Milestones and Hurdles

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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Update on the Loves of Our Lives

Nothing compares to being a parent!!!! It's just the most amazing experience isn't it? And that goes for parents in the NICU as well. We are sorry once again about being unable to blog of late... our internet was down again, but just know we were thinking about all of our friends who are praying for Ford and Hayden.

They are getting to be big ol' boys. Ford is about 5 pounds and 10 ounces and Hayden is close behind at 5 pounds 6 ounces. They get weighed again tonight so we should have new weights to report soon. This is now 35 weeks and 4 days gestation for them if they were still in the womb.
You will hear me say this a lot... we are so blessed, blessed that the boys have overcome many obstacles and are being healed by the Lord everyday.

Ford has a big day tomorrow. He is scheduled once again to come off the ventilator. It has been 2 weeks since last we tried and he really has come a long way. I am believing and have faith that now is the time... our doctor feels a lot better about it. What a BIG BOY! Ford is tough... FORD TOUGH like the commercial says and will do everything he can to stay off the vent. Our hope is... his lungs are now ready. Thank you for praying for Ford's healing... how lucky are we to have such a group of prayerful people on our side. Thank you Lord! Just a cute little tid bit about Ford... he loves the song "You Are My Sunshine"... he just smiles, eyes wide open when I sing it to him.

Hayden is still trucking along. He is still on high flow oxygen... a little less than last time I blogged. He is learning still how to feed. It is so hard for preemies who are not supposed to be born yet and who came so early to coordinate the suck, swallow, breathe technique. We are so faithful that he will get it down soon and also get down on his oxygen requirement. Again, thank you for praying for our little Hayden and his continued success off the ventilator and his healing as well. A sweet little tid bit about Hayden is he loves most everything except diaper changes and temperature checks... he's the sweetest sleeping baby who offers up lots of coy grins :)

Trey and I are now praying for their continued growth, that they remain free of any complications and that they get to come home soon. My due date was April 19th... so that's what we are praying for at this time. The most important thing is that they are coming home... and we have the Good Lord to thank for that. We are faithful this will all happen in the near future.

I can't tell you how great it feels to have so many wonderful people caring about you and raising you up in prayer. I can't wait when we get home to East Texas to be able to share our boys' story... as PROOF that the power of prayer is alive and well and our little miracles are all the proof you need. How can you not believe in answered prayers when you see how far Ford and Hayden have come in the last 10 weeks. Need more proof... some friends of ours in the Cook NICU went home today. Their son was born at 23 weeks and now at 38 weeks and 3 days... he is home with his brothers and mom and dad. What a blessing!

I also want to ask all of you to not only keep Ford and Hayden in your prayers, but also our friend Mark Scirto. We know he has been praying for us and now we are doing the same for him.

Ford and Hayden are so thankful for you all and your prayers... how do I know that... they are just babies right? I know because you can tell how much they love life, how much they smile at us and their nurses and doctors and how much they've fought the last 10 weeks to get better!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Lord brings strength and answers prayers is amazing ways. Your story gives inspiration to all those around you. As the Lord unites your family and continues healing your precious babies, know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many people.

Your sons are a miracle and blessing. Motherhood is truely undefinable no matter whether at home or in the NICU. May our Savior be your stronghold and foundation.

Anonymous said...

I have similar experiences with all 3 of my children I know how much closer as a mother it brings you to the lord and to your child. Trying to comprehend that little miracle that is so small in your hands you really cling to the prayers and family in Christ as much as your immidate family sometimes. I want you to know when those boys are holding their first baseball bat or at their first day of school you will pull out one of those little diapers they showed us on the news (for me its is this tiny onesie we were able to find) and the overwhelming since of pride,closeness , love,thankfulness, and you will love it. Boys are in your heat forever I have 3 ,8,6, and 3. We have prayed for your boys since we heard about you because we went throught it 3 times. I believe they each have an angel there and we need more that they need us. Mommy's are there to comfort them amd Daddy'y's there to protect but they have that direct line to Jesus we only wish we had. My Grandma always used to say when a baby is looking over your shouler and you think they are looking at nothing , they are looking at their angel. We laugh but after being in the NICU I truly believe it. We will be praying for Apr. 19 and hope to leave a comment soon.

Anonymous said...

Wishing you all the Happiest Easter Ever!! Praise be to our Great God our keeper of the heavens and earth.Thank you all for the update. I will continue to pray that soon the boys will be breathing on their own, no machines needed. Thank you Jesus in advance I know it is going to happen in your time not ours.
God Bless the Hughey family

Anonymous said...

It makes my heart rejoice to see those babies at almost 6 pounds!!! The new pics are adorable and I know your heart is so relieved that they are doing so good. Thank you for the update, as our family truly does try to pray for the specifics that both Ford and Hayden are needing at the time. You are so blessed, and yes, there is NOTHING better than being a parent!!! My son is 2 and he steals my heart every single day. You will remain in our prayers, may God give you only great days ahead.

Christa Hagler said...

WHAT BEAUTIFUL BOYS YOU HAVE! I love the new pictures. I am praising the Lord with you for the amazing strides those two boys are making! What a privillege to get to partner with you in prayer and see our faithful Father respond with such mercy and goodness. I will continue to pray for your boys and your family! I pray they will be coming home soon!

Anonymous said...

The new pictures of your twins are amazing! What wonderful progress they have made. A true testimony to what God can do! We will continue to hold your family up in our prayers and continue believing that God will heal each concern and very soon your family will be going home. Have a Happy Easter.

Anonymous said...

HAPPY EASTER TO THE HUGHEY FAMILY!
The new pictures of the boys are just precious. Thanks so much for keeping us up to date on their progress. It is great to see them doing so well on this their first Easter! God bless your little easter bunnies. Keeping you all in our prayers daily.
Phyllis and all your Eiche Mapes family

Jeff & Debra said...

What a testament to God's work!! Ford and Hayden are looking so good and I thank God for that. I know it makes you and Trey proud when you see a smile or the shine in their eyes cause they recongize you...Mommy and Daddy. I am so thank ful that so many people are praying for your family and know it will continue and God's work is going to continue as well. Mark is also in my prayers. I know he's had a scare and a tough time but God is healing him just as he is healing those beautiful babies! Even though you are at the hospital, I hope you take a moment to celebrate Easter and our Lord. Please know we will never stop praying for you and your family.

Debra Bunt
Gladewater, Texas

Anonymous said...

Our prayers continue for you,Dana, Trey and those big boys. Gee, they are sure growning. It won't be long now until they will be coming home. We pray that their progress continues. We miss you Dana on GMET.
God bless you all,
The Carr's

Anonymous said...

Dana, I'm thrilled to know that the boys are doing so much better. It's refreshing to see that people really do care and are sincere in their words.

Prayers are still being lifted up for you, Trey and the boys on a daily basis.

Anonymous said...

Your boys are beatiful... Can't wait to see you back on the tube..
Thank you both for keeping us all up to date on all of you... Tank GOD everyone is doing good and th boys are healthy.....

GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!!!!
MARANDA HILL

Anonymous said...

The new pictures of your twins are wonderful! Amazing to see how much they have grown. We will continue to pray for their continued progress and especially for Hayden to be strong enough to be off the ventilator. Focus on the miracles that God has already performed on your miracle babies and patiently wait and watch for all the blessings that will come.
"I am with you always", the Lord says!

Anonymous said...

I have heard from Janet that Ford has been presented with a new hurdle. Please remember that our prayers are with you ALL - EVERYDAY!

We certainly miss seeing you both and we miss not meeting your sons, yet. I look forward to meeting these little fighters.

May the good Lord keep your sons wrapped in His strong arms and lead you all home.

Love you,

Pam J.

Picture Worth A Thousand Words

Picture Worth A Thousand Words

Proud Parents

Proud Parents

Proud Mommy

Proud Mommy

Proud Papa

Proud Papa

Pics of Ford

Pics of Ford

Pics of Hayden

Pics of Hayden