NICU Day 72

Discharge plans are being made for the McTwins. We're excited that they will be coming home, but they will be coming home on different days. Logan is being discharged Friday (Jan 2) and Landon will be discharged in 2 weeks. Even though Landon is still on oxygen, he'll be coming home with his best buddy (oxygen) and an apnea monitor. It was previously felt that Logan would come home with an apnea monitor, but through diligent and answered prayers, he hasn't had an apnea episode in 7 days, which means, no monitor will be riding north to the Delta with Logan.

Landon
His weight is up to 5 lbs 6 oz and his feedings continue to be between 60cc and 75cc. No stimulated apnea episode since Sunday ( I really think he was showing out for Billy to show everyone who is really in control of things. We only think we are.)

Logan
His weight is up to 7 lbs 13 oz. It's a sure bet he'll hit the big 8 before he's discharged on Friday.
I think Logan has been telling Landon that he's going on a scouting mission. He's going home to scout out the homestead and will let him all the in's and out's by the time he's ready to be discharged in 2 weeks. What are brothers for, but to pave the way for bigger and better things, or should we say, more cushy and comfortable surroundings.

No matter what, we know the McTwins will regin in the end.

"Two are better than one....for if they fall, one will life up his fellow" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Posted by Dawn McMinn

NICU Day 69

Today was uneventful for the McTwins. Mary Beth and I took the CPR course for infants at River Oaks, which is required for all preemies discharged from NICU. This gave Billy alone time with the boys. There is no telling what the topics of conversation were between the 3 of them. The CPR course is another step in bringing us closer to discharge

Landon
Landon is now wearing newborn size diapers. His feedings continue to be between 60cc-70cc and tolerating them well. No change on his oxygen status. His weight is 5 lbs 5 oz. The physician said yesterday that he wanted Landon to weigh between 5 1/2lbs and 6 lbs before he would even consider discharging him home with oxygen. He also had a stimulated apnea episode today, which he hasn't had in awhile

Logan
No changes today. His feedings are between 120cc-130cc, which means that if more than 120cc, he has to have a 3rd bottle since each bottle is 2 oz, or 60cc. One of the nurses said that you know it's time to go home when you start on your 3rd bottle at each feeding. I don't want to say the "A" word, but no episode since Monday (6 days and counting). The physician wants him to go 7 days without an episode before allowing him to go home without a monitor. His weight is 7 lbs 10 oz.

Posted by Dawn McMinn

NICU Day 68

Well the "big" guy was good to the McTwin's. He was able to stuff goodies in their stockings and they both got the same thing so there wouldn't be any fighting. Logan said his favorite thing was the cammo baby bottle from Bass Pro Shop. He can't wait to try it out! The nurses continue to spoil them with wrapping them in their Christmas blankets to taking pictures of them in a stocking on the big day. We're so blessed to have the love and support of the staff in NICU as they go out of their way to do things to make each day special in the lives of our angels. It also doesn't hurt to send cookies to them. The best part about the cookies we send is, when they are broken apart, the calories and sugar fall out, which makes it perfect to eat all you want with no guilt.

Landon
Landon continues on his low flow oxygen by nasal cannula, which is adjusted as needed from 50%-70%. His weight today is 5lbs 3 oz.


Logan
Logan has been eyeing his new bottle and waiting for the day he can eat from it. At least he can tell the difference between his and cousin Keighly's bottle, her's is pink cammo, and he said he wouldn't be caught touching a pink bottle (unless it's full). His weight today is 7lb 4oz.

NICU Day 66

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

The McTwins continue progressing at their own pace, slow but sure. Maybe this is some insight into what their personalities will be like. One which is gung ho to do something and does it with gusto, and one which is cautious. But whatever they are, I'm sure it's going to be interesting!

The boys have also told the nurses that they are eager to see what Santa will leave in their stockings tonight. Mary Beth has gotten them stockings to hang on their cribs, and since they've been good boys, I'm sure he'll leave goodies. We'll report tomorrow on what the "big" guy leaves .

Landon
Landon had a blood transfusion Monday for a low hematocrit, but the I.V. has already been discontinued. The physician feels that giving him a transfusion will also help his respiratory status. He's still on oxygen, though on a very low flow rate. The physician laughs and says that Landon just doesn't seem to want to give up the oxygen quite yet, maybe that's the cautious side of him. Otherwise he's doing well. No problems with his feedings of 60cc each feeding time. Landon's weight has hit the big 5 lb mark!!

Logan

What can we say about the chunky monkey. His feedings are up to 110-120cc (4 oz) each feeding, and he's savoring every drop. His weight is up to 7 lbs!! We haven't ask about his apnea in the past few days. Each time we do, it seems he has an apnea episode, so we don't want to jinx him by asking "the a" question.

As our blessings continue to be answered, we wish each and everyone who looks at our precious babies and keeps us in their prayers, a very Blessed Christmas!

Posted by Dawn McMinn

NICU Day 63

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24

Each day out prayers continue to be answered as the McTwins continue their progress. They both are loved by the nurses and are being spoiled rotten with TLC.

Landon
Landon has his feeding tube removed and is taking all his feedings from a bottle. He takes approx 60 cc each feeding, but not as eager about eating like "big" brother. We've whispered in brother's ear to have a discussion with Landon about his eating habits, I guess we'll see how persuasive he can be. Landon had a chest X-Ray yesterday for follow-up from his course of diuretics, and there were still a couple of areas of fluid that the doctor feels can be resolved with another course of diuretics. His weight has increased to 4lbs 14 oz.

Logan
Logan continues to be the poster child for bottle feeding. He took 105cc at one of his feedings yesterday and his weight is now 6lbs 12 oz. He continues to have non stimulated apnea episodes periodically, so his apnea count is the pits.

Posted by Dawn McMinn

NICU Day 61

As we get bogged down in all the hussle and bussle of the Christmas season (I know I do), we sometime forget about "THE REASON FOR THE SEASON". As we look at the most wonderful gift given, the precious baby Jesus, we look at our own gift of children with adoration and know how lucky we are that these gifts have been entrusted to us.

Sons are a heritage from the LORD... Psalms 127:3

The McTwins are doing well under the loving care of the nurses and their Mom.

Landon
Today was another big step for Landon, he was moved out of the isolet into a crib! (now both boys are in cribs). His diuretic was discontinued because of the improvement in his lungs, and he continues to do well on low flow oxygen. His feedings range between 50cc-60cc each feeding, and the nurses are trying to have him take all his feedings by bottle so his feeding tube can be taken out. He's weight is up to 4lbs 12 oz.

Logan
Logan is doing well, though continuing to have episodes of nonstimulated apnea. His feedings are approx 90cc each feeding and you can tell he enjoys every drop! He is now into newborn size diapers and cloths since his weight is up to 6lbs 10 oz.

Mary Beth was able to move into the Ronald McDonald House yesterday. My best friend, Patsy Turner and I helped her move some of her things in last night and was given the tour of the house. It's a great support system for the families staying there as there are several moms which have babies in NICU. She'll be able to stay there until one or both of the boys come home, which will probably around Jan 1. What a great way to start the year!

The Lord is good to all and His tender mercies are over all His works Psalms 145:9

Posted by Dawn McMinn

NICU Day 55

Today was a good visiting day for the McTwins (lovingly named by Anita Batman). Mom has been absent for 2 days because of the weather, but back with open arms. Grandaddy (Billy) and Grandmother Dawn (haven't decided on a name yet though Nanna is at the top of the list) visited also, so there was alot of holding and rocking going on.

The McTwins have the most stylish crib and isolet in NICU thanks to Aunt Patsy. Their giraffe print blanket are being used, along with their bears watching over them, so their "space" seems so much personal.

Logan is up to 6lbs 2oz. and is on apnea count down. Apnea count down is when the days from an apnea episode is counted to determine when a baby can be discharged, if there are no other problems keeping it in NICU . If a baby has an episode and doesn't require any stimulation to recover, then it's 5 days from the last episode till they can be discharged. If stimulation is required, then the count is 7 days from the last episode till discharge. Logan was up to 3 days with no apnea episode until Thursday night, and then the nurse said he acted ugly and had a nonstimulated episode along with one yesterday. He continues to do well except for his apnea, so each day will be a counting day and hopefully he'll be able to come home soon

Landon is still on high flow O2, but as the doctor told us today, he's only on a wisp (25%) of oxygen, and hoping to get changed over to low flow soon. The cold he had last week set him back, but he's making progress now. His feedings continue to be both bottle and by feeding tube. He's not able to take all of his feeding from a bottle because of his respiratory status, but this is improving on a regular basis. His weight today is 4lbs 7oz.

Posted by Dawn McMinn

NICU Day 53

Logan has had a good several days. No apnea since Monday.. making some progress! He now weighs 5lbs. 15oz.

Landon is thru taking his antibiotics for his cold and has his IV out. He now weighs 4lbs 7oz.

NICU Day 51

Logan is doing really good! He is taking between 80 and 100cc. eac feeding every 4 hours. He is still having some apnea but it getting better everyday. He now weighs 5lbs. 10oz.


Landon is back on high flow nasal cannula with his oxygen at 30%. He had a chest x-ray on thursday and his lungs were still hazy and they started him on a diuretic and sodium to clear it up. As of yesterday his lungs are clearer than Thursday; so we are getting improvemnt from that medicine. He has also come down with a little cold and was started on some antibiotics thru an IV. He will get the antibitics for about 3 or 4 days. He is taking 40cc. each feeding every 3 hours. He now weighs 4lbs. 4oz.

NICU Day 46

Logan now weighs 5 lbs. 4 oz. No other changes.

Landon is still high flow nasal cannula but now on 1 liters and oxygen at 28%. He is taking 37cc. each feeding every 3 hours, and he now gets a bottle every other feeding. He weighs 4lbs. 4 oz.