March 2005

Sophie needs to have a procedure that will drain some fluid out of her. Please pray for her, the doctors and Katie and Aaron. This is one more faith step they are taking. Don’t know the time or anything. Will update as we know more.

Trent and Sophie have a had two pretty quiet days- showing a bit of weight gain. Its hard to believe they are 2 weeks old
Although both of them have had their issues with their PDA valves over the last couple of days, they are appearing to be closed in both babies ( for now) and as of today- there is no need for any surgery for either of them.
Sophie has learned to suck on a passifier and seems to enjoy it very much. We are thrilled by this as it tells us that she she’s mastered the sucking reflex.
Both are still on antibiotics for the infections they had last weekend, and seem to be responding and tolerating the meds. Trent is also beginning to look less puffy- and appears to be over the discomfort we saw last weekend.

We continue to pray for quiet days for both of them.

The babies continue to have their ups and downs. Although the source of Trent’s infection has yet to be identified, he is being treated with antibiotics and seems to settling down a bi t and is requiring less assistance with his breathing. He also had and echo cardiagram yesterday and for now it appears his pda valve is closed. Unfortunately the valve can continue to open and close until 40 weeks so we’ve got 12 more weeks to go to watch it. He’s also quite puffy due to the infection and fluids and is being given medication to get him back down to a lean, mean, fighting machine.

Miss Sophie is more stable than she’s ever been but it appears her pda is starting to open as well so it looks like she will have surgery to close it later today or tonight. Its a fairly routine procedure and is done right on the unit but it still frightening for someone who is so tiny. However, it is necessary to move her off the ventilator eventually help her to grow.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Katie

All-
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Aaron and I would not have made it through the last two weeks without all you’ve done for us.
The babies continue to have their ups and downs. After a hard week, Sophie is now the more stable of the two of them- resting comfortably and active- responding to my voice when I read and sing. Although she’s still on the respirator, her setting are down a bit and the doctor is hopeful if her belly continues to be calm that she can start being given breast milk again next week. For now, she’s receiving a solution of fats, protein, and sugars and has gained 60 grams. Our big goal short term goal 900 grams which will bring her to 2lbs.

The doctors say that twins tend to follow each other and now both Trent also has an infection (showing the same symptoms Sophie had earlier in the week). While we wait for results from Trent’s lumbar puncture to try to determine the source he is also receving antibiotics. Also, ike his sister, his PDA valve has been unstable is being monitored as it can cause respitory difficulty and has required additional help from his respirator.
We hope that the medication he is being given for it will do the trick as surgery is not an option given his infection.

Please continue to pray for our little ones.

Katie

Katie and the kids all had a good Friday. (pun intended) Trent and Sophie continue to gain weight and are almost up to their respective birth weights. Sophie is back on breast milk through her feeding tube. Although she is still having some tummy issues she is eating (and pooping) okay. She is also taking some antibiotics to combat a small infection, but nothing too serious. Trent is feeding through the IV right now. He continues to work on improving his breathing and just getting bigger. Both Trent and Sophie are reaching out their hands toward Katie and Aaron when they talk and read to them.

Happy Birthday Aaron!

I spoke to Katie late this afternoon. She has been spending a lot of time at the hospital reading to the babies. Thanks to all that contributed toward the books and to Lucy for putting it all together. She really loves the gift! The doctors have told them more than once that Trent and Sophie need a lot of stimulation from their parents so reading and singing are perfect.

Trent is doing well on the breast milk and has gained a little bit of weight back. Lucy got a chance to visit them in the nursery yesterday and said he is waving his arms and legs around and responding to the sound of mom’s voice. The nurses will continue to feed him 3 times a day through a feeding tube.

Sophie is still having a little trouble with her tummy and is back on the IV feed. Despite the tummy ache she too has gained a little bit of weight. She opens her eyes when Katie is singing and reading to her. Lucy said she looks like a doll under a pile of blankets!

They still have family from out of town and are spending a lot of time commuting to the hospital and home. I asked Katie to let us know when she and the family are ready for visitors as we are anxious to see those kids! She promised to keep us updated.

Now that I’ve figured out how to do this, thanks, Paul – this is a great tool, I will let you know that the babies are needing to fatten up! They are beginning to be fed every 3 hours now – so pray their little digestive systems can handle the additional intake.

Along with all the other small and big things – Aaron and Katie are the biggest troupers!
Let’s remember all the mini-and major miracles that got them to this point – Keep up the prayers. What a great big bunch of people you all are! jd