Proud Momma!

This update is coming to you from a proud momma!

The official label for the boys is "Critically Stable". Both of the boys have a heart murmur called a 'PDA' which means that there is a passage way open in the heart. This opening is making the heart pump extra. The extra blood from the extra pumps is going to the lungs. Right now the boys are handling the blood just fine. At this point the neonatologists feel that the side effects out weigh the benefits from the treatment so they are just keeping a close eye on it for now.

Skyler: Over all had a good day yesterday. He's eating 4 cc every 3 hrs and is digesting his food very well. Sky had a head ultra sound at birth and then one Tuesday morning. Both ultra sounds showed some low grade blood in a fluid space in his brain. There has been no increase in blood and we're praying that this just heals itself. I got to change my first preemie diaper last night and I was SO excited! Skyler had a nice poo diaper for me. I never thought I would be so excited to change a poo diaper, but I really was! He knew I was rookie and was very helpful. After his diaper change I did what I call the comfort hold. The nurses actually call it the "confinement hold" because it confines their movement but I prefer comfort hold because it sounds nicer and it really calms them right down.

Sky getting his diaper changed

Comfort hold

Sky getting comfort hold after diaper change

Keller: Poor little guy didn't have as good of as day as his brother. Really, the past two days have been rough on him. He was on the CPAP machine but he wasn't really ready for that yet. Since he was born so early he still doesn't have a strong breathing reflex. As he matures the reflex will mature and breathing will become more natural. While he's back on a ventilator he's not requiring extra oxygen so he's breathing regular air which is a good thing. The switch from the CPAP to ventilator was good but tough for Keller. He was exhausted on Tuesday and I think that's why he was so off yesterday. Just as I was about to leave last night he started getting restless again so I did the comfort hold for about 45 minutes.  As soon I placed my hands on him he calmed right down. It was so special! It really made me feel like his mommy! Keller is eating 6 cc every 3 hrs and is also digesting his food very well. His daily intake is almost 2 oz. per day. 

Lots of Love,

Shelly

Boys meet Boys!!

Last night Grayson and Asher got to meet their brothers (who are 5 days old and would have been 26 weeks if still in the womb)! Up until last night they had only seen some pictures and heard about them. When Micah showed Asher he said "they aren't real Daddy!". Micah told him to wait and watch and he would see them move...and sure enough they did and Asher was shocked! He also saw the diapers and thought they were so funny because they were so small! The nurses were so nice to the boys, trying to help them understand everything that was going on with their brothers. They changed Sky's poopie diaper and the boys were so grossed out!

Meeting Keller!	Diapers are FUNNY!!
Meeting Sky	Nurses chatting with the boys!

As I mentioned before Keller is off the ventilator and is now on a CPAP machine (sleep apnea mask). He is working really hard to breathe on it and we're hoping this gets easier for him. Every little position change, new tube, etc is harder for Keller to take because he's doing more on his own now. Last night he got a PICC line. This is used to draw blood, give medicine, etc. This line was originally put through the umbilical cord, but now they are putting in a more permanent line. He's on his tummy now all cuddled up. He was also practicing sucking and opened his mouth so Shelly could see his little tongue. Notice below on Keller's arm...it's Micah's wedding band. It really puts in perspective how TINY these little boys are!

Keller with no breathing mask

Keller with wedding band

Sky got a new bed. He was in the one he was transported to upon delivery. They turned down the amount of oxygen he was getting and he's tolerating that well! He received his PICC line last night. The boys all together are eating about 2oz per day. The nurses are using breast milk for their feedings, which goes through a tube in their tummy. Shelly got them new mommy scented blankies. They are little squares of fabric that Shelly will tuck into her shirt to pick up her scent. Then they put the fabric in with them really close to their heads! This is supposed to help confort them and Shelly really loves that! She said it feels really good to be able to provide nourishment and comfort to her baby boys. Last night Sky was getting his diaper changed and he was getting upset and flailing around. Shelly was able to put her hands above him to create a barrier and he calmed right down. His little toes uncurled and his body relaxed. It was a special moment for Shelly!

Skyler with Micah's wedding band	Shelly calming Sky
Proud and happy momma!	Asher with a bear, who he named "Cougar"

It was a good evening and things are still progressing! The boys were excited to meet their brothers and we all look forward to the day when they will all be home together. Asher found a bear and decided to name him Cougar in memory of their cat! The boys took the news pretty hard, but Micah found some pictures they had taken and is having them printed so they can create a Cougar wall so the boys will remember him!

Until next time!
-Auntie Kylah

Two steps forward...one step back

Asher passed out on the couch!

Well, the start of another week and we have some good things to report! Shelly was discharged on Sunday and her back is feeling much better. The big boys stayed with Patrick and me over the weekend and were SO good! Grayson got his Nintendo DS back and stared at it all weekend! We took the boys to Fred Meyer to pick out a toy and Asher picked out a bag of giant bugs and a Star Wars figure. He couldn't get enough of those!! Grayson picked a Halo guy and he and Asher had fun playing together! Patrick was up with the boys on Sunday morning and made pancakes and bacon for them! I got to sleep in  a little, but joined them for breakfast! We mostly spent the day playing and eating :)

Micah called to let us know he and Shelly were heading home, so we packed the boys up to take them there as well! It was a pretty exhausting weekend...going from no kids to 2 kids takes a lot out of me.

I talked to Shelly a little this morning and she let me know that Keller is off his ventilator and is now  on a sleep apnea machine. This is a good thing! Also, the nurses are continually amazed by how tough little Sky is! Shelly is going to visit them later today and said she'd send me an update and some new pictures! So stay tuned for that!!

The sad news of the weekend is that Cougar, the Dolen family cat, was the victim of a raccoon attack and is now in cat heaven. The big boys don't know yet and Micah is trying to figure out the best way to tell them. Cougar was an amazing cat and it's another event that adds to all the emotion. Prayers for Grayson and Asher (and Micah and Shelly) that they can understand what happened. RIP Cougar...we loved you!

Happy Monday everyone,

Auntie Kylah!

Mamma Dolen

Another good day for the twins! The doctors attempted to take the respirator off of Keller, but it turns out he wasn't quite ready. Besides that the boys are still stable!

As for Shelly...she's currently in a lot of pain. She's having some trouble with her back and it's not quite clear what the pain is coming from. The doctors have given her some pain medication, but if we could all send some extra prayers her way that would be really great!

Thanks again -

Auntie Kylah

Our little miracles!!

Miracle - an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs. That is what Skyler and Keller are...miracles. And it's not just because I think so, even Dr. Walker says it's a miracle both of these little guys are alive.


So, I got the low down from Micah. Shelly was actually able to see S&K last night for a short visit, but quickly began feeling nauseous. They retired to their room and tried to get a good night sleep. Today has been another good day. Shelly got to spend some quality time with her boys and had some visitors. Micah and Shelly got to talk with Dr. Walker again today. It seems these babies are quite the hot topic...or at least their home (placenta). Dr. Walker has been studying it and showing it to other doctors because he is just amazed at what a unique setup they had. Before delivery Dr. Walker threw out an option to terminate Skyler to give Keller a better chance at staying in the womb longer. Of course this was not an option in Micah and Shelly's minds as they had faith that God would be protecting these little guys. It turns out Skyler was working off only 5% of the placenta and sharing blood supply with his brother. Skyler's blood would be pumped to Keller and then back, but only after most of the nutrients and oxygen were taken by Keller. This is why Skyler has been fighting so hard in there! After this discovery it was explained that termination of Skyler would have immediately killed Keller. Luckily, with the strong faith of Micah, Shelly, friends and family...two beautiful little angles were born yesterday.


I think we can all agree that God is playing an important part in these boys lives, but if you are still unsure...this is a picture of Keller in his incubator. Take note of the symbol that appears above his head in the burned out light bulbs....miracle!

Ok, so miracles aside...the status of the babies is good! They have had a day of stability and that's all we can keep praying for! Shelly is also doing well. All her IV's and tubes are out and she was free to shower, walk, and visit her boys. 


All in all today was a good day! While I didn't get to visit today, Patrick and I will be taking the Big Boys this weekend. I hope I can once again fill their days with fun and laughter in the midst of this crazy time!


Signing out - 


Auntie Kylah

Keller's foot 

Showing how small

Skyler's hand and his bent pinkie finger (a Dolen trait)

1/6/12 3:50pm Day 1

I know everyone is anxiously waiting the latest update! ME TOO...I can tell you that Shelly was able to see the babies today and she's had some visitors! The babies are still stable and have a day behind them!!

I am waiting for a call from Micah to get more details...at which time I will update this post and add some more pictures!!!

STAY TUNED!!

-Auntie Kylah

The Hours after...

It's 7:25pm and I'm writing this from my house. I spent most of the day at the hospital helping and making sure Micah and Shelly had everything they needed! After delivery the babies went to the NICU and Micah was able to check on them a few times...coming back with good news each time. Micah was able to get some sleep and Shelly got a brief nap as well. Shelly, as always, has been an amazing woman through this whole process...never complaining, just asking for simple requests (like chap stick and filing her nails)! Around 5:30 I was able to get some food in Micah ;) It was a long day and only a few snacks was not enough for that big boy...even if he denies it. After his dinner he got authorization to have me come along to the NICU to visit Skyler and Keller.

Those little boys are just the sweetest things I have ever laid eyes on. Babies are always special, but these two are different. They are both fighting, hooked up to many tubes, under lamps, on heating pads, under plastic, and inside little incubators. Through all the tubes, tape, and everything else I could still see two precious little boys who have blessed this world! Keller is under a special light and has to wear a cover over his eyes, but printed on the cover is sunglasses...it looks so cute! Skyler was sleeping with his hands stretched over his head...almost like he was stretching himself out...after being cooped up in the womb for 25 weeks.

We know that the first few hours (which we've passed) and days a head are the most critical. So, while they are in stable condition and looking so sweet; we are still needing as many prayers as we can get! I can honestly say this was the most emotional, spectacular, amazing day I have had in my life and I will never forget it! I'm so blessed and can't wait to continue this special bond with my new nephews!

Thanks again to all our friends and family who are keeping The Dolen Family in their thoughts and prayers and also helping out along this journey. I know I speak for them when I say "we love you!"

Micah and me before the delivery!

Until tomorrow-

Auntie Kylah