Update

Andrew is still on CPAP and his stomach x-ray today didn't look great. He is not tolerating his feeds as well as they would like. Although they don't want to go there right yet, the doctor told me today that there is a good possibility that he will need surgery to find the problem in his intestines. But, they want to wait a few days just to be sure it is needed.

Back on CPAP

Andrew has been put back on CPAP. His chest x-ray showed fluid in the lungs. So, they are going to try the lacix again. Please pray that it works this time. They still don't know what is causing the fluid build up.

Moving Around

I am sorry for the lack of information-I just realized that my last post did not upload. So, here is the latest news-Matthew and Anna Kate have been moved to NICU 2. It is very different over there. It is much quieter and the kids are actually in one of the Family Learning Rooms so there is a bed, bathroom, fridge and flat screen TV! When they get closer to going home, we could spend the night there. Matthew is taking 3 bottles a day and Anna Kate just started 2 out of every 3 feedings by bottle.

They moved Andrew to a crib today. Since the lower GI didn't show anything, they are feeding him again slowly. So far, he has done okay. He is still swollen and they are trying to balance out his nutrition. Hopefully, when he gets higher on his feeds, the swelling will go down. His head has not had any major changes in the last week. However, the swelling is making it harder for him to breathe and he is on a nasal cannula.

Although I am glad that Matthew and Anna Kate are in NICU II-it is kind of sad to have them separated. But, we are beginning a new leg on our journey!

Andrew's blood cultures did not grow any thing-meaning there is probably not an infection in his blood-but he does have a urinary tract infection. So, we are hoping that his symptoms were due to that and not an intestinal problem. They are still going to do the GI study on Monday-but if everything looks good, they may not do surgery to see what is going on.

Anna Kate is now over 4lbs and both boys are over 5lbs! Yeah! Anna Kate passed her hearing screening last night. She had been given the test three times and although she did better each time-I was beginning to get worried. I nicknamed her Verizon ("Can you hear me now?") but was sure she could hear something. One of my favorite nurses-was convinced the machine wasn't reading right and she didn't want me to have to wait and wonder until next Tuesday. So, she and another nurse stayed after work last night to give her the test again and she passed! The nurses in NICU-especially the kids' primaries-Sandie and Linda-have been wonderful. They have taken an extra special interest in the kids. They are both on vacation next week and it just won't be the same! I will really miss them.

On the bright side, Brent's sister, Brenda, and her family are coming up the end of next week. We are looking forward to seeing them.

The first attempt at group photos

Well, today we tried getting pictures of all three kids-it was interesting to say the least! I have to resign myself to the fact that it will be a miracle to get a picture where they all look good!

Andrew will have a lower GI done on Monday. They aren't sure-but they are predicting he will need surgery. At this point, we just want to figure out what is going on-and fix it!

Anna Kate will have her eyes and hearing checked next Tuesday. They did an ecocardiogram today to check and see if the small hole she had when she was born (VSD) has closed. She was getting a little tired with her bottles-so she is back to every other. They reduced her calories today. There is still a possibility she will come home late next week.

Matthew is still on three bottles a day. Otherwise, he is just hanging out trying to get the hang of bottles!

Anna Kate is in a Crib

Andrew seems to be feeling better. We are waiting to see if the blood cultures show an infection. They have stopped feeding him and are getting a surgery consult. So, we will see what happens. I added some new photos. Anna Kate is now in a crib and they moved her beside Matthew.

Eating and Growing

As of last night, here are the stats on the kids:

Matthew 4lbs 11.4 oz 16 6/8 inches long

Andrew 4lbs 15.4 oz 17 3/8 inches long

Anna Kate 3lbs 10.6 oz 16 1/2 inches long

Matthew is in a crib and is taking a bottle twice a day (soon to be three times. The nurse said he woke up screaming for his 9:00 feeding. He may be the one that keeps me on a schedule!

Andrew is progressing on his feeds. Although it is not "official" he has taken a bottle on three different occasions and done well. He did well after the tap last week, but his head circumference has gone up again. So, we will be meeting with the neurosurgeon the first part of the week to see about the possibility of a procedure before the shunt surgery. Andrew is hanging in there and is alert and seems to be happy.

Anna Kate is getting every other feeding by bottle. Because she is still small and is on higher calories, she is still in her incubator. When she is awake, she is very interested in what is going on around her.