As you might have suspected, Brit had her babies on Thursday, Dec. 11. Both were born at 7:54 a.m. which the doctor says is very unusual. Usually there's at least a one or two minute gap even with Caesarean birth. Although Lila was actually taken first, they will have the same birth time because she arrived at the first of the minute and Gage arrived at the end of the minute. Neat, huh?
To clear up some confusion, the actual birth statistics were: Lila Kail, 5 pound 5 ounces, 18 inches long; and Gage Preston, 6 pounds 4 ounces, and 20 1/2 inches long.
Gage had some breathing problems from birth. Both the OB and the pediatrician said that was typical. They told us that he had the "wimpy white male syndrome". That is, of all the races and genders of babies, the white male's lungs are the last to develop. When babies are pre-term (35 weeks and 4 days) and even more common in twins, the white males are more likely to have respiratory problems because their lungs simply are not developed enough to function without help. Interesting, huh?
Gage was Careflited to Scott and White to the NICU within a couple of hours of birth. He was greeted by his Aunt Karen and Aunt Brenda Edwards. Shortly thereafter, J. P. and his dad, Ricky, arrived. Of course, they immediately began working with him. Someone has been with him 24/7 ever since. Although we knew that there was nothing that we could actually do for him, we wanted someone from the family with him always.
Saturday, Brit was released and she went over to see him. A He was already doing better. She couldn't stay long, but at least she got to touch him. Yesterday, they took the oxygen away and he is breathing on his own. They also removed the feeding tube. Both Elizabeth ( J. P.'s mother) and J. P. were able to hold him and feed him. His respirations were down to 48 late yesterday evening and they want them to stabilize around 60. They had been up to 120. Once he can maintain the breathing rate and is nursing vigorously, he may be released.
Lila was released on Sunday. J. P., Brit, and Lila went home. They were offered a place at the Ronald McDonald house in Temple. However, J. P. didn't want Lila nor Brit to be subjected to any sickness since their immune systems are so fragile. He thought it best that they go home.
Brit is doing pretty well. She looks great and is getting around good. I hope she doesn't overdo it. She stays really busy with taking her own meds, pumping for the babies, and tending to Lila. Don't misunderstand, There's been someone with her 24/7 as well. She just enjoys tending to her.
In my family, we have always had big, healthy babies. Even Landry was bigger than the twins. So, knowing exactly what to do with them is still an exploration. That brings me to the nature of pre-term babies. Brit's pediatrician said that she should not take them out except for the doctor's appointments for 2 months. He also said that their immune systems are in a suppressed state. He advised that she limit visitors and those that do come must either wash their hands or use hand sanitizer before touching them.
That causes distress for her and J.P. They're so proud of the babies and want to share them with others, but they simply can't yet. I guess she'll be posting pictures and so will I so that you can at least see them.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers for them. However, everyone wants to see pictures so, I have attached the better pictures that I have. The pictures of Lila are good, but I haven't had an opportunity to get a really good picture of Gage because he's been in a situation where I couldn't get pics without the tubes. Basically, though, Lila resembles Brit and Gage resembles J. P.
Please continue to include their little family in your prayers.
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