EVERY DAY IS A NEW EXPERIENCE

Hi all. Today is July 9. A little more than one week since the babies birth, and what a week it has been. As we drive to the hospital each day there is a certain amount of wondering going on in our minds. Are the babies doing better than the previous day? Will something have happened to them healthwise? Or??? Christy's attitude is very positive, feeling that if she didn't hear anything from the NICU nurses or doctors, her babies must be doing well, and so far that has been the case. The babies have been making progress each day, to a point where yesterday they were all off their I-V's, and taking food through a little feeding tube inserted into their stomachs via the mouth. Nicklaus and Gracie suckle on their pacifiers while getting the liquid formula, so they are learning that when they suckle on a nipple they will get food in return. So far Maddie has been the lazy one. She has figured out that she food will come even if she doesn't suckle, so she doesn't, but then Maddie has been the laid back one all through the pregnancy. Gracie made the greatest improvement yesterday which made all of us (mom and dad and Sharon and I) very happy. She was taking food like a hungry trooper, and best of all there was no spit up afterward. Both Maddie and Nick have a little spit up going on after feeding. I am attaching Christy's e-mail note from yesterday for those of you who don't get her e-mail. Will try to get some new pictures tomorrow and post them up tomorrow night. Sharon and I have a doctor appointment this afternoon and may not get in to see the babies - I know I will be suffering from baby withdrawel. Til then, God Bless and please keep the prayers coming. BErnd

Hi everybody. This day (July 8) marks one week of our babies lives. So many things have happened in this last week. I will start with me. For some reason I have actually had a great recovery. I had the babies on Tuesday night and on Wednesday morning I was ready to take the IV out and have a shower. That is exactly what I did. Then it was off to the NICU to see my babies. I was wheeled down there but when I got there I walked around to look at all of the babies. Everyone could not believe that I had had major surgery just 14 hours before. I was not trying to be a hero I just felt great. I think my adrenaline was going crazy. As for my beautiful babies, they are beautiful. All three have had ups and downs. If there is one thing we have learned this week it is that everyday is a different day. Today, however, was the best day yet. When I walked in to the NICU I was told that both Nicklaus and Madeline were off their IV Nicklaus actually had his first bath and put a little onsie on. Steve fed Madeline for the first time, and all was good with the world. I am sure you are all waiting to hear about my little Gracie. She had a great day today! Gracie actually has been getting feedings just like her siblings. She is just a little farther behind. Today she hit her IV out (I told you all she was very strong willed) and they decided to keep it out. What that means is we are going to pray that her feedings get to be more and more and she will not need the IV Like I said everyday is a different day in the NICU, and we carefully approach each one. Thank you all for your constant prayers and support. Steve and I feel so loved with every e-mail and phone call. We are blessed one million times over. Christy