Hernia Surgery

We are loving having Mr. William home! It is the biggest blessing, and I feel like we are adjusting to the routine. Thankfully, it has been a smooth transition, and almost nice to have one home before two. Its been good to learn what its like to wake up with him at night; how to bathe in our sink; what the perfect bottle temperature is; etc. However, it has been almost two weeks, and we are soooo ready to get Luke home too.

We are not able to take William to the hospital, so my sweet mom has organized a system to distribute Luke's feedings between all of our family members. The grandparents are rotating who goes up to hold/feed Luke, so that I can stay home with William. Cole and I get up there about once a day (and one of them watches William). We could practically make a spreadsheet out of our schedule. But, it means the world to us because we know Luke is being loved.

On Tuesday, we learned that Luke developed an inguinal (groin) hernia. This is very common in premature babies. His hernia was on his right side, and they had to surgically fix it. Luckily, they got him on the surgery schedule right away, and he went into surgery yesterday afternoon at 430. They repaired his hernia, as well as reinforced the muscles on the other side too. Luke did amazing! They were able to use local anesthesia, and he recovered beautifully. He was feeding and eating again after midnight! The doctor said typically this will push back their homecoming 24-48 hours, but he said that Luke did so well, it shouldn't delay him much at all.

Luke is such a happy baby! Right before his surgery:)

We are hoping he will be home in the next week! Please continue to pray for his stamina in eating and his cooperation with the bottles:)

We are great at home. We are having a blast with William. He fits so well into our lives, and I can't imagine what we did without him! He's brilliant already, he loves to wiggle and is developing strong neck muscles. I swear he's about to roll over. He's perfect!

William and Daddy watching a soccer game

William is pooped after his tummy time!!

Thanks for all of your prayers. We feel so blessed!

Much love,

me:) and William (...he's on my lap)

William is home!!

William looks tiny in his crib!!

Wow! We have had such a wonderful week. It has flown by, and has been filled with many wonderful visitors and special memories.

William and Luke met their great-grandparents (my maternal grandparents) on Thursday. Annie and Papa flew in from San Antonio for the day, just to meet the boys. They insisted on seeing them in the hospital, and when they heard discharge was on the horizon, they jumped on the plane!

Annie and Papa with the boys. I will forever treasure this picture.

It was really neat to have four generations together. It took me a little while to process this blessing. When I look at the pictures, it overwhelms me with joy and love. I love the people in those pictures with such a deep love. It was so exciting to have them there and for them to get to know our little boys. But, even more I was so proud for our boys to meet my amazing grandparents. We all ooohed and aahhed over their every little detail...their fingers, their eyebrows, and even their chin dimples.

Also, on Friday, we received the great news that William would be sent home!! We brought him home Saturday afternoon, and it has been the greatest father's day gift ever! You don't realize how wonderful something is, until you actually have it. And now, it is AMAZING having William here at home with us! He has had so many visitors and I think this will be helpful to have one at a time. We are learning the ropes and routine with him, and once Luke comes home, we won't be totally thrown into the fire.

Having William home is such a blessing! This is WAY before our original mid-July date. However, it is really hard having the boys in separate places. Please pray for my contentment and trust since Luke is still in the hospital. We can't bring William up there, and so I am, for the most part, at home. I will go see him at least once a day, but I can't spend all day up there like I'm used to. It breaks my heart.

William is relaxing at home with his mommy!

The doctor told us not to compare the two. Luke is still doing great, but just needs more practice on his feedings. The doctor still can't predict when he would come home because Luke wears himself out when he feeds and isn't completing the bottles. My personal prediction (this is just a guess) is 10 days. But, we'll see. Pray for Luke!

Luke and William's last picture together at the hospital

Thanks for your love and prayers! Happy Father's Day!

me:)

our little punkins

Our little boys are too cute for words. We're having so much fun loving on them and trying to pinpoint their similarities and differences. They are so alike already- they're very laid back, gentle and so interested in what is going on around them. We are excited to get to know their personalities even more as they grow.

The boys are working on taking bottles. Every meal is pretty unpredictable. Sometimes they will take the whole bottle, and sometimes they will look at the bottle, put it in their mouth, and have no idea what to do. Its all about practice, and we're just enjoying participating in their growth.

We CANNOT wait for them to come home!! We wanted to share some more pictures because we've gotten some requests for more of their precious faces:)

zzzzz.....William....they sleep about 21-22 hours a day

zzzz....luke....they don't wake each other up (yet)

cole's dad brought the boys texas tech bibs...wreck em william

luke and lou bob

wreck em...Luke!

xoxo,

me:)

1 month!

William and Luke turned 1 month on Sunday. We cannot believe how fast time is flying. Just a month ago, we received the greatest blessings, and our lives have been forever changed.

It is truly amazing to think of how much we have grown as a family over the last month. The Lord is so faithful. First, he continues to give us a glimpse of the amazing love that he has for us, as we experience love for our own boys. He also has carried us through the last month with minimal sleep, a busy world, and ever changing boys with his perfect steadfastness and consistency. His promises and mercies are new each morning, and we see this more clearly. Finally, he continues to provide for and protect William and Luke- we are a family of four now, and the Father has known our every step since before the beginning of time. Thank you!

William and Luke are progressing steadily. As of today, William weighs 4lbs 5oz and Luke weighs 4lbs 14oz. They are starting to fill out their little faces. The remaining challenge will be the "suck, swallow, breathe" coordination. We started them on bottles yesterday. Their first bottle was quite successful. They each took about 1/3 of the bottle, and the rest was put through their tube. But, the staff told me (about a hundred times) that this will be a long process...they will have no consistency in their feedings and some days they may drink it all, and some days they may drink none. At this point it is all about practice, practice, practice!!

William is wearing brown, and Luke is in green. Luke was WIDE awake and such a wiggle worm for the pictures!

Healthy newborns do not develop this "suck, swallow, breathe" reflex until about 37-38 weeks, so we are trying to teach them, but can't expect much. Its really hard work for them, and I want to remember this as we start this road. Please pray for patience for Cole and me, as well as development for the boys.

Thanks for everything! Enjoy their one month pictures!!

xoxo

me:)