Update: Warning...it's a long one!

Many of you have been asking about Katie, my dear friend I met last weekend, delivered twin girls at 28 weeks. I did talk with her yesterday and she told me the doctors categorized Libby's brain bleed as a class 4 (which is really bad). Dr. Strange told her things just didn't look good. I am not sure of the status as of this afternoon. I will say that when I was washing up at the sink, I did not see Libby in her issolette. I don't know if she was out for more scans or if she is no longer with us. I am hoping to see Katie tomorrow. I don't know much about her, other than she tried really hard to have her babies, she prematurely went into to labor totally unexpected, she was so scared and worried the first time I met her walking in the NICU to see her 2 pound twin girls, she is like the rest of us in that she wants to protect and care for her babies. Please keep her and her girls, Libby and Maggie, in your daily prayers. I know she needs them right now. I will hopefully talk to her tomorrow and update you all then.

Pate boys are doing very well. Brain scans for both boys came back CLEAR and NORMAL! Praise be to God... Thank you God for the blessing of clear brain scans. I will be honest, it is hard to hold the hand of a friend whose daughter has been diagnosed with a class 4 brain bleed while both of your boys are having their brains scanned as well. I did say my prayers for their scans yesterday and then today, just had a peace that they would be okay. I am so grateful that our miracle boys haven't really had anything aside from the "normal" preemie concerns. Thank you to all of you who remembered our boys yesterday in your prayers.

Both boys are on 21% oxygen and could possibly come off the oxygen in a day or so if they continue to do well at 21%. Please continue to pray that God strengthen them more and more each day. Doctors have stopped the caffeine and are considering increasing James' PO feeds (which means bottle or breast feeds). They are both taking 30cc (one ounce). From what the nurse told me today, they are doing really well, just need to get stronger. She says "no news, is good news in a NICU" SO we take status quo as being a great report and continue to pray for growing babies!

My mom came for a visit yesterday and was able to hold the boys for a bit. Great moment for her. She says that she just can't get enough of them because they are so sweet. Aunt Jill also came today to visit and was able to watch both boys feed. She was amazed!

I am feeling stronger every single day. I actually went to the YMCA today and walked a mile (and I didn't even pass out!) My wonderful husband took the girls to school yesterday morning so I could go back to bed and sleep in. It is amazing how much better I feel when I can go back to sleep at 6:30am and wake up at 9:00am. I am hoping to have the milk production regulated a little bit better so I won't have to stay up until 11:00 to pump and then get back up at 3:00 to pump and then back up at 6:00am to pump and get kiddos ready for school. I am thankful for the over production of milk but if I had a switch to turn it off at night, I would switch it to OFF! The lactation nurse told me today some tips on how to "reduce" my milk production. How insane is that...usually women are asking for tips on how to "increase" milk production. I am trying to reduce mine. Go figure...what is the old saying, "grass is greener on the other side" Just for laughs, I pump around 10 ounces each time I pump (6am, 9am, 12pm, 4pm, 9pm, 12am) so 60 ounces a day times 30 days of pumping calcuates to approximately 1800 ounces of milk. I have the milk dispersed into 2.5 ounce bottles downstairs in our deep freezer. That is about 14 gallons worth of frozen milk!!! My dad is calling me "Jersey" for those of you who can figure that one out!

SO I will end this update with a thank you. There are so many of you who send me messages, comments, e-mails, letters, cards, baby clothes, food, etc. and I just want you to know that it means so much to me. I save every single one of the messages you send me and will put them in the boys' storybooks one day. My heart is so grateful for the kindness and generosity so many of you have shown to me. I consider all the wonderful things you do to be God's way of using you to bless me, lessen my burdens during this stressful time, and simply be a light for Christ. I see HIM in all of the little things you guys do for me and my family. You may not think a simple meal, card, phone call, or e-mail means all that much, but it means a great deal to me and my family. We cherish each of you for helping us in so many ways. Please continue to pass the word to all teachers, coaches, office staff, in your schools, that I am in search of sick days. Thank you so much to those of you who have donated days to me, I am truly grateful and thank you so much.

Ellie's teacher, Ms.Lori, told me Monday that a teacher in the hallway asked Ellie if she had seen her brothers yet, and Ellie responded, "Yes, I sawed them and they are still in their cages!" I just love the innocence of a three year old!

James was totally passed out today during his feeding time.


My mom laughing at John David yawning really big after his mid-morning nap.


Happy 62nd birthday Dad! We love you and are so thankful for you.
Happy 32nd birthday Aimee! I hope you get to have some birthday cake today!
Thank you Janet for the adorable outfits you sent home with Rob yesterday.
Donna Gove, you are crazy, and yes, we would love to have Eryn come over Friday night and keep the girls. What a blessing your meal was and the girls loved their toys.
Westwood ladies, I am not sure exactly who specifically you are, but the preemie clothes you sent are so precious. I thank you so much. Your generosity is a blessing to our family.
All of my sweet friends putting together the baby tea next weekend deserve a HUGE hug and thank you for making this time so special for me. I am really looking forward to it.
Rob, I am sorry you were sick last night, I thank you for helping me so much. I am so in love with you and have an entire new level of appreciation for you after what we have been through.
Jamie, the clothes you sent for the boys are going to be perfect for them. Thank you so much for your kindness in helping us out.
Nicole, the clothes are perfect and precious. Thank you for thinking of our boys.