Long Overdue

For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11

Thank you for all your prayers!  Jake is doing well and doesn't have an infection.  They think he is either acting like a preemie or has a milk allergy.  The doctors are slowly feeding him again after three days of no milk.  He's up to 19 ccs a feed tonight. 

Luke continues to do well but makes sure to get attention with a brady every once in awhile.  A brady means he's stopped breathing and his heart rate is low.  He enjoys being swaddled and is regulating his own temperature.  He is up to 32 ccs (that's a little over an ounce). 

Here are their two week pictures (August 24).  They were taken while the RT was changing pieces of their CPAP so you can see their faces!!

Luke

Jake

Both boys got to put on their first outfits.  Here are some pictures!

Jake

Luke

A few more pictures of the boys with Emily and Jason. 

Emily holding Luke

Emily holding Jake

Jason holding Luke

Prayers Please

Please pray for Jake.  They think he may have an infection and are starting him on antibiotics.  The tests will take 48 hours for the results to come back.   

Pictures and Quick Update

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.   Luke 11:19

Jason and Jake

Emily and Luke

Emily and Jake

Thank you all for your continued prayers for the Tantillos.  Both boys are doing well on their feeds.  They've gone up to 28 ccs (Luke) and 24 ccs (Jake) at each feeding.  They are getting caffeine to help them remember to breath.  Luke got to have a real bath in a small tub last night and Emily gave Jake a sponge bath.

Here are some specific prayer requests.  Jake has a PDA, which is a heart defect common in preemies.  The doctors are watching and hopeful that the opening will close on its own.  Emily and Jason really like the neonatologist that has been taking care of the boys and they will get a new one tomorrow.   Please pray that the transition is smooth and Emily and Jason connect with the new doctor.  

Luke weighs 3 pounds, 1 ounces and Jake weighs 2 pounds, 14 ounces.

Luke's hand

Jake's feet

Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Jake and Luke are doing well.  Yesterday, they were a week old so they were due for an ultrasound of their brain to look for bleeds.  Thank God, the scans were both good!  They are both doing well on their feedings through the NG tube and they no longer need the nutrition through their IVs. Luke's umbilical IV is out and they are waiting for the team to take Jake's PICC line out.  Luke is "eating" 21 ccs and Jake is "eating" 19 ccs.  An ounce is 30 ccs.  

After the ultrasound the Respiratory Therapist came to adjust their CPAP and Emily got some great pictures of the boys with nothing on their faces.  They are expecting the boys to be on CPAP for another week or two.  

 

Luke                                                             Jake

Additionally, Emily and Jason took pictures of the boys with a stuffed animal so we can all watch them grow.  Jake has a stuffed dog and Luke has a stuffed giraffe.  I know they look big but those boys are tiny -- both under 3 pounds.  Luke weighs 2 pounds, 12 ounces and Jake weighs 2 pounds, 9 ounces.  Hopefully, this picture with the wine bottle will help show everyone just how small they are.  

 

Luke                                                             Jake

Here is a picture of the boys room at Texas Children's Pavilion.  There is a little area behind the curtain for Emily and Jason.  Jake is closest to the curtain and Luke is next to the nurse area.   

I know the Tantillos very much appreciate your prayers for continued improvement for the boys and endurance for Emily and Jason.

They are here!

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27

The Tantillo twins arrived on Sunday, August 10 via C-section at 28 weeks (12 weeks early).  

Luke Pritchett Tantillo

3 pounds, 1 ounce

15 1/2 inches

9:35 p.m.

Jake Joseph Tantillo

2 pounds, 10 ounces

15 3/8 inches

9:38 p.m.

Both boys came out breathing on their own and have continued to do well in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women. They are receiving nutrition through an IV and a feeding tube. Additionally, they are both breathing with the assistance of CPAP (Continues Positive Airway Pressure). They are "relaxing" in their incubators in a quiet and dark room.

Emily had a chance to hold Luke for about 10 minutes the day after he was born. Both boys will be in the NICU for some time -- their doctors say a good estimate is their due date which is October 29. 

Emily is finally out of the hospital after 6 weeks of bed rest. She and Jason are so thankful for your support during this journey and very much appreciate your prayers, texts and emails.