2 steps forward, 1 step back...

Hi everyone, this update is coming straight from the source. I thought I'd give Jules a break and post a quick update myself.

Thursday we had such a great report at the end of the day, but it turned out to be a rough night for Joey. I happened to be in the NICU to drop off some milk when Joey was in the middle of an apnea (sp?) episode. Apnea (when a baby "forgets" to breathe) is very common and typically happens in very short, momentary episodes. The episode I witnessed lasted several minutes. Needless to say, I think it was as hard on me than it was on Joey. One of the docs had been paged in to receive a new preemie to the unit and they also notified him of Joey's condition. As you may recall, Joey has been on CPap since he arrived in the NICU. Well, he had yet another longer episode of apnea about an hour or so later. So the doc had him put on a ventillator. Yesterday was a "rest day" for Joey. They held his milk feedings and provided nutrition only thru his IV and we didn't take him out of his isolette in order to avoid any unnecessary stress. We're anxious to see how he's doing today. We didn't like having to take the "step back" to put him on the ventillator, but we have faith that he'll be back on CPap soon.

One other "step back" was with Tom late Thursday night/Friday morning. Due to an over-expanded right lung, he's had to go back on the jet ventillator. He's laying on his right side to get more air in and out of his left lung and to keep the right one slightly compressed. He was due for another chest xray early this morning, so we'll know more about him shortly.

The boys have all lost weight - which is totally normal for any baby. Here are their current weights, as of yesterday afternoon:

Tom 2 lbs 3 1/3 oz
Sam 2 lbs 5 1/3 oz
Joe 2 lbs 1 2/3 oz
Henry 2 lbs 3 1/3 oz

I spent my first night at home last night. I can't even describe how difficult it was to leave the hospital, knowing I'd be away from our boys for so long. I of course called the NICU last night to get an update and I'm too anxious to call yet this morning. In fact, I'm going to end this update so I can get out the door! Mom is here for the weekend and we'll be spending most of the day at the hospital. Tim is on his way to Detroit this morning to pick up a freezer and some food from my Uncle Tim and Aunt Sarah (thank you!!!) and to run a couple other errands. Hopefully he'll get back from his day in Michigan in time to visit the boys. I'm sure he misses them as much as I do.

Thanks again for all your help, love and support. Hopefully we'll make time this weekend while we're home to get some more photos posted - we've got so many to share!

Love
Kristin & Tim