Find You Waiting

This posting title is the name to one of my favorite Christian songs. It has been out awhile, I think almost a year. I might have been pregnant, with the triplets, when it came out. The artist name is Decemberadio, and it has sort of an Aerosmith sound . The chorus goes like this: "And through all these years you have been there. Dried all my tears and answered my prayers. I just want to feel your presence again. I’m down on my knees in need a friend. and I find you waiting there for me" The Lord has dried our family's tears and answered our prayers. It's an awesome time in our family right now. Yes we're still healing from the loss of our son and daughter, but God's presence has been continuous. He has been here, and we must praise Him for the bad and good times.

As you all know Austin has been home with us for 2 weeks now. We're enjoying our time together as a family of four. It's still hard to believe what all Austin had to endure to make it home. I wish his journey could have been easier, but at the same time it could have been harder. When Chris and I say something such as "the boys" we smile and look at each other in amazement. I think we were afraid to say that we had 2 boys while Austin was in the hospital, because we were so afraid that he would be taken from us and join his little siblings. We still can't say, just like anyone else about their family, that Austin (or Bradley) will live a long life. We've certainly come to terms with our mortality. So, we're making the most of everyday enjoying wonderful family time. We've spent a lot of time outdoors going for walks and letting Bradley play. Bradley is turning into a protective big brother and watches people closely as they get near his little brother. I'm waiting on him to repeat the words that I do such as "please don't get too close" or "he was very premature" and things along those lines.

Austin had 2 doctor's appointments yesterday. One with his pulmonologist, Dr. Brown, and one with his pediatrician, Dr. Baggett. Dr. Brown was very reassuring and positive. He said there was no way to know for sure about Austin's long term prognosis, because each child is different. He says we can turn Austin's oxygen to the lowest level in the next couple of weeks (1/32) as we see that he can handle it according to his O2 sats. He would tell us to turn it off completely during the day if it weren't for Austin's reflux and us having to turn it up during feedings (from 1/16 to 1/8). We go back to him on April 22nd, and he said then if Austin continues to do well we'll talk about turning it off during waking hours. What wonderful news! It will be nice to not be tied to the oxygen. He'll still have the apnea monitor, but that isn't so hard to pick up take with me. Right now I can't carry him around the house with the oxygen. Austin has only had a few apnea spells, and all of them but one have been during feedings. He just gets hungry and fixated on eating and forgets to breath. It's very normal for very babies who were born very premature. Then, we went to the pediatrician. Austin now weighs 7lbs 5 oz! He is the size Bradley was when he was born, so not too bad. Dr. Baggett was so pleased with his weight gain. She said if he gained anymore he'd burst! :-) The reflux is a problem, so she changed him to Bethancol and Carafate instead of the Reglan and Maalox. So, hopefully that will work. Thankfully the reflux doesn't keep him from eating and gaining weight, so we are able to avoid surgery for it right now! Yah! Austin is doing exactly what he should be at this point for a newborn. The doctor even told us that if Austin will sleep he can go 2 4-hour stretches at night. We've been having to wake him up for some feedings at night. Of course, last night he only went one 3 1/2 hour stretch, but we'll take 2 1/2 hours of sleep at one time- it's the longest stretch we've slept since he came home. So, we'll see what he does. If he wakes up every 3 hours then we'll feed him. It's just so amazing that he is doing so well. . . a true miracle given by God. We are also allowed to go to the Zoo, Park, and any other places outdoors as long as we keep people away from Austin. So, that is exciting! We will go back to the pediatrician mid April, and see what she says then about being around people indoors. Let me know if you have any suggestions for other fun things outside. Thank you all for your prayers. Keep them coming. We think Austin will be just fine, but we appreciate the prayers so much. God is watching over us and answering our prayers. We're loving life with our 2 boys!