Eventful Week

Last week was pretty eventful, at least for Reid. Tuesday, Brent and I went out to eat for our 2 year anniversary. We left the babies with Pappie, and Margaret was coming to help her with feedings. On the way home, mom called to see where we were. She then told me that they were a "little concerned" with Reid. While eating, he choked and spit up out of his mouth and nose. When he did this, he lost all color in his face. They called my dad, since he would probably know the most about CPR, and they also called Mrs. Madge (a friend of Margaret's that is a nurse). Mrs. Madge suctioned his mouth and that started bringing his color back. Immediately I start thinking he may be getting RSV, which is very dangerous for preemies. Needless to say, I didn't sleep at all that night.

The next morning (Wednesday) we got up and took him to the Dr. No fever, no congestion in his lungs, just a stuffy nose. He doesn't know to open his mouth and breathe while taking a bottle since his nose is clogged, so that is what caused the choking. All they told us to do is put Saline drops in his nose a few times a day to keep it moist. We are also using a humidifier to moisten the air. That was a week ago, and he is still stuffy. I'm starting to think he has allergies.

Friday we got up and I was going to give them a bath. I bathed Reid and was giving him his bottle, and I started to feel different. All my energy left me, and I started to have chills and aches. I called Brent to come home and feed Rylee, so I could take a bath. I really thought the bath would warm me up and make me feel better. Brent went back to work, and within 2 hours, my temperature went from 98.8 to 103.1! I was freaking out. Everyone was at work, and I couldn't find anyone to keep the kids so I could go to the Dr. Brent's best friends mom, Momma Jane, came and kept them while Brent took me to the Dr. I knew it was Mastitis again, but I always get scared it might be the flu. It was defiantly Mastitis, and it was severe. Both sides were engorged and hot. They gave me a shot and more antibiotics. This was the icing on the cake.... no more pumping! I am starting to feel better, just a little sore from trying to dry up. Pray this process goes quickly.

That is the end of the health events. The babies are doing pretty good with formula. Reid spits up some and gets very gassy, but Rylee has adjusted great. They are growing so fast! It already breaks my heart to watch them grow. I want to freeze time so they will stay this little.

They are sleeping pretty good. We are usually up twice a night, which is not bad at all. I try to feed them at 10:00 PM, then they wake up between 1-2, then again between 5-6. If I were working, I would already be up for the 5-6 feeding, so we would really only get up once a night. We did have a pretty rough night a few nights ago. They were both up screaming for over an hour. It must have been something in the breastmilk, which makes it even easier to stop pumping! It was not a fun night with BOTH of them screaming.

My sister and niece came for the weekend and that was great! Especially since I was sick Friday and Saturday. Friday night my sister got up with them for every feeding. I didn't get up at all, and it was WONDERFUL!!!!! She kept them for a few hours Saturday while I went to Greenville, and when I came home the living room was clean. I told her just to move down here.... she really spoiled us this weekend.

We are getting ready for our first visit from Santa. The kids don't have a clue what is going on, but that's ok; I'm excited enough for them! We will go to Brent's grandmothers on Christmas Eve, then to Pappie's and PawPaw's! Christmas morning, we will get up and do the "Santa" thing, then go to MaeMae's house. For lunch we will go to my Grandma's.

I am already starting to get sad about going back to work. I go back January 5, and I'm not ready!!!! But I don't think I would ever be ready if I had the choice.

We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! Our Christmas wish already came true, we are home and healthy.

Love,
Brent, Jessica, Reid and Rylee

One happy family on "Going Home Day!"

Loaded up and ready to go!

The nurses telling us bye.

We had to go tell Ronald thank you!

Pappie and MaeMae feeding the babies on the 1st night home.

Daddy time in the recliner

Today, December 14

All the prayers were heard and answered! We came home last Friday night, and what an exciting week at the Blocker house it has been! They were in the hospital 38 days total. They didn't have a bath the entire time they were there, so that was goal #1. They had their first bath last Sunday, and they both slept through it.

Monday I had to take them to the eye doctor for their premature eye exam. Leslie and Annslie went to help out, and Annslie is amazing with them! She is really a good helper. They were 6 weeks old and had their eyes dilated. They both did great, and everything is normal. When premature babies are on oxygen, there is a risk it will hurt their eyes; but we are fine. We go back in 2 months for a follow up.

Tuesday is rained and rained, but we had to go to Clarksdale for my 6 week check up. Everything is fine and Dr. Balthrop was so excited to see them. I still hate that she didn't get to deliver them. We have a bond with her, and she will always be my favorite. The babies also went to the Bunko Christmas party Tuesday, but we didn't stay long.

Wednesday and Thursday we stayed home and I got to taste motherhood on my own. It's not quite as bad as expected, I just don't like being confined to the house. I'm a "goer" and "doer" and it gets the best of me to stay home all day.

Friday we got up and got dressed and went to Leslie's. She and Annslie kept them while I went to Walmart and Punkin Patch. After that we picked up something to eat, then went to the Health Department to get them on WIC. That only took 2 hours!!!!!!!! Needless to say, after that we were all tired and cranky... Mommy included. We found out that they are both over 5 pounds now!!! We don't know exactly how much, because they weighed them with clothes and diapers, and the hospital weighed them naked. They are growing so fast!!!

Saturday we stayed home with Daddy. He is on a cooking kick, and was in the kitchen all day cooking things to freeze. Pappie (Mom) came over that morning and cleaned good and did a few other things around the house. Mrs. Ward brought us lunch and helped with the 12:30 feeding. Allison came and brought 5 boxes of diapers from the school crew. That is the best gift we can get, along with wipes, formula and gift cards.

Last night Brent and I went to the EOC Christmas dinner and Margaret kept them. It was good to get out for a while, but at the same time we were both ready to get back home. We had dinner at Catfish Cabin, went and saw a few friends, made a trip to Walmart, and was back home by 9:00.

Today (Sunday) we went to Nana's for Sunday lunch, then Brent and the twins went to Margaret's for the afternoon. I went to Greenville to try and return a few things.

I have tons of pictures I would like to post, but just don't have the space on here. If you are in the area, and want to come visit, just let me know. We appreciate a call letting us know you are coming, so we can try to schedule a feeding time during your visit. That way they are awake a little.

Today I received some very sad news from a friend at RMH. Nikius, the baby that was very sick, gave up the fight and went to be with Jesus. I'm crying again thinking about it. Nicole, his mom, has been such a blessing in my life. This is the second child she has lost, and she continues to be strong. I haven't talked to her yet, but did hear that she was doing pretty good. Please pray for the Jones family during this very difficult time. I'm sure it is difficult enough losing a child, but with Christmas coming, I'm sure that is more difficult.

Also, another mom from the RMH is facing surgery next Friday on one of her twins. Her skull fused together before it should have, and they are going in to separate it. I don't know all the details, but it is a major surgery. If you think about it, pray for the Wilson family as they await this surgery.

And of course, please continue to pray for Reid and Rylee. Mostly that they gain weight and continue to eat good. They have slept very good for the past 3 nights, and we hope this continues. They have both had a little stuffy nose, but nothing major yet. We hope it is from the temperature changes. Speaking of temperatures, they are doing so much better on keeping their temps up, but pray that continues. Rylee continues to run low, but I think that is just her.

Sorry it has taken me so long to update, but it took me 3 days to get this typed and the pictures uploaded. Things are a little crazy around here, but we are getting the hang of it. I can say I am truely blessed with good babies so far! I hope they stay like this. One good thing about being in the hospital so long is the babies are already on a schedule! It's great! I will try to update at least once a week, but it may be shorter or longer. It just depends on the babies!

With love,
Brent, Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

Thursday Update

Hold your breath and hold it tight!!!!!!!!!!!! We are suppose to come home tomorrow! Rylee's temp is still running a little low, and Reid isn't eating that great.... but the plan is to come home. As of right now, the only thing that would keep us here is the new Dr. that is coming on call tomorrow. The Dr.'s change rotations every 2 weeks, and a new Dr comes on tomorrow. We are thinking that nothing will change, but that is the only thing that would keep us here.

If you are checking this before noon on Friday, say a prayer that we get orders for discharge. I'm not posting pictures or anything tonight because I'm trying to clean and pack. I'm sure I'm not going to get much sleep, but I'll try. My last night at the RMH, my last night without my husband, and most important, my last night without precious babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your love and support!
Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

11:00 PM

Just a quick update, Rylee was at 96.9 when I just called, so she is coming up. I begged the nurse to keep them together, and I think she will. You have to read the below blog to understand.

5 weeks yesterday (Tuesday)

Reid at 5 weeks old; frowning at me!

Rylee at 5 weeks old, trying to sleep.

"Oh sister, I've been looking for you!"
"Hmmmm, I've been right here."

Rylee scooted close to Reid.

Rylee posing for the picture, and Reid staring at his sister.

Yesterday was a pretty good day, today started off great but ended not so great Rylee kept her temperature up all day. I found the secret.... they need to be in the same bed. I asked the Nurse Practitioner if that would be alright, and she was fine with it. Her temperature didn't go under 96.9 all night and all day today. They told me this morning that we can expect to go home Friday IF Rylee will keep her temperature up, and if Reid will gain weight. So all day I've been in the frame of mind that we are going home friday. The day nurse had separated the babies before shift change, and that affected Rylee's temperature (at least that is what I'm blaming it on)! At the 8:00 PM feeding her temperature was 96.4, which is not good at all. I made the nurse check it 3 times and it was the same every time. I told her if we put them in the same bed, it would come back up. I don't think she believed me, because she asked 3 other nurses if it was ok to put them together. I wouldn't tell her to if it wasn't ok!!!!!!! I'm SO ready to get my babies home so I can do what I want with them!!!!! I will be calling at 11:00 to see what her temp is, and if they are still in the same bed. Once again, most of the nurses are so nice, but there are a few I just don't see eye to eye with. I'm already on pins and needles..... I am willing to do whatever it takes to get us home, and would appreciate a little help from our nurse on duty. Yeah, I'm a little frustrated.

On a good note.... putting them together was the most precious thing ever! The first time we put them together, we uncovered their hands. Immediatly Reid reached over and grabbed Rylee's hand... he didn't let go for the longest time. It was priceless; I cried! It is amazing to watch them after they have been apart 5 weeks. Today I faced Reid out, and he turned inward towards Rylee. They are so cute.

Enormous prayer requests.... for Rylee's temperature to stay up!!!!! And for Reid to eat more. After both of those happen, pray that we can come home SOON!!!!

Love,
Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

33 and 34 days

We are so happy to be in our new beds!!!!!!

It has been a few days since I posted last, so I'm not sure what all has happened since then. Last night (Sunday) the babies were both put in cribs, which is a HUGE step in the right direction. They aren't actually cribs, more like a plastic box; but if it gets us home, I don't care what it is!!!! Now they are being watched very carefully on their weight and temperature. They didn't eat as much today as they have been, but it wasn't too bad either. The main concern we have right now is Rylee's temperature. They consider normal between 97.0-99.0, and Rylee has dropped into the 96's again. At 5:00 she was 96.6, then at 8:00 she was 96.5. The nurse is suppose to call me at 11:00 if she is still this low or has dropped more. If she stays low for very long, they will put her back in the incubator. We have come too far for that.

As far as going home, nothing has really been mentioned other than in the next week "if everything goes ok." It is a good sign when they call and set up your CPR class, which they called me yesterday. I go tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10:00 for CPR. Usually they do this when they know you should be going home soon.

Brent left yesterday afternoon, and I'm alone for the first time in 5 weeks. It wasn't too bad today; but that is probably because I had to run in circles trying to get their birth certificates straight. It seems they were suppose to give me an application for their birth certificates and didn't. I've been looking for them in the mail, and that would be why they haven't come. So I spent a good bit of time today getting that straight. But I did get it worked out, and actually was able to pick them up at the Health Department today. Now we are just waiting on Social Security cards.

I think Mom is already wanting to come back, but I'm trying to get her to wait and see if we find out when we will come home. If Rylee will get her temperature up and keep it up I think we could be home by Friday. That may be wishful thinking, but that is all I have right now.

I am off to bed, after a long prayer that Rylee will bring her temperature up! Please pray that she comes up, and stays up. Also pray that they will begin to eat a little more. That is basically all that is keeping us here right now. Lastly, pray that we are able to come home soon. Tomorrow the babies will be 5 weeks old, and 5 weeks ago today I went into labor. About now (9:23 PM) I was getting to Jackson. That doesn't seem like 5 weeks ago!!!!!!

Goodnight to all,
with love,
Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

Thanksgiving/ 1 Month Old!!!

Our first family photo, Thanksgiving Day

My Daddy dressed me (gown is on backwards)

Reid is light sensitive like Daddy,
so Daddy let him wear his glasses

My 2 baby birds Thanksgiving morning.

I haven't updated in a few days because of the internet here, but there really hasn't been much of a change. They had told us we may go home early this coming week, but now that has changed. They are saying now that the babies are not taking enough calories per day, and until they do we will be here. The Dr. said this morning probably another week, possibly longer. UGHHHH!!!!!

They have both eaten VERY good for the last 24 hours. They were jumping from 14 cc's to 25 or more. Since 5:00 yesterday afternoon they have both eaten 20 or more per feeding. That is a step in the right direction.

What we are waiting for right now is for them to get out of incubators and into cribs. The Dr. estimated this to happen in the next 2-3 days. After that, they will have to maintain their temperature on their own, and continue to gain weight. After that we should be headed home!!!!!!! Pray for all of the things above to happen. I don't want to rush the babies home before they are ready, but at the same time, I'm SO ready to go home!!!!!!!!

Our Thanksgiving was good.... but it didn't feel like Thanksgiving. The whole day I thought it was Friday. Mom was leaving and Brent was there.... then Margaret came Friday, which she usually does on Saturday.... so my days have been mixed up.

We had Thanksgiving lunch here at the RMH. Mom and I went to Walgreens and called that our Thanksgiving shopping (we usually go at 5:00 AM Friday). Brent, Mom, Dad, and I all went to Bass Pro Shop that afternoon and it was WILD!!!!!!!!!!! There were so many people. Mom and Dad left that afternoon.

My friend Kellye and her mom came Thanksgiving evening to visit. Kellye had already seen the babies, but her mom wanted to see them. They brought us some of Mrs. Beth's chocolate cake, and it was GREAT!!!!!! I enjoyed it so much.

Margaret came yesterday. We tried to get out yesterday afternoon to do a little shopping, but the weather was aweful. Then when we got to Target, everything I wanted was gone. Oh well for that!!!!!!

Last night we skipped the 8:00 feeding and I was in bed and asleep before 8:00. It felt pretty good!!!!! Tonight I think we are going to skip it again and go out to eat and to a movie! WOW! I guess we better enjoy it while we can (even though we are going to see James Bond).

Brent will leave tomorrow, and I will be alone for a few days. Don't feel sorry for me; I think I want a little time alone before we go home. This will probably be the last time for me to spend some alone time for a while.

Please continue to pray for progress, and for the other babies here. They have told one mother that there isn't anything else they can do for her child. I feel so sorry for her. Then there is another family that was suppose to go home Monday, but can't because the baby had an apnea spell during the night. How frustrating!!!!! The gloomy days really don't help moods and emotions either, maybe the sun will come out soon.

We love and miss you all...... and hope to see you soon!
Brent, Jessica, Reid and Rylee

4 Weeks Old and 29 days

4 weeks old; No tubes, no wires, no cords!!!!!!
(Reid is trying to hold her hand!)

The twins holding the twins!

Matt and Rylee, Walt and Reid

We have had a few very exciting days for the Blocker Babies!!!! Yesterday morning when the Dr. came around for rounds he mentioned that they were doing great and the next step would be to move them upstairs to the Newborn Nursery, or the regular nursery. I asked him when that would happen and he replied "Oh, today!" Then he proceeded to tell us that if they continue to do so good, we should be home in about a week. So yesterday we moved to the 3rd floor where full term or healthy babies are. This means we have no more tubes, wires, or cords connected to us and we are fully healthy!!!!! WAY TO GO REID AND RYLEE!!!!!!!!!

They have both slowed down on their feedings which is a concern. They had a good feeding at 2:00 yesterday and a good feeding today at 2:00. We finally put our heads together and realized that at both of those feedings they used regular nipples on their bottles instead of the slow-flow nipples. We immediately switched to regular nipples, and they had good feedings at 5:00 and 8:00. Pray they both continue to do good with their feedings. Rylee has lost some weight in the last few days, and Reid has pretty much stayed the same. This morning they both weighed the exact same, 3 pounds 14 ounces. We have to get this weight up to go home!!!!

Rylee is having a little problem with her temperature... it is too low. They consider normal 97.0-99.0, and Rylee has been running very low 97's or upper 96's. Our next big step will be to move from the incubator to a crib.... but they have to regulate their own temperature. Rylee is not able to do this at all. When we get her out of the incubator her temperature drops and she doesn't bring it back up until we put her back in. Pray that she begins to have a higher temp. and that she starts to regulate it on her own. Fortunatly Reid hasn't had a problem with this.

Now for me.... I woke up yesterday morning with a reoccurance of Mastitis. It has now moved to my right side. By lunch I felt terrible. Mom brought me back to the house, I pumped as long as I could, then I took a good nap. I even missed the 2:00 feeding yesterday, because I was napping. But I can say that nap did me a lot of good. Today I feel much better. It is still red and warm, but not as painful. Hopefully this will be my last round of this.

I had a surprise visit from Allison, a friend from work. It was great to see her! Walt and Matt also came today. They stayed long enough to go to dinner with us. It was pretty great to see the "twins holding the twins." They got here before Brent and I took them to see the babies. One of the nurses came over and asked if Walt and Matt are twins. We said yes, and her response was "Which one is the dad?" We got a kick out of that!!!! Then when we went back with Brent, another nurse wanted to know if Walt, Matt, and Brent were brothers, b/c they look so much alike. Our response was, they might as well be!!!!

Brent got here around 4:30 today. He will be here until Sunday. Mom is still here, but she will be leaving tomorrow. If we get to go home next week, this may be her last visit before we go home! I know she is ready for a break!!! Just today she did 5 loads of laundry, cleaned the room, changed the sheets, did our RMH chore, and I don't know what else. No matter what anyone says, there is no one like a MOM during times like these!!! Dad is suppose to come tomorrow for Thanksgiving Dinner, then he will leave when Mom does. Margaret is coming for the day Friday. She has been a busy bee at home.... she put my Christmas tree up for me (you know how much I love Christmas), she cleaned out the guest room, and I have no idea what else. I have the best Mother-in-Law in the world!!!!! There is no way we could have gotten through all this without her.

Well, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Not a typical Thanksgiving for us, but a very special one. This year I have more to be thankful for than I could ever imagine. I have a wonderful family (parents, mother-in-law, grandparents, etc.). There is no way we could have made it through the last 4 weeks without them. I have a husband that has shown me his strength and love in ways I could have never imagined. During the past 4 weeks, he has shown me a side of him I have never seen, and I have fallen in love with him all over again. I have TWO beautiful, healthy children that I love more than life itself! I never knew you could love two little people as much as I love them, and the love for them is amazing. I had never seen these two miracles, then the moment I layed eyes on them, I was in love. Then for them to be healthy is another blessing in itself. Being around the other families here and learning about what other families are going through has really made me aware of how blessed my children are. We are small... that is the only thing keeping us here. Once they grow and regulate their temps., we will be home. I am so blessed.... This Thanksgiving I will take time to praise God for my blessings and thank him for his love and power.

I do want to take a minute just to mention a few of the families here and what they are going through. I know that almost everyone that reads this prays for us daily, but I want to ask you to pray for the other babies and families as well. I don't know who to start with, so I will start with the ones I met first.
Nikius is a baby boy who doctors thought would never make it. His mom would always respond with "If God didn't want him to live, he wouldn't have made it this far. He is still very sick, but is a fighter.
Sadie is a baby girl about the same age as Rylee and Reid. She has had problems with apnea, but will go home Monday if she doesn't have any more spells. Pray she doesn't have any spells.
Dylan is a miracle in itself. He was born very early, around 27 weeks I think. He had a brain bleed, and also had to have a whole in his heart repaired. He made it throught surgery fine, and is doing good, but he still only weighs a little over 2 pounds.
Anna Kate and Abby are twins. They are 2 months old. One still has problems breathing and the other will have to have surgery on her skull in 4-6 weeks. Her skull fused together in 3 places before it should have, and now her brain doesn't have room to grow. My heart goes out to this mother and I pray for her daily. Anna Kate and Abby had another sister Lindsey who lived 22 days. They were triplets. Not only is she dealing with the loss of a child, she is also dealing with her other 2 still in the hospital and one facing surgery.
Morgan is a baby boy that will hopefully go home Monday. Everything is going great... his parents have become friends of mine, and I wish the best for them and Morgan.
There is another child that is 14 waiting on a transplant. Another who is 17 that was in a major car crash and in a coma in ICU. A baby in NICU turned 1 year old 2 days ago... he has never left the hospital. I could go on and on.

After sitting here writing all of that, I realize even more now how thankful I am for my two little miracles. It could be so much worse. I'm sorry this Blog was so long, but I hope you are able to see how fortunate most of us are. We overlook the blessings we have daily. Please take a minute this Thanksgiving to say a special prayer for the blessings you have that are overlooked, then pray for the babies I mentioned above, along with all the others here.

May God bless each and every one of you for following the progress of Reid and Rylee. This Thanksgiving I am thankful for each of you. The prayers and support you offer is amazing and I am truely thankful.

With love,
Brent, Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

27 Days

Daddy holding both of us!

Pappie read our goodnight story to us.

They started out like this......

and Rylee scooted until she found Reid, then went to sleep.

The past two days have been pretty good. Both of them are catching on to bottles a little better. They have a few good feedings, then they will have one that isn't so great. The strange thing is whatever one does, the other does. If one eats 20 cc's, the other is close behind. It is crazy. We have not had a feeding yet where they were totally different! They are always a few cc's apart.

You can see in the pictures above that they still have a bond after being apart for 27 days. Rylee would not stop scooting when I was holding them. I straightened her up a few times, then I just let her squirm. Once she found Reid, she was happy. They both squeeked a little, then went right to sleep. It was precious!

Rylee is one ounce from being the magical 4 pounds!!!!! Reid is about 2 ounces behind her. They are doing great!!!! Reid did have a breathing spell Saturday night, but he hasn't had one since. Hopefully we are past that!

One nurse mentioned that she is pushing for us to go upstairs, which is where the "well baby" nursery is. It is the regular nursery for newborns. I don't think we will go up there until they are both out of the incubators and in cribs, which should happen by the end of this week if they keep gaining weight.

If things continue to go the way they are, we should be home by the end of next week. Right now my main concern with going home is one baby getting out before the other. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but I don't want to leave the hospital with one baby and leave the other there. Pray that they will continue to do great, and hopefully go home at the same time.

Reid is still having a little trouble eating compared to Rylee. He can eat as much as her, it just takes him longer. That presents a problem when you have a nurse that "times" how long they eat. Some of the nurses will not let them have more than 20 minutes, and some won't give them more than 30. That is hard for Reid because he is a slow eater. It just takes him longer, and when they rush you, he doesn't do as well. Pray that he will pick up a little, so he can catch up on weight. Two ounces doesn't seem like a large amount, but it is HUGE when it determines going home!

Brent went back Sunday, and Mom came here. I thought she was waiting until Monday, but that shows what I know! Brent will be back Wednesday, and Mom is staying until Thursday. Margaret is planning on coming for the day Friday. I'm not sure what else this week will bring. Leslie and the kids are suppose to come one day. I know that Walt and Matt are planning on coming Saturday, and I think that is when Sulee and Brian plan on coming. We should have quite a few visitors this week.

Thank you so much for all the prayers, messages, and comments! It feels so good to know how many people are praying for us. Prayer is the only thing that has gotten us this far. I am amazed daily to find out how many people are praying, and the majority I don't even know personally. Our God is AWESOME, and he is showing me his power daily. I feel his presence when I am sitting there holding those two sweet angels. No other word can describe the two of them..... My Personal Angels!

With love,
Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

25 days

Well, it seems like you have a good day followed by a bad. It wasn't terrible or anything, just a little tense. Reid has me a little worried, but hopefully it is over nothing. First off at their 2:00 feeding, the nurse mentioned that Reid had a trace of blood in his stool and she showed it to the Dr. All the Dr. said was to monitor him for the rest of the day, and really didn't seem too concerned. I guess since I'm a Mom, I automatically worry!!!!! Hopefully this is nothing, and everything will continue to be normal.

Then tonight when we went for the 5:00 feeding, the nurse mentioned that he had a breathing spell and had to be stimulated. He has only been off caffeine for a day, and here we go again. And to let you know how serious a "spell" is, every time he has a spell, that means we will be here at least 7 more days. And that is if they don't put him back on caffeine. If they put him back on caffeine, we have to stay on it for 7 days, get back off and go apnea free for 7 more days. So I'm back to the point that I have no clue when we will be home.

It is also a little frustrating when a nurse just "mentions" things in a casual conversation like it is no big deal! These are my children.... blood in stool and breathing spells are major to me. I have to say that some of the nurses we have had in the last 25 days have been WONDERFUL!!!! They talk to the babies and interact with them, and they speak to parents in a concerned voice. I love it when we walk in and find out we have a good nurse for the next 12 hours. (They work 7 to 7). It gives me a sense of calmness when I know the babies have a good and caring nurse. But then there are those days when you are stuck with someone who is just there. They do not interact with the babies, they come in to do the babies care and walk out. If something happens, they just mention it to you and keep going. Yes, that would be the nurse we have had for the past 2 days and will probably have again tomorrow. Usually when you get a nurse, you have them for 2-3 days straight. I'm ready for Monday. Thankfully, we did have a good nurse last night, and I will find out at our 8:00 visit who we have tonight. I don't know what it is, but when you like the nurse, you can sleep better and it is easier to leave them. OK, enough of my venting... sorry!

We started off the morning a little earlier than usual since we are on all bottles. They did pretty good during the night, with the exception of their 5:00 AM feeding. They both only took 7 cc's at that feeding. When I found that out, I knew I wanted to be there for their 8:00 AM feeding. Rylee was VERY hungry because she drank her whole bottle (20 cc's) in less than 10 minutes. I think she would have taken more if it would have been there. Reid was pretty hungry too, because he took 18!!!! They both did well at the 11:00, 2:00, and 5:00 feedings also. Hopefully they will do good tonight. Like I said last night, I hate to leave thinking they might be hungry before the next feeding.

Margaret came for the day and took us to lunch. It is always good to see her and visit. She kept bragging on how much better the babies look. It may be because they don't have feeding tubes anymore, or because they are both starting to fill out some. Either way, it is great to hear how good they look!

Brent's Aunt Kathie also came to visit today. She has a new job, so she hasn't been to see them in a week. I know it has about killed her to be away so long... she came everyday for the first few weeks. She also was amazed at "how much better they look!"

I feel like most of the day was spent at the hospital, but there is no where else I would rather spend my time. I feel like I am bonding with them more since we are holding them every time we go. It is such a great feeling to hold them, and have them look up at you. Speaking of, that is where I'm about to go. It is almost time for our 8:00 feeding, then I will probably crash!

Please pray for Reid every time you think about it. He has always had a tougher time with things than Rylee, but he does things in his own time. Pray that he doesn't have any more breathing spells, and that he won't be put back on caffeine. Also, pray that no more blood is found in his stool. He is doing really good with his feedings, now we just have to get these other things under control. Pray for Rylee, that she continues to do as well as she is. Hopefully she will adjust to the caffeine being taken away without any problems. And last pray for strength for us. Brent and I are pretty tired today, and Mom is at home recovering from her long week.

Brent will go back home tomorrow. I'm not sure when Mom is coming back yet, but I'm guessing it will be Monday. This week will be a little different since everyone is off work. Mom will stay until Thursday, then she will go back home. Brent will be coming back Wednesday and staying until Sunday. After that, we will take it a day at a time. It will depend on the babies, and when we think they will be getting out. I do not mind staying by myself some, but if one baby gets out before the other, someone has to be here to stay at the RMH while I go to the hospital. But we will cross that bridge when we get there.

I know everyone is wanting pictures, but the internet is acting crazy here. I can type without being connected and post when it reconnects. But it has to be connected for a while for me to upload pictures. I'll try my best tomorrow.

With love,
Brent, Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

24 Days- WOW!

What an exciting day for the Blocker Babies!!!! This morning when we got over to the hospital, the nurse practitioner came into the room to update us on what the new doctor on call wants to do. We have had the same 2 doctor's since they were born, and the one that came on today is making all kinds of changes in the NICU. The first BIG step is that they are both off caffeine... totally. It takes around 3 days to get totally out of their system, and then we will find out if they are able to breathe on their own. Pray that the next several days go well.

The second HUGE step is that we are on ALL bottles now!!!! No more feeding tubes. This doctor has done a study that shows babies around 34 weeks (which we will be Sunday) can switch over to bottles very easily. He says that they have to learn psychologically that hunger can be treated by eating when a bottle is offered. He will give them 3-4 days to adjust to all bottles. They are expected to lose weight during these days, but will hopefully gain it back quickly when they catch on to bottles. The first and second feeding they both only took about 10 cc's and the third they took almost 15 cc's each. They are use to over 30 cc's each per feeding. So of course I leave them every time thinking that they are going to be starving before the next feeding. Suprisingly they have been sleeping every time we have gone back in. I won't go during the night for their feedings, but I'm sure I will be calling a lot.

I'm a nervous wreck. Between them getting off caffeine and going to all bottles, I'm so anxious. And the worst part is that all the changes are suppose to take around 3 days to show results. The next 3 days aren't going to be very fun! Hopefully they will both keep building up their feedings and that is one less thing for me to worry about. I really hope that neither one of them has any breathing spells. If they do, it adds 7 more days to our stay here. The Dr. this morning told me we SHOULD be home in 10-14 days if everything goes as planned. PLEASE pray that everything goes well!!! I don't want to rush them home, but home is sounding so good!!!!

So please pray specifically that they start to take more by bottle, and that they tolerate the caffeine being taken away. Once both of those happen, we have to get up to four pounds each. We really have some specific things to pray for the next few weeks!!!!

Mom and Dad went home today, and Brent came for the weekend. Margaret is suppose to come tomorrow to visit. Other than that, it should be a pretty calm weekend. That might be a good thing, since I'm trying to do all their feedings during the day, and still trying to pump. It will take a few days to figure out a new schedule, but it will be done!

Once again, the internet is not staying connected; so every time I try to upload a picture, it disconnects. I will try to get some posted tomorrow.

With love,
Brent, Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

23 Days

PawPaw and Reid

PawPaw and Rylee

Way to go Reid!!!!

Rylee has the bottle down pat!

Burping both babies..... they were looking at each other.

Today was somewhat of a better day. Both of them did better with their feedings, and we pray they will continue. The nurse only put 20 cc's in both bottles, so we are not wasting so much milk. Rylee took 18 and Reid took 14. Not a big increase from last night, but they both took it so much better. Hopefully they will continue to take it good and we will start to get more than one bottle a day. That would be wonderful!!!! My dad got to hold both of them for the first time today, but not together.

I am still having to pump every two hours, but my milk production has not increased. If it has still not increased by Monday I am suppose to go see the only Dr. in the state of Mississippi that specializes in breastfeeding.

Mom and Dad will both be going home tomorrow, and Brent will be coming. From what I hear, it is going to be a quiet weekend. To my knowledge no one is coming to visit, but that might change. Next week will be a difficult week I'm sure, with Thanksgiving being Thursday. We will have Thanksgiving dinner here at the house, and I hope to spend most of my day at the hospital with the 2 things I am most thankful for right now, Reid and Rylee!

Prayer Requests: 1) For both babies to continue to improve on feedings. 2) My milk supply to increase. 3) There is a new family in the house, and mom and her son. He is 10 years old and his name is Aaron. Aaron has cancer and is here for treatments. He doesn't have an appetite and is very sick. Please pray for him!

Thank you.....
with love,
Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

22 days

Our new room. Reid is by the window and Rylee is by the door.

Mommy holding us for the first time.

Two peas in a pod. We have missed each other for 3 weeks!!!!

They really are tiny in my arms.

Yesterday the babies were 3 weeks old! Time really does fly. I don't feel like they have been here 3 weeks. As far a progress, yesterday really didn't bring anything new. However, it didn't bring anything bad either, and that is wonderful! Everyday without a setback is a HUGE blessing. There have been several babies lately that were told they would be going home soon, then they experience a setback. That is so disappointing.

This morning when I called at 3:30 AM, the nurse told me that they were in the process of moving the babies into the isolation room. It sounds worse than it is. Actually it is a very good thing. There is one room in the NICU where they put twins if both of them are doing good. They are closer, and you get to hold them at the same time in there. So this morning when I got up we rushed to get over there to see there new room. It was great! It's like a private hospital room with 2 babies and a rocking chair. The nurse said she was going to check with the doctor before I held them both at the same time. She also told us that she overheard the Dr. say that if everything continues to go as well as it is, we will go home in around 2 weeks. That is so exciting..... but at the same time I don't want to get my hopes up in case we do experience a set back. At our 2:00 visit I got to hold both of my babies at the same time, for the first time in 3 weeks. It was a great feeling that will never be expressed in words. Of course we got lots of pictures.

Tonight we went to feed them at 8:00, and that could have gone better. Last night they both took 15 cc's from bottle. Tonight Reid had a VERY hard time taking his bottle. He wasn't breathing good, he wasn't swollowing good, his alarms kept going off... it was very frustrating for me. He really never did burp good during his feeding, and when he couldn't feed anymore he threw up EVERYTHING he had taken. It was NOT a good night for him or me. After he threw up he was very content and resting good. They both took 11 cc's by bottle, which is less than last night. So in my head, I'm thinking that we are suppose to be getting better at this instead of worse. If it keeps going like this, we can kiss the 2 week goal goodbye.

I also spoke with my lactation consultant back home today since I am still having problems with that. For the next 48 hours I have to pump every 2 hours during the day, and can't be late for those pumpings. I also have to pump at least twice during the night. The goal behind this is to increase my production again. Today I felt like I was either pumping or at the hospital. The two hour schedule is very tiring, but it is worth it if it increases my production again.

My friend, Kellye, came to visit today. She brought the babies the cutest bunny and bear. She also brought Reid "My First Toolbox" and Rylee "My First Purse." They are precious. For Mommy, she brought 4 adorable MSU Christmas Ornaments. It is nice to have people visit from home.

My dad also came today. He is spending the night. It had been long enough since he had seen the babies, and he couldn't take it anymore. He will go back home tomorrow.

While I am thinking about it, I want to tell everyone how much I enjoy the comments. It is great to see who is following us, but even better to know who all is praying for us. I thank the Lord for each of you that continue to pray for us. Keep the comments coming, they are motivational.

Prayer Request: 1) For both babies to do better feeding tomorrow, and for Reid to keep his down. 2) That everything will continue to go as well as it has so we can go home in 2 weeks. 3) That my production will pick back up. 4) I want to request prayer for my cousin, Rebekah. She had a spell over the weekend where she went blank and couldn't do anything. They are running tests on her. 5) For my nerves to settle down. Between pumping every 2 hours, and Reid not doing good tonight, I'm very frustrated and nervous.

Tomorrow is a new day, and it will bring new adventures and we will make new memories.

With love,
Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

Pictures as Promised

.Lots of gifts... clothes, stroller, co sleeper, blankets...

The food table at the shower.

Mommy dressed us for the first time. Preemie clothes are still a little big.
Reid didn't like it too much.

Rylee could care less... my live baby doll!

I will try to post more tonight... internet is in and out, and stops the upload everytime it cuts out. Have a great day!!!

Love,
Jessica, Reid, and Rylee

Days 19 and 20

First off..... You will have to forgive me for no pictures tonight, but I promise some tomorrow. The camera is out in my car, and right now that seems like a really long way! We have had a really busy few days, but I think things are calming down.

The babies are doing very good! Rylee has the bottle down pat, but Reid still has a little work to do. Reid finally made it over the ONE OUNCE mark per feeding!!!! Rylee should be over an ounce tomorrow. They are continuing to gain a little weight; Reid weighs 3 pounds 10 ounces and Rylee weighs 3 pounds 9 ounces.

Our goals right now are to continue to gain weight; we have to weigh 4 lbs to go home. Also we need to increase our feeding amounts and bottles per day. For now, they are both only getting one bottle a day. Thank God, we have not had any breathing spells in a while, and please pray that continues.

Yesterday I went home for the first time... well, I went to Benoit. I didn't go to my house. For some reason that is still hard; I don't want to see the nursery without babies. Maybe I will get out of that.... but we'll see. The ladies from the church had a shower for us, and it was WONDERFUL! I will post pictures of that also. The babies got so many clothes!!!!! They also got their double stroller and lots of other fun stuff!!!!!! The theme was Noah's Ark, since they came "two by two." I am so appreciative of the ladies that did that for me!

Today I went shopping for some of the things I didn't get at the shower that I will need when we get home. That was fun... but money goes fast when you are shopping for 2! I bought an infant bathtub, bottle warmers, car seat toys, and a few more random things. I can't wait to do that again.

A RMH update.... Thursday is World Children's Day. Every Value Meal that is purchased Thursday will donate $1 to the RMH. So if you are able, please eat at a McDonald's Thursday! This is obviously a very big day for the RMH's around the country.... tomorrow is our big day. The actual owners of McDonald's will be here to visit with us tomorrow. We will have breakfast with them in the morning. The Event Coordinator asked me if I would do an interview with the TV station in the morning. So I may be a TV star tomorrow. I'll have to let you know how that goes. But please spread the word to everyone to eat at McDonald's this Thursday.

An update on me, since I have received several e-mails and texts about my health. Things are getting better, but I have learned they have to get worse before they can get better. I don't want to be too informative, so I will give you the general info. The best thing is that I have not had fever since Saturday. By Saturday night my milk production on one side was decreasing greatly and yesterday I didn't hardly have any production from that side. A lactation consultant referred me to a Dr. here that specializes in breastfeeding. Long story short, the Dr. is out of the office and is the only one in the state!!!! But the nurse was very nice to me and called the Dr explaining my situation. The Dr. told her what to tell me, and I didn't even have to pay for a Dr.'s visit. They recommended two herbal vitamins that you purchase over the counter. One is to open the ducts back up that are clogged, and the other is to thin the milk and increase production. This should take a few days to get going. The most important thing is that I feel SO much better! Keep praying for progress.

I PROMISE to post pictures after our big morning tomorrow!

Continue to pray for all of us, and the other babies here. One is getting to go home tomorrow, which is WONDERFUL to see. Another had a major heart surgery this morning, but he is doing very good! I could go on and on with stories of "our" other babies. You get attached to the other families here and feel like they are a part of you.

Goodnight, We love you!
Jessica, Reid, and Rylee