Happy 3 weeks baby girls!!!

Well, the girls are now 3 weeks old as of yesterday! (Also 31 weeks gestation!) Nurses say around 33 weeks they start watching for signs from the baby that she is ready to really feed so we are anxious for that time to come. We've had several positive days and of course a few curve balls thrown in here and there.

We arrived at the hospital yesterday morning to find out that feisty little Allie decided she didn't want her ventilator in anymore. She pulled it out! So the doctor decided it was time (again) to see if she could do it on her own. She looked so comfortable while we were there. Unfortunately by late yesterday afternoon we received a call from the hospital (which are never good calls) that they had to put her back on the vent. This is the 2nd time in a week that it was removed and put back in. Today they suctioned 4 ml of blood from her tummy which is probably from some bleeding (she swallowed) when the tube was put back in yesterday but they are watching her closely to make sure the bleeding isn't coming from anywhere else or being caused by anything else. Pray that isn't the case.

We are praising God that the 2nd dose of medicine on Olivia made her PDA smaller! So they are saying it went from "moderate" to "small". Allie's is also small and didn't require any treatment. So, for now, they are thrilled with how she responded to the medicine and are going to see if it will close on its own. (For now, NO SURGERY!!!) She also finished her antibiotic (for the staph infection) yesterday. They have started her back on breast milk and caffeine. If I haven't mentioned the caffeine before...each girl gets a dose every morning. It stimulates a part of their brain that helps remind them to breath. They will get this until closer to coming home. (Why did I avoid Starbucks while I was pregnant? ha ha) They also started Olivia on a steroid yesterday in hopes of pulling her vent later this week. Nick was visiting over lunch today and the nurse said they were pulling the vent TODAY! Nick went to give Olivia a pep talk about it being her "big day" when she decided to drop her heart rate significantly. SO...now they are waiting again and not pulling the vent today. SEE WHAT WE MEAN? THINGS CHANGE MOMENT BY MOMENT. It's exhausting.

Norah is doing fantastic on her nasal cannula. Her nurse put her feeding tube in her nose yesterday so you can almost see her whole beautiful little face. Other than some bradys...she is really doing well. Not gaining as much weight as her sisters but she's really strong and doing well. (If you recall they tested her for an infection early last week but that did come back negative...thank goodness.)

Their weights are all between 2 lbs 14 oz and 3 lbs 9 oz.

Other prayer requests: My uncle did have surgery on Thurs. and his upper left lobe of his lung was removed. Please continue to pray for him, his wife and two daughters. This is a stressful time for all of them and our family. He has a long recovery ahead. Also pray for my Grandma Jean and Grandpa Jack. Grandma is still hospitalized down here and we aren't sure what the hold up is in getting her moved closer to home and settled in the nursing home. Grandpa needs her closer. I started on antibiotics yesterday for the beginning of mastitis, which is super painful. Finally, Ryan has a little bug. He threw up early Sat. morning and then again today. I hope he gets over this quickly (if it is the flu). I certainly don't want to take any "bugs" up to the hospital around the girls. They are too weak to handle outside germs and infections.

We appreciate all of your continued prayers! ~ Stacie