| THEY'RE HERE!!!! |
| Dad's wedding band & Olivia's hand. My wedding band is about 3/4" in diameter. |
| Over the past year, Melanie & I have been trying to have another baby. We both decided that unless we could be sure that the baby will not suffer Ava's fate, we would not continue to grow our family. Luckily enough, we had the best health insurance with Harvard Pilgrim, and they approved to pay for the procedures, known as IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) & PGD (Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis). In the simplest form, Melanie receives fertility medications to help her body produce as many healthy & mature eggs as possible. Through constant evaluations & testing they remove the eggs at the best time. They fertilize the eggs with my sperm, and watch them grow for 2 to 3 days. The ones that look the best, have a single cell removed from them, and are sent to a laboratory in Detroit to perform the PGD. The doctors there have developed a test specific for our gene mutation that causes EB. By performing this test, they can determine which fertilized embryos are EB free, carriers, or affected. They report the results back to the fertility clinic, who then at that time takes the two healthiest non-affected embryos, and transfer them into Melanie. Our first attempt at this failed, but we are happy to say that our 2nd time was a success. Also, Dr. Hughes from Detroit also mentioned that this is the first time that he developed the test for this form of EB, and believes it is the first in the United States. We are so grateful for everyone's efforts and willingness to make this a success. No matter if they are two girls, two boys, or one of each, our only concern is that they are healthy. The babies are due on New Years Day of 2007, but being twins, we may be looking at Thanksgiving babies. |
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We have received a letter from the clinic stating that they
believewe are the first documented case in the world to have
the PGD performed along with a successful implantation for this
form of EB. We are very excited and grateful for this
opportunity, and hope that this gives more promise to others in
the same circumstance. Below is a link discussing PGD and the
five cases that are currently expecting.
believewe are the first documented case in the world to have
the PGD performed along with a successful implantation for this
form of EB. We are very excited and grateful for this
opportunity, and hope that this gives more promise to others in
the same circumstance. Below is a link discussing PGD and the
five cases that are currently expecting.
| ISABELLA REESE & OLIVIA RYANN |
ISABELLA'S BIRTH FACTS
DOB 11-06-06 (32 weeks old)
TIME 9:42 AM
WEIGHT 3LBS 14OZ
LENGTH: 17.25"
FULL HEAD OF HAIR AND DAD'S BIG LIPS.
DOB 11-06-06 (32 weeks old)
TIME 9:42 AM
WEIGHT 3LBS 14OZ
LENGTH: 17.25"
FULL HEAD OF HAIR AND DAD'S BIG LIPS.
OLIVIA'S BIRTH FACTS
DOB 11-06-06 (32 weeks old)
TIME 9:41 AM
WEIGHT 2LBS 13.5OZ
LENGTH: 16"
FULL HEAD OF HAIR AND DAD'S BIG LIPS.
DOB 11-06-06 (32 weeks old)
TIME 9:41 AM
WEIGHT 2LBS 13.5OZ
LENGTH: 16"
FULL HEAD OF HAIR AND DAD'S BIG LIPS.
MOMMY UPDATE!!!!
11/14/06
Mom is finally home. The 2nd Blood Patch worked, and mom's spinal headaches are gone. Mom came home late
Saturday night. She is much more mobile and seems to be getting more and more back to her self each day.
11/10/06
Mom has had severe spinal migraines. A couple of days ago they performed a procedure where they draw blood and shoot it into your spine. It seemed to help a
couple hours later, but as of yesterday it has returned fully. They will be performing this procedure again tomorrow morning. She did have her drain removed
tonight, and unfortunately I was present to witness it. Lets just say they gave her a shot of morphine right after. The morphine seemed to help with migraine, but
will remain lying down as much as possible. The migraines are more bearable when doing so. Also, mom did get to hold Isabella last night, and I held Olivia.
THE REALLY BIG NEWS THOUGH IS THAT MCKENZIE WAS ABLE TO SEE HER SISTERS FOR THE FIRST TIME. The hospital staff sat with the board, and
was able to get an exception to the rule of no one under 12 in the NICU. McKenzie was in amazement going back and forth between the two of them. Melanie &
I are so grateful because McKenzie's sadness was breaking our hearts. Thank you to the NICU & the Board.
11/09/06
Mel is doing good. They have removed her IV. She is still having some bleeding, so she still has her drain. They are checking it to make sure that it is just residual
blood that is coming out into her drain due to her being more mobile. If so, they should be able to reomve the drain very soon. She is able to get up on her own,
and has begun to nibble. We are hoping for her to be home for the weekend.
11/06/06
MOM IS DOING GOOD. SHE DID HAVE MORE BLEEDING DUE TO THE PLACENTA PREVIA, BUT IS RECOVERING. SHE HAS HAD A BLOOD TRANSFUSION,
AND HAS A DRAIN THROUGH HER STOMACH. THEY ARE PUTTING HER ON A BLOOD BI-PRODUCT THAT PROMOTES CLOTTING. SHE IS COMPLETELY
DRUGGED AND EXHAUSTED, AND WILL BE MONITORED CLOSELY
11/14/06
Mom is finally home. The 2nd Blood Patch worked, and mom's spinal headaches are gone. Mom came home late
Saturday night. She is much more mobile and seems to be getting more and more back to her self each day.
11/10/06
Mom has had severe spinal migraines. A couple of days ago they performed a procedure where they draw blood and shoot it into your spine. It seemed to help a
couple hours later, but as of yesterday it has returned fully. They will be performing this procedure again tomorrow morning. She did have her drain removed
tonight, and unfortunately I was present to witness it. Lets just say they gave her a shot of morphine right after. The morphine seemed to help with migraine, but
will remain lying down as much as possible. The migraines are more bearable when doing so. Also, mom did get to hold Isabella last night, and I held Olivia.
THE REALLY BIG NEWS THOUGH IS THAT MCKENZIE WAS ABLE TO SEE HER SISTERS FOR THE FIRST TIME. The hospital staff sat with the board, and
was able to get an exception to the rule of no one under 12 in the NICU. McKenzie was in amazement going back and forth between the two of them. Melanie &
I are so grateful because McKenzie's sadness was breaking our hearts. Thank you to the NICU & the Board.
11/09/06
Mel is doing good. They have removed her IV. She is still having some bleeding, so she still has her drain. They are checking it to make sure that it is just residual
blood that is coming out into her drain due to her being more mobile. If so, they should be able to reomve the drain very soon. She is able to get up on her own,
and has begun to nibble. We are hoping for her to be home for the weekend.
11/06/06
MOM IS DOING GOOD. SHE DID HAVE MORE BLEEDING DUE TO THE PLACENTA PREVIA, BUT IS RECOVERING. SHE HAS HAD A BLOOD TRANSFUSION,
AND HAS A DRAIN THROUGH HER STOMACH. THEY ARE PUTTING HER ON A BLOOD BI-PRODUCT THAT PROMOTES CLOTTING. SHE IS COMPLETELY
DRUGGED AND EXHAUSTED, AND WILL BE MONITORED CLOSELY
BABIES UPDATE!!! EB FREE!!!!!!!!!!!
1-17-07 Olivia & Isabella are doing great. Isabella is packing on the pounds, and now weighs 9 lbs even. Olivia is packing them on too, but at a little slower
pace. She now weighs 6 lbs 5 oz. Mel and I are not getting much sleep, but we hope that it will slightly increase as there feeds do. Well there probably will
not be an update anytime soon because they are doing so well., but I will make sure to post new pics.
12-15-06 Olivia came home on Monday. It has been challenging to say the least, but we are developing a system as we go. We are forced to be organized
with minimal sleep. Never the less, it has been awesome to have them both finally home. Big brother is home too. So we have a house full, and it is
awesome. We were finally able to take a family photo, so we are sending out our XMAS cards out today. Isabella is almost 6 lbs & miss Olivia is around 4lbs 6
oz. Well in case there isn't another update soon, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
12-06-06 I just wanted to update that Olivia didn't come home as expected. Her heart rate dropped down to 50bpm while Melanie was feeding her. It came
right back once Melanie sat her up, but her Dr. normally keeps babies who do this for another 5 days to monitor them. So maybe by the end of the weekend
she will be home. We think it was just that she was so relaxed and tired because she hasn't done this since she was first born. We will keep everyone updated.
12-05-06
Isabella came home on Friday,and had a very good weekend. She definitely received plenty of attention, and she didn't seem to mind it one bit. Her
schedule is off, and she wanted to stay up all night and play, so we we'll have to correct that sooner than later. She is over 5 lbs now, and looks like a giant
compared to her sister. Olivia now weighs 3 lbs 12 oz and has been out of the incubator for the past 4-5 days, and doing very well. She is actual doing so well
that she is coming home tomorrow. They both will have a nurse that comes twice a week to the house to check them out with their weight gain & vital signs.
We are looking forward to getting her settled in, and getting into a routine. Plus with McKenzie being a baby hog, Olivia will make it much easier to share.
Mckenzie has been in her glory, and has even got up to help take care of her in the middle of the night. She has been waiting for this so long, but we had to
tell her that she needs her sleep and can't be getting out of bed every time she hears her sisters crying. So the FUN BEGINS!!!
11-27-06
Isabella now weighs 4 lbs 8.8oz, and Olivia weighs 3 lbs 2 oz. They both are doing very good with their feedings. Olivia is a little more aggressive, which is
good. Yesterday Olivia took a whole bottle, and Isabella took half. Isabella is out of the incubator, and in her own crib now. Olivia should be soon to follow.
They are both very grabby and have pulled their feeding tubes out several times. Hopefully with their continued improvement they will not need them much
longer. Isabella may be the first to come home, but who knows. She may be home as soon as the end of the week. We expect to have them both home before
Christmas. i will keep everyone up to date.
11-21-06
Isabella and Olivia both are over their Birth weights now. They are doing excellent. They may be home as early as next week. Today they are going to try
breast feeding, so I am taking the day off of work to show them how. JUST KIDDING!!!! They are such good babies. They are very alert and content with just
looking around. I'll keep everyone posted.
11/14/06
The girls have been doing great. They performed some ultra sounds on their head and back that came back normal. They are both breathing on their own
without a C pap. Their weight gain has been very good, and they have been increasing their feedings regularly. Isabella is gaining more than Olivia, but she
is still gaining at a good rate. THE BIG NEWS THAT THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TODAY TO HOLY FAMILY IN METHUEN. So they are much closer to
home, which makes it much easier to see them more often. They will probably be there for another 2 weeks, and if all is well, they will be coming "Home for
the Holidays".
11/10/06
The girls are doing very good. The blue light has been removed from Olivia today, and will be tested tomorrow to see if she still needs it. They are both
receiving a little bit more than a teaspoon of breastmilk/formula every four hours. They both have their CPAPs out, so they have nothing on their little faces.
As you can see in the picture with my wedding ring, Olivia is extremely tiny. Although they are so little, they are very alert, and nosey. Something that they
received from their mom.
11/09/06
The babies are both doing excellent. They scored 8 & 9 on the APGAR test. Olivia has some Jaundus(spelling), so she is under the blue light. They are both
doing very good with their breathing and feeding. They are also off antibiotics because there is no signs of infection. We hope to have them transferred to
Holy Family next week , so that they are closer to home. They will stay there for about 2 more weeks as long as everything continues as is. Mom has been able
to hold Olivia, and hopefully will be able to do so with Isabella soon. They need it.
11/06/06
BOTH GIRLS ARE DOING VERY GOOD. THEY LOOK BEAUTIFUL, AND VERY MUCH ALIKE. OTHER THAN SIZE, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WERE
IDENTICAL TWINS. THEY'RE DOING A GOOD JOB BREATHING WITH VERY LITTLE ASSISTANCE. IRONICALLY THE SAME DOCTOR THAT DELIVERED
AVA, DELIVERED THE TWINS. ALSO ONE OF THE DOCTORS FROM CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL THAT TOOK CARE OF AVA IS TAKING CARE OF THE
TWINS IN THE NICU. KIND OF MAKES YOU WONDER??
ENJOY THE PICS AND THE SHORT MOVIE CLIP. CLICK ON THEM TO MAKE THEM LARGER.........THE PICTURES WITHOUT A HEADING MEANS I'M
NOT SURE WHO IT IS.....IT'S ALREADY STARTING
1-17-07 Olivia & Isabella are doing great. Isabella is packing on the pounds, and now weighs 9 lbs even. Olivia is packing them on too, but at a little slower
pace. She now weighs 6 lbs 5 oz. Mel and I are not getting much sleep, but we hope that it will slightly increase as there feeds do. Well there probably will
not be an update anytime soon because they are doing so well., but I will make sure to post new pics.
12-15-06 Olivia came home on Monday. It has been challenging to say the least, but we are developing a system as we go. We are forced to be organized
with minimal sleep. Never the less, it has been awesome to have them both finally home. Big brother is home too. So we have a house full, and it is
awesome. We were finally able to take a family photo, so we are sending out our XMAS cards out today. Isabella is almost 6 lbs & miss Olivia is around 4lbs 6
oz. Well in case there isn't another update soon, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
12-06-06 I just wanted to update that Olivia didn't come home as expected. Her heart rate dropped down to 50bpm while Melanie was feeding her. It came
right back once Melanie sat her up, but her Dr. normally keeps babies who do this for another 5 days to monitor them. So maybe by the end of the weekend
she will be home. We think it was just that she was so relaxed and tired because she hasn't done this since she was first born. We will keep everyone updated.
12-05-06
Isabella came home on Friday,and had a very good weekend. She definitely received plenty of attention, and she didn't seem to mind it one bit. Her
schedule is off, and she wanted to stay up all night and play, so we we'll have to correct that sooner than later. She is over 5 lbs now, and looks like a giant
compared to her sister. Olivia now weighs 3 lbs 12 oz and has been out of the incubator for the past 4-5 days, and doing very well. She is actual doing so well
that she is coming home tomorrow. They both will have a nurse that comes twice a week to the house to check them out with their weight gain & vital signs.
We are looking forward to getting her settled in, and getting into a routine. Plus with McKenzie being a baby hog, Olivia will make it much easier to share.
Mckenzie has been in her glory, and has even got up to help take care of her in the middle of the night. She has been waiting for this so long, but we had to
tell her that she needs her sleep and can't be getting out of bed every time she hears her sisters crying. So the FUN BEGINS!!!
11-27-06
Isabella now weighs 4 lbs 8.8oz, and Olivia weighs 3 lbs 2 oz. They both are doing very good with their feedings. Olivia is a little more aggressive, which is
good. Yesterday Olivia took a whole bottle, and Isabella took half. Isabella is out of the incubator, and in her own crib now. Olivia should be soon to follow.
They are both very grabby and have pulled their feeding tubes out several times. Hopefully with their continued improvement they will not need them much
longer. Isabella may be the first to come home, but who knows. She may be home as soon as the end of the week. We expect to have them both home before
Christmas. i will keep everyone up to date.
11-21-06
Isabella and Olivia both are over their Birth weights now. They are doing excellent. They may be home as early as next week. Today they are going to try
breast feeding, so I am taking the day off of work to show them how. JUST KIDDING!!!! They are such good babies. They are very alert and content with just
looking around. I'll keep everyone posted.
11/14/06
The girls have been doing great. They performed some ultra sounds on their head and back that came back normal. They are both breathing on their own
without a C pap. Their weight gain has been very good, and they have been increasing their feedings regularly. Isabella is gaining more than Olivia, but she
is still gaining at a good rate. THE BIG NEWS THAT THEY WERE TRANSFERRED TODAY TO HOLY FAMILY IN METHUEN. So they are much closer to
home, which makes it much easier to see them more often. They will probably be there for another 2 weeks, and if all is well, they will be coming "Home for
the Holidays".
11/10/06
The girls are doing very good. The blue light has been removed from Olivia today, and will be tested tomorrow to see if she still needs it. They are both
receiving a little bit more than a teaspoon of breastmilk/formula every four hours. They both have their CPAPs out, so they have nothing on their little faces.
As you can see in the picture with my wedding ring, Olivia is extremely tiny. Although they are so little, they are very alert, and nosey. Something that they
received from their mom.
11/09/06
The babies are both doing excellent. They scored 8 & 9 on the APGAR test. Olivia has some Jaundus(spelling), so she is under the blue light. They are both
doing very good with their breathing and feeding. They are also off antibiotics because there is no signs of infection. We hope to have them transferred to
Holy Family next week , so that they are closer to home. They will stay there for about 2 more weeks as long as everything continues as is. Mom has been able
to hold Olivia, and hopefully will be able to do so with Isabella soon. They need it.
11/06/06
BOTH GIRLS ARE DOING VERY GOOD. THEY LOOK BEAUTIFUL, AND VERY MUCH ALIKE. OTHER THAN SIZE, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THEY WERE
IDENTICAL TWINS. THEY'RE DOING A GOOD JOB BREATHING WITH VERY LITTLE ASSISTANCE. IRONICALLY THE SAME DOCTOR THAT DELIVERED
AVA, DELIVERED THE TWINS. ALSO ONE OF THE DOCTORS FROM CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL THAT TOOK CARE OF AVA IS TAKING CARE OF THE
TWINS IN THE NICU. KIND OF MAKES YOU WONDER??
ENJOY THE PICS AND THE SHORT MOVIE CLIP. CLICK ON THEM TO MAKE THEM LARGER.........THE PICTURES WITHOUT A HEADING MEANS I'M
NOT SURE WHO IT IS.....IT'S ALREADY STARTING
NEW PICS 1-17-06
PICS POSTED PRIOR TO 1-17-07
| THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!! |
We would like to thank all our family and friends who put together the baby shower for us. With two on the way, I can't even
imagine how we would have done it without everyone's generosity. Although we are truly overwhelmed with all the gifts, we
are not surprised. You have come through for us in times of need that we will forever appreciate. Everyone knows what I am
talking about, especially our Parachutes. We have the family and friends everyone wishes they had. So hopefully without
leaving anyone out, we would also like to thanks Auntie Sue, Auntie Lily, Auntie Bre, and Auntie Debbie for taking the time
to organize everything. We truly appreciate it.
We are so prepared because of all of you. We have plenty of clothes, bedding, car seats, stroller, swings, rocker chairs,
diapers, stuffed animals, diaper bags, bath supplies, and more. Of course we have no room to have anyone over now, but
that was expected. Just kidding...
So again we are thankful, and forever grateful.
Sincerely,
Melanie & Troy
imagine how we would have done it without everyone's generosity. Although we are truly overwhelmed with all the gifts, we
are not surprised. You have come through for us in times of need that we will forever appreciate. Everyone knows what I am
talking about, especially our Parachutes. We have the family and friends everyone wishes they had. So hopefully without
leaving anyone out, we would also like to thanks Auntie Sue, Auntie Lily, Auntie Bre, and Auntie Debbie for taking the time
to organize everything. We truly appreciate it.
We are so prepared because of all of you. We have plenty of clothes, bedding, car seats, stroller, swings, rocker chairs,
diapers, stuffed animals, diaper bags, bath supplies, and more. Of course we have no room to have anyone over now, but
that was expected. Just kidding...
So again we are thankful, and forever grateful.
Sincerely,
Melanie & Troy
| SENDING A HUGE THANKS |
Melanie & I would like to thank Dr. Cardone, Dr. Hill, Dr. Hardy, Tammy, and all the
nurses from the fertility clinic. We would also like to thank Dr. Hughes from Detroit
for developing the test, and Harvard Pilgrim for supporting us and approving the
procedures to have a healthy baby.
Also, we would like to thank Auntie Lily for helping us so much. We would have
never been able to make those 3-4 trips a week to the clinic without you.
nurses from the fertility clinic. We would also like to thank Dr. Hughes from Detroit
for developing the test, and Harvard Pilgrim for supporting us and approving the
procedures to have a healthy baby.
Also, we would like to thank Auntie Lily for helping us so much. We would have
never been able to make those 3-4 trips a week to the clinic without you.
| BABY A (ABOVE) & BABY B (BELOW) AT 27 WEEKS |