Another Day

Yesterday Kelsey had a more invasive line placed because her tube feedings aren't going very well. She still has the exact same amount of food in her belly 3 hrs later so she hasn't been digesting much. The new IV line will help keep her intake/calories up because they can put higher doses of TPN in if her tube feedings continue to not go well. They also think that since my milk has come in (and I'm able to leave it there) and they are now able to feed her that, she will have an easier time digesting.

Drew's been the same...eating like a champ. We did some trial "nippling" with him while putting food in his tube. This gives him the sensation of a full belly while being on the breast. For his first time, he did well. This morning when we tried again, all he wanted was FOOD.NOW! We also tried nippling with Kelsey this morning and the nurse said for her first time she showed good interest.

Their weights have been good. Drew is just a tad above his birth weight and Kelsey a tad below. They were also able to turn D's bilirubin light off before I left today. It doesn't mean it won't have to go back on, but his levels were a lot lower.

We are just charging through the days. We have a pretty basic routine we follow; what times we are at the hospital, when we eat dinner together, what time we crawl into bed, when I get to nap in the afternoon:) Craig and I appreciate all the love and support from you as we get through this time until we can take them home.

Update

We were able to leave last night without breaking down - mostly because of the terrible jokes we were sharing on the ride home. Knowing both of us, mostly Craig, laughing is easy. Telling silly jokes is even easier. So we got by on the fact that:
A. We were having them tested for "tiger blood"
B. They're starting Drew on a new drug, it's called Charlie Sheen
C. And they are of course, "Duh, WINNING!"

It made us laugh instead of cry, which is all I wanted to do. I got up early today and went in by them for 2 sets of cares. I was able to do skin-to-skin holds after their feedings, to help my milk come in. That's a whole other issue; I've been pumping regularly, but since they were early, my body needs to figure out that it's okay to send the milk early. I'm trying to stay positive and have patience because it can take days before it happens.

We are heading back in this evening when Craig gets home. The nurse and doctor assure me they are doing very good. Kelsey is a heart-breaker - she can seem inconsolable in her isolet "nest" and I just wanna grab her and hold her, but can't. Drew is a heart-stealer -  he is so content in his isolet, takes his feeds well, seems more relaxed.

Craig's first diaper change with Drew

Baby Drew in his isolet nest, with bilirubin light turned off

Baby Kelsey with her bilirubin light and eye protection on



Quick update - NICU day 2

We went down to see the babies during their 10:30/11:30 care time. We were able to take Kelsey out for bit. The nurse told us that early this morning they did residual checks on them to see if they could feed them more via tube feeding and both babies bellies weren't empty. So they held the rest of the their feeds today - this is all common in preemies; they aren't use to having food in their stomachs yet. I was there when the doctor was doing their check up - same doc that was in the room during delivery. He is also putting them on the bilirubin light - also normal for preemie babies to need this. They don't look jaundiced, but their lab levels are getting high. He also said they can start trying to feed them again so when we go back down there for the 1:30/2:30 care time, we will be able to syringe feed their tubes.

The nurses say they are both doing well overall. The NICU nursery is so peaceful, and the nurses are patient and helpful and great. I am being discharged today as we expected. We plan on staying thru dinner; I have to get a pertussis/tetanus titer shot, pack up the room, and leaving instructions. It will also be so hard to leave them tonight, to go home without our babies.

More Pictures

This is my first time seeing the babies since the delivery - 12hrs later. Drew in blue and Kelsey in yellow. I am in major need of a nap and shower in these pics.



We went to the NICU around 7:30 for their feedings and cares. Poor little Kelsey is going to be a handful - she's already acting like a diva. So Craig held her; his patience are more equiped for her personality. Drew slept pretty peacefully during my feed with him. It's not in these pictures, but they have nasal feeding tubes in now. Everyone is doing well. Can't wait to sleep in my own bed again!

They're HERE!

Last night they wheeled me into the OB OR for delivery around 11p.m. I had done a "practice push" in my room and baby girl said "yep, my head's ready to come out." So after everything, the long day of nothing happening, premature baby antibiotics, magnesium sulfate (because my blood pressure jumped mid-afternoon and some labs were off) IV drip, the delivery was relatively EASY. It feels good to say that! That something since 22wks of this pregnancy was going to go my way:) A couple of pushes and Kelsey Mabel was born - actually it was, "You're having a contraction. Fill your lungs up and push for 10 seconds." I did that twice. Then felt this release of pressure plip, plop and there was a baby. She cried right away, her color looked good, she was TINY! Then I was worried baby boy was gonna be like, "Hey, look at ALL this room I have now. Let me get comfortable" and not come out right away - the doc said this could happen. But I told her I was feeling another contraction start so I got ready to push. The first one his head presented in my cervix and 2 more big pushes and Drew Kermit was born - a little slimier than his sister but crying and looking good. The NICU staff brought them over to me to see them before they were whisked away to their NICU home.

Everyone is doing well. It will be day by day to see when the babies can come home. They need to breathe on their own, suck/eat (which usually isn't fully developed until 36wks), and remember to breathe. I should be discharged tomorrow and officially OFF bed rest!

That's it for now - my brain hurts and I just wanna chill. Here's some pics, enjoy our little babies!

"Dad" getting ready to go to the OR for delivery!

Me right before I was wheeled into the OR for delivery.

Kelsey - and all her dark hair!

Drew - and there's hair, just blonde.

I actually don't know which one's which - I didn't take the picture and only saw them for a couple seconds. But my guess would be Drew is on the left. Since Kelsey was out first and had time to "look better".

Getting Closer!!!

Labor was induced around 4:30 this afternoon.  It is now about 10:45 pm and we are heading into delivery soon.  I am just about 10 cm and fully effaced.  This has got us thinking about an interesting twin possibility.  Different birthdays!  It is very possible that our little girl will get here before midnight and the our active boy will join us early tomorrow morning.  Only time will tell, but we are very eager to meet them.  All else is great with me.  The epidural went well and the anesthesiologist was very generous with the last dose.  Overall I am feeling pretty good and excited for what comes next.

Or Maybe Not Quite Yet

Still hanging in there. Nothing has progressed since 7 this morning so we are turning off the epidural and waiting....

Since I am preterm, they don't want to do anything to advance labor - just let it happen. I get to eat a little and I slept a smidge. And we wait...

I'll let you know if anything EXCITING happens. We will be missing our "Diapers for Dad" party tonight but I believe our wonderful friends/hosts are going to march on and still enjoy the gathering.