Hughey Twins Turn 6 Months!

Another wonderful milestone to report! Ford and Hayden celebrated half a year of their wonderful lives today! We celebrated their 6 month b-day more, of course! The boys really have been doing wonderfully at home with Trey and me. Everyday is such a blessing and a true joy.

We have celebrated many firsts since we have been home. Hayden has been laughing and smiling for almost a month now! What a wonderful sight to see. Then, about a week or two later... Ford's smile showed up as well. It stretches from ear to ear. As for Hayden's smile, well he smiles with his entire face, his eyes just sparkle as he grins... it's hard to believe where we were 6 months ago today. Thank the heavens the Lord pulled us through! Knowing these boys is the best thing that ever happened to me. It is busy handling these 2 high needs babies, but worth every second of missed sleep and time just holding them because they don't want to be in their cribs. Can you blame them? They spent the first few months of their lives in an incubator... they deserve to be held to get them through whatever rough spots they need.

Both boys really are holding their heads up nicely and Ford has rolled over already... Hayden is almost there and I know Ford is going to do it again really soon. We have been back and forth to Fort Worth a couple of times since Ford's release from the hospital for routine visits. We've seen the pulmonologist, nephrologist and urologist. Hayden is off his oxygen and Dr. Pfaff is impressed with his progress... we just have to be cautious of his wheezing. He is also impressed by Ford, though he is still on his oxygen. Things were a little more tense at the urologist. Hayden still has no kidney stones, just some calcium deposits. As for Ford, well, he has a rather large kidney stone that his doctor does not believe will break up on its own, or that will pass. That means a procedure that will require intubation and anasthesia. That is so scary to me. I thought we were passed that. Every time you go under it is scary and of course, Ford's lungs have come so far... I would hate for him to be re-intubated when we spent 3+ months trying to get off the ventilator. Right now, all we can do is pray. Pray for another miracle. I know we already have been blessed with many, but he is my baby boy and I love him so I am praying God has another one in him to spare Ford more hospital time and anasthesia. I am praying it just breaks up on its own by the time we head back in August.

There is still good news for the boys, THEY ARE GROWING! Though they are not on the charts for 6 month old babies because of their extreme prematurity... they do look wonderful. Yesterday Ford weighed 11 pounds and 13 1/2 ounces... Hayden weighed 11 pounds and 5 ounces. They are eating better, though I have to admit it is still a workout for us. Again, worth the hour or so it takes to get them nice and chunky!

We are still keeping them rather sheltered, but it is just for their own good until their little immune systems mature.

We were so happy to see my doctor and dear friend, Dr. Seligman and his wife, Nancy when we were in Fort Worth. Big Honey and Big Daddy babysat while we caught a quick bite after the Seligmans caught up with Ford and Hayden. He is the reason they are here and we thank him for that every moment we can. He kept them in by trying everything possible even when it didn't look good! Two of Ford and Hayden's primaries also came to see them, Amy and Melissa. We were so thrilled to see them... it is wonderful how much they care for our boys, we are so lucky, they really are the best! As are their other nurses. And of course... Dr Lynch, she met us downstairs at Harris after a long night on call to see how the boys are doing. It was great to see her. We miss everyone so much from our months in Fort Worth... they saved our babies and to an extent, us!

It is Ford and Hayden 24/7 in the Hughey household. We get some help from my mom and Trey's mom and we are so thankful. These boys have provided us with the best 6 months of our lives. We get to love them, nurture them and hold them... I couldn't ask for more.

I can't end a post without saying... thank you for your prayers, your words of encouragement and for sticking with us through these trying months as we nurse Ford and Hayden back to health!

Love-- Trey, Dana Ford and Hayden