June 1st to June 9th- Carter comes home!

Well it has been very busy around the Hughes household the past week. All the boys are now over 5lbs. Carter came home on Friday, June 5th at 5 lbs 3 oz. He has transitioned really well with sticking to the same schedule he was on in the hospital. Eating every three hours and taking the maximum amount. He is the champion eater of the group, but his brothers are not far behind. So we survived the weekend with one baby home and trips to the hospital to visit the other two, Austin and Blake. Carter had his first pediatrician appointment yesterday and weighed in at 5 lbs 10 oz and 18 1/4 inches long. Wow this boy is growing!!!!

Austin and Blake both passed their car seat test yesterday and were circumcised, poor boys! These are all good signs they will be coming home in the next couple of days. Once they are bottle feeding every feeding that is their last milestone prior to being discharged. According to our visit today that should be happening today or tomorrow. Keep the boys in your prayers for their continued good health.

Madyson has also enjoyed her little brother Carter being home. She is a big help to us with getting things and holding Carter. We are so lucky to have such an awesome little girl to help her family. Today was a big day for her because she had a big basketball game at school with the Kinders and the 6th graders in basketball. This is a tradition that happens at the end of each school year. It was nice that James and I were both able to attend the game today.

Thanks to all of our family and friends for all your help. Our family is very blessed and can't thank you enough!!!

Update for Memorial Day Weekend

All the boys are doing very well today. We are so lucky that they are all breathing on their own and feeding on tubes. Blake had a hard time as of last Friday with his feedings by getting to much air in his tummy. The doctors decided to take him off the formula for a few days to give his tummy time to rest. After having several days of iv and fatty lipids he was ready to start soy based formula yesterday. They slowly increased his feedings and he is back up to full feedings. Carter and Austin are at full feedings and doing well. The nurses check every three hours to see if there are any residuals left before they continue on with the next feeding.

We are off to the hospital everyday for a few hours to see our boys until they are able to come home. I am getting back to normal with each day and grateful the doctor released me today to start driving again!!!! It is simple things like some freedom to make your day. I still need to take it easy over the next four weeks, but have more options now. James is managing the house hold and working full time still. We are very lucky he has done such a wonderful job with everything while I have been out of commission for sometime. Madyson is hanging in there with being able to only see her brothers through the NICU window about once a week. She is so sweet that she wrote a card for them today to come home soon. She was so excited because James and I were able to take her to the movies over the weekend. Madyson will truly be a great big sister!!!!