Wednesday, January 5, 2011
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!!
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!!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
New Milestones
Yet there will be so many! But here is the latest....
Abby drank an ENTIRE bottle yesterday plus 5! Daddy said she could have kept right on going too! The developmental people marveled again and said that Abby just has no idea what her gestational age is...She shouldn't be able to do that at all! This will mean, hopefully, that the girls can be upped to two bottles a day (the ultimate goal is 4). We will wait and see what the staff says. Daddy promised Abby lots of babbas and Kangaroo Care when she gets home, so she is working as hard as she can.
Ella, too, had a great bottle day. She managed 22 ccs before pushing it out with her tongue and falling into a happy sleep. She is doing really good at the bottle, and just wakes right up for me and takes her bottle like a champ. It is so amazing to know that just the act if sucking is something we figure out in utero. And to watch these babies learning how to do all the different things we learn or that come naturally in the womb on the outside is just incredible!
The girls and I have started reading "Charlotte's Webb". I think it would be so great if we could finish it at home! We are also singing Beatles songs now. No Lady Gaga yet!!
So all this sucking and sleeping is paying off. Abby weighed in at 3 lbs 11 1/2 ounces last night. And that's terrific! But the big news in the weight department? Miss Ella! She is now over 4 pounds!!! (4 lbs 1/2 ounce to be exact). This means that she is over 1800 grams. THIS means that she should be just about ready for a regular crib! THIS IS HUGE HUGE HUGE news!!!
Yesterday I was given a discharge checklist. This was very exciting...this is all the stuff we need to do before we can bring home the babies. While we are a ways off yet, this is just the light at the end of the tunnel we needed! This gives us something to work on, while we wait. Though truthfully, we have already done a lot of the things on the list.
Abby and Ella....I always say it....They are small, but they don't KNOW they're small!
Abby drank an ENTIRE bottle yesterday plus 5! Daddy said she could have kept right on going too! The developmental people marveled again and said that Abby just has no idea what her gestational age is...She shouldn't be able to do that at all! This will mean, hopefully, that the girls can be upped to two bottles a day (the ultimate goal is 4). We will wait and see what the staff says. Daddy promised Abby lots of babbas and Kangaroo Care when she gets home, so she is working as hard as she can.
Ella, too, had a great bottle day. She managed 22 ccs before pushing it out with her tongue and falling into a happy sleep. She is doing really good at the bottle, and just wakes right up for me and takes her bottle like a champ. It is so amazing to know that just the act if sucking is something we figure out in utero. And to watch these babies learning how to do all the different things we learn or that come naturally in the womb on the outside is just incredible!
The girls and I have started reading "Charlotte's Webb". I think it would be so great if we could finish it at home! We are also singing Beatles songs now. No Lady Gaga yet!!
So all this sucking and sleeping is paying off. Abby weighed in at 3 lbs 11 1/2 ounces last night. And that's terrific! But the big news in the weight department? Miss Ella! She is now over 4 pounds!!! (4 lbs 1/2 ounce to be exact). This means that she is over 1800 grams. THIS means that she should be just about ready for a regular crib! THIS IS HUGE HUGE HUGE news!!!
Yesterday I was given a discharge checklist. This was very exciting...this is all the stuff we need to do before we can bring home the babies. While we are a ways off yet, this is just the light at the end of the tunnel we needed! This gives us something to work on, while we wait. Though truthfully, we have already done a lot of the things on the list.
Abby and Ella....I always say it....They are small, but they don't KNOW they're small!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
3 Weeks Old!
What a way to celebrate being 3 weeks old!
Ella drank 32 ccs! I couldn't believe it! That is an ALL TIME RECORD HIGH!!! She drank more than a feeding (there was extra in the bottle) and she was just chugging! She did look like she was going to explode. But it paid off...she now weighs in at 3 lbs 12 1/2 ounces. She is going to be 4 pounds in the blink of an eye. She is still at 16 1/2 inches.
Abby had a good feeding with Daddy, 20 ccs! She gained too..she is now at 3 lbs 10 1/2 ounces. She didn't gain any inches either, she is still a tad shorter than her little sister...she is still 16 inches long. It was reported to me that her respiratory rate has come down (this is a great thing!!) and she is back down to half a liter of oxygen.
Both girls had a visit from Grandma and Grandpa! I will have to get pictures off Grandma's camera. Lonny said they immediately noticed how much "bigger" they are! They also received their second blessings from Daddy, so how could they not have a great day? Happy 3 weeks baby girls!
Ella drank 32 ccs! I couldn't believe it! That is an ALL TIME RECORD HIGH!!! She drank more than a feeding (there was extra in the bottle) and she was just chugging! She did look like she was going to explode. But it paid off...she now weighs in at 3 lbs 12 1/2 ounces. She is going to be 4 pounds in the blink of an eye. She is still at 16 1/2 inches.
Abby had a good feeding with Daddy, 20 ccs! She gained too..she is now at 3 lbs 10 1/2 ounces. She didn't gain any inches either, she is still a tad shorter than her little sister...she is still 16 inches long. It was reported to me that her respiratory rate has come down (this is a great thing!!) and she is back down to half a liter of oxygen.
Both girls had a visit from Grandma and Grandpa! I will have to get pictures off Grandma's camera. Lonny said they immediately noticed how much "bigger" they are! They also received their second blessings from Daddy, so how could they not have a great day? Happy 3 weeks baby girls!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
As of Tonight....
Today was a successful day! I got up early and headed to the hospital to feed Abby....she drank 14 ccs today and you could see she was really into it!
Ella drank 19 ccs! She was super duper hungry, and giving off all kinds of cues. Daddy fed her. Scott, our "coach" commended us both for being such attentive parents and not rushing the girls. Thanks Scott, but if you had any idea what a hurry I am in to get these girls home.....
Tricia, who is one of our favorite nurses (and a friend from our former ward - what a nice surprise) is now one of our primary nurses. She is with the girls tonight (Hi Tricia!) and reported that Abby is now 1630 grams - 3 lbs 9 1/2 ounces!! Ella weighed in at 1710 grams - that is a whopping 2 1/2 ounce gain - and is at 3 lbs 12 ounces. Tricia hasn't seen them since Christmas night and commented immediately on how much they have grown! Inch by Inch, or ounce by ounce, they will be with us before we know it!
Ella drank 19 ccs! She was super duper hungry, and giving off all kinds of cues. Daddy fed her. Scott, our "coach" commended us both for being such attentive parents and not rushing the girls. Thanks Scott, but if you had any idea what a hurry I am in to get these girls home.....
Tricia, who is one of our favorite nurses (and a friend from our former ward - what a nice surprise) is now one of our primary nurses. She is with the girls tonight (Hi Tricia!) and reported that Abby is now 1630 grams - 3 lbs 9 1/2 ounces!! Ella weighed in at 1710 grams - that is a whopping 2 1/2 ounce gain - and is at 3 lbs 12 ounces. Tricia hasn't seen them since Christmas night and commented immediately on how much they have grown! Inch by Inch, or ounce by ounce, they will be with us before we know it!
As of Last Night....
Abby continues to struggle with the respiratory side of things, but I am told over and over and over that this is perfectly normal; even for a baby who started out on room air. Her lungs just aren't quite there yet...and usually aren't until 34- 36 weeks. I try so not to worry, but it just can't be helped. I hate to know that this little angel is having to fight so hard just to do what we take for granted all the time. Night before last, Abby drank 17 ccs from the bottle!!!! However yesterday when we tried, she could only manage 5 before completely conking out. It is not a concern, there will be ups and downs. The trick is to catch them when they are awake, which isn't easy to do unless you are there 24/7. Her weight as of last night is ....3 lbs 8 1/2 oz! She continues to do so well and that is why the staff isn't worried about the breathing at all...because she is excelling at everything else. The developmental coach told me that when it comes to her technique with the bottle, Abby is beyond her gestational age and is "precocious". I have a feeling that is not the only time in her life she is going to be described that way.
Ella and I didn't have as much luck with the bottle yesterday...she managed to drink and whopping O!! But the day before she chugged like a champ and drank 20 ccs! (not to be outdone by her sister!) She was just soooo sleepy! AND she weighed in at 3 lbs, 10 ounces!! Both girls will be having growth developmental testing today, which tests to see if their bones are growing and doing what they should. Additionally, Abby will be getting tested on her hemocrit, which will tell them if there is enough oxygen in her blood. We are praying for good outcomes.
In the meantime, have a wonderful New Year! Here is Miss Ella looking bright eyed and looking forward to 2011 - the year she and her sister come home! Love to all!!!
Ella and I didn't have as much luck with the bottle yesterday...she managed to drink and whopping O!! But the day before she chugged like a champ and drank 20 ccs! (not to be outdone by her sister!) She was just soooo sleepy! AND she weighed in at 3 lbs, 10 ounces!! Both girls will be having growth developmental testing today, which tests to see if their bones are growing and doing what they should. Additionally, Abby will be getting tested on her hemocrit, which will tell them if there is enough oxygen in her blood. We are praying for good outcomes.
In the meantime, have a wonderful New Year! Here is Miss Ella looking bright eyed and looking forward to 2011 - the year she and her sister come home! Love to all!!!
Christmas with our Kids
Oh, how I love to say "kids"...plural!
Unfortunately, we had to spend our Christmas with our children apart....Connor at home, the babies in the NICU. How I cried! But I just kept thinking how next year will be sooo different!
The babies had a special visit from not only Mommy and Daddy, but SANTA! We were so lucky to have been there and that we had the babies out. Most babies had just pictures of Santa next to their isolettes! We brought the girls their stockings and hung them by their little beds and each girl got her own Teddi Bear...Ella's is ballerina and Abby's is a princess (descriptions provided by Connor). We got to snuggle them and then had to kiss them goodbye...how hard that was. I pray for the day that they are healthy and strong enough to come home. There is a big chunk of my heart that gets left behind every time I leave...and lots of tears too. They are making progress every single day though. Ella is more beautiful every time I see her and her facial expressions are just adorable!! And Abby, I can't even think about Miss Abby without my heart bursting with pride. She is beautiful and plucky and I am saying it now folks (because NO mother has ever felt this way, I'm sure), I believe with all my heart she is going to change the world!
Connor with some of the loot which included "Happy Feet" - his Penguin Pillow Pet, his art easel (also with smock and tons of arts supplies) and his Smart Cycle!
Mommy with Baby Ella and a special guest to the NICU.....Santa Claus!
Daddy with Abby and the Jolly Fat Guy
So grateful for all three incredible miracles. Because of them my life will never be the same again. I love you my darlings!!!
Unfortunately, we had to spend our Christmas with our children apart....Connor at home, the babies in the NICU. How I cried! But I just kept thinking how next year will be sooo different!
The babies had a special visit from not only Mommy and Daddy, but SANTA! We were so lucky to have been there and that we had the babies out. Most babies had just pictures of Santa next to their isolettes! We brought the girls their stockings and hung them by their little beds and each girl got her own Teddi Bear...Ella's is ballerina and Abby's is a princess (descriptions provided by Connor). We got to snuggle them and then had to kiss them goodbye...how hard that was. I pray for the day that they are healthy and strong enough to come home. There is a big chunk of my heart that gets left behind every time I leave...and lots of tears too. They are making progress every single day though. Ella is more beautiful every time I see her and her facial expressions are just adorable!! And Abby, I can't even think about Miss Abby without my heart bursting with pride. She is beautiful and plucky and I am saying it now folks (because NO mother has ever felt this way, I'm sure), I believe with all my heart she is going to change the world!
Connor with some of the loot which included "Happy Feet" - his Penguin Pillow Pet, his art easel (also with smock and tons of arts supplies) and his Smart Cycle!
Mommy with Baby Ella and a special guest to the NICU.....Santa Claus!
Daddy with Abby and the Jolly Fat Guy
So grateful for all three incredible miracles. Because of them my life will never be the same again. I love you my darlings!!!
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