December 27

We talked last night and decided to go to church this morning. When we arrived, Kevin asked Tara if she needed some Kleenex before we went into the service. Kevin couldn't find any, so we went in without. A big mistake. We both needed it. As soon as the first song started we began to cry. It was a cry of gratitude for what God has done for us. It seemed the songs we sang to worship God had more meaning and the words in the songs fit perfectly with our situation. One song talked about being knit in the womb and being known by God before birth. It is reassuring to know God knew those babies before they were known to us.

We had the chance to talk to friends at church and give them updates on the babies. Our Executive Pastor stopped to tell us the ministry staff prayed for us that morning. It is so cool to go to a church that is faithful in prayer. We were also blessed with food from friends, who went home to raid their fridge. We did get in a solid one hour nap after lunch. Tara said that Kevin was snoring very deeply. Well, maybe Tara didn't get in such a solid nap.

Today was much better at the NICU. Kevin's parents met us up there. Andrew was responding very well to a new ventilator. After his episodes yesterday, the staff changed him to an oscillator. He's been doing very well on it. He seemed very calm while we were there. The nurse from the night shift and the day shift nurse both said that they could not detect a murmur by listening. A great sign. Hopefully, the valve is closing. He was off of photo therapy for a little while, but was back on by the end of the day.

Adelaide is now 1lb 14oz.! The nurse told us that she's the most stable of the three. Her lungs came back clear from an x-ray. She continues to stretch her long legs straight up in the air. The nurses try to tuck her legs in, but she finds away in a few minutes to stretch them high in the air. No murmur is present while listening, so Adelaide will have an echo cardio gram tomorrow morning to check her valve.

Mattie is back on mom's milk and is doing well. Tara got to change her diaper, check her temp, and hold the syringe to feed her. The nurses are starting to hear the return of a murmur. They will continue to monitor her and see if it continues. There may be a need to have another round of meds. Mattie seems to be pretty feisty like her brother. She gives the nurses a hard time when they're doing their exams. She likes to push back with her legs, get her hands in the way, and then get her blood oxygen levels down. The techs have to give her more oxygen until she calms down.

We took a break and had a great BBQ dinner with a friend from church. We are humbled by so many friends and family wanting to help. I hope everyone knows that we are grateful for every meal, note, text, phone call, act of service, kind word, encouragement, and willingness to do anything. We couldn't do this without all of our friends and family. Thank you!

Praise
No murmur present on Andrew's clinical exam.
Andrew's response to the oscillator.
All three had good blood gases in the evening and were weened a little off the machines.
Mattie back on mom's milk.
Adelaide's murmur not present during clinical exam.
Food from friends.
Afternoon naps.
A Cowboys' Win1

Prayer
Adelaide's echo would come back with a closed valve.
Andrew would continue to have no murmur.
Andrew would continue to respond to the new ventilator.
Mattie's murmur would go away.
The babies would continue to grow and gain weight.
X-rays would show clear lungs.