Lots Of Snow

Here in Arkansas we are lucky to get snow/sleet/ice once or twice a year. Our first event was a week-and-a-half ago and was sleet and ice with just a little snow. We are supposed to get some snow later in the week, but it was a big surprise when we saw lots of snow early Monday morning! It snowed most of the day and into the night. Schools and most businesses were closed yesterday and today. Rachel had to work today and was picked up by some coworkers.

Luke is doing a little better - he went a day-and-a-half between throwing up and when he did today is was a lot less than usual. He is still gaining weight - Rachel weighed him yesterday and he is up to 6.1 pounds!

Here are some pictures:

One view of our backyard


Another view


We have a small "Christmas" tree in our back yard - looks like it might not survive this weather...


We did not take the boys outside, but Rachel had Jack try on one of his "snow suits" - still way too big, so maybe it will fit him next year


To help Luke's reflux, he has to sleep on a wedge at night and for an hour after each feeding


Video - Jack's sleep sacks are still pretty big on him and his new thing is kicking his legs up when he does not want to go to sleep.


Video - Jack surprised Rachel yesterday by rolling over during his morning playtime in the jungle

Super Bowl Sunday

Luke continues with his reflux issues and is spitting/throwing up around once a day. We had a house call this morning from one of the boys' advanced practice nurses from the hospital. She lives close to us and gave us her address and phone numbers when Jack came home. I called last night with some questions and she wanted to see him this morning and listen to his chest. Luke looks and sounds fine - as long as he continues to gain weight, it is just something we have to put up with until he outgrows it.

OK - I'm back. Had to take a break because he just threw up again...

Here are some pictures. Luke and Jack say GO SAINTS!!!

Quick request

Please pray for Luke. He is having some feeding issues and throwing up almost every day. We have increased his reflux meds and done some other things to help but he is still having issues. He is still gaining weight but I am just worried that we will have to go back to the hospital if he keeps this up. I am sure there are some other things we can try before going back to the hospital but the nurse in me gets carried away!! Pray that his reflux is healed and he doesn't throw up anymore. I guess pray for me that I don't stress too much.

Jack weighs 10lbs 2oz and Luke is 5lbs 12oz!!

More to update later!!
--R

My New Job

I finished my job at the hotel on Friday and now I start my most challenging and most rewarding job so far – being a stay-at-home dad. I’m very excited, as well as nervous and exhausted thinking about caring for the boys all day everyday.

Luke did well coming home last Sunday. He is exactly like Jack was when he came home – same looks, size and weight. Jack has been home over two months now and just when we were getting used to things and he was getting easier to take care of, now we start all over with feedings every three hours and very little sleep at night. Luke is on the same formula as Jack, but a higher concentration for more calories. He also will need to have his feeds thickened for 6-9 months, so that adds another step to the double feeds every few hours.

My mom flew in from South Carolina for the week and was a HUGE help. My last week at work was a long one (as usual), so it was great to have her stay with us and help us get through the first week.

Its been 4months and 1 day...................

and Luke is finally home!!!! He got home around 3 today and we are so excited. We are once again going to be sleep deprived and it is going to be VERY different with 2 babies to tend to but we are welcoming it with open arms. Luke is on thickened feeds, a 1/4 liter of oxygen, a calcium supplement, a multivitamin, and that is it!! Oh and Prevacid for his reflux but no other medications! I just want to praise God for everything that He has done for us and the boys. He has truly blessed us and given us a great outcome of a bad situation. Every time I think of everything we have been through over the past 4 months I get teary eyed and just pray to God and thank Him for getting us all through it! It has been the longest 4 months that I have lived through and glad that part of this journey is OVER. Please continue to pray for the boys growth and development. Right now they are meeting their corrected gestational developmental goals and doing great. Luke still is having some issues putting weight on but we are hoping being home helps him thrive and he will get chubby very fast---and grow some hair!! I only had enough ETA to take one day off from work :( but I am off until Friday. Friday is also Ken's last day of work as he quit his job to be a stay at home dad. I think he is getting a little nervous because now that Luke is home he is seeing that it is going to be very demanding. Ken's mom is flying in tomorrow night to help us out until Sunday. We are glad that she is able to come help us out. Here are a couple pictures from today:

Pictures

Jack sitting up in his Bumbo seat




Luke looks just like Jack did when he came home




Lily is ready to meet her other brother

Luke should be home soon!

Luke has made a lot of progress this past week. He had a swallow study to see why he was having so much trouble with bottle feeding. They have thickened his feeds and now he is doing great! He is almost 5 pounds, but has been there for a while.

If he continues to do well, Luke will be coming home on Sunday! We can't wait to have him home and the timing is great. About two weeks ago, Rachel and I decided that I should leave my job and stay home to care for the boys full time. I have one more week of work and then will not have to worry about working nights, weekends and being away from home so much.

Jack is doing great. He is off his oxygen, should be off his monitor this week, and hopefully will be happy to meet his little brother. It will be interesting to see how they do since they have only been together a couple hours since being born almost 4 months ago.