A Week Full of Blessings

Britian

I'd first like to apologize for not updating or posting pictures last week. I inadvertently left my camera cable at home last weekend so I wasn't able to transfer any new pictures to my computer. Updates are boring without new pictures so I waited to post an update until I could share new shots of the girls with you.

It was a week full of amazing blessings and answered prayers. Both girls are growing incredibly well and graduated to the next pound level last weekend (4lbs for Brit and 3lbs for Jillian). We were also able to wean both girls on their high flow settings without setbacks or changes to their oxygen requirements. Because their high flow settings were able to come down so low last week the girls and I were able to start nursing. Thursday was Britian's first day at once per day. Friday she did so well that she only needed half of her normal feeding volume for that feeding time. Jillian was given the green light to nurse late Friday but today (Sunday) was the first day we were able to try because I go home for the weekends to be with my husband and older children. I am happy to announce that Jillian did amazing today for her first attempt and only needed half of her normal feeding volume. Britian has also been given the go ahead to nurse 3 times a day, once every 8 hours, if she is awake and interested. Nursing in the NICU is very much "baby led". The girls are in the drivers seat with their nursing sessions. The more eager they seem the more they will be allowed to do it. Not only am I thrilled to finally be nursing my precious miracles but I am relieved that they are tolerating the effort it takes to nurse so well. There is no gagging, desaturation of their oxygen, or other negative signs which can often times occur in babies so young and so small. Britian was intubated for over 6 weeks and prolonged intubation can lead to oral aversion but thus far Britian is showing no signs of her intubation experience affecting her at all orally.

Britian's first tub bath

Current weight for the girls is: Britian 4lb 10oz and Jillian 3lb 13oz so they are both very close to yet another pound level graduation.

I worked very hard last week advocating for the girls and their medications. I just knew in my heart that the medical staff here was giving them more things than they really needed. So last week Britian's antibiotic (for her previously suspected kidney issues) was discontinued as well as her sodium chloride (salt). So as of now the girls are only receiving addition iron. The iron is to prevent anemia. If we were at another NICU they probably wouldn't be getting the iron but here they are very "pro-vitamins and minerals". Even full-term babies are sent home with an oral multi vitamin. (I'll keep my opinion on this matter to myself but just know I don't agree with it)

Lastly and most importantly, this past Saturday I received news that took my breathe away and left me speechless. Saturday during my normal call for an update I received word that both girls were healthy enough and doing so well that they were ready to be transferred to the lowest level acuity area of the NICU in preparation for discharge. Last Wednesday was the 8 week mark for this journey. I have been expecting a 4 month stay since the very beginning, which would give us another 8 weeks atleast. However, based on what I know about this NICU I am pretty confident that barring no setbacks the girls will not be in this low level room for another 8 weeks. Might we possibly be home around my original due date in a little less than 5 weeks? No telling yet but sometime in May for a discharge date is looking more and more likely everyday. I still can not believe that my girls are out of bay 2 already. Brit was only there for 2 weeks. We serve an amazing and awesome Creator! Day after day He hears our prayers and is answering them time and time again. Just a few short weeks ago I was praying for the girls to graduate out of the highest acuity level NICU area now here we are not knocking on the door of discharge. It just doesn't sound real to me. Are my girls both really doing that well? I am thrilled, shocked, and overwhelmed all at the same time.

Mommy and Jillian

Thank you everyone for your prayers. God is answering our prayers for these 2 precious miracles!

First tub bath for Jillian

Jillian practicing for nursing (suck on finger and milk in syringe)