Hello all! I am so glad to tell you that BOTH boys are now home with us! It's tremendous and incredible, but finally our prayers have been realized!

Corban came home last week and Christopher the week before. I will get pictures on here soon. They are both doing well, although they do scare us from time to time with unexplained screams and sudden throw-ups, but that's part of parenting these guys.

Both of them are on oxygen, which means that we have to pull or push around an O2 cylinder wherever we go and that we are constantly re-taping the bandages which secure the nasal prongs. Also, both of them are fed by G-tube which means that we measure out their meals, pour it into bags which fit into a mechanism which pumps it into their stomach over a set amount of time. Afterwards, we have to clean (i.e. sterilize) everything and "flush" their tubes to keep them patent. They are both very prone to violent throw-ups, which requires us to watch them constantly and be prepared to pick them up immediately.

We have nicknamed Christopher Linas because he loves his blanky, and whenever he's upset, he cuddles up with one and sometimes throws it over his face. His other aliases include Grumpy, Squirmy, and frequently "Smelly Boy." Corban is adjusting well we think. He's normally very soft spoken and gentle, but when he's upset it's like a Jekyll and Hyde syndrome. He turns up the volume and manners go out the window.

Ian and I are getting an average 3 hours of sleep per night, but thanks to my mom relieving us a bit during the day, we also get some shut-eye time that gets us through to the next night. My mom has been fantastic - and I know everybody in Ohio misses her (sorry), but without her, we would be completely without meals or a clean baby blanket. We'll try to send her back once we get our feet back underneath us...would next Christmas be okay?

We are so glad to have you celebrate with us! It is really amazing that we have finally arrived to the moments we've dreamed about for over half a year. The teensy weensy babies that were too fragile to touch are now 13 and 15 lbs and crave cuddles all day long. Their health was often so tenuous, that we were never sure of their survival. And I have to admit, I struggled to believe that they were both coming home until we had them in the car and were out of the hospital parking lot. There are still many challenges ahead concerning their health and development. We pray that God gives us the stamina to continue being their caregivers and that He works amazing progress in their systems.

Currently, Ian has come down with a cold/flu, and it's so important that he gets better - for himself, but especially for the boys' sake. If you are praying for us, please mention OUR health as well in your prayers. God has been so faithful to us, and we are in awe at the works we've seen done in the short time we've had the boys as part of our lives. We trust in the future that He has designed for all of us, and will do our best to share with you as things progess.

Have a great day!

Love,
The Panth Family - together at last!