24 weeks! - Pat ed.

We made it to 24 weeks! Just 2 short weeks ago, I didn't think our babies had much of a chance to make it to this point and here we are.

The electro-cardiogram conducted on Emma last night did show that the ductus arteriosus is open, but it is helping her. When her blood pressure gets too high, this duct is serving as a "pop-off" valve of sorts to keep the pressure off of her little heart. Therefore the doctors don't want to do anything to treat it, for fear she could overload her little heart.

Now it seems that one thing leads to another and can't be fixed because it will lead to another. Again, it's another wait and see game with Emma. They tried to give her 1ml of Jana's gogo juice last night but it didn't sit well with her and she is not yet digesting it. They can tell by the amount of bile that is built up in her feeding tube. So for now they are holding off on giving her any more milk. Emma continues to fight, dealing with a cat 4 unilateral IVH, possible lung disease, ecoli infection, and bruising. I know when Emma battles through all of these things and grows up she will either be a professional bull rider or a mixed martial arts fighter. I wouldn't be suprised for Emma to be the first female Division 1 middle linebacker. She's tough, unyielding, and strong - just like her mother.

When the nurses and doctors talk about Abigail they do so in a whisper because they don't want her to hear how well she is doing. She has been accepting of Jana's sweet nectar and has been weaned back twice from the respirator she is on. She is definitely going to be the over achiever of the family.

In the roller coaster ride of the NICU unit, Abigail is definitely at the top of the climb and Emma is on that slow rickety track climbing up.

Today Jana and I both severely sanitized our hands and reached into Abigail's "pseudo-uterus" (that's what we call the incubator) and touched her little hand. Abigail then squeezed our finger as if to say "don't worry I'm ok". That has been our first connection with our little angel and it puts a big smile on my face when I think about it.

The funeral home called today and Reagan was ready to come home. I went and picked her up and put her in a tiny little urn that is pink with a little angel on top. She is my sweet little angel and I know this container will remind us of her strength and beauty. I pray every day for Reagan to watch over her little sisters.

Tomorrow is another blessing..............