Ford's One Tough Twinkie!

Our little Ford, never ceases to amaze us. He was in and out of his procedure today in under an hour and much to our delight he didn't have to be intubated. They used the mask and a different anesthetic... and Dr. Pugach was in and out with the stint.

Trey's mom joined us on the trip to Cook's in Fort Worth to help us keep Hayden busy while we tended to sweet Ford. You know, it really is hard on them... Ford wasn't allowed to eat for 8 hours and a number of nurses and doctors are messing with him trying to see if he was ready for surgery, but our little fella was an absolute trooper.

I have to tell you the nurses were enamored with him and his brother! They are such a cuties as you can see and those nurses today know how amazing it is to see how well Ford and Hayden are doing for being 25 weekers. They have a co-worker in pre-op whose baby just went home two weeks ago and was in the NICU with us, but this baby spent a year in the NICU. We are so blown away by our miracles and the power of prayer.

It was a long day and it pooped out my boys... ALL of them, even Daddy! We were out of the house by 6:15 AM and back home at 3 PM. We are just hoping and praying that is the last of that waiting room for a good long while. We have routine pulmonologist, urologist and nephrologist appointments, but it's more routine stuff... if all goes well and I BELIEVE it will!

Ford also got to see one of his favorite nurses today before surgery and well we were just as thrilled to see Wendy, she is certainly like family now. It made me feel better to see her right before the procedure... she just eased my fears a little. She was one of the many who helped get me through those 5 months in the NICU.

It was great to hold and love on Ford and Hayden tonight. They are such cuddle boys and I can't wait to get back into the living room with them.

We appreciate you thinking about us--

Dana, Trey, Ford and Hayden

PS-- IF you have not gotten a chance to see last night's post... you have to get a look at all of the pics... the boys are growing like crazy and handsome... whoooo wheee! I'm a proud Mommy!

Hopefully Ford's Last Procedure For a While!

Tonight (Sept. 2nd) we are once again turning our prayer time towards our little Ford. Tomorrow he is going in to get his stint taken out that is in his ureter. Of course, I am always worried when he has to be put under and given anesthesia, not to mention being put on a ventilator.

I know he is so tough and has the Lord on his side, but I am a mother who worries. We are hoping it is just a day surgery and we are home tomorrow night. Hayden is coming with us and that's what we are planning for at this point.

So thankful right now that Gustav wasn't a Katrina or Rita, Lord knows that's an answered prayer for many of you who might have loved ones in its path.

I am sure many of you are wanting an update on our little miracles. They are AMAZING! They are closing in on 8 months come the 8th of this month... Can you believe it? They are just the two best people I have ever known. To know what they have been through and to see how resilient and wonderful they are... well, it just makes me want to be a stronger person and definitely stronger in my faith.

Let's see, Hayden is the "entertainer" as his Big Honey calls him. He is usually laughing about something, which sounds like static on a radio. He is also gabbing up a storm. He likes to stand non-stop, of course while we are holding him up and he just crawls all over you. My arms are getting tired.

That's because his brother Ford is now doing the same. He likes to stand now too! Ford is chatting more baby talk with is now too and of course, letting us know when he is NOT happy with a situation. That is a boy who knows what he wants, when he wants it.

Both boys like to be a part of all of the action. Both are rolling over pretty regularly now, but again... it is when THEY want to... not when you want them to.

Trey is a wonderful Daddy... he does every bit as much as I do and makes it look effortless. Ford and Hayden both give us a run for our money, and it is worth every last second of running around to keep them happy.

Mostly, we are just very happy they we are a family with Ford and Hayden... and we can't wait for all of the FIRSTS we get to spend with them.

Thanks for keeping our sweeties on your prayer list and keeping us in your thoughts too. I meet people around town who tell me they've been praying for the boys and it just warms my heart. There are also some wonderful people out there who have sent the boys sweet gifts and somehow in the trip back from Fort Worth I have misplaced your addresses, but I just want to thank you for your sweet gifts for the boys.

Keep Ford in your prayers tomorrow morning... I can't wait to tell him about all of the people who prayed for him, each and every time he had a procedure or went into surgery or during the really tough times in the NICU!

Love from the Hugheys,

Dana, Trey, Ford and Hayden