Day 38!!!

The boys are doing really well!  They have made a lot of progress over the past few days, especially in their respiratory development from being on "High Flow" and not the C-PAP machines any more!!!  Nicholas has seemed to handle it a little better than Joesph, but that doesn't surprise us since Nicholas really didn't have any trouble from day one of being on the C-PAP and Joseph had to go back on the ventilator.  The doctors and nurses though are very pleased with both boys, and continue to have positives  prognoses for both boys! 

Nicholas is on room air!!! He made it to the 21% level last night, so we of course are hoping that he can remain at this level for at least today, but hopefully longer!  The nurse said he was holding his oxygen levels constant and didn't have much drifting!  We were extremely happy to hear this, because this means he's basically breathing on his own with no assistance!!!  Nicholas put on some ounces last night as well and is now weighing in at 3lb 3oz!!!  The doctor was concerned the past two nights because he was losing a few grams, so yesterday they increased his caloric intake and sure enough last nights weigh in was great!!!

Joseph has been handling the "High Flow" better than we expected, but he hasn't been able to get below 28% on his oxygen assistance yet.  The nurse said he was drifting a little too much when it was down to that level so he has been in the 30's on his assistance, and will probably hang out there for a while until he can really show signs of stability.  The doctor isn't concerned about this though, so as long as their happy, then so are we!!!  Joseph also continues to gain weight nicely, he now weighs 3lb 10oz!!!

Today marks what would have been 32 weeks in the gestational period for the boys!  Even though they were born on August 11th the doctors and nurses are still treating them based on their gestational period.  32 weeks was our primary target date to hit, but obviously God had other plans, and thankfully we have both boys with us today!!!  A physical therapist will be seeing the boys beginning today, they look for head development and make sure that they are not getting too much time on one side v. the other.  The physical therapist will also help the boys to avoid developing torticollis, which is basically a cramping in the neck muscles that can develop with the babies being in certain head positions.  We actually experienced mild torticollis with Vince, and we are well aware of how to treat it.  Infants with torticollis will tilt their head to one side and not the other, prefer to breastfeed from only one side so their neck is comfortable, and will be unable to turn their heads to follow you in some cases.  We didn't enjoy having to do stretches with Vince, because they seemed so painful for him, but he is fine now, so if the boys develop any signs of torticollis we know the physical therapy will help them "straighten out!""

Nicholas getting really mad at me for waking him up!!!

Joseph actually seemed to enjoy me holding him!!!

UPDATE 9/17/2013 8:15 PM:  Kalleigh and I both enjoyed visiting the boys today!  Kalleigh got to go this afternoon while Vince was in school, and I stopped by after work to make sure everything was okay!  Both Nicholas and Joseph are doing great, and are continuing to improve, but both boys were put on a medication called Epogen for anemia.  Again anemia is perfectly normal in preemies, but instead of doing another blood transfusion to increase their red blood cell counts, the doctor ordered 3 doses of Epogen which stimulates red blood cell growth.  The nurse explained to us that they don't want to do a transfusion and give the bone marrow a "rest" from developing the red blood cells, so they are going to try the Epogen every other day for three doses.  The medication is administered through a shot in the boys thighs.  Their blood numbers weren't bad, but the doctors hope that this round of treatment will bring them up and allow the bone marrow to keep producing the red blood cells so that they will be free of any anemia moving forward. 

Nicholas continues to breathe room air, and his assisted air flow was reduced from 5l per minute down to 4.5l per minute.  He has been tolerating this decrease wonderfully though and we hope they can decrease the pressure tomorrow as well!  Nicholas wasn't weighed yet today but his feeds were increased to 9ml every hour which is really good and were hoping for another double digit gain tonight!

Joseph is also doing great on his "High Flow" and his oxygen assistance remains around 35%.  His pressure was decreased as well form 5l per minute down to 4.5l per minute just as Nicholas, and his is handling the change well!  Joseph wasn't weighed yet either but he looks like he's a 4lb baby to me!!! I'm sure he's not there yet, but he looks so full in his face compared to just a week ago!!!

We're so happy both boys are doing well, and continue to be blessed by the love and support from all of you!  The push ups are down right hard now 38 (76) so hopefully these boys continue to progress and get out of the hospital earlier than expected!!!  No rush though, we want to make sure they are strong and ready to come home!!! 

Nicholas resting comfortably!!!  Goodnight buddy!!!

Joseph knocked out!!!  Goodnight little man!!!