Meredith and Aaron: August 2012

On July 23, I was admitted to the hospital for signs of preterm labor. At just shy of 28 weeks, it was too early to be having our babies. They gave me a round of steroids just in case the babies decided they weren't ready to wait. The steroids help to develop the lungs and brain of the babies and consists of two shots given 24 hours apart. It looked like they would be releasing me to bed rest at home, but my water ruptured and it meant I was stuck in the hospital on bed rest until the babies arrived.

27 weeks pregnant, a week before being admitted to the hospital

My friends came from all over to celebrate my baby shower while I was in the hospital.

I have the greatest friends!

The plan was to watch for infection and monitor me and the babes until 34 weeks, at which point they would deliver via csection. Yup, it looked like I was going to be in the hospital for 6 weeks. Unfortunately, while in the hospital, I developed HELLP Syndrome which is a complication of pre-eclampsia and after monitoring me for 2 weeks in the hospital, the syndrome had progressed to a point where it was safer for me to deliver the babies, then to wait any longer.

So at 29 weeks and 3 days, we gave birth to our beautiful babies. Jackson Aaron McCann was born at 8:05 PM on August 5, 2012 weighing in at 3 lbs 6 oz and 16.5 inches long. His sister, Reagan Blake McCann was born at 8:07 PM and weighed in at 2 lbs 14 oz and 14.5 inches long. Jackson came out breathing just fine and we were able to see him and hold him right after birth. However, since his sister's water had ruptured, she required immediate attention and we were only able to see her from a distance. They were taken immediately to the NICU for evaluation and treatment.

Mommy seeing Jackson for the first time

Reagan's diaper size

Thankfully, our babies have progressed wonderfully in the NICU. They were intubated for a couple days, then went to cpap machines for a couple days and within the week they were getting oxygen through nasal prongs. Jackson is now breathing with out assistance and weighs in at 4 lbs 7 oz. His sister, Reagan, is still receiving breathing assistance from the nasal prongs and weighs 3 lbs 8 oz. They get fed breastmilk/formula through a feeding tube in their nose, but it looks like Jackson may be able to learn to bottle feed soon. Mommy visits them every day during their feeding time and holds them for a couple hours and Daddy stops by before and after work and then on the weekends. They will most likely be in the NICU for another 4 weeks or so. Daddy and Mommy can't wait to have them home, but we know they are in the best place possible for them right now and we are so thankful that they are doing well. They are the sweetest little things.

Jackson