We will begin with Kennedy, she has not been first in quite some time. She has made more improvements in her nutrition. She has gone up in volume with minimal spit-ups. In addition, her IV nutrition drip has been transitioned to a different type of IV liquid that has her relying less on the drip and more on the milk. Soon she will not need any nutrition through her IV. The doctors are waiting on the CPAP for tomorrows activity since I was kangarooing with her today. This is because once they move her to CPAP, she cannot be moved for 72 hours. I am thankful they are waiting until tomorrow and gave me a chance to hold my daughter for the first time.
Now for Drake. Through his complete duration of kangaroo time with mommy, he was completely relaxed and hardly moved a muscle. This was so good for him...and mommy too. He finally got a bath last night! He did not like it as much as we did. I'm pretty sure he was confused as to what was going on, but he did eventually settle down. Some additional great news, the doctor let us know that since he has remained on one of the antibiotics since he got sick several weeks back, he will continue the antibiotics a couple more days and there will not be a need for a lumbar puncture! Drake has had a very busy 24 hour period, ventilator change, bath, kangaroo with mommy...and he is staying strong through it all.
This first family photo melts my heart! You both look so perfect as parents, I know these two blessings were made just for you to hold! I'm praying for more first downs!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful family! God is great! So glad to hear all the wonderful news today! :) Our prayers continue to flow for your sweet family!
DeleteLove, Rhona and family
That is great news!!! Yeah God for precious miracles!!!
ReplyDeleteI was praying baby Drake would not need that lumbar stick, thank you God! It is such a lovely thing to see your precious family holding the babies! God's got it and you! <>< Prayers of thanksgiving and continued blessings continue.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! This post has moved me to tears! Prayers are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThe Parsons are doing the happy dance! What a blessing to see your first family picture. God is Good!
ReplyDeleteHeath, Cristi, Kennedy & Will
The look in Brian's eyes as he holds his treasured little princess is amazing... you can see the love he has for that little girl and how he will always take care of her throughtout her life. Annie is so precious with Drake as well, and glad to see how much he loved his kangaroo time :) I can't wait to see these two little ones leaving the hospital soon, no longer little, but growing and healthy babies, ready to drive their parents wild with their antics to come :)
ReplyDeleteGod has been so good to the Gilstrap family... they have been through so much and so many worries, but as God has told all of us, just trust in him and let him handle things, as he can do everything. Doctors keep giving bad news, but everyone just keeps praying and believing, and next thing you know the good news comes. :)
I just wanted to share Psalms 23 right now, as in the hardest moments in my life, I just read this and calm down, as God is always with us, and especially right now, he is with his two little ones and taking great care of them, being the ultimate Kangaroo holding his Joey's in his great big pouch of love :)
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
God bless you Gilstrap Family, Team Drake, Team Kennedy, and everyone else reading this blog out there around the world, and even any aliens that might be out there, God loves you too! :)
So happy for y'all!
ReplyDelete~Shelly (Rogers) Eckenrode
Such incredible news!!! I can't begin to imagine how special it was for you to hold Kennedy today and for Annie to hold Drake. That contact has to be as good as any medicine they can take. I hope that there is more kangaroo time for all of you each day.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing day! The family picture brought more years of joy to my eyes! What an overwhelming blessing! Keep up the strong work Team!!!
ReplyDeleteKatie O.
Beautiful family! What a blessing!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think my smile might go on tonight even as I sleep! I am so happy the four of you finally got to be together as 1! It is such a beautiful sight! I am so happy prayers are being answered daily!
ReplyDeletePlease give Annie a big hug from Syd. She cannot wait to see those babies and Annie!
Yvonne and Sydney
I love love love the post today!! The pictures made me smile to see how happy you two are right now. I know getting to hold Kennedy made your day Brian. Then, there is Annie who got to love on Drake too!! So it's all around been a great day for the Gilstrap family! You two have been blessed with two precious gifts. Still praying for the little ones as well as rest for mommy and daddy. Keep it up Drake and Kennedy!!!
ReplyDeleteGod is absolutely amazing! Beautiful FIRST family photo!
ReplyDeleteThis is such wonderful news. I pray and think of y'all everyday. I hope everyday brings good news for these beautiful babies.
ReplyDeleteAmazing!!!! Continued prayers for you both to snuggle with your babies every day!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Kristen Brown Horabin
So happy for all of you. What a joy to hold both of your babies! Way to go super babies and super parents! -Emily H.
ReplyDeleteGod is so good- I love witnessing his miracles! I am elated for all of you! Drake and Kennedy - you never cease to amaze me! Keep bringing me smiles and tears of happiness!
ReplyDeletePrecious pictures of a precious family! So glad things are going well.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is GOD IS GOOD!!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for your family. I appreciate you sharing these incredible moments with is. I cannot imagine having to wait over a month to hold one of my children--the two of you have amazing strength, which is why God picked you to be Drake and Kennedy's mommy and daddy--tough kids need tough parents!
Drake, I am so prpud of you-- you are such a blessing to your family. Keep it up big guy, soon daddy is going to need to sprint to keep up with you! You made your mommy's day i bet--woohoo kangaroo
Kennedy, you are such a good example for your bubby. Keep helping show brother how it is done, you are a good sissy. I bet having daddy hold you today cemented him around the your little finger. Keep growing, you are mommy's pretty lil mini me.
Prayers continue, cherishing these first downs!!
YAY for the Gilstrap clan! So happy for you guys! I can't wait to get up there and see these little miracles in action! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThe wonderful news and pictures brought tears of joy to my eyes!! God is so good and he is taking amazing care of your precious family. We will continue to lift you up in pray and can't wait to hear about the next incredible thing He is doing.
ReplyDeleteTeresa Garrett
What a gorgeous family you make! Loving the great news that Drake and Kennedy both got some Mommy & Daddy time today. I know today was a day you will never forget! Prayers continue for your precious family!
ReplyDeleteSo, so happy to read this update. God is so good and prayers are being answered. We will continue to pray for healing and strength for your babies and the two of you.
ReplyDeleteGinger Murchison
All day long I was thinking this would be a perfect day for family pictures if Annie got to hold her little baby boy and Brian finally got to hold his little princess. I was so excited when I saw the new post. I had to go to the pictures before I read the update!!!! Thanks be to God for this wonderful day of blessings. Ya'll are either going to have to get lots of frames for all these miraculous pictures or Annie is going to have to do a lot of scrapbooking pages!!! What a wonderful problem to have!!!!
ReplyDeleteGoodness! I had to go to the pictures before I read the post also, and tears came to my eyes as well! Wow! We DO have an AMAZING GOD! I believe He has blessed you all beyond what you could have ever imagined! He has actually blessed each and everyone that has been reading your blog! Thanks Brian, for writing them so faithfully, and for the photos also. Today's are truly some of the most beautiful family photos I have seen.
ReplyDeleteHave not checked in for a few days b/c life gets crazy sometimes. Soooo happy for your wonderful day and for those strong babies!!! Praise be to God for his healing hand! Praying for you all continually! Thank you for sharing the miracles of your journeys!!!
ReplyDeleteJG (Anna, TX)
Tears of joy for the Gilstrap family. We serve an AWESOME God !! What a beautiful family you and Annie have !! Will continue to pray that all keeps going as planned for Drake & Kennedy. Love ya !!
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled for y'all!! It is so, so good to see a picture of the family together. Y'all have been amazing parents through everything. You deserve to finally be rewarded with some together time! Your family is constantly on my mind. Even my 4 yr old is rooting for the twins! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. The little ones are truly inspiring. Amy Eubanks-Whitsell
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful news! PTL
ReplyDeleteSID AND Peggy
Wow. That is awesome news. Put a smile on my face today. Nice pictures of the family. Keep pushing. You sure have a tough family.
ReplyDeleteContinued Luck
Bill
God is such a miracle worker! That brought tears to my eyes. I love when other mommy's and daddy's both get to experience the joy of kangaroo care. It is the best feeling in the world to nestle with your little one and know that when they are in your arms you and only you are the ones who keep them calm. Much love to your growing family. May God continue to bless them every day with his healing power.
ReplyDeleteYEAH!!!!! Such wonderful news!!! An amazing family! Prayers continue from our family to yours!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful news and makes me tear up! I am so excited for you all!!! Congrats!!!! Super cute family!
ReplyDeleteLove the family pic! So happy drake and kennedy are doing well! It reminds me of my kangaroo time with briss. Keep up the great work drake and kennedy!
ReplyDeleteYesenia