Good News!

So both boys are off their oxygen, off the OG tubes (feeding tubes down their throat), and taking 35-45 cc of breast milk from bottle or breast every three hours! I breastfed them both today twice and they did AWESOME. James was actually a bit feisty tonight. Rooting around, fussing, making fists and tyring to suck his fingers while in transition from his bed to my lap. Really cute stuff by the way, to watch him "wake up" and show some personality. John David on the other hand looked like a lazy, fat hound dog. Chunky cheeks hanging over his jaw line,yawning and squirming just a little bit in transition from his bed to my lap. I think the nurses switched them...hahaha! James is gaining about an ounce a day and is up to 3 pounds 14 ounces. John is gaining around them same per day and is up to 4 pounds 4 ounces. YEA!!! They are chunking up and doing it quickly. Lactation nurse told me to keep up whatever I was doing, my milk was good stuff! No worries there. SO thankful for that blessing as well.

I am so proud of them. Dr. Strange told me today that the boys were ahead in every aspect for their gestational age; feeding, weight and breathing. She said they were doing amazingly well and she was really happy about their progress. This is were we thank God and praise HIM for all the blessings HE has poured out for them. I told her I contributed their success to answered prayers. SHE AGREED WITH ME! Seriously, how many doctors give credit to "GOD" for amazing works in medicine. We sit in awe this morning. Tears fill my eyes when I think of how far these little miracles have come in just 5 weeks. From respirators, picc lines, IV's, caffeine, dopamine, opened PDA valves in their hearts, hyperale (sp?), lipids, CPAP machines and oxygen requirements to brestmilk only! Purely AMAZING!

Discussion of COMING HOME came up last night. Nurse Heather told me the doctors would be talking with us Monday, but she said generally when babies are at this point, they go to a crib and if they can maintain for 3 days (no feeding or breathing problems) and they can pass their car seat test (no breathing struggles for 1 hour in their car seat), they can GO HOME!

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I can't imagine bringing them home. I have heard not to get too excited because sometime you get really close and then they have a set back...two steps forward four back. But I can't help but get excited about how well they are doing. I am super thankful my loving and supportive family and friends are giving me a baby shower this weekend, because we may have babies at our house in a week or two.

Please keep the prayers coming. Thank HIM first for all HE has done and ask HIM to continue the great works in our sons.

Dana