35 Weeks: 76 Days of Life
This week has felt LONG! Ryan and I did get to sneak away for a night in Atlanta thanks to a generous gift. We loved our time away to reflect and relax away from the hospital before Ryan starts back to work, but we did miss the babies. I don't think I have laughed that much in a really long time. It's good to be known and loved.
This week has been filled with a different type of worry and anxiety. It has switched from will they be here tomorrow to will they ever be able to come home?! We are amazed by the progress they have made! The doctors remind us daily what miracles they are and how we should be happy with where they are in their progress. Don't get us wrong, we are blown away daily by their progress but also find ourselves getting caught up in the "when". There is still no "end in sight" meaning, we still haven't met the milestones we need to get home but we are seeing our timeline shorten by every ounce they gain and every time they go down on their oxygen settings.
As you saw this week with Maggie, the journey is unpredictable and no one can tell us the turns up ahead. Will it be five more weeks, their due date, or 11 more weeks until we are home?
Ryan's mom, my sister, mom, and dad all got to hold at least one of the Mighty Three this week for the first time. Watching the ones we love the most love on our sweet babies has brought tears to our eyes. Over an 11 week period, they never asked when it was going to be their turn to hold, they waited patiently until the babies were ready.
Left: Katie holding Miller Right: Abby's mom and dad with Miller. I mean look at my dad's face :)
Above: Ryan's mom holding Miller
Our good friends Meri Kate and Chris Boynton also set up a donation site for people to give. We are sharing this because so many of you have asked what you can do for us! Prayer is the MOST important thing you could give us right now. But if you feel led to help with medical expense we would love for you to join our journey in a new way. You can give by clicking the link below.
Now for why you are reading :) I also took a picture of their diaper progressions next to my hand so you can see how far we have come in weight gain.
In order from left to right: nano preemie (1st diaper), micro preemie (2nd diaper), preemie (current diaper)
Maggie
Maggie started out the week on High Flow nasal cannula! However mid week she started to have extreme apnea episodes (heart rate drops and she stops breathing) that led her back to the ICU and on NIV for respiratory support. The doctors ran infection cultures and all came back negative. HUGE praise! She was given a blood transfusion to see if that would help. The number of her apnea episodes has decreased but she is still having them. They will keep her in the ICU until they feel they have her episodes under control. Despite being sick she did hit the 4lb club! The extra calories are working! Because of her weight gain, she has maintained her own body temperature three days in a row now! When she gains weight five days in a row she can get in an open crib! She also got to wear her first outfit! We are super proud of our little pearl and can't wait to see her back outside with her brothers rocking the High Flow again soon!
Above: Abby's mom holding Maggie for the first time
Above: Maggie's first outfit
Above: Maggie Gail hits 4lbs!
Max
Max had a great week! He got moved into intermediate care! WAHOO! I didn't know if this baby was ever going to get off the vent and now he is rocking Bubble CPAP and taking breaths on his own! He has truly been a rock star this week. Max has struggled with the weight gain so the doctors added 4 more calories a day to his feeds. He currently weighs 3lb 12oz. (Max this is the only time where it is ok to weigh less than your sister ;) ). He is working on keeping his own body temperature but is burning so many calories he is having a hard time keeping weight on. He also started his second round of DART protocol for lung development. A cool God story...When Ryan and I left for Atlanta on Sunday he was on the NIV needing 70% oxygen. On Monday morning Max's nurse sent us a picture of Max on 30% oxygen. We couldn't believe it! This is UNHEARD of in one day! Max has kept his oxygen that low all week and moved down in support to top it off. When we asked the nurse how and why, she said there is only one explanation, God. Our God shows off! He is MIGHTY TO SAVE!
Above: Max all clean after a bath
Above: Katie (Abby's sister) holding Max for the first time!
Above: Max after his diaper change
Miller
Miller was our steady baby this week. I'm learning no change is a good thing! He is killing it in the weight gain! He hit the 4lb club in the beginning of the week and now weighs 4lbs 8oz! Crazy. He also kept his own body temperature more than five days in a row so he is now in an open crib! Celebrate people! He has reached one milestone to come home. Open crib. Check! He is still going strong on the Bubble CPAP around 30% oxygen. Out of all three, he loves to nuzzle with mom. We can't work on feeding just yet but he does like to try. He also has a double chin that is adorable :)
Above: Abby's dad holding Miller for the first time
Above: Miller joining the 4lb club!
Above: Miller in his first crib.
Prayer Request
"Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you." - Jeremiah 29:12
Pray for Ryan as he starts back work tomorrow :(. He will also be working two nights a week to help with extra money since I am not returning to work.
Pray for me as Ryan starts back to work that I will encourage him and support him. Also that I will not feel alone.
Pray for Maggie's apnea episodes
Pray for Max's weight gain
Pray for Miller's continued progress
Pray for all three's oxygen needs and lung development
Pray for Max's brain bleed
Pray for all three of their eyes
Thank you Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We love you!
-Ryan and Abby