Today in the NICU...

First I must thank everyone over and over again for all the support, prayers and encouragment that you give our new family everyday. I must say that it is so nice to have all 3 babies in 1 room in the same state. The NICU at Fletcher Allen is home right now and I am so happy to have them all in the same aisle with familiar nurses watching over them. Boston was difficult-but the best place to be considering the heart surgery Katie needed. I am so thankful for Children's Hospital of Boston, they took such great care of Katie and consoled me all day for 5 days. The Cardiologist who did Katie's PDA repair came out to talk to me after the surgery was complete and told me that her surgery was absolutely necessary and she did very well. The surgery can last 45mins to an hour and Katie's lasted 15 mins, a good mix of incredible surgeons and one strong fighting baby who really wants to be here as much as we want her here. Today Katie is stable, moving all over the place in her incubator, nice consistent heart rate and blood pressure, and eating!!! They began feeds today of course only .9cc's just to "prime her gut" for larger feedings. She will most likely not need injected steroids because her lungs have always been stronger than her siblings from the start, she will get inhaled steroids though. Her eyes are open and she is starting to show signs of sucking-we tried a preemie pacifier and she sucked on it for a few seconds and fell asleep, it was cute but hard to fit a pacifier in a mouth full of tubes but worth the try. Overall Katie is still fiesty, a fighter, and our beautiful daughter.

Anna is well, she is breathing even more now on her own thanks to the steroid treatment. She looks around so much-she can only really see lights and some movement it will be a while before they will focus and see. They briefly discussed during rounds today taking her off the ventilator because she is so low on settings but they are going to wait until she is much more stable with her breathing and heart rate. The time will be soon which has us very nervous because babies usually after a few days get "lazy" with breathing on their own and they must be re-intibated (put back on vent support) which we have seen happen in the NICU with other babies, it is very emergent looking and lots of doctors and nurses have to get involved but they have to get off ventilators at some point. Anna shows us and the NICU team daily how strong she is . She is starting to slowly fill out around her face and looks like she has gained weight although she is 1 ounce above birth weight of 1lb 6ounces. All 3 babies go up and down with weight everyday. Anna is so beautiful and loves to hold our fingers she is our little snuggler.

Nicholas is also doing well. Nicholas and Anna are pretty much dealing with the same issues and showing improvement the same also. Nicholas loves to eat and at his last weight check was up to 1lb 12 ounces. I don't think I will be able to pump enought milk to feed all 3 if Nicholas continues to use up the whole supply-just kidding. He is very adorable with his huge dark blue eyes looking all over the place. The nurses comment on his red hair and white beard all the time, gotta love that fine hair that covers every inch of their small bodies-for some reason Nicholas has 3 times the amount. But he is so handsome!

Again, we are just so appreciative and thankful for what everyone is doing for us, food, gifts, prayers and warm wishes we thank you all!!! I can't wait for Anna, Katie, and Nicholas to meet all the wonderful and supportive people we have been blessed to know. Thanks to you all for being part of our lives!!!

God Bless and be well.

Love,
Sarah, Louie, Anna, Katie and Nicholas