Saturday, June 26

We are starting the rooming-in process with Andrew. We're required to room-in and take care of Andrew's feeds, medicine, diapers, and respiratory treatments. They want to make sure we know what we're doing before taking him home. Tara roomed-in for 24 hours from Thursday to Friday, and Kevin is rooming in today until tomorrow, hence the down time to write the blog. Tara did a great job during her stay, but just before she started, Andrew decided to pull his g-tube (feeding tube) out of his stomach. Luckily, the staff was around the bed when he did. There was some blood, but they got him cleaned up and put a catheter in for feeds. The inside of the g-tube was deteriorating, so it was a good thing that it came out. They put in a mickey button the next day. This is similar ot what you blow a beach ball up with. It sits flush against his skin and there's a flap you lift to insert a feeding tube. It's much easier than a g-tube. Andrew is still on target for July 6. We're not saying that he's going home; we just say that he's going fishing. We hear that some babies will slow the process down if you say "home". Andrew is still spitting up on occasion. Today, he projectile vomited, so we're a little concerned. We don't want him aspirating.

Adelaide and Mattie are doing really well. They had their 6 month checkup, and the doctor said they were thriving. Adelaide is 13lbs. and in the 80 percentile for her age. Mattie is 11.5lbs. and has increased into the 20 percentile. Both of them smile and coo. Adelaide does a lot of baby talking and loves to study our faces and smile while she's eating. It's hard not to laugh and smile back at her. We try to stay straight face, so she can concentrate. This is really a fun time with all three because of how they interact with us.

We picked a home healthcare agency for Andrew. We're really excited because two of his nurses from the Grapevine NICU are with this agency and are already assigned to him. We really liked their work ethic and attention to detail, so we know it's going to be a great fit. We're still in the process of getting his room ready. We still have things to store away and move, and of course, we still have to paint. Some friends are coming this next Saturday to help paint. We are so blessed.

Praise
Andrew getting a mickey button.
Finding a healthcare agency.
The girls are thriving.
A week and a half until Andrew's fishing trip.

Prayer
Strength and endurance for Kevin and Tara as we prepare for Andrew's arrival. There's still a lot to do and little time.
Healing of the infection around Andrew's mickey button.
Weight gain and strength for Andrew.
Mattie would wean off her oxygen.