September 13, 2010



I couldn't sleep last night.  Well let me clarify...I couldn't fall asleep last night.  If you know me you know I have no problem staying asleep!  I couldn't slow my brain down and my gut said that Presley was going to turn a corner soon!  Well sure enough she did.  

I went in to feed her at 9 am and she did beautifully.  It has been such a neat experience to watch her evolve and grow.  She was not easily overstimulated, did not pull or gag from her bottle and ate the whole feed.  She has consistently taken 50 to 55 cc out of her 70 cc bottle.  After speaking with the neonatologist we agreed that we can offer less volume (55cc instead of 70cc) and increase her to 27 calorie milk fortifier (instead of 22 calories).  

When I left to go home after the feeding we agreed to this change and that we were still doing every other feed.  At that time they were going to consult with Dr. Rivas (head of the NICU) and see what he thought about this plan.  

On my way back to the hospital I was thinking about this journey that God has taken us on.  After everything we went through to conceive these babies it would be easy to say "why us" but He never promised an easy journey.  I thought...why not us?  He has used this experience in so many ways to strengthen our family and us as individuals.  We are blessed to have gone through this and share our story with others.  

I returned at 3 pm and Brenda, our nurse, was in tears and finishing the 3 o'clock bottle.  Presley had woken up early, hungry and alert.   She took the initiative to go ahead and feed her.  Brenda was overjoyed to see the changes in her and like us, felt that this truly is an answered prayer.  

After finishing her 55 cc she continued to act hungry and ate another 10 cc without a problem.  I was so absorbed in what was happening that I didn't even notice that she didn't have a tube in.  While I was gone orders were written to lower her volume, increase her calories AND take out her tube to let her try all feeds orally!  WOW.  

This could be a flop but my gut says that this baby girl can do it and I can't stop smiling!  She will try all feeds for a few days and if she continues to gain weight and take her feeds then we're on the track to coming home.  If she is unable to do the feedings or looses weight then she could still be making the journey downtown.  This is where your continued prayer comes in!  We wouldn't be where we are without the prayers of all our family and friends.  Since then, she has taken her 6 pm & 9 pm feeds very well!  

I've included a few pictures from where we started and where we are today!  Overwhelmed.


3 comments:

Matt, Valerie,Titan and Boston said...

So excited and happy for you guys! Way to go Presley!! We'll continue to pray for all of you!

Lissa Michelle said...

praying, praying, praying. and just so you know, your "not so easy journey" has glorified god in the lives of people you probably don't even know. she is simply beautiful and is a god's miracle.

ChelseaSalomone said...

Keep going Presley!!!!