I took a day off on the details yesterday so today I have a little more info for you all. Abi is feeling much better and was down to see the girls 3 times on Saturday. She was still uncomfortable but is slowly on the mend. Saturday night I took part in the care of the girls: I was able to change their diapers, take their temperatures, feed them, and help weigh them which meant I held them again.(Abi is jealous)
Sunday Abi continued to feel better but we both took it a little bit easier and requested less visitors for the day. When I went down to say good morning to Adalyn and Emma I was greeted with good news: Adalyn is off the CPAP and breathing completely on her own! Also, Emma was moved down from 40% oxygen to 21%!(room air) Emma's PICC line also went in flawlessly and she is doing great. Both girls have been receiving 2ml of breast milk every 3 hours since Saturday afternoon and so far are digesting well.(including cute little poops) Both of their Billiruben levels were good so for right now they no longer need to be under the phototherapy lights.(They most likely will need to be put back under the lights for a short time again.) Sunday night I helped again with Adalyn's care.(I still cannot get over how awesome it is to help out and hold them!) Abi was feeling better after a little rest and joined me as I was finishing up. We hung out with Adalyn and Emma for a while and said a prayer with both girls. As I was checking Abi and I out of the NICU the docs decided to pull Emma off of CPAP so we hung around for awhile longer and she was doing well as Abi and I went back to the room with tears of joy in our eyes from all of GOD'S blessings.
Monday: Going Home
This morning when I went down to see the girls they were both doing great! Adalyn is still breathing on her own and so is Emma!!!! Emma still is having just a little more trouble breathing than Adalyn so she is on 40% oxygen the same way you or I would be if we were at the hospital and needed a little help.(No CPAP for either of the girls so far.) We are so proud of both girls and cannot give GOD enough thanks for their progress so far. Abi had a few more visits today to the NICU than she has so far and was able to take part in the care of both girls, she is as happy as a clam.(temp, feeding, diapers, and weighing) Adalyn and Emma both had their heart echos and brain ultrasounds today but we will not here the official report until Tuesday.
So, the doctors let Abi make the decision if she was going home today or tomorrow and she is feeling so good she decided to go home tonight. This meant I was in the middle of a whirlwind of clothes, food, magazines, and pink as I scrambled to pack everything up so we would be ready to go home after our evening visit with Adalyn and Emma. I worked so hard I decided to take a short nap from 4:00pm to 6:30pm. This set us back a little but we still had an enjoyable evening with our beautiful daughters. We are now home and less emotional than I would have thought for or first night "away" from the girls, we know that they are in great care with the nurses and that GOD is holding them in HIS hands. Abi is doing awesome with the breast pumping and she is producing plenty for the girls so far. I cannot believe what a strong, caring, wonderful woman Abi is.
Again, thank you to everyone for their continued support and prayers. GOD has blessed us with great families, friends, and neighbors. Most of all: thank you to all of your children who are praying for "the twinners", I really believe these are the prayers that GOD pays the most attention to.
After a huge poop, Adalyn only had enough energy to open one eye!
How wonderful that Abi got to go home....now she needs to rest and try not to overdue....hmmm Abi....and also wonderful news about the twinners...this is so amazing and the wonder of Prayer is seen in them....y ea.....take care all of you....love ya, char and her "girls"
ReplyDeletetears of thankfulness are streaming down my cheeks!! i'm so thankful for abi being well enough to come home and that she is producing milk for the girls aready:) such good news! and we're all seeing miracles everyday with the twinner's awesome progress!! thanks so much for the details dave!! the video is precious!!dave, you have a big job on your hands keeping abi from overdoing!! abi-put your nurse hat back on and remember what you tell our mom's:) take care, let us know when you want a meal or a house cleaning or ANYTHING !! if you need a ride to GR next week, just ask:) is there a place for you to rest there if someone brings you in the afternoon and dave joins you at night? put the word out if you ever need a ride. so thankful for all the good news day after day:) we'll continue with lots of prayers! love, mary and harry
ReplyDeletePraise God for all his blessings given to you this past week. What joy in reading your last post has filled my heart for all of you. Amazing!!! Abi and Dave, now that you can be home, get some well deserved rest. We are so thankful with the girls progess and will continue to pray for strength for their little bodies and good reports on the ultra sounds. Love the pictures and the vido clip... Love from South Dakota.....Janice Hettinger
ReplyDeleteI am very happy to read the great report! Lola remembers to pray for them 1st thing every night even when I forget to. Which is good because like you said I really think they count for more because kids have a tremendously strong faith.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful news ... everyday it is such a joy to hear how the three gals are doing better and that you, Dave, can be having so much fun with Adalyn and Emma! I'm sure your bed felt like heaven to Abi last night! You both deserved a little peace in your own home. I would love to make you "traveling" dinners that you can take to the hospital with you so you can spend all your times with your girls!
ReplyDeleteStaying away as I have the sniffles (sinus) and except for your immediate family, we should respect your privacy. Don't think we don't want to run up there, because we do, but we won't until we are invited :)
I'm in GR everyday, so take me up on food delivery whenever you need it!
Hugs, Love and Prayers!
Dan, Judy, Nate and Ben
Abi,
ReplyDeleteThe pictures and video of the girls is so beautiful. God is so good and although there are challenges before you still, we can rest in His goodness and care. We always say that He has the whole world in His Hands but these girls are only a beautiful small handful that we know He can handle.
Try to rest!! You will need your strength for all the Love that He has given you as their Mom and His earthly representative to those precious children of His.
With my daughter now grown, I have finally come to realize how true it is that our children are only on loan to us and alway are His children first. He is the best parent possible and will support and love you as their Mom and Dave as their Dad while you raise them for His worship and service.
I cannot tell you what a positive witness you have both been during this time of waiting and bringing these lovely souls into the world.
Praying Daily ( and hourly)
Sheila,
HPA Ohio
I had to call my mom yesterday and check up on how the girls were doing because there wasn't a post. I am so excited to see how well they are doing and their beautiful pictures. Thank goodness Abi is doing well and ablt to go home. We are continuing to pray for your family and the continued strenth for both Abi and the girls.
ReplyDeletelove
karley and weston
Dave and Abi- Just wanted to let you know that my middle girl (Lauren) reminds us everynight that we need to pray for your girls. She holds her hand up and reminds us that they are so small that they can fit in one of our palms. She also asked when they would be at church! Children are truly God's angels on earth. We are praying for you daily and rejoicing with you on the progess the girls are making. God is good!
ReplyDeleteJulie Grotenhuis