Wednesday, December 2, 2009

40 Weeks!!!

Today the girls hit 40 weeks gestation! It didn't seem like this day would come, but it did and it came faster than expected. What little miracles these girls are. They have endured so much, but remain strong and continue to fight. The Lord's hand is evident in their lives. He is comforting them and loves them so very much just as we love them. We are closer each day to the day they get to come home, but we still don't have a date of when that will happen.

Haley - She recovered well after her surgery. She has been sleeping a lot. When she is awake, she has not been wanting to open her eyes. Who would after all she has been through with her eyes? Haley continues to gain weight well. She is 6 pounds 4 oz. There is talk about getting Haley's bowel reconnected soon. Her bowel surgery was almost 2 months ago. We look forward to getting her reconnected so she can get on the road to recovery and come home.

Haley and Mommy





Rachel - Is as feisty as ever. She is so strong. She can move her head around well and she can also raise her self up. She likes to dig her feet in her bed and lift her self up. We are going to have to tie her down! She is getting a bronchoscopy next week and hopefully they can get an idea of why she didn't tolerate the nasal cannula. Rachel is gaining weight as well. She is 5 pounds 9 oz. We can't wait to when she makes it to 6 pounds. She moves around so much she burns her calories up. Rachel is now on formula (Neosure) as she is gaining weight much better on it than on the breast milk. I'm thankful she was able to get breast milk as long as she did.

Rachel snoozing on daddy's chest

11 comments:

  1. The girls are so pretty, as usual! Great news about the weight gain, I can't beleive how big they're getting. I figured that they're gestation date was coming soon, but you're right, it does seem pretty quick!! They have accomplished so much thus far, they're so amazing! I hope they continue to grow and develop and are able to meet the milestones they need to so they can come home.


    Praying for you always,

    Christina McKinney

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  2. Hi Amanda, I am so glad to hear the girls are getting better and bigger with everyday. They are just precious! I just started up my own blog design business and would love to design something for your blog. Contact me and let me know.

    jamie@e-techweb.com

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  3. I've been following your blog since the babies were born and chime in periodically to share my experiences with 23-week twins, also in Houston.

    Despite my breastmilk being available, my babies were on Neosure from their NICU time until their first birthday. My personal theory is that my milk was "skim," probably on the low range of the distribution. Doctors and nurses told me breastmilk had 23 calories, but my research showed that was an average that could vary from low teens to nearly 30 calories per ounce.

    I apologize for intruding, but I wondered if you could also post about how the girls are feeding -- tube or bottle, and whether they still have any IV's.

    Y'all are frequently in my thoughts. - Courtney

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  4. Hmm, have they tried doing breast and formula? My son was on breast milk with an added scoop of neosure to up the calorie intake. Essentially, the "best of both worlds".

    Glad to hear things are going well.

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  5. Happy due date! I hope it's just straight-up progress from here on out. I found that I was pretty patient with the NICU experience until Becca reached her due date, but after that I kind of felt cheated out of time with my baby and got really, really impatient. She came home 5 weeks later. I hope that you are able to handle the next few weeks with more grace than I! :) Will be praying for you!

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  6. One more milestone! I am very proud of Rachel and Haley for being so strong. Thank you Amanda and Thomas for sharing with us the gift of watching these precious lives unfold. These tiny angels sent from above are here to fill up your hearts with love and your lives with joy. I love the pictures! Amanda, you are looking great! Congratulations! Love, Claudia

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  7. I've been reading your blog for a while but this is my first time commenting. I am the mom of 2 year old twin boys and a 10 month old son.

    Your girls are so sweet and I will be praying for Haley's eyes and for strength for you and your husband.

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  8. Thank YOU Father in Heaven for allowing this beautiful day to come. bless these babies and their parents and help them to continue to be the shining stars that they are.... i continue to ask this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen

    Such a happy day! hope all goes well for Haley and Rachel and that their problems will melt right away...

    We love you, Stansel Family!

    Erma

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  9. HAPPY Adjusted Bday!!! Trying to type...but my 27wker who is 16mos is trying to help me. Keep up the good work girls, soon you'll be home w/ mom and dad and in no time helping them type too.

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  10. I have been following your blog since the begining. I told my daughter what has happened, that you've been told to put Rachel on formula instead of breast milk. My daughter, Leahona, said that you should continue to pump and freeze the breast milk so you can give it to her later on when she is better and stronger and can really use the bennifits that only breast milk can provide. If you would like to e-mail her for help and support she would love to be of any help she can. Leahona's e-mail is choir_queen@hotmail.com. She is the mother of two little girls, one is three and the other one is 15 months old. Thanks for listening. My name is Sharon-An Athey, I live in Olympia, Washington.

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