Saturday, September 15, 2007

New Olivia Pictures - September 15, 2007





New Logan Pictures - September 15, 2007




First Time Mommy Got to Hold Logan





Saturday, September 15, 2007- Update

We had a wonderful visit with our sweet babies tonight. I got to hold my precious Logan. I was able to lift him up in the isolet while they were changing his bedding. Holding my baby in my hands was absolutely wonderful. Ryan and I grow more in love with them everyday. They both had great days yesterday. Last night and this morning weren’t quite as good. Olivia had 5 seizure episodes last night, but seems to be doing better today. They have been up on their oxygen and both continue to fight chronic lung disease. Only time can heal their scarred lungs, so please pray that they get stronger each and every day.

Both Olivia and Logan are on 3 ccs of milk. They are already starting some sibling rivalry. Last night, Logan weighed 1 lb 5 ¾ oz and Olivia weighed 1 lb 8 oz. Tonight, they both weigh 1 lb 8 oz!!!! I think Olivia weighs only 2 grams more than her brother.

We were able to get some great pictures of them tonight as well that we will share. Daddy read each of them a story and I read each of them a story as well. I tell them every day about how much they are loved and how many people are praying for them.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Friday, September 14, 2007 - Update

Logan and Olivia are doing well today. Logan is enjoying his new isolet. Olivia will go up on her feedings to 3 ccs. Ryan spoke with Dr. Hsiao about Olivia’s CVC line. They may not put another one in; instead they may do a midline. We are not real sure about what that entails, but it is to be less invasive than the CVC line. We will just have to see what she tolerates.

Weight Update:
Olivia 1 lb 7 ¾ oz
Logan 1 lb 5 oz

Dr Hsiao is very pleased with Olivia’s weight gain and wishes Logan would gain a bit more. He did just have surgery a week ago, though. It’s frustrating because I just want the doctor to tell me everything is going to be fine, but in situations like this they can’t. They are not really out of the woods until they go home. Logan and Olivia continue to get stronger every day and in my heart I truly believe they will be fine. God Bless all of you for surrounding my babies with love and prayers.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Thursday, September 13, 2007 - Evening Update

I just received this evening update:


The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.
-Lamentations 3:25

Things were a little more difficult today. Olivia’s CVC line culture did test positive for the staph infection, so it had to be removed today. They had to put another IV in and may have to have another CVC line put in later this week. Olivia and Logan have had more IVs, more transfusions, more surgeries and more tubes going in and out of them than most adults. It really affected me today. I sat watching them in their beds and couldn’t help but to think of how uncomfortable all of that must be. Babies shouldn’t have to endure things like that. They should be surrounded by blankets and stuffed animals and toys. . .not tubes and IVs. It’s so hard not to pick them up and cuddle them and rock them and tell them that everything is going to be okay. That’s what a mother is supposed to be able to do. Please continue praying for them. They still need so many prayers.

Thursday, September 13, 2007 - Update

Morning Post From Mommy:

I’m happy to say that there is not a lot to report today. Both Logan and Olivia are doing fine. Last night, Olivia’s 12 hour culture showed no bacteria in her CVC line. This morning, they didn’t have the 24 hour results, but we’re hoping no news is good news. We got to spend a lot of time with Olivia last night for the first time in quite a while. She was doing a little better with the handling. We got some pictures of her, we got to hand hug her and Ryan read her a story. She seemed to like mom and dad being there.

Logan gets a fancy isolet today like his sister. I can’t wait to see it. He’s sure trying hard to open his eyes. When you talk to him, he looks at you and pulls up his eyebrows. He seems to enjoy it when we are there as well. . .as long as we don’t sing. I started singing to him and his oxygen saturation dropped. I stopped singing and it went back up. Ryan sang to him a little later and he did the same thing. I didn’t think our singing was THAT bad. He loves when we talk to him, though.

Both of them are still taking feedings and they seem to be going well. There has not been much change in their weights. Logan worried us a bit yesterday as he hadn’t had a stool. They did start him on a suppository and he had one about 4 pm yesterday and again this morning. They are both looking better and better every day. It’s amazing to watch all of your prayers working.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Olivia 9.12.07

Beautiful Olivia





Logan 09.12.07

Handsome Logan


Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - Update

Sorry that I am just now writing the update. I’m happy to say that there is not a lot to report today. Both Logan and Olivia have had their oxygen turned up, which we were expecting. Logan has had his pressure turned up as well. . .again, we were expecting that. Both of them are having another transfusion today. They are hoping that the extra red blood cells will help with their oxygen. I’ve lost count as to how many transfusions that each of them has had. I am grateful to all of the people who give blood to the American Red Cross. It truly does save lives. They did a culture of Olivia’s CVC line this morning. If they find bacteria in the line, she will have to have it removed which we do not want to happen. Please pray that the cultures come back negative. We should have the results later tonight.

Weight Update:
Olivia 1 lb 7 oz
Logan 1 lb 4 ¾ oz

I had my 2 week post-op OB appt yesterday. It is believed that the cause of my premature labor was an incompetent cervix. Basically, my cervix was too weak to stay closed during pregnancy and began to efface without contractions. This incompetence is believed to cause 20 – 25% of second trimester losses. I do feel fortunate to have been able to carry them to 23 weeks . . . many women go into labor before there is any chance of the baby surviving outside of the womb. I was also able to be at the hospital when labor occurred. The frustrating thing is, they are unable to diagnose this condition until after a miscarriage or preterm delivery has occurred. This condition would also affect any future pregnancy of mine. There is a surgical procedure that they can do between 12-15 weeks of pregnancy that involves stitching the cervix shut. So, not only do I have trouble getting pregnant; I have trouble staying pregnant as well. However, God knows that. That’s why he gave me two babies at once. . my little boy and my little girl. Your prayers are working. Logan and Olivia are growing stronger every day and I just know that they are going to be fine.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - Update

The update this morning was good. Olivia had an abdominal scan that looked fine, so she has begun her feedings again. She is taking 1.5 cc of milk. Logan has continued his feedings as well at .9 cc.

Weight Update:
Olivia 1 lb 6 oz
Logan 1 lb 5 oz

They are both gaining weight so well. They look more beautiful every single day. I can’t wait to go see them today. Ryan and I miss them horribly when we’re not with them. Please pray that today will continue to be a good day for them. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such strength in someone so small. They are fighting so very hard.

I just want to thank Stacie for this website. I know it is nice for all of you to get updates and it’s comforting for Ryan and I to come here as well. Stacie and I have been friends since 8th grade. We’ve been through all of the ups and downs of life together and I don’t know what I would ever do without her.

Monday, September 10, 2007 - Evening Update

Jodi sent me this update late last night, I apologize I am just now getting this posted. - Stacie

Well, we just got home from the hospital and it’s close to 10 pm and we’re exhausted. Both Logan and Olivia have some rough days ahead, but I know they will get through it. Olivia, like I’ve mentioned before, has an infection and is on antibiotic. If the bacteria has entered her CVC line, they may have to remove it. They hope she will be fine without a line until the bacteria is gone. Then, they will put another one in. She is also fighting chronic lung disease (CLD). The ventilators that they are on can burn their lungs and form scar tissue. That scar tissue can lead to the lung disease. We basically have to wait it out and let her pull through it and we don’t know how long that will take. .maybe weeks. . maybe more. When I went to see her today, they were bagging her because she was desatting on her oxygen. It’s always so scary to sit there and watch their monitors. Olivia is only content when she’s not being bothered and is in the darkness and security of her bed. She doesn’t even like us to lift her covers or turn on the light to see her. We’re going to have to buy some night goggles just to see our precious baby girl. Again, this is pretty common of a 23 weeker and she will become more tolerable of handling as she gets older.

Logan now has a cute little belly button. He also starting taking some milk today (just .9 cc) I got to take his temperature AND change his little diaper today. Later tonight, Ryan got to take his temperature and change a diaper as well. He does have some collapsed air sacs on his lungs. They are turning up his ventilator settings slowly to help open them back up. Dr. Hsiao (pronounced like shower without the –er) compared it to opening up a bag. You could just shake it hard one time and get it to open, but that could cause damage to the lungs. Instead, you just gradually pull it apart. Logan also has CLD as well. Most premature babies outgrow some to most of this as their lungs further mature. Logan is off of his antibiotic. . his last culture came back negative.

When we got home, we went to get the mail and Logan and Olivia had their first pieces of mail!!! Of course, they were only their insurance cards, but they were addressed to them and so they will go in the scrap book. It kind of brightened our day!!

I still can’t believe the outpouring of love and the number of prayers that our family has received. It is because of your prayers and because of God’s love that Ryan and I are able to get through each day. Many of you know me, although some of you do not. If you looked up ‘strong’ in the dictionary, you would not find a description of me. I’m a very sensitive person. . .I’ve always considered myself too sensitive. For example, when we lived in our apartment, I took care of about 10 stray cats. I still feel guilty to this day about leaving them there and that was 3 ½ years ago. I never thought I would ever be able to go through anything like this. Am I mad sometimes? Yes. I don’t understand why this had to happen. Why would God make me wait so long for a baby and endure that hardship only to face another? I don’t know. People tell me the best place for the babies is at Wesley’s NICU and I’m so grateful for their expertise and knowledge of premature babies. I then have to tell people that a BETTER place for my babies would be my womb. Truth is. . .the BEST place for them is in God’s hands. That’s where they’ve been and that’s where they will continue to be. I know HE is watching out for them and I pray for the day that I get to bring them home. Thank you for keeping all of us in your prayers.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Monday, September 10, 2007 - Update

New Update From Mommy:

Well, both of my babies are sick right now with an infection. We don’t remember the name of the bacteria, but it’s one that all of us carry on our skin. It’s harmless to us, but premature babies are affected by it. Logan and Olivia are on antibiotics and their nurses seem fairly confident that the antibiotic will take care of it. It also seems fairly common for babies like Logan and Olivia to contract this. We’re waiting to hear from their doctor for further information. Please keep praying for them.

Logan is having a chest x-ray today to make sure nothing is hindering his breathing. Olivia will have an abdomen x-ray tomorrow if that looks good, they will resume her feedings. We’re hoping the Logan can start taking some milk later in the week.

Also. . .interesting tidbit (discovered by my brother-in-law, Joel) if you accidentally reverse their names and type in loganandolivia.blogspot.com, you will find another set of twins named Logan and Olivia. They were born at 24 weeks in South Carolina.

God bless all of you who are keeping my precious Logan and Olivia in your thoughts and prayers.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Olivia Pictures

Happy Grandparents Day!

Grandpa and Grandma Glunt with Olivia






Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Logan Pictures

Grandpa and Grandma Glunt with Logan

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Logan Pictures

Grandpa and Grandma Sailing with Logan








Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Olivia Pictures

Grandpa Sailing with Olivia

Grandma Sailing with Olivia

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Evening Update

Just received this update from Mommy:

Today is Grandparents’ Day, for those of you who didn’t know. We were glad that Logan and Olivia were stable enough to have both sets of grandparents come visit them.
Olivia has been concerning us a bit and they did have to stop her feeding because she had some blood in her stool. She still wants to be left alone most of the time (although I think she likes it when mommy and daddy visit) She continues to have mucous in her lungs that they are trying to suction out. Olivia does get more beautiful every time we see her. Her weight is now 1 lb 4 oz!!

Logan’s urine output continues to be good and he’s still on the dopamine. They had to give him some more morphine today. His oxygen requirements were all over the place before we left and they weren’t quite sure why. His lab came back fine, so they believe he was just having some pain from the surgery. He does have a slight infection and is on an antibiotic for that. Last night his weight was 1 lb 6.5 oz, but some of that was because he was retaining so much fluid. We expect his weight to go back down tonight. Oh, what a handsome little boy he is!

Please be praying for Ryan tomorrow as he must return to work and I know that will be hard. It’s difficult for us to be apart right now as we find comfort in just being together. Please continue prayers for my precious babies and remember that this is a marathon and not a sprint. They will need prayers for a long time and we are so grateful to all of you. Reading your comments mean so much to us. Remember that tomorrow is a special day. . .they will be 2 weeks old!!!

Sunday, September 9, 2007 - Update

I just received this update from Mommy this morning:

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength
- Isaiah 40:28-29

Yesterday was a trying day. Logan was having some trouble recovering from surgery and his kidneys stopped functioning like they should. I don’t believe he had any urine output for about 19 hours. They gave him some medication to help and it didn’t work. Then, they gave him some dopamine and did a sonogram while we were there. The doctor was supposed to call us with the results. We got home around 6 pm and I went to sleep. I was having a hard time keeping it together. We waited and waited for the doctor to call and he never did. Finally, a little before 8 pm, Ryan called. The doctor went over to check on Logan before updating us, and Logan peed all over his hand! Later that evening, he had urinated about 3 cc. This morning when we called, we found out that he has urinated about 94 cc of urine!! We couldn’t be more excited!!! He’s also had really high blood sugar. They want it to be between 45-100 and yesterday his was 223-230. This morning it was 147. Yesterday, we did get to give Logan his first little hand hug and I was able to take his temperature. We’re hoping that he is now on his way to recovering from the surgery.

Olivia needs some extra prayers as we have been quite worried about her. She’s had trouble with her oxygen and ventilator settings. She still has mucous in her lungs and has had some blood in her stool. They had to stop her feeding because of it and we’re hoping that can get started again. Each time they get in with her, her oxygen has to be turned up to 100%. She is still not tolerating handling well at all. They have also started her on an anti-fungal medication to prevent yeast in her blood. I hope I’m saying all of this right. Ryan is the one remembers everything so well. We even had a nurse ask him if he was in the medical field. He has this ability to retain and remember information like no one I’ve ever met.

We will be up to see them today and I’ll try to update you again. I didn’t realize how many people would be checking this website. I’m going to have to start proofreading my posts (I do have my bachelors in elementary education, after all.) Thanks again for all of your prayers!!