New Additions

As many of you already know, Bryce and Owen joined this world a little earlier than expected. On Thursday, January 15th, my doctor had ordered for me to have a level two ultrasound because she suspected that one of our boys was significantly smaller than he should be at this point. At that ultrasound appointment, the doctor confirmed that Bryce was much smaller than Owen and that it was due to his placenta not functioning properly. Therefore, he was not getting the proper nourishment necessary to keep growing. The doctor ordered me to go home, pack my bags and be back to the hospital within an hour to begin 48 hours of steroids. When I arrived back at the hospital, they injected me with steroids and monitored the babies for the next 48 hours. The steroids were intended to give the boys one last growth and energy boost before coming out.

On Sunday morning, January 18th, I was preped for a c section. At 9:11 am, Bryce Michael was born weighing in at only 2 lbs. 13 oz. And two minutes later at 9:13 am, Owen James was born one pound bigger than is technically "older" brother at 3 lbs. 13 oz. Both boys came out crying, which we were told would be a great sign if we heard it. They went straight to the NICU to begin assessments.

Both boys went through alot of initial testing and screening to see what type of support they would need. Owen ended up with a small breathing tube that only assisted his lungs to stay open longer so that he did not have to work as hard to breathe on his own. Bryce on the other hand was doing fabulous with his breathing and needed nothing to support him. Owen was only on the CPAP (breathing tube) for a day. Both boys have had IVs from the start in order to provide them with fluids to make them fat :) Joe called this their Gatorade because it was yellow and had electrolytes to keep them hydrated. Both boys are now off of the IVs because they are taking their feedings and already gaining weight. Both boys also spent a few days getting "suntans" (as we call it) and wearing their shades, as they spent some time under ultraviolet lights to help with jaundice and their blood count. Both are also off the lights now after only a couple of days.

We were able to bring clothes in for them to change into on Thursday night and as you can see from some of the pictures, Bryce has a little trouble filling out even the tiniest preemie clothes. Putting them in real clothes was the moment that Joe and I both felt like they were our little guys and that they were making great progress in such a short period of time. The doctors and nurses are very impressed with the progress that they are both making. At this time, the only thing they are "hooked" to besides monitors is a feeding tube. They are both taking and tolerating their feedings. Bryce is the champ at this, he takes bottles and even asks for more. Owen only takes a bottle when he feels like it and then decides he would rather take the rest in his tube. Feeding is the main issue and focus now so that they can start gaining weight and get into open cribs. Once they reach a certain weight (I think it's a little over 4 pounds) they can go in the open crib. Once they take and tolerate all of their feedings by bottle, they will then be assessed to come home. We don't know how long that will take, but by assumption based on what the doctors and nurses say, it may only be another couple of weeks.

I think I have covered the progress and status of both boys up to this point. I'm sure I may have forgotten a thing or two, but the most amazing thing is that although these boys are little, they seem to be very healthy. We are so thankful and blessed! Joe has been an amazing help and I don't think I have ever seen someone so happy to be a dad. He does not hesitate to change diapers and give bottles and even do a little skin to skin time with the boys. He even gets up with me in the middle of the night to pump! That's a great dad!!!!

We can not thank you all enough for your prayers, love and support through all of this. We appreciate the visits, cards, and phone calls. (Sorry I have not been returning too many calls very quickly). We will certainly keep you posted on the status and let you know when the boys are ready for visitors at home! They like visitors at the hospital too!