update #2 for today

A last update for today-

Elizabeth continues to improve... tis a slow process, but I am loving every minute I get to spend with her, helping her turn from side to side, feeding her orange jello:), and adjusting whatever.
Sarah and James got to spend most of the afternoon with the babies in NICU and were there when they took the breathing tube out of BAby B, which allowed our lil guy to cry for the first time. James recorded it on his phone and brought it over to all of us so we all got to hear his first cry.
Doug is planning to spend the night in the NICU with his grandbabies.
Testing will continue tomorrow to assess the mass. Dr. Vlastos came in and explained sooo much. They are really not sure what is all involved with the mass... so I continue to pray for miracles for our lil angel. The mass is really massive.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and toes!

Posted by Francie

update #1 for today

Some of you may already know all or most of this. The babies were born this morning at 9:48 and 9:49. They were able to establish an airway on Baby A - which they named Carson David. They plan to do an MRI soon, maybe tomorrow, to view the mass and strategically plan a surgical removal as the mass is very complex and very large. Baby B's weight is 3 lbs, 13 oz. and they won't know an actual weight on Baby A until the mass is removed which they are tentatively talking about Friday to maybe next Tuesday. Elizabeth was quite nauseated and is on clear liquids - and is pretty sore. She has been transferred back to St. Marys and will begin pumping milk for the babies. She will be able to get a 'pass' to go see the babies daily. All heart and other major organ functions look good on both babies from what they can tell. I think that's all we know for now. As we hear more I will pass on more info. Please email me if you don't hear from me.  

They have not named Baby B yet as Elizabeth has not even gotten to see him yet. She will tomorrow and we may have a name by then. Baby B even had to be intubated becase of being born early and lower birthweight but has already been extubated and is doing well. James and Sarah spent most of the day with the babies. The were on 'baby duty' and were there when the baby was extubated. James recorded the baby's first cries and took it to the rest of the family to hear... :) Please continue praying for miracles for the removal of the mass and not complications! The doctor came in the evening to really explain alot to the family. The doctors really aren't even sure what all is involved with the mass at this time so the imaging that is planned will really help them

Posted by Alice

31.5 week update

Sending greetings from St. Louis (Let's go Cards!). Preston and I made the temporary move up to St. Louis last Sunday and are so appreciative for the couple that are letting us stay at their home. We had two appointments this week. I had an appointment to establish prenatal care in St. Louis with Dr. Vlastos Monday. Good news the beginning of this week was that my cervix remained unchanged (compared to last week). Then we had another ultrasound and MRI (which should give more detailed imaging of the mass - including where the blood supply is coming from, what other structures are involved, and if there is any airway compromise due to the mass). I was waiting to send out my update because I was hoping to get results back from the MRI. But seeing that it is 4:30 on a Friday. I think we will have to wait until next week. I guess, no news is good news at this point. Otherwise, we did find out that the fluid levels continue to remain stable. And there aren't any extreme markers showing anemia or heart enlargement which would lead you to believe that the mass is stealing too much blood from Baby A. This week, it didn't appear that the mass had grown as much so again that is good news. The babies will get 'weighed' again next week and hopefully we will get some more information from the MRI. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. You all are AMAZING!!

Love,
Liz

30.5 week update

Hello to all! Well Preston and I will be heading up to St. Louis to stay. Yep...with this world series going on, we couldn't stay away : ) JK, actually the pregnancy is advancing (some cervical changes were noted this week - it is starting to shorten) so our doctor felt like it would be best for us to be closer to St. Louis in the event I went into labor (as it is VERY important that we are in St. Louis to deliver). So one of mom's friends has been gracious enough to let us stay with her. We will head up Sunday. Luckily, I am not yet on complete bedrest. Dr. Vlastos called it 'modified bedrest.' Today was my last day at work.

The babies were still trucking along...just getting a little anxious to get out apparently : ) The baby's fluid levels are remaining stable (meaning Baby A is still able to swallow). Baby A was 3 lb 9 oz and Baby B was 3 lb 7 oz - which are both about average size at this point. We also had an echocardiogram, which showed normal heart function for both. Baby A's heart walls were slightly thickened (due to having to work extra hard supplying blood for the mass and his own self) however they weren't too concerned with this. They thought that this should resolve after birth.

So, as the time draws nearer, we just asked for continued prayers for the delivery process. First, the best case scenario is that the whole procedure is planned and secondly, that they are able to secure an airway on Baby A (before Baby B starts showing any signs of stress) otherwise Baby A's health and life is placed in jeporady.

We so appreciate the support and prayers!

Love,
~Liz

29 week update

I meant to email our weekly update earlier but this week has been pretty busy. We went to Cape Girardeau this past Tuesday to see Dr. Vlastos. News was about the same...the mass had grown a little but Baby A is still able to swallow and blood flow levels look good. Both babies continue to grow and their heart and brain function look good! The fluid levels were still stable...so again that is good news! We wait until next week when we will follow up in St. Louis.

Thank you all for the continued prayers!!

Love
Liz and Preston

28.5 week update

We had our appointment in St. Louis yesterday afternoon...On the positive side (as I'm really trying to stay positive right now) both Baby A and Baby B are growing well. Baby A was 2 lb 15 oz and Baby B was 3 lb. Both continue to develop well. The heart and lungs are developing well and the mass does not appear to be affecting Baby A's ability to swallow or the airway. All blood flow levels also look good. We got some pretty cute pictures of them today : )

On the down side, the mass continues to grow at a very rapid pace which is a little concerning to the physicians as well. We know that it was being fed by one of the carotid arteries but now looks like it may have tapped into the opposite carotid as well (meaning it is getting even better blood supply). The size of it now is making it hard to get a full picture of what exactly is being affected. So, keep the prayers coming and we will just wait to see what God has in store for us.

The goal is still to make it to 36 weeks (the end of November) but of course it is still a waiting game at this point. Preston and I can NOT tell you how much your support and prayers mean to us!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

The other bit of exciting news...we found out the sex of the babies!!!! Scroll down if you want to know what these two stinkers are : )






















We are having two little BOYS!!!!!!

cutest bellies in the universe

Here are a couple of pictures of Carolyn and Liz from Liz's shower this weekend!