It's Been a While!

Hi Everybody,

The boys have been home for a little less than two months now, so needless to say, it's been a bit busy and we haven't had as much time as we'd like to update this blog. So here is a run down of where we are at:

Ethan now weighs 10lbs! He has gained three pounds since he was released from the NICU. He is still being fed through the NG tube, but has an appointment next week to see if he can try the bottle again. We are really hoping that he will do well and can get rid of the NG tube soon after.

Caleb is up to 8lbs 5oz now! He has gained 2lbs 5oz since he was released from the NICU. He is on full bottle feeding now, so no NG tube for him any more.

Both boys have had multiple follow up doctor and pediatrician visits and so far everything has gone really well. They are progressing as expected and no issues have arisen since they've been home. They are both still on Apnea monitors and it looks like that will continue for at least another few weeks or so.

We are certainly getting to know their personalities. Caleb is the feisty one and lets you know when he needs attention. Ethan is calmer and loves relaxing. Both boys enjoy car rides and their binkies. They have progresses so much since they've been home that it's hard to keep up with them. Both can roll over, both can smile, both are becoming more vocal, and both are very alert and interested in the world around them. They enjoy each other's company and currently sleep together, though we are getting closer to having them in their own cribs.

A couple weeks ago a group of therapists did an evaluation on each of them and said that both were in a good place for their adjusted age (at the time between one and two months - currently a little over two months). There were no major developmental delays and only a few minor things for them to work on, which was good news. The goal is to have them not have an adjusted age any more by the time they are three years old.

So overall, things have been going very well. Our family is growing together and there is plenty of love to go around. After the journey we have taken to get to this point, it is great to have a couple good months behind us at home. The days of driving to the hospital every day and getting constant updates on their condition are not something we will ever forget, but are fading into the background more and more and seem like something that happened much longer ago than a couple months.

In a couple weeks we will be celebrating Ethan and Caleb's six month birthdays! What a blessing! Hopefully we will post some updated pics soon.

As always, thanks for your continued prayers, well wishes, and support.