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Friday, October 16, 2009

Happy 3 Weeks!

Happy 3 weeks Brennan, Landon & Brooklyn! This is such a big day for them! They are now at 26 weeks gestation and 3 weeks old. When they were born they had a 25% chance of survival, now they have an 80% chance. We're still not out of the woods, but they're so much stronger. These babies are so resilient! Today was photo day in NICU Room 1 - here's our superstars!



Brennan Nicholas 1lb 10oz (birth weight 1lb 4oz)

Brennan has had a really rough week. I posted about his scare on Saturday, and he is doing 110% better! His blood pressure is up, only on 1 medicine (out of 3) and only on a very small amount. When their blood pressure is up and stable they pee better. When we came up today, he had just peed his entire bed again. You'd never think someone that little could pee that much! It was all the way up to his shoulders! That's good, but wow! He is getting so much more personality - he's our calm, quiet one. We are so thankful! As far as medical updates go...he had his PDA ligation on Wednesday (had to match everyone else!). He's recovering really well, especially given how sick he was over the weekend. We just keep praising God for His healing hands on our babies! He had a cranial ultrasound, which came back with good news! The brain bleeds are slightly decreased - not a huge change, but at least a change in the right direction. Only time will tell how this will affect the boys. He is still on the conventional ventilator and doing quite well on it. He's hanging in there!



Landon James 1lb 14oz (birth weight 1lb 7oz)

Landon is still pretty feisty, but calming down a bit. As you can see, he's not restrained (at the moment!). Probably sedated! We joked with the nurses that we'll have to get prescriptions for Morphine and Ativan when we bring them home because they've been on it so much here! Tonight, Landon's nurse peeked in at him because he was making his monitor go off and he had both hands on his ET tube, most likely with a crazy look in his eyes! That's our boy! Always keeping people on their toes! It's so neat to see they each have such distinct personalities! Medically, Landon has had a great week. He did get the intestinal drain like Brennan (they both match now - PDA & drains) and that is slowly inching out. He did have a perforation of his bowel, and I believe he did have Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) or their just watching him for it (can't remember and I didn't write it in my notebook!). He did have the bile vomit and has been more lethargic this week. Also, a couple cranial ultrasounds ago, the ventricles in his brain appeared larger, but was not big enough to worry about. Yesterday they came back smaller and his bleeds slightly decreased as well. Way to go boys! He & Brooklyn will be given a diuretic to help them get rid of some of the fluid (he hasn't really gained 7oz of regular growth!). Hopefully it'll get them back down to size. All in all, a pretty stable week from Rocky! :)



Brooklyn Danielle 2lbs (birth weight 1lb 3.5oz)

Our sweet, plump Brooklyn...I tried to get a flattering picture, but just wasn't happening today! She had the PDA surgery on Friday and really swelled up after. It's been really hard for her to lose the fluid. Hopefully the diuretic will help get her back to size. There isn't any definition between her belly and her waist! She's had a slow recovery from the PDA ligation - she's been really limp and needed to go to the JET ventilator. (Landon was on it for a couple days) She seems to be responding well! Brooke's the closest to eating breast milk! On Monday, if she continues doing well, they'll assess her by following dye through her digestive track to make sure everything is in tact and flowing appropriately. Occasionally in babies that haven't had food in a long time, tissue forms near the stomach which would cause a back up. I know how good that is for them and can't wait until they're ready!!



I made this collage of their pictures at 1 week old and 3 weeks old. Their skin looks better and they're filling out. Looking more like babies every day! Our amazement continues as we watch them grow and mature. Never in a million years would we have expected to be in this situation, but we have been encouraged by all of you. God doesn't give us more than we can handle, and when it seems like it is, we need to remember to lean on His strength. We can't do this alone, but with His peace, calmness and strength. There's a song with the lyrics, "He gives us strength for today" that continuously plays in my head. (preggo brain still can't remember the rest of the song!) Reassuring me that we can get out of bed each day, go to the hospital and just love those babies. He gives us physical, emotional and mental strength to endure all of their ups and downs, taking one day at a time.

11 comments:

Kassy said...

So amazed by how they are doing! I really enjoyed the Hailey update as well!! it's exciting to read how well the babies are doing, but how are you doing? How is Nich? We love your updates and look forward to reading how everyone is doing, we can't wait to see you again and the babies as well, maybe we'll hold out till you get to come home and were all out of the cold and flu season. Brian just found out he has Bronchitis YUCK! Well, take care you are in our prayers!

The Denby's said...

My breath has just been taken away!! What beautiful babies...Thank you, Jesus, for this and for the family you have brought them to. It is truly an honor that you all are sharing so much. What a wonderful family - all by the Grace of God.
With continued prayers, we will be watching.

Rebecca said...

such amazing progress. love the comparison collage...you can definitely tell they have changed. they are such beautiful little miracles.
continuing to pray for you all!

Unknown said...

Congrats on the milestone! It's amazing to think that a matter of three weeks has increased their survival rate by so much! You guys have a beautiful family! Haily's smile is just infectious in the pictures you have posted. She absolutely beautiful. Glad to hear the babies are all pretty stable. It's so funny how nicu moms (me included) get so excited about things like lots of pee. I remember praying to God and begging him to please just let Evan poop! When he finally did it was better than hitting the lottery! Two years from now when you have three little monsters tearing up your house, you will just have to remind yourself that you prayed for this everyday! I can't wait for the day you guys get to cuddle your babies in your arms and kiss and suggle with them.
Best of luck, and thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story with everyone.

Angie B said...

thanks for the updates! ya the oother day I was thinking about how God doesnt give us more than we can handle and he knows u can handle it with him :) He will not leave you without support! Heb 13:5!

Jen said...

Thanks so much for the update. I'm so glad to hear that they are doing well! Keep growing little babies!

jag said...

I have to tell you, I about jump out of the chair every time I see there's a Pollak Baby update! I am so thankful for the work Our Heavenly Father has done in their lives! What blessings! I am also so thankful that these babies have such strong and faithful parents! He sure does know what He's doing, huh? Many many paises and prayers. Thanks for the update.

Unknown said...

Great update! Thanks so much, Jennie! I'm proud of you all and continue to pray!

Esther and Brian said...

So relieved to read all good news! I, too, get very excited to see new updates on these wonderful little human being..and big sis, too! God Bless You All!

Britt said...

Yea 3 weeks!! Brooklyn's 2lbs!! Woot (altho it would be sweet if it wasn't water wait...)! I am constantly amazed at how you 2 handle every day. You're Amazing!

Meegan Beth said...

Hey Jennie and Nich-So encouraged by your faith in God as it WILL get you through this whole ordeal! Those three are just amazing how they keep overcoming all of these obstacles! Thanks for keeping us updated and also so glad you guys and Chad & Monica can be there for each other. Take care and God Bless!
meegan and jonathan dyrland