Max's successful eye procedure.

Prayers that the medicine continues to work and his eye's blood vessel development.

Prayers for lung development

Prayers against infection for all 3

Prayers for growth for all 3

Praise for Maggie and Miller moving into intermediate care.

Prayers that Max soon joins them

Prayers against anxiety and fear for Abby and Ryan

Thank you for continuing with us on this journey! Even though our journey has been hard and painful we praise the Giver of Life, Jesus for all He has done and all He will do through the Mighty Three. We love you Lord and we lift our voice to worship you!

I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising him. I will praise him for what he has done; may all who are oppressed listen and be glad! Proclaim with me the Lord's greatness; let us praise his name together!

Psalm 34:1-3

-Ryan and Abby