Max & Kate Update

The kids were moved to the intermediate care nursery Friday afternoon which is a step down from the NICU. This is great news and means progress. Both babies are still breathing on their own, their A's & B's (apnea and bradycardia episodes aka stop breathing and low heart rate) have all but diminished.

They both are getting their feedings of my breast milk and tolerating them well, the neonatalogist kept increasing the amounts every 12 hours. Kate has been tolerating her feeds well and both have been practicing with the bottle. Max also has caught up and in fact surpassed Kate on the amount of milk he gets (based on his weight). He was doing well but today he spit up all of his feeding, just under 1 ounce. His nurse put him on a pump that feeds him through his tube over a 30 minute period to help with this but again he spit up and when we put him back in bed to rest she noticed his tummy was distended and measuring larger. She went to get the doctor and came back with the nurse practitioner instead and during the assessment he spit up again, he was on his back and she instantly turned him to the side so he wouldn't aspirate. We are so grateful they were there when he spit up since he normally would have been tucked in and under his blanket covering his isolette and could have aspirated, the consequences of which can be very severe; infection, perforated bowel, necrotizing stomach, etc. Again, we can't express how grateful we are for an attentive nurse who knows what his "normal" is and that they happened to be assessing him when he spit up.

Max is now back on his IV for fluids and nutrition and his feedings have been suspended until his next assessment when the doctors make their rounds tomorrow. He had an x-ray for his tummy and it came back normal. When he gets to start feeding again we will start at square one with just 3ml (1 teaspoon) and gradually increase. This is a normal set back with preemies, his tummy just isn't ready for the volume they were giving him and they are only 34 weeks old and shouldn't know how to eat yet. The little booger also pulled out his feeding tube which is taped to his cheek and goes through his nose, down his throat into his tummy, about 20 cm long. The nurse heard him whimpering and came to check him out and once again Max knows what he wants and took matters into his own little hands. Seriously child! I guess he figured he deserved a complete break, a break from feedings and tubes all around. Bless him.

We sure love these babies and can't wait to bring them home. Only when they are ready though and quit scaring the dickens out of us. All in all they are doing wonderfully.

The latest

Can he be any cuter? Even with a puffy face from his CPAP.


Um, I like having a girl. Putting a bow on her makes her all the more feminine and dainty. She already has at least 25 flowers and bows waiting for her at home from the gifts we received, I haven't bought or made a single one.


She loves her paci!

My babies are 9 days old now! 34 weeks and 4 days. This time has gone so fast and yet it seems like an eternity ago that they were born.

Today they are both breathing on their own, room air, no assistance. Yesterday Max was removed from his CPAP, which he hated. I would too with prongs up my nose and forced air that dries out a little mouth and causes crusty lips. He was stepped down to O2 prongs when I left after the morning shift. We returned in the evening and he was free of everything! The nurse said he was fussing and she went to check on him and he had the prongs in his hand, as if to say "ENOUGH! I can handle this on my own." We are so glad he is! He still has a few episodes but he is getting better and usually recovers on his own.

Kate is now eating 1/2 ounce (15 ml) every 3 hours and Max receives 5ml, just over a teaspoon. He pooped a gloriously loaded diaper yesterday, his first! We were so proud and happy. Funny how having kids changes your perspective and poop becomes so important and something we get excited about. But for preemies, poop is a big deal.

We love these kids so much. We stare into their little faces for hours, watching their little eye flutters and listening to grunts and sighs. Phil is such a doting father, caressing their little heads and faces as he holds them each evening. Since he works all day I let him get the snuggles in the evening as I get quality time with them each morning. I get to do Kangaroo care, which is where you lay skin to skin with the baby and cover them with blankets like a little kangaroo pouch. It is such a special time and I love it! Kate and I have had several sessions and Max will get his first tonight. He was always so sensitive with his brady/apnea episodes that I didn't want to stress him any further. I am looking forward to it with my sweet boy.

Kate looks like she is going to be her father's mini me with her long graceful fingers and toes. Max takes after me, he has my toes and his facial features are different than Kate. I can't wait to see the little people they will become.

I am doing well. My incision is healing nicely, I am mobile yet tender still. I am pumping every 3 hours and already have a great supply for being 9 days after birth. I can't wait to start walking and enjoying this cooler weather to get back in shape but when will I have the time?? We will manage somehow and something will have to be put on the back burner to allow for it. All in due time...

Picture overload!

Can we be more in love? NO!

Enjoy!


Kate breathing all on her own!


Kate yawning


Dad holding her while she gets weighed, so tiny!


Size comparison


Dad doing her cares, changing his 3rd or 4th diaper ever! He'll get plenty of practice! ;)


Sweet Max


Holding Max for the first time


In love! (And I am more in love watching my husband be a daddy)


Max getting his UV treatment, love how relaxed he is with his arms over his head.

Babies are doing well! Max was extubated yesterday, back to CPAP and the apnea episodes that come with it. Kate is breathing room air all on her own accord! She is our over achiever and we love her for it. Max continues to stress us out with his spells but he is a fighter. He should start feeds today, happy day!

Quick Update

I promise I will sit down and post a decent update and the story of Max & Kate's birth! With pictures!

As of right now here is a quick update: Max had to be placed on a respirator and they were both transferred to Banner Desert last night. The NICU we were at was a level 2 and not able to keep a baby on ventilation. Desert is a level 1 and can handle all cases, Kate got to come too since the doctor was nice and didn't want to separate them for our sake.

Max did great with the respirator, he is still on it and we can see his glorious little face. He is beautiful! He seems much more peaceful and was alert and wide eyed when we rushed to the hospital last night before his transfer. He has not had the energy to open his eyes for the past 4 days of his little life so this tells us he is finally getting a break. We are happy and confident in the excellent care they are receiving.

Kate continues to progress. She is receiving feeds now via a tummy tube and is handling them well. She is still on CPAP and will be for a little while yet until she proves she can handle breathing on her own. The neonatalogist today told us to expect about a month of hospital stay for the babies. They have many milestones to reach before they will come home but are doing well for their gestational age.

Phil & I are spending as much time with them as possible. Phil returns to work tomorrow and will come see them in the evening while I will get to be with them through most of the day, coming home to rest in the afternoon and then returning with Phil in the evening.

Thank you for your continued support and love!

Introducing...

Kate Michele: 3 lbs. 1/2 oz, 16 inches
Max Wade: 3 lbs 10oz, 16 inches

Entered the world screaming on Tuesday, September 15th, 6:41am-Kate, 6:43am-Max.

Sorry no pics right now since Phil uploaded them for me yesterday via Facebook and home. So head on over there and check them out! When I get home I will post more goodies.

Quick status: We are all doing well. Max & Kate are both on CPAP (oxygen) and have their respective IVs for nutrition since we will not overwhelm them with feeding at this stage of the game. Nurses report they are doing well and as expeted for 32 weekers.

I am mobile and on drugs :). 'Nuff said. No really, doing great, standard uneventful c-section.

Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes on our family's behalf.

Happy Birthday!

Babies are coming tomorrow morning. Surgery scheduled for 6am. Ready or not!

At the doctor's appt today we did a growth ultrasound and an NST, it was determined that our little girl has only gained 80g (roughly under 3 ounces) in the past 2 weeks. Not good enough for the 3 doctors who are on the case. So! Delivery tomorrow.

Of course, all pertinent details will follow this whirl-wind of events. Stay tuned!

The Latest

My friend chastised me yesterday for not posting, so here goes.

I rally back and forth between extremes; either incredibly productive, some might say overproductive, or a day like today, where I just don't want to do anything. I have accomplished much during my time off from work. The nursery is complete, I made a darling wall hanging to hold my girl's bows and one for my cousin's baby girl just because I was bored and geared up to do so, I have canned 40 lbs. of pears and 40 lbs. of peaches await my attention tomorrow. Dinner has been cooked and consumed more regularly and the house is fairly clean.

But the task that now occupies most of my time is the close monitoring of these peanuts I am carrying. I now go to a specialist office three times a week for non-stress testing and a biophysical profile ultrasound. That's right, every other day!

Last growth scan the doctor's were concerned with baby girl's size, or lack thereof. They are physically healthy just small. I received steroid shots in my bum last weekend to help boost their lungs in preparation for an earlier delivery. When we deliver is any one's guess and we literally go day by day after each appointment to determine how much longer I will carry these sweet babies. It seems counter intuitive to deliver your babies early because they are small but if they are not growing at the rate the doctors would like then it is better for them to be on the outside progressing rather than in.

I am doing great, my body is carrying twins like a champ and I am grateful. The babies pass each "test" wonderfully and I am hopeful to get through the month of September so we have less hospital time on our hands when they make their early debut.

All in all, life is good and we are healthy. Countdown to babies!

Nursery pictures to come...

Productivity

My first official day of retirement was fruitful.

• I finished my glider cushions! Hooray!
• Thank you cards for my baby shower were signed, sealed and delivered.
• Cookies made (and eaten-for shame!) and delivered to VT sisters, on the last day of the month...for double shame.
• Kitchen cleaned.
• Picture frame refinished and ready to hang in the nursery, now to decide if a photo or some art should reside in it's colorful arms...
• Husband fed upon arrival from work.
• More research online regarding the fabulous double stroller, crafty ideas to round out the nursery, shelving, etc.
• Scriptures read, physically tired but mentally keyed up; too many thoughts and ideas crowding and circulating.
• Eat a bowl of cereal; Wheaties with dried cranberries and summon Phil to bed.
• Sleep finally wins.

Before: Dingy, dirty worn out cushions.



After: New fabric, new springy cushions, peace of mind knowing whose bum and other unmentionables have been present.

Top cording is a little shaky, not as smooth and rounded as I would like but not too shabby for a first-timer!



Today I plan on being equally as productive. Within reason and the bounds of my doctor of course, albeit I have bent the rules a bit since learning baby girl has adequate fluid. I feel a need to get the nursery and house properly stocked and prepared for their impending arrival and the planner in me wants it done right and with a window of time for the what-ifs.

On the agenda:

• Breakfast has been had and cleaned up.
• Phil was sent on his merry way with a full tummy and a packed lunch.
• Laundry begs to be folded, bed made, toilets scrubbed.
• Dr. appointment; GD test results, hear the reassuring gallop of two strong hearts.
• Groceries secured and dinner needs to be planned.
• Throw in a mirror refinish (again) and perhaps some quick trips to procure the final items to round out the nursery.

But then again I have time, right? In the midst of all this I will take the time to lounge in our recliner, fat feet kicked up with my glass of beloved ice. No worries. I do know my limits and the babes are first and are happily kicking and moving all about, all is well.