Quick Update & New NICU Visitation Policy

Jackson & Haven took a small step back this morning, but they are still doing very well. They were having a few more "Brady's" than they prefer, so they had to put them back on the nasal cannula. They are still breathing on their own, the cannula just puts continuous air into their nose to help them to remember to breath. A "Brady" is where they forget to breathe for a second and their heart rate drops. This is very normal for their gestational age because the part of the brain that helps them remember to breathe is not fully matured. They were doing exceptionally well to be off of the cannulas so early, but it is also very normal to have to go back to them. Unfortunately, this means they also had to separate them again. Because of the additional tubes, they need more space. Hopefully this will be a very temporary change.

Both of them have gained weight the past two days. Jackson is now at 2 lbs 11.9 oz and Haven is at 2 lbs 13.3 oz. They are both handling their feedings well and additional calories are being added to their milk, so they should start to gain pretty consistently going forward.

Effective immediately, the NICU is changing their visitation policy due to the flu season. Only parents and grandparents will be able to enter the NICU for the time being to see Jackson and Haven. Because neonates are so fragile, and a flu outbreak in the NICU could be devastating, they have decided to be very cautious. We appreciate this for the utmost protection of Jackson and Haven, but it will be difficult at the same time because we love letting others see them.

Anyone is more than welcome to swing by, we just won't be able to bring anyone back. Thanks to you that have visited already, and for those that were planning to...we are so sorry. But, we will continue to post pictures regularly. It's definately not the same, but it will have to do for now.

As always, thanks for continued prayers for all of us. Particularly be praying for Rebekah as I go back to work next Wednesday. It has been so great being back together the past two weeks, but it looks like we will be separated again during the week for the next 5-10 weeks.

Jackson & Haven's 1st Week

Jackson & Haven Update

Jackson and Haven are a week and a half old already! Hard to beleive. They are doing very well. Both are under 3 pounds now, but that is normal. Babies are expected to lose up to 10% of their body in the first week of birth. They have started regaining weight in the last few days...slowly but surely. They are rapidly increasing their feedings and adding addional calories to their milk to boost their growth.

Rebekah and I went to a luncheon for NICU parents on Wednesday. It was more evident how well they are doing after we left. All of the medical staff have told us how well they are doing, but we had nothing to really compare them to. Jackson and Haven were born at the earliest gestation from the babies represented and they seemed to be doing the best. Some were two to three weeks ahead of them and were still on oxygen. We are so thankful for how well they are doing. God just continues to bless us with them. Please pray for these other parents, and any for that matter, that have preemies in a NICU. It is a very hard thing to see your babies in an incubator with wires and tubes, to rarely be able to hold them, and to feel like you can't really protect them. It truly takes surrendering them to God, laying them at His feet and trusting Him with their lives. I never really thought about Phillipians 4:13 applying to an infant, but even a baby can do amazing things through Him.

Thanks again to everyone for all the amazing comments, well wishes, and prayers. It is overwhelming to think about how Jackson and Haven have seemed to touch so many hearts at only a week and a half old. Please continue to pray for their progression and for the many other babies in NICU's. Just the one here at Presby Plano has 31 preemies.