and the head ultrasounds were...

NEGATIVE!!!! woo hoo! both head ultrasounds were normal so that means no more until just before discharge!! Way to go little ones!

Mary Louise is progressing well with her feedings - already at 7mls every 4 hours. Tomorrow, the plan is to increase the feedings slightly in amount and frequency- to every 3 hours. If she handles the increase well, she will be at half feedings already - on her way to stopping the TPN. So, this week, her PDA was found to be closed, her head ultrasound was normal, and she has made huge strides with her feedings. The doctor will give her until Monday to try again with her vent as her carbon dioxide and pulmonary pressure have been slightly elevated and he feels she needs a little more time. However, she is doing well with the low settings so far.

David is doing very well with weaning from the vent. They are weaning from the nitric oxide this evening and once it is down to a rate of 5, weaning will have to slow significantly. If the nitric oxide can flow through a nasal cannula, they will try to extubate him tomorrow to see how he does. If not, he will remain intubated for weaning and be reevauated daily. His suction was turned off of his feeding tube today (he has been on low suction since his surgery) and residual gastric excretions will be checked throughout the night. As long as they are low, and he remains intubated, they will try feedings tomorrow. The doctor does not want to start feedings and try extubation on the same day. We are so looking forward to the opportunity to hold him for the first time.

What a week! Our sincerest thanks for the continued prayers and support as well as for all of the hard work of the medical staff taking care of our babies.