John David Pate-3years old

James Daniel Pate-3years old

Sunday, January 18, 2009

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

5 comments:

SouthernDogwoods said...

Hey Dana!!! How exciting! What wonderful news all around. I will spare you the long drawn out story of our girls and the carseat test but what a joy to bring home your babies - I tell you, I think that was my happiest day ever! I know your babies will be home soon!

I met Elizabeth through your blog actually. I can not remember who found who but she is such a sweet lady with such sweet comments. That is the great & wonderful thing about blogs - you can meet some of the nicest people!!!

Dana, I will definitely keep you all in our prayers as you go forward in the next coming days with all the tasks they have to complete before they can come home. Oh, and Dana - you definitely have more energy than me - you have 3 girls at home and 2 boys in NICU. I just had 2 girls in NICU and I was worn out every day. I don't see how you do it. I wish I had your energy!!!

Katy said...

Hey Milk Maid!
What wonderful news! These boys are little over-achievers just like their Mommy. I can't believe they are right at 4 pounds each--little chunkers. :) I think it's just amazing how well they have done. No setbacks! I have faith that they will be home with y'all SOON. Love you guys!

roy/elisabeth dean said...

OH-MY-GOODNESS!!! I might get to hold them soon???!!!
We are so excited for you all! You have become such a topic of conversation around Belk (y'all are all sort of celebrities there). If you ever venture into any Belk store, you'll likely be recognized!
I'll see you next week!

Tricia said...

So glad to hear the good news! I will pray for no setbacks!

Just FYI, preemies need the carseats that have the adjustments for smaller babies, we had bought Graco and they would not work so we have to buy the evenflo seats from the hospital so they could pass the car seat tests... so we ended up with 4 car seats, they did eventually move up to the Graco seats which worked with the stroller. You may want to check to make sure yours are good for preemies...

Thanks for your prayers for me, I am recovering well from surgery, just still get tired a lot sooner...

Blessings!

Brooke said...

How exciting! That is so great that they are both doing so well eating... we're about to embark on the PO feedings with John. Hopefully he'll do well! I can't imagine the feeling when we'll be able to bring ours home! That is amazing! God is SO GOOD! We'll keep the prayers coming...