One Month Home

It has been one month since both babies came home to us. Wow, what an experience! Sometimes it feels like it was so long, other times, it just flew by. But what matters is that our family is all together and the real journey is just beginning.

There are so many people to thank for helping us get here.

To our family: Thank you for your prayers and support and for already loving these babies though not all of you have even met them yet. You all know how much we have been yearning to add to our eternal family and what a struggle it has been. Thank you for loving us through all of this. I want to particularly thank our sister Marcy, who always brightened my day by remembering little milestones along the way of the pregnancy and who unfailingly sent encouraging emails and texts. You have no idea what that meant to me. And Mom, who has been here this last month helping to take care of these little bundles of sleep-when-they-feel-like-it joy. Just last night, she came over so that Lonny and I could have a date night, then got stranded here because of snow. Then EVEN STILL volunteered to take the night shift so that I could sleep straight through the night. Total heaven. Thanks to both of you for sleepovers too.

To our friends: To my family members not related to me! You have been with me through every step of this process and didn't even mind the "gory" details. You have showered me with gifts and I don't just mean the material things (though those were great too!). I mean things like laughter, open arms and hearts (thank you for not rolling your eyes when I said I wanted to get pregnant at age 45). You gave us the gift of loving our little boy and taking him into your homes so that we could have a chance to go to all our procedures and then the hospital together. Thank you for having my back and those of you who that applies to know who you are and what I am talking about. Thank you for praying for and with me, thank you for exploding with joy at the news of this miracle. Thank you for your concern during all those trips to the hospital and the rapid fire texts that were coming in so fast that the staff thought one of there machines was beeping when it was just me. Thank you for the comments on the blogs. Thank you for being YOU. We love you beyond measure.

To the wonderful staff, doctors and that kind embryologist with the Aussie accent at RCC: Thank you for making this all possible. Period. Without your commitment and dedication to helping families overcome insurmountable odds, this would not have happened. Period. You are all amazing and what joy you bring to the lives of others. Please keep up your wonderful work.

To the Labor and Delivery Staff at both Alta View and IMC, since I spent so much time with BOTH: Thank you for some of the scariest and most reassuring moments of my life!!! Thank you for being a part of all of this! A big shout out to IMC, who delivered these babies into this world, assuring us that they would be fine even if they were born at 30 (and a half!) weeks. I really want to thank Dr. Smith, Reg (I don't know what I would have done without you, literally), Dr. Clark, the nurse who took me back to the room immediately as my water was breaking at the desk and the receptionist was making me dig out my insurance card (I mean, really?) whose name I never got. During my stay, thank you Jenae, Rachelle and the wonderful girl (it is killing me that I can't remember your name right now, I WILL find out) who is also a massage therapist and gave me a massage when I was at my lowest point. There is nowhere that I would rather have had my babies and I always knew I was in the right place.

To the NICU Angels: Thank you for the outstanding care you provided to the babies AND to us. Wow, I sure learned a lot. Thank you for Kangaroo Care, for the nightly updates (I think the whole time they were there, I only failed to call once and that's because I fell asleep) and all the encouragement about their progress. Thank you Lexie (the one who made me really believe that they were going to be alright AND taught us how to give them a swaddle bath - that was so fun), Amber, Tiffany and Tricia (mmmhuh!). Also Ramona who witnessed one of my biggest meltdowns yet! Thank you to Jen, Dana and especially Scott who taught our little angels (with a little help from Mom and Dad) how to eat so well that they got to come home at an unheard of 34 1/2 weeks (for Abby) and 35 weeks (for Ella) and of course, to the doctors who help save these tiniest of the tiny babies each and every day. We love you all, but may we never have to be inside the NICU again!!! Thank you for caring for and loving on our babies when we couldn't be there or just didn't know how, to do it.

And of course, to our Father in Heaven, who knows the Big Picture. Thank you for tender mercies. Thank you for helping me to finally, FINALLY, understand why we had to go through so much heartbreak (particularly with a failed adoption) to get these beautiful babies in our arms. For not giving up on me when I just about gave up on you. For strengthening our faith, in you and in each other. And for the guidance we will receive as we raise up our three amazing children. Thanks for the "hard way" because we will be more grateful and humble for it.

This will be the last post here. We will keep it up for a little while longer, then make it into books for the girls. We will go back to posting on our regular family blog (www.lonnyssongbird.blogspot.com) so you can enjoy the journey with us! Thank you for reading about us! And if you know anyone that is going through this situation, please let them know that while having preemies is hard, they will get through. And that they have been preemie blessed. Love to you all.

I Stand All Amazed.....

No words necessary.....except thank you THANK YOU Ginnie J Photography....Abby is in the orange flower, Ella in the yellow. And of course, all three of my beautiful babies!

Update

The girls went to the doctor today. They have been very congested and have had me a little worried, so off we went. Abby in particular seems miserable, Ella may be at the tail end of it. Sure enough, they have head colds, poor little darlings! So, no visitors or outings for a while, I am sad to report.

Good news is, that they got weighed again and they have gained big time! We were a little concerned about Ella, who now weighs 5 lbs 9 oz!! She has gained over an ounce a day. No more worries there! Abby is 5 lbs 11 oz! I am so happy!

They are all off schedule on their eating however. Ella is eating like an absolute horse and Abby, not feeling so hot, has been eating less. This has them eating at completely different times, despite my best efforts to keep them 45 minutes apart.

Mom is not getting much sleep as a result. I want to send another SHOUT OUT to Grandma who comes and relieves me so I can get some nap time in. Daddy too, has been awesome, taking most of the morning - early afternoon feedings on the week-ends. It is amazing, really, how little sleep you really can get by on. But it does start to take its toll.

My feet have improved a little bit, but are still painful. I go back to the doctor on Wednesday. It's okay for now, because I doubt I would be getting much exercise in anyway, but it is bothersome. I am continuing to pray for a good outcome, so that I can do all the things I used to before this happened. But if that is the price I have to pay for these beautiful little beings, so be it.

All in all...I have never been so tired, true, but so happy at the same time. Connor continues to be a good boy and a super duper helper. We are cooped up but are making the best of it. We are looking forward to this Spring, where we can get out a bit and to the girl's blessings, which will be in April. Mainly, we are just happy to be together and be a family!!! We are so blessed!


PS - As a side note, I will not be posting here much longer. I am waiting for the girl's pictures from Ginnie J to do one last post. Please remember to visit us at www.lonnyssongbird.blogspot.com once this was has finished! Thanks!

One Week At Home!

Wow! What a week it has been....so much! We are so happy to have the girls home, but have been working very hard. We have done our best to continue the feeding schedule that the NICU set for them. They are eating about every 3-4 hours. It is not easy because Abby is starting to eat more so that could seriously effect how long she sleeps versus Ella, but that's okay. I wish I could feed them at the same time (you have no idea how badly) but with preemies, feeding involves both hands. Maybe as they get older!
Mostly, they sleep, get held a little while and go back to sleep. I alternate between choosing a nap, doing laundry or cleaning bottles. And trying to take pictures here and there. I have had great help from my hubs, who went back to work this week, and my maw-in-law who has been coming over in the daytime to give me some nap time. However there has been some activity as well. They took their first steps into the world of modeling this week. The fabulous Ginnie of Ginnie J Photography came over to the house and took some pics. They are going to be TO DIE FOR. I can't wait to show them to you.
Friday night, they had their first baths at home. Daddy had the honor of bathing duty with me taking pictures and being Chief Bath Time Assistant. He is so clever, he rigged up the "bath cam" on top of the fridge so we were able to video tape all the action as well. They receive what is called a "swaddle bath" where they are wrapped up in a blanket and then put in the water. It helps keep them warm and feel secure. Both girls really seemed to love the experience, no crying, no screaming. It was fun for us all!

The girls got another check up today. Abby passed with flying colors! She now weighs a whopping 5 lbs 6 oz...that means she has gained just shy of a full pound since being home. She is absolutely thriving. Her lungs are in great working order as well as her tummy timer. Neither girl can fit in her preemie clothes anymore. And the newborn stuff is a little big so they are in an in-between stage, one I suspect they will be out of soon. Abby is a charmer, no doubt about it. She is very alert after her bottle and just looks around and takes it all in. She has long graceful little fingers, piano player fingers, maybe harp? She gets very restless if she doesn't get the full swaddle or what I call the Aunt Shelly treatment. (I learned all about the swaddle from my sister in law Shelly who clearly missed her calling as a burrito wrapper). Example: One night Abby was squawkin' and squealin' and once in a while letting out a blood curdling little girl scream. Mom, fed up after an hour of this, stumbled out of bed and said "Okay, missy. You are getting the full Aunt Shelly treatment". Worked like a charm and has ever since.

Ella's check up went well too. She is weighing in at 5 lbs 2 oz. Big sister has overtaken her! The doctor would like to have seen Ella gain more weight, so we will have to really chub her up this week. This wins her a trip back to the doctor next Wednesday for another weight check. She has been a little congested, and we have had to turn the "booger sucker" loose on her a few times (My pediatrician had never heard it called that and laughed his head off when I referred to it as such). Only strengthens my resolve, as difficult as it is, that she stay in the house away from a lot of people right now. We truly are in the height of RSV season. While it's a bummer, it's what's best. I will try to be better about posting pics. She is absolutely darling. Much more patient than her sister, and seems to like the binkie a bit more. She loves to sleep with her precious little hands thrown up in the air.

For being such a great big brother, Connor received a camera as a gift from his sisters (shout out to Aunt Steph for the great idea!). Hopefully, he will feel like he is part of the action and can take pictures of the babies or whatever he wants. Before you say it, and I KNOW you're thinking it, we know it might be slight lunacy to turn a 4 year old loose with an actual camera. All I can say is, he has been admonished that whipping open a door at any given time, particularly the one to the bathroom, shouting "Surprise" and clicking away, would NOT be considered, well, cool. Fingers crossed that he does not become an annoying paparazo and start documenting EVERY moment of our lives, as I have been accused of documenting every moment of his.

Having babies at home, means we are pretty much housebound. This has forced one little cow poke to use his imagination with a step ladder for a horse (whose name is Thunder). Unfortunately, it kinda means Mom and Dad have been cooped up for too long as well and Dad has taken up the rodeo.

Needless to say, we are all a little crazy, but completely blissed out!!!

Pictures: First two are Abba-Girl in the tub, then Bathing Beauty Ella. Abby (not in burrito wrap) and little Ella Bella (including a flowered bum for Aunt Steph). Big Brother Connor, the family photographer. Connor and his trusty steed. Dad's a little stir crazy too!

Sisters

Abby and Ella....shhhh? Did you hear that? That is the sound of my heart singing and my tears of joy falling.

Ella's Homecoming!

Ella is home and WE ARE FINALLY ALL TOGETHER AS A FAMILY!!!!

Ella came home to us on Tuesday, January 18th. That date will forever stay in my mind! Ella weighed 4 lbs, 14 oz upon leaving the hospital!!! (I am going to miss having them weighed nightly). Again, we did not have one of our primary nurses (I am wondering if they do this on purpose?) and again, it was Lonny, Connor and I off to the hospital.Ella did great! She needed to be fed before she left, and of course, decided to take her own sweet time. Abby, meanwhile was sleeping back home and being tended to by Grandma (who is Ella's first official visitor!) We are all doing great and so happy to be together. My RS President and friend, Teri, said that it must feel an awful lot like the Celestial Kingdom around here, with us all being reunited. It certainly FEELS like Heaven! Connor helps Ella out of her car seat!
Sisters reunited at last...Grandma with Ella (see Kate doing happy dance)
"Hello Little Sisters! I'm your brother, Connor" Followed by "I'm in charge of the babies, right Mom?"
Lonny's first time holding the girls together!There just aren't words to express how happy this picture makes me:

Abby's Homecoming!

Connor is a big brother!!!

Abby came home to us on Friday, January 14, after 5 weeks at the NICU! She is only 35 1/2 weeks gestationally, and this is rather impressive to all! Her last weigh in showed her at 4 lbs 6 oz and every ounce is pure feisty fighter!

Lonny, Connor and I all went to the hospital with video camera in tow (in fact, most of the footage is on video). I went in and got all the information, signed paperwork and gave Abby one last bottle. It was very exciting, but I also had tears because I didn't want to leave Ella behind. It was bittersweet to say the least. I was assured that Ella wouldn't be too far behind.

The nurse (not one of our primaries) walked us to the door where Lonny started filming Connor as he saw his little sister for the first time. He wore his "I'm the Big Brother" tee shirt and didn't have much to say. I think he was just amazed (and maybe a little shy). He immediately grabbed the handle of the car seat and "helped" our nurse carry Abby to the car. He was very informative in the car, keeping us abreast of even the slightest movements of his sleeping sister.

It was a little alarming getting back in the groove of having a baby in the house. Abby slept in our room the first night, but as it so happens, Abby is ONE NOISY BABY!! She grunts, she groans, she squawks, she squeals...this my friends, is when she is ASLEEP!! So she was evicted from our bedroom after one night. To your crib, Darling, monitor in tow (with volume control!) She is a little angel though. She went to her doctor's appointment and was proclaimed perfect and handled it like an old pro.

She had visitors the other night, her first! Our friends Mike and Marcie came to marvel at the newest wonder of the world. We expect there may be a few more...just a few.

Welcome home Sweet Abby! We are almost complete!!!

ABBY IS HOME!!!

Pictures to follow....I can't take my eyes off of her any longer than to write this post....check back!

Fingers Crossed

that we will have some really BIG news either tomorrow or Saturday. I don't want to jinx it...so I will remain mum for now (though you may be able to guess....). Just know that there has been a flurry of activity the last few days...getting last minute shopping done, watching required videos, blah blah blah. Moving right down the old check list.

Abby today weighs 4 lbs 5 oz and is on (drum roll please....) Step 4!!! She is completely free of the feeding tube (now you can really see her beautiful face, pictures coming) and is waking up on her own for the bots. She apparently had a record breaker burp this morning that was so loud, she startled herself, then drank 15 more mils after that! Scott saw her this morning and kept shaking his head and saying how blown away he is by Abby. He told her she was a beautiful person and was rewarded with a big old goofy grin. Abby smiled too.

Ella is right where she should be for a 35 1/2 week old cutie. She still worries a lot but is drinking what she should be. We would love to see her pull forward a little bit but are being assured that what she is doing is perfect. She weighs in at 4 lbs 9 oz, so she is doing something right! I am just getting concerned she is enjoying the accommodations a little too much (and expensive ones they are!) and won't want to come home. After all, she has a "staff" attending to her every need. Here at home, she has just us and a curious Scottie dog. She is still my little beauty queen and makes the cutest sounds and faces. She is so stinkin' darling and girlie!

Some of you have asked about me...thanks! I am doing pretty good. The blood pressure sitch has fixed itself as well as ankle swelling etc. I continue to struggle with my feet. I have officially been diagnosed with plantar's fasciitis and neuromas. Those are just fancy ways of saying that my tootsies are seriously messed up. It is a VERY painful situation and I would appreciate all the prayers you can send my way. The doctor has me working on a conservative treatment at this point...I have inserts in my shoes that will hopefully correct the problem. I also have to ice my feet every night (love that in 5 degree weather!) and have to be off my feet as much as possible. I can't do any serious walking (good thing I got new front loaders for Christmas instead of the treadmill - good choice Lon!) no running, dancing (dang I want to try Zumba!) , etc. The only form of exercise I can do is swim (just what you want to do in the dead of winter and excuse me, but doesn't that involve the wearing of a BATHING SUIT?) I can try cycling but will have to find a way to get up and go to spin at 5:30 a.m. with twins at home. Meh, we'll wait a while on that one. And yes, it also means none of my cute "stupid" shoes - I have to learn to have a relationship with flats. I am NOT amused. It is a long healing process and a real drag. I have to exercise patience, not my strong suit (and one I have already have had to exercise with the NICU), but hopefully will be able to avoid having to have injections in my feet or heaven forbid, surgery.

Other than that, I am feeling so grateful and so in love with my kids. We have truly been blessed. Connor has been so good, considering everything that is going on. And my beautiful girls are doing their very best to be home. It will be very soon now.

This Just In.....

After spending a whole day on Step 2, Abby was promoted to Step 3 this morning. This means that rather be fed at certain times throughout the day and certain amounts, she can eat whenever she is awake and giving feeding cues. Abby never has a problem letting you know when she is hungry! They won't let her go more than 4 hours without eating and she is just given a goal of 130 milliliters a day. I went in this morning for her first Step 3 feeding....she drank 52!! That is the most she has ever done and almost half way to her daily goal!!! Of course, she looked just like me after I have eaten at Cafe Rio (you know, eyes rolled back in head, begging somebody to tell you why they let you eat so much, reaching for the Tums, etc.) and then took a HUGE poop (sorry Abby, I know you are going to read this one day and say "Moooooooom! Why did you have to put that in there" and the fact of the matter is, darling daughter, because I CAN). Everybody was thrilled! I say, get applause where you can. Someday, there will be a lot more expected of Abby than that!

Ella is still on Step 2 and that's just fine. Ella Bella is super methodical when she eats and likes to put a lot of thought into it. She will probably be a very ladylike little eater. She is doing great, she just isn't as into it as Tuff Stuff is. She is still ahead of her gestational age and we think she's just doing fantastic.

Not to jump ahead of ourselves, but every time we go in, we are being strongly, yet gently, encouraged to get everything done on our checklist. For example...
Nurse: So, uh, have you two taken the CPR class yet?
Me: No, we still need to do that. It's every Thursday, right?
Nurse: Yes, well, may I strongly suggest that you take it THIS Thursday?

Nurse: So, is the Nursery all ready? Do you have the cribs up?
Lonny: Yup...all it really needs are babies.
Nurse: You sure? You got diapers? Everything you need?

These little conversations have started up in the last two days. Today when I was in there, they asked me again if we are ready, are we signed up for CPR, to watch their videos, etc. More than once I heard "Yeah, because this could happen SOONER THAN YOU THINK". I get the impression, they are trying to tell us something, no?

Step 2 Feedings!

Happy to report the girls are doing so well on their bottles, that they have been promoted to Step 2 of the feeding protocol. This means that they get bottles 4 times a day now (to go home, they must be doing 8, so we are halfway there! Keep in mind it didn't take long for them to get this "promotion" or to be put on bottles on the first place) and they are doing great. Abby in particular has kicked bottle booty. I have decided her nickname should be "Tuff Stuff" because she is made of some pretty strong mettle! Ella is doing really well too. She is just my little worrier. You can see it in her face whenever it's time to try the bottle or something new. Her little forehead gets all wrinkled and she just looks, well, worried. With a little bit of coaxing (especially from Mama) she does just fine though.

Saturday night we had another really sweet experience (ya takes 'em where you can gets 'em, in the NICU). We got to give our daughters a "swaddle" bath. Basically, you wrap them in a fleece blanket and put them in the water. First you gently scrub their little heads (anyone who has seen the footage of Abby getting her hair brushed will know how much she LOVED this....aaaaaah) and then you take each little limb out and wash it followed by tummy and bum. Then the nurse brings these super warm, right out of the warmer warm, blankets and we wrap them all up and snuggle. Then lotion, fresh clothes, dipe and hair bow and they are good to go! It was really fun. Abby loved it, Ella looked, well, you guessed it, worried. But after a few minutes she looked just like one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills at the day spa. I, in fact, think I may have had a spa treatment once that was very similar!! (without the diaper, thankfully). We will get to do this once a week til they come home.

One of my nurses commented to me last night that we are in the "home stretch". Wish I knew what that meant, you know, exactly. But they are working so hard to come home. Abby remains off oxygen with little incident. Ella's numbers are always great. They are holding their temperature. They are gaining weight each day, which is important as well.

Speaking of, they were weighed and measured last night. Abby is now 16 1/2 inches long and weighs in at a whopping 4 lbs 4 oz!!! Ella is now 17 1/4 inches long and is 4 lbs 6 oz (almost 7). They are just darling girls and the little bit of crying they do, and I mean little, is still super cute. They are showing their little personalities and all the nurses and practitioners comment on how darling they are. We couldn't agree more. We can't wait to show them off.

The Pehrson Girls Together At Last!

An Even BIGGER Day!

I walked in the NICU today to see this:
The babies are in BIG GIRL BEDS!!! So, technically I suppose this is their first picture together. As you can imagine, I was overjoyed! Now I can reach right in and grab those precious girls and love them all over whenever I want to!! And even better news, Abby had been off the oxygen and on room air for 2 hours at this point (and still was when I called this evening at 10:00 p.m.). Again, another huge day for the girls. I couldn't resist sending Daddy some pictures and he got so excited he left work immediately and took his lunch hour to come and see for himself. The girls were thrilled (all of us!).
So NOW Here it is....the one I am counting as the FIRST OFFICIAL PICTURE OF THE GIRLS TOGETHER!!! (or at least in the same shot)
As far as weight gain, they both stayed pretty much the same. Now that they are out of the isolettes, they need to keep their temperatures up, which burns some calories, so little or no weight gain at first is to be expected. That is also why the girls are wearing their cute little caps...it helps to keep them warm. They both did great on their bottles today as well. So here are some pictures of our great day.
First I want to share with you a picture of Lonny with Scott, one of our developmental coaches who helped us learn how to feed the babies. He has been so helpful and says such wonderful things about us as parents, it makes us feel like maybe we have half a clue after all about these girls! Mostly he compliments Lonny on being such a great hands on dad. Sadly, you don't see very many dads in the NICU, let alone one who comes every single day and jumps right in and changes diapers, brushes hair and helps his daughters learn how to drink from a bottle. I could not agree with Scott more....Lonny is an incredible father!
Abby, snug as a bug...

Ella has learned her sister's trick and closes her eyes for the camera today. But she and her sister sure look cute in their jaunty hats!

Abby, so happy to be off the oxygen....let's hope and pray she can stay off it!

Our Abba-Girl

And Ella Bella
What a fantastic day!

Forgot to mention...

Connor has made his contribution to his sisters' daily improvement as well. Besides praying for them daily, he also has donated artwork to decorate their space. Each girl has a piece of his art taped to the top of her isolette facing down so the girls can look up and see them. There is also one taped to the wall next to each girl's bed. Abby has one that Connor really is proud of....it is a painting a road, the moon and.....T-Rex tracks! It is truly a masterpiece...everybody says so. Thank you Connor for being an outstanding big brother!

A Big Day!

Today was a super big day for our girls!

The babies started their first day being bottle fed twice. I went over in the morning and then Lonny and I both went in the early evening. Everyone told us not to expect much....that it was an awful lot for them to handle. I am happy to report that Abby downed both of her bottles!! Ella left 10 ccs in her first bottle, but in the second she chugged every drop! We are told to expect that not every day will be as successful, but quite frankly, we've been told that before and the girls always blow everyone's minds! We'll see how they do..they are told over and over again that Mommy and Daddy are so very proud no matter what they do.

They also were given Hepatitis B vaccines today AND had to start on a little iron supplement. It is not uncommon for preemies to need a little extra boost, especially around the 35 week mark (mine are 34 weeks...they seem to do everything ahead of schedule!) so this is not anything to be concerned about. I had to take iron supplements myself when I was pregnant (and certainly hope the girls don't have the same side effect and if you don't know what it is ask me later).

Additionally, the doctor said it is time for BOTH girls to be weaned off the isolettes and be put in BIG GIRL BEDS!!! This means we're gonna blow the roof on the suckah and start cribbin' it! We are super excited...it will make interacting with them (not to mention changing their clothes and diapers) so much easier. After so much going on today, they decided to try it tomorrow morning. They want to make sure that the girls hold their temperature through tonight and then give it a shot tomorrow.

Both girls gained some weight. Ella is now at 4 lbs 1 ounce (took us a few days to get to that ounce but we are officially there!) and Abby gained 40 grams and weighs in at 3 lbs 14 ounces...this means Abba-Girl has gained a pound since birth and she's closing in on the 4 lb mark herself!

I have posted some pictures of Miss Abby. They are not great....taking pictures is not her strong suit like it is Ella's. It is virtually impossible to get a picture of Abby with her bright beautiful eyes open or that's not blurry! She is a whirling dervish! She is going to be "that" kid who gets up and runs away just as the flash is going off (good luck Ginnie!). The picture where you have the beautiful smiling family with one little blurry something or other in there. We love our Abba-Girl!!