update on Jacob & Sawyer

Dear friends,

Happy February! We can't believe it's been over 3 weeks since life as we had known it so drastically changed with the arrival of our boys! Here's an update...

Jacob:
Overall Jacob is doing pretty well, though his recovery from surgery has been slower and longer in regards to his lung support than we had hoped and expected. He is still on the ventilator and doesn't seem in a hurry to get off of it. While he needs minimal oxygen, he really needs the pressure support. The doctors speculate it has to do with the fluid retention issues he's had, which is really common post-surgery. He's had to go on a few rounds of a diahretic medication to help him pee out excess fluid, specifically that has collected in his lungs. After the medication, he seems to be able to be weaned off the vent but then a few days later his settings need to be turned up and xrays show he has fluid again in his lungs. One of the things that helps premies not retain fluid is protein, so as his breast milk feeds increase, we're told he should have less of an issue with this (as has been the case with his brother). So the big prayer request for Jacob is his overall recovery and health, and that his lungs would be strong enough for him to get off the ventilator. The vent has a lot more potentially damage effects when on it more long term - from higher chance of infection (such as pneumonia) to tissue damage to his lungs, vocal cords, etc. We'd like to see him "promoted" to CPAP (the snorkle-like gear, which he was on for a day this past week but wasn't ready and had to go back on the vent). The other concern with all this is that he's developing more chronic issues, which we're hoping and praying isn't the case. They also suspected an infection last night, so he's on antibiotics. As you can see, this little guy has had more than his share of tests, procedures, and medication in the 3+ weeks he's been out-of-utero! We continue to trust that the end result of this is a healthy, strong boy who's more than tough enough to take on his beefy older brother! The good news for Jacob is that all other systems work great: he tolerates breast milk well and continues to have his feeds increased daily; his kidneys and bowels work great (need I say more?!); and his heart is functioning fabulously and the little murmur they'd heard post-surgery turned out to be a flow murmur (in other words, just how the blood flows - nothing abnormal or worrisome and something he'll outgrow). He is alert, growing, and overall super cute (photos attached as proof!). I think he's up to around 3 lbs, 4 or 5 ounces.

Sawyer:
Sawyer is doing fabulously! He has been on CPAP (the snorkle gear) because he, too, needs the pressure - ie, keeping his lungs open when he exhales so the little balloons of air don't collapse. Earlier last week, he had two days off CPAP and on the nasal canula, but then tired out. I think they're going to try taking him off today and put him on the canula. That is extra exciting to us, as it allows us to better see his oh-so cute face and hair. It also has enabled him to get familiar with the breast in preparation for breast feeding! His feeds have increased to where he's at full breast milk (through the feeding tube in his mouth, of course), which means he's eating a LOT of milk and that he no longer needs extra food through an IV (and thus his IV has been taken out). That is great progress! His kidneys, bowels, heart, etc. continue to work fabulously. (In fact, Brad can tell you just how well his bowels work. During Brad's 1st poopy diaper change, Sawyer began to spray poop all over his isolete and covered himself, his dad, and his little home in poo! Brad's gone down in diaper infamy at the ICN...!) So overall he's doing really well. As of yesterday morning, he weighed 3 lbs, 14.5 ounces. That's right folks - a little over one more ounce and we've hit the 4 lbs mark. Woo hoo! Like his brother, photos are attached as proof of his cuteness. (Sorry for the huge file size...)

They boys are approaching 31 weeks. We've been told that as they get older, most likely they'll outgrow a lot of these prematurity issues. While life continues to be overwhelming, exhausting, and scary at times, we are so proud of our guys and so happy to have them in our lives! We can't WAIT to introduce them to you! They are just as precious as can be!

Much love,
Brad and Arja