Merriest 1st Christmas

What a wondrous week for us, all of us! First, a rush trip to Phoenix for Ben with the delivery of our four little ones that very night. Today, their first Christmas, they are 9 days old (yesterday marked week 28 gestational age). We are so grateful that for the most part each baby so far has remained stable.

Merry Christmas to our precious children:

Baby A = Thomas Clark Dawson
Baby B = Gracie Anne Dawson
Baby C = Cienna Loreal Dawson
Baby D = William Benjamin Dawson

The greatest concern with our preemies is breathing and the ability of the lungs to function properly. Aside from a few ups and downs, these little ones overall have done well. Even our top breathers, Thomas and Gracie, will sometimes just get tired and need to have assistance, then they go back to being breathing champions. We also continue to monitor their patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) . This is a normal fetal vessel that usually closes at or after birth. When babies are born prematurely it can be difficult for the vessel to close naturally. In some cases surgery is needed to stitch the vessel shut. Each one of our babies has a PDA and we are praying they will close naturally. Finally, they are checked for brain bleeds via brain scans. Their first one showed minimal issues. They will have another one in two weeks.

Two days ago we were able to start kangaroo care where they put the baby on your chest for skin to skin contact. The experience of having your itty bitty baby so close is marvelous. Today little Gracie stretched her head back, opened her eyes and looked up at me while she snuggled on my chest. We look forward to having them all come home! In the meantime I continue to recover from surgery, take in the new situation, and attempt to breast pump 10-12 times each day. Ben has learned an enormous amount about ventilators and NICU care. While I was on the phone with him today he heard an alarm go off in the background and could identify exactly what it was for.

The doctors tell us to expect the babies to be ready to come home no sooner than their full term due date, March 18. We are so grateful for your love, prayers, support, kindness, good wishes and thoughts. They have helped to carry us through. Merry Christmas 2013 to each of you!

With much love,
Ben and Celina
Thomas, Gracie, Cienna, and William