26 NOV - 1st Thanksgiving

Hey all.  We hope you had as good of a Thanksgiving as we did.  Between frying turkeys, stuffing our faces and desserts and coffee, we made it in for one feeding today with Tyler & Rebecca.  They did awesome!

I fed Becca and Nicky fed Tyler.  They both did the best they have ever done.  Becca is up to three feedings a day with a bottle and Tyler is on the verge of going up to two tomorrow.  Becca finished her bottle in 16 minutes and Tyler almost finished his.  It was the first time Nicky tried feeding with a bottle, which is probably why he did  so good - he just needed his mommy (he had just a few spats of Apnea - poor mommy).  Their nurse mentioned that Tyler will most likely come home with a monitor, to assist us with his apnea problem.  Hopefully it will help us to be able to close both eyes when he sleeps.

They both got Synagis shots today, which help protect against RSV, a very deadly respiratory virus that affects preemies born under 34 weeks.  It's especially deadly right now (RSV season is between November & March).  This is another reason we have to be so careful with exposure to others when they come home.  Unfortunately the shot is just to help defend against it, it is NOT a vaccine.  They will get the shot monthly throughout the season.  Only really little preemies qualify for the shot.  Anyway, to make a long story even longer.....they got their shots tonight while we where there.  They screamed like crazy...yet it was so nice to pick them up and their crying stopped immediately.  It's great to be a mommy and daddy and be able to comfort them like nobody else.  The fact that they got their shots today is a good sign.  They only give them to the babies shortly before they head home.  Who knows, this could be the last quiet weekend at the Long household.

I just called the hospital for an update.  They are both doing well.  Tyler has only had one episode of apnea during the past three hours.  They are both going to get baths and be weighed tonight but unfortunately, Nicky and I are completely exhausted and heading to bed, so we won't be able to be there with them.  We will update their growth with everyone tomorrow.

We had a great, low key Thanksgiving feast with Matt, Stacie & Nick today.  It was awesome.  Thankfully we didn't burn down the house with our fried turkey, just a minor oil spill in the driveway. Thanks guys for the great food and great friendship!  After the hospital tonight, we had several of our closest friends over for dessert and coffee (about 20 people).  We had a great time, but dearly missed those that couldn't make it.

Nicky's dad and sister (Kevin & Meagan) are driving down from New York in the morning.  We expect to see their exhausted faces here late tomorrow night.  We are very excited to see them.  They have been working on a new addition to our kitchen - more cabinets.  It will be great to add Kevin's touch to our favorite room in the house.  We are grateful for his time and energy he has put into this project.

We hope everyone enjoyed today and got the opportunity to reflect on the many reasons we are thankful.  Nicky and I are truly thankfully to each and every one of you that are reading our story.  We appreciate your love, support and prayers more than you will ever realize.  We are truly a blessed family, surrounded by more amazing friends than we can count.  God has truly placed us in the perfect place!  Our prayer is that God blesses each and every one of you, much like he has our family.

Tyler's new outfit

Becca's new outfit

Tyler's shot

Dinner