And So it Begins

This posting is just a little footnote to focus on the journey of our little Irish lads to date.  On May 11th, Liam and Collin, the artist formerly known as Declan, were placed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to receive treatment.  And yeah, we are starting to speak in acronym coding by the way.  Their little lives depended on the timely care of their specialists and the respiratory treatment they received.  After 15 minutes of respiratory therapy our little ones began responding to the therapy.  They were given IV lines which were placed into their umbilical stems.  Those lines have since been replaced with PICC lines that were inserted in through their arms and into the arteries leading into their chest cavitities (Collin had his removed first... Just sayin', don't count out the underdog).  Poor little dudes!  They are both receiving photo therapy to lower the bilirubin levels since they were off balance, thus, the cool-guy shades in the photographs.  They have already lightened considerably and are a lot less reddish-orange.  Liam had been receiving oxygen through the CPAP mask, which is a breathing apparatus that is placed over his mouth with a chin strap attached to keep his mouth closed.  Think, fish lips.  Yeah, that is kinda what it does to his little face.  He has since responded well and is requiring less help to breathe. 

Today, Liam joined his brother.  Both boys are now in incubators to eliminate noise and the potential risk for infection.  They seem to really enjoy the incubators; it is pretty cozy and warm inside and they have a cool blue light that keeps things ultra-cosmic.  I had the opportunity to hold Collin and give him skin-to-skin kangaroo therapy which was probably the most incredible feeling in my life.  My fatherly instincts were heightened to a whole new level.  Now, I understand what Peter Parker underwent when he received his spidey senses.  Just magical!  It was a whole different level of awareness.  I can't wait for Becky to experience it tonight.  We are headed to the NICU tonight to hold the little guys.  They have begun to eat 3 MLs of mommy's milk at each feeding which will be vital to their health and well-being.  Now, that Liam has had his IV replaced with a PICC line he can receive skin-to-skin therapy as well.  We will keep you posted with any updates, but so far all is quiet on the western front.  Well, maybe not at the Shark Tank... Boo Hawks!  Oh, and if the Flyers win the cup this year I will definitely know God is tossing me more than my share of blessings.