We Be Trippin': NICU ***first four weeks

Wow! The babies are now just about a month old, and have been in the NICU for 4 weeks. Each of those weeks has proven different. The first week that they were there they improved quickly. They were all off of the respirator the night that they were born. They lost some weight which was to be expected. They were also filmed that week as part of a news story about placental blood draws (a new procedure pioneered by a great doctor in our NICU). Because the triplets had this done, they were interested in getting some footage of them for the story! The second week came and they were all doing phenomenally well. They were tolerating their feedings, did not need the bili-lights, had started protein supplements, had been given caffeine to help with the apnea, were coming off of the vapotherm oxygen, and doing well. The third week, was a very difficult week. Miles heart rate was inconsistent, he would be up at about 230, then at times down to 50, they ordered an ekg and echocardiogram to see if they could find anything. Dropping down could be explained by the reflux from his feedings, and thus he would hold his breath in response. But the doctors did not know why he was having very high heart rates. We were sitting in church one day and got an emergency call from the NICU, that Miles had gone downhill. He was not recovering from his heart episodes on his own, and needed the nurses in order to make it back up. We drove down immediately and could tell instantly that he was not doing well, he would go blue and was having these episodes frequently. Phillip gave him a blessing, and we hoped and prayed that he would start to improve. The following days proved to be gradually better. That same week, Lilly's intestines were looped because of intolerance to her feedings, and the boys (having been off of oxygen) went back on it. Needless to say, this roller coaster of emotions was a very difficult one. But we are grateful to say that week four proved to be much better. The babies all went up in their feedings, we were able to start non-nutritive practice feeding, and they are growing at a promising rate. We are humbled by the hard work of these small babies and are so proud of them every day! We love you so much Miles, Jaxon, and Lilly!!!