The Michaels' Quads

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Wednesday, February 27, 2008

One week, One day

Yesterday we celebrated the quads one week birthday! By far the quickest week in our lives. Hopefully every week won't be this quick once they are home.

Updates:

Gavin: 3 lbs "Chunk". He is receiving photo therapy for jaundice, will come off the photo therapy tomorrow morning. Otherwise, he is doing spectacular.
Maggie: 2 lbs 6 oz - Doing really well overall. They increased her oxygen levels a bit today. A few bouts of apnea last night, but have been pretty stable today.
Reese: 2 lbs 5.7 oz - Doing really well overall. A few bouts with apnea over the last 24 hours, but stable since Tiff and I have been here today.
Lauren: 1 lbs 11.5oz - Having a pretty good day thus far, but continue to ask for prayers. She still remains on:
* Jett Ventilator - assists in 420 gentle breaths per minute. Used for peak inspatory pressure (how big her breath is).
*VIP Bird Ventilator - gives her 4 "big"breaths per minute. Almost like big sighs. Helps open up the lungs.
*Nitric Oxide- used for pulmonary hypertension. Essentially this makes it easier for Lauren to breath.
*Fentanyl - all the short breaths aren't to comfortable for Lauren. The fentanyl is a pain medicine. They did decrease her dosage by 15 % today. Good news.
*Vitamin A - helps lung development.

We are praying for Lauren to come off this assistance. So much going on for our little peanut.

We want to thank 2nd Presbyterian Church for the prayer quilts! Rev. Deckert came and prayed with Tiff and I over all the babies and their new quilts. A special thank you to all those that tied a prayer knot! Very cool idea! I didn't have the opportunity to take pictures of all of them, but look forward taking some tomorrow evening and posting them.

Just to let you know a couple hours after Rev. Deckert left Lauren took a turn for the better on her VIP Bird Ventilator. They are decreasing the amount of big breaths per minute to 2! This means Lauren is not needing the assistance she did when I began this blog earlier today! A true testimony to the power of prayer!
Tiff has this favorite song since she was 16, "God is in control", by Twila Paris. Her favorite line is the opening line, "This is no time for fear, this is a time for faith and determination". Words we are living by daily.

Below are some pictures we've taken over the last couple of days.


Aunt Kassie M. with Gavin

Tiff with Gavin

Aunt Risa and Aunt Kassie S. first visit with Reese

Our Little Lauren

Jon's first hold with Maggie

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update guys. Great pictures. Continued prayers for all of you.

A

Emily/Randomability said...

Continued prayers for everyone (especally little Lauren). I look forward to the updates. Even those little victories are still victories.

God Bless!

Bryan, Emily, Chrisitan & Kaitlyn

Michelle said...

We are so happy for you and your family. You are in our prayers(Sam's prayer: Bless mommy's friend with all those babies!). It is fun looking at the bloggers that also have quads. Excited for you to get to that point: Having all of them home and taking pictures with all of them together!!

The Stogsdill's

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

I am so happy to hear how well everyone is doing! I know firsthand how absolutely incredible the power of prayer can be. We will continue to keep each of the babies, as well as mom and dad, in our prayers!

Anonymous said...

The power of prayer is certainly amazing! Even Hannah is catching on... last night at supper we couldn't figure out what she was praying for. Jack finally asked if she said Baby Lauren and she emphatically said YES!

We love you all and are praying for all 6 of you!
Anneke

Amber said...

I'm so glad to see an update on the little ones. They are certainly being prayed for and watched over. Thanks for the update! Please let us know if there is anything we can do!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing you moments & pictures. We love seeing your family! We will keep all of you in our prayers!

Dex & Lauri said...

Hi Tiff and Jon,

Enjoyed seeing the new pictures. We continue to think of you and pray for you. Tonight I called Silent Unity and asked them to say a prayer for Gavin, Reese, Maggie and Lauren - it was a lovely and uplifting prayer. They will continue to pray for your little ones every hour of the day for at least the next 30 days.

We love you guys. Please let us know if there's ANYTHING we can do.

D & L

Anonymous said...

Hey I just happened on to your blog and wanted to congratulate you on your precious babies....they will be in my prayers (especially little Lauren)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the arrival of your precious little ones! My triplets arrived six weeks early at Carle in Champaign in November. So, I have a small glimpse into your journey. As you already know, the Carle NICU nurses are incredibly caring and competent. Your family is in my prayers in these exciting but emotional days.

Derek, Becky, Lila, Addie, and Will Holt

MR said...

Awesome news about everyone getting stronger each day. I will continue to pray for your little angels. Lauren is proving to be a little champ. The smaller they are often the bigger the fight they have in them. Love the updates.

Michelle Rogers

Anonymous said...

Go Lauren Go! I wanted to try to come up with a cheer but I just don't think I would do her justice! Each day I read a new post I continue to be in awe of these little darlings and their wonderful parents. I can't wait to give big hugs and kisses to them! What an amazing family and I'm so proud to know you! XOXO all around-Busing

Anonymous said...

Love the pictures. I'm sure the nurses are doing an amazing job. Hope you are both resting well at the Guest House. Take care of yourselves and keep your chin up. Thinking of you!
Love, Jessica and Benjie

Hilary said...

I randomly found your blog through another blog and I just had to comment and tell you that my sister works at Carle! Small world! Your family will be in my thoughts and paryers, especially Lauren.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jon, I just got the blog and got up to speed on all that's been going on. Congratulations on your babies and their amazing progress. Continued best wishes to you and your family!

Erin Haddigan

Christina said...

Hi Jon and Tiff,

We're so thankful for the good news about Lauren and her ventilator. We will continue to just pray, pray, pray and trust that God will continue to have His hands on little Lauren and Reese, Maggie and Gavin, too as they continue to grow. Keep on growing babies! I asked Henry what he wanted to do today when he woke up and he said, "go see Mr. Jon and Miss. Tiffany"! :-)

We love you guys! Hope to see you ALL soon. Love the pictures, too by the way. The babies are just BEAUTIFUL. Love all the hair!!

Love,
Christina, Patrick, Henry and William

Mary Anne said...

Tiffany and Jon: following your every move. It's so wonderful to read all the support your whole famly has. Prayers for all of you every day!!! Think of you often. Mary Anne Arnett

Anonymous said...

We hope that your little ones are showing steady improvement. Your positive outlook is an amazing blessing. We are glad that you are leaning on God's powerful love.

We just have to ask if Rev. Deckert is Rev. Roane Deckert? If so, he married us over 30 years ago!!!! We will attest to his caring nature as he did our pre-marital counselling.

We think of you often,
Paul & Julie