Monday, July 27, 2009

Happy 1 Month Birthday Babies!

Today the babies turned 1 month old! Hooray! I made cupcakes for the nurses and a little cake for Dr. Hiatt and his team. One of the nurses made an adorable sign for the babies with their pictures and a birthday message. It was very sweet! Joe is bringing Birthday Monsters (another great book by the genius that is Sandra Boynton) up to read to the babies tonight to celebrate. We are so happy to have reached this milestone and are looking forward to celebrating each and every passing month! And hopefully after two more, the babies will be home with us!

Everyone is doing well today. Annaleigh seems to be feeling much, much better after her surgery. She is no longer on pain medication and is looking happy and perky. The tube in her nose, which was draining the bile from her stomach, has been removed as there is no longer anything that needs to be drained. She has also pooped several times today, which is a good sign that her GI track is functioning properly. The surgeon said that she should be ready to start feedings again very soon, and hopefully this time she will tolerate them with no trouble at all. She had a big jump in weight last night to 940 grams, although the nurse warned us that a lot of it could be attributed to post-surgery fluid retention. We’ll have a better idea of her true weight in a few days. This morning Joe managed to finally get a great picture of Annaleigh without a ton of tubes hiding her gorgeous face. She is even more adorable than I thought she was!

Lily is a star today! She finished up her steroid treatment and she will be rewarded tomorrow by having the ventilator removed and going on CPAP. Well, Miss Lily Bug might not think of it as a reward, but it is excellent progress for her. She was weighing in tonight at 985 grams and tolerating her feedings and the fortifier beautifully.

Charlie is the only slight cause for concern today. He’s still relying heavily on the ventilator, which they are attributing mainly to his prematurity. Dr. Hiatt said that they will most likely give him the same course of steroid treatment they gave to Lily in hopes of strengthening him. He is no longer showing any symptons from the MRSA and he is finished his antibiotics. He is still enjoying his feedings and they were finally able to add some of the fortifyer, in a lesser amount this time, and so far he's been albe to tolerate it. His weight tonight was 1050 grams, up only 30 grams in the last four days, but given the fact that he peed a ton thanks the lasix it makes sense that he stayed the same.

So all in, all another stable day for the babies – thank goodness! We are hoping for many, many more like this, although we are of course still bracing for the bumps that are sure to pop up again. But for now we are happy to celebrate our beautiful babies, their one month on earth and the joy they have brought us in that short amount of time.

We also need to take the time to thank our mystery friend in Dayton, Ohio. This afternoon we received in the mail a generous Visa gift card. It was accompanied by a nice note, but no signature and no return address – just an Ohio postmark. So whoever you are, thank you so, so much! I know we keep saying this, but we are still constantly overwhelmed by all the kindness and support everyone, even people we have never met, have been showing us through all of this. We are very, very lucky.

20 comments:

Lauren said...

Happy 1-month, sweethearts! You have already touched so many lives, and this world is already a better place because you're in it.

Christina H. said...

Happy 1-month birthday beautiful babies!!!!! And I hope your mommy is feeling better ASAP!

The Madeira Triplets said...

Sounds like a great day :D What great pictures...Charlie is really putitng some layers of fat on! I'm sure the rest won't be far behind. Don't let those birthday monsters steal all the attention from those cute babies though :D WE need the birthday monster cleaning crew over here! Our house always seems to look like little monsters created a mess by tossing toya and eating :D Don't worry...your house soon will too. It's wonderful (well, most of the time!). That Visa gift card was such a thoughtful gesture. How sweet!

KJ said...

Happy 1 month birthday babies! Glad to hear it was a good day!

Michele from FTHS said...

Happy, happy birthday babies!!!! Great job on getting bigger and stronger! Keep up the good work, Little D's!!!! Hope your feeling better, Brooke!!!

Anonymous said...

Brooke, I hope that you are feeling better. Stay strong and rest up while you can, and think of how excited you'll be when you can see the babies again. Speaking of which.... they are sooooooo cute! :) I am so happy that everyone seems to be doing much better and that you've been able to celebrate their one month birthday- yay! What a great milestone. Take care-- you remain in my prayers and if you need anything or if I can help you guys in any way, please let me know!
Cheryl

Amber said...

Happy One Month Birthday!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy One Month Angels... You'll be home in no time... Feel better Brooke and btw the pictures are great. Hang in there.

And I'm really happy for you. Things are looking up. Breathe guys and be happy.

All My Love, Auntie :) xoxoxoo

Sarah - The Home Cook said...

Happy one month birthday, babies!!

GLTP Reflections said...

Happy one month to all of you. Everyday we are eager to see how all of you are doing. They all look so beautiful.

Tammy (Joe's mom)

#1SAHM said...

Happy one month babies! Glad they're all doing well. : )

Bec said...

Happy one month, babies! You get more and more beautiful every day. :)

Township teacher said...

Happy 1 month to the D'sx3!
I have been away for three weeks and missed reading about the babies...I am so happy that this day is cause for celebration. My love to those beautiful darlings...Brooke you are my hero, you raise the true meaning of Mom to a whole new level, and Joe - I am amazed at your dedication to your children and your lovely wife. You are a man to be admired and respected.
Love and hugs all around.
Karen, Township Teacher :)
p.s. I have crush on Charlie..he is a good looking little man. Lilly is surely your little diva and Annaleigh is one tough little lady.

citygirlcooks said...

Happy birthday babies! They are truly adorable!

Doug H. said...

I can't believe it has been a month already. Happy Birthday babies!

Time is flying by. In no time at all the babies will start walking and talking. Then you are in for real trouble.

Keep doing well babies, and get better soon Brooke.

Courtney said...

Happy one month, sweet babies! Brooke, I hope you're feeling better! The babies are just getting cuter each day!

Stacie said...

Happy 1 Month Birthday, little ones!

Patte said...

Happy Birthday Charlie, Annaleigh, and Lily - where did that month go???? And before you know it you will be planning weddings!!!

OMG Triplets said...

Happy one month lil' ones! Yay! Keep on growing : )

Marcie said...

Wow, I can't believe it's been a month already. Time flies and before you know it they will be home with you. I'm so happy they are doing so well. Congrats on these beautiful little pooper scoopers.