38 Weeks

Boys are two weeks away from there due date and it is hard to imagine Amber being pregnant all this time. This has to be the slowest 38 weeks ever. Well Brody is getting closer to coming home. Brody is scheduled to have his hernia surgery at UCD on October 1st. He getting bigger and bigger everyday. He is currently 6 pounds and 14 ounces. He has been nipple feeding well prior to the eye surgery but since he hasn't been doing as well. We hope that he is on full nipple feeds by the time he goes to UCD. He will be going over to UCD on the 30th and we hope that communication for his care is pretty smooth.
Drew is hanging out trying his hardest to gain weight. He is around 1925 grams and needs to be between 2000 and 2500 gram to have his surgeries. His weight goes up and down and he is just hanging out. He has had to have his stoma open to room air making it hard to have his arms and legs free. He is often very upset wanting his arms and legs free to move about. He has a couple of great primary nurses and that has made it easier for us. His primaries have been holding him and loving him when we are not there. We know that no loving is like his mommies loving but is very comforting to us that he has people that care about him visiting him and caring for him.

37 weeks

Brody is a big boy! He weighs six pounds and 3 ounces almost as much as Coo when she was born. Last week Brody had eye surgery because the blood vessels have not developed properly, common in preemies. He had a hard time coming back off the vent after his traumatic experience. Today five days after he seems to be more alert than even before the surgery. He is nipple feeding most of his feeding and doing well. We were actually able to bring in some of his clothes to wear and that was nice. Brody is doing well and we have heard a lot of talk about him coming home. He does have to go to UCD before he comes home. He has a hernia that he has had since birth. We have know about it for awhile but were not aware that he would have to have surgery on it prior to coming home. He may come home on oxygen but we are not sure at this point.
Drew is also doing well. He is off oxygen and doing great. He isn't gaining as well as we all would like but he is slowly gaining. Instead of feedings at 3-6-9-12 he is being tube feed continuously. Since the continuous feedings have started he has been gaining. He weighs 1786 grams which is about 4 pounds. They can't reconnect his intestines until he is 2000 grams. Once he is reconnected he will need a shunt then on his way home. He is doing great.

Questions or Answers

It wasn't too long ago that a mother of twins born at 24 weeks and 3 days told us that it just gets harder the closer they get to coming home. When she said that I had no idea what she meant at the time. Now I understand. The waiting and anticipation is driving us crazy. So many details! Although Amber's work is so supportive it is hard to be away this long and not know how long until she will be back. We are slowly but surely getting the boys stuff ready and putting their room together. Final touches will be put in after our shower/ welcome party.
At times we wonder what the future holds for our kids and how this journey will all play out. What will they remember? One day we will read this blog to them and I hope it gives them strength and hope. Will they ever know how strong they are and how proud we are of them? We may not have all the answers at this time but we will always be changed for the better because of the birth of our children. Brody and Drew have fought so hard to be here and although it was hard we have been honored to join their fight. Right now we use this blog as a way to keep friends and family updated on the twins journey. We also have given this blog to other mothers that are in our situation. We have heard that Brody and Drew's story have given others hope.They amaze us everyday and we are so proud that they have helped and amazed others.