Breakout?

We received great news this morning. The Nurse Practitioner called and told us that both boys gained weight and improved in their feeding. Asher finished the maximum 8 bottles (1 bottle every 3 hours) on Friday/Saturday morning and if he met other specific requirements he could come home as early as tomorrow (Sunday). The requirements are:

• Continue his 8 bottle feedings again on Saturday/Sunday morning and gain weight
• Pass his car seat test which consists of sitting in his seat for 90 minutes without setting off any alarms (breathing, pulse, oxygen level)
• Not set off any alarms today or tonight

We are super excited to be able to bring Asher home. It does feel a bit surreal that he will actually be coming home with us tomorrow. We are looking forward to changing his diapers, feeding him and holding him whenever we want to. We realize now how much we took all of those things for granted when we brought Zachary home. We also are looking forward to introducing Zachary to one of his new little brothers. Although Hudson is improving he does not have the stamina required and is still only at 4-5 partial bottles per day. We know he will continue to get stronger each day. It will be a little sad leaving Hudson alone in the NICU tomorrow, but we will continue to figure out how to make daily trips to the hospital to spend time with him. Our visits will be a bit harder as they aren't allowing any infants or children in the NICU due to the outbreak of flu in Georgia.

Todd's brother (Uncle Brad to Zach, Asher and Hudson), came in from New York city yesterday to be with Zach this weekend. Today they went to the ZooAtlanta which allowed us to spend more time with Hudson and Asher. Amy was able to give both Asher and Hudson a bottle for the first time since they were born. Both boys looked great and it was really nice to spend a lot of time with them. We were able to speak in person with the Neonatal doctor about the results of the protein test (see the earlier posting) and he said that it could be read either way, in essence the cancer could be a different type than what they thought or that it could be that it is not cancer after all and ends up to be nothing. Obviously this was not a diagnosis and we will still need to follow-up with the Hemo Oncologist but it offers us some portion of hope for our son's condition. We will continue to draw strength from God as we wait for the next appointment with the Hemo Oncologist in about three weeks.

We are so touched by all of the emails and support from everyone. It so hard to articulate how comforting it is. So many people have added our family to their Church's prayer lists. Some of the most touching emails are from neighbors and friends whose children have put Asher and Hudson on the prayer lists at their schools. One of Amy's friends wrote, "Kids praying for kids is a beautiful thing." One of Amy's friends from high school started a facebook prayer page for Asher. We appreciate your continued prayers for Hudson's growth and development and for Asher's upcoming doctor appointment.