The Babies Are Here!

Brock Andrew and Braden Michael could not decide which one them would come out first, so they agreed to be born in the same minute. The brothers made their debut on Tuesday night, January 6, 2009 at 9:11.  Brock weighed in at 5 lbs 1 oz and Braden weighed in at 4 lbs 12 oz.  Their pediatrician was able to be in the OR for their delivery and he sent them both to the regular nursery based on their high scores on the APGAR.  Braden did remarkably well in the nursery and has been there since, but Brock was having some trouble breathing and went to the NICU at around 1 am. He has been there since.  Brock had a chest xray and had what is called a "wet" xray, which tells us he had some amniotic fluid in his lungs.  They started him on IV antibiotics (NICU protocol) which will last at least 48 hours.  We find out this morning if he is ready to stop taking this medication. He is in an isolette and breathing room air which is very good news. He is not feeding as well as they would like and will probably have his feeding tube placed back in sometime this morning so he can get the fluids and calories he needs. He will be in NICU until he can eat 30 cc (1 oz) in 30 minutes for eight consecutive feedings (one entire day) and has been in an open crib for 24 hours while maintaining a consistent 98 degrees.  He will probably be in NICU for a little while. No one will say how long, but I think at least a week or two.  

Braden is doing extremely well in newborn nursery.  He is taking almost full feedings (25cc or more of his 30 cc) every three hours. He is keeping most of it down, too.  We do have to be very aggressive while feeding him because he did not develop the sucking skill in utero.  Now that I have learned how to feed a premie, his feedings with me are going much better.  He was under the warmer most of Wednesday to keep his temp regular, but his doc had him in open crib yesterday to see if he could maintain 98 degrees and I am very happy to report that he did not go back under the warmer one time.  He is doing very, very well.

I am doing as good as can be expected after major surgery, two babies, and the NICU. My doc is letting me stay until tomorrow since the boys are still here, but I could go today if I wanted to. We ask for your prayers for both our boys to come home just as soon as they are ready to leave the hospital.  It has been very hard to not see them together yet. I know they are right where they both need to be and that is where I want them to stay until they are ready.  It makes me sad to think they don't know where their brother is.  This must all be very strange for them. God is watching over them and He will keep them safe and comforted when I can't.