Okay, I have a few minutes, thanks to my hands free pumping thing, thank God for that since I've been spending 3 hours a day minimum making sure my babes have something to eat while they are up in the NICU. Anyways!
Day 11 in the NICU. The babies are feeder/growers, meaning the only reason they are there is to take their feedings out of a bottle. They both have a feeding tube in, b/c they inconsistently take their bottles. Liam will take about half of his 47 cc's if we are lucky and the rest gets "gavaged" or goes down his tube. Lena did very well yesterday, took most of her bottles and breastfed like a pro. The doctor even lowered her feeding since she had such a huge gain (40 grams) the night before to 40-45 cc's. Liam had lost 5 grams, so he is still at the 47 cc's. I have a gut feeling she will be ready to come home before he will, she is just so far ahead of him on some days. The nurses have reassured me that boys take so much longer than girls. Liam also had a much rougher start than Lena, he came out with a lower heart rate, needing oxygen. I'm impatiently awaiting their arrival home and we have been blessed enough to be able to stay in the hospital hotel room, which makes pumping and breastfeeding much easier. Although, I think our time is running out here b/c there are some other mom's who will be discharged soon that may want it. We'll see. Please pray that they are home by this weekend or early next week. I'd love to have them both home for the 4th of July.
I am doing well, recovery wise. Feet and legs are very swollen and I have to go back to the doctor for a blood pressure check as it was a little elevated at today's appointment. I'm trying to wean myself off pain meds so that I can drive. I've been getting a little sleep, if you call two to three hour increments, enough sleep. Even though I don't have the babies, I still have to wake up to pump for them. I'm just very, very anxious to have them home!!!
2014
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
They're here! Quick update
Lena Marie (5 lbs 4oz, 19 inches) was born at 1:56 p.m and Liam Joseph (5 lbs 4oz, 18 inches) was born by c-section at 1:57 p.m. on June 17, 2011. It was their Auntie Sarah and Auntie Rachel's 22nd birthday, along with a few other special people :)
They are in the NICU, with standard preemie issues. Liam was on oxygen for about an hour after delivery but that's about it. They are both working on feedings. Lena is a champion, she's mostly nursing now and not taking as much from a bottle. He is giving the nursing thing a go, but he's much slower at it than she is. She never had any feedings issues, he was pretty slow to start. Their jaundice levels were about nine this morning, although the normal level is around one, this is pretty standard for preemies of this age, and so far they are not under any lights. Lena's warmer is turned off, and once the jaundice is under control, they should be able to put her in an open crib! Liam's warmer is still on, but it's on very low, so he won't be far behind. Since Lena's sac had ruptured (the reason I went to the hospital on Thursday night), she is still on antibiotics until tomorrow. Once she is off those and the fluids, her IV will be taken out. She also made the decision to take her feeding tube out two days ago (clearly, she'll be a doctor), they left it out b/c she wasn't really using it anyway. Liam is not on antibiotics anymore, and is on very low IV fluids, so, he'll probably have his IV out first :) They are doing so well, all these details are just standard in premature babies. They aren't even far from getting back to their birth weight, and they were exactly the same weight again last night, which is surprising to even the nurses, b/c it's rare to see. I'm not sure when they will be home yet, I'm thinking like maybe a week? We just have to get them eating more, on their own, especially Mr. Liam.
Em and I are doing great. We're exhausted as to be expected, having two babies in the NICU is a lot of work, once you're finished with one, you start the other and have to be back in an hour and a half. It'll be a lot easier once you take all the cords away, and just have babies to worry about :) Em's a great dad, changing diapers and tshirts already. They calm when they hear him. Lena thinks I'm Mrs. Food, :) They are so amazing, it makes the pain, the swelling, the exhaustion all worth it. I couldn't ask for more.
They are in the NICU, with standard preemie issues. Liam was on oxygen for about an hour after delivery but that's about it. They are both working on feedings. Lena is a champion, she's mostly nursing now and not taking as much from a bottle. He is giving the nursing thing a go, but he's much slower at it than she is. She never had any feedings issues, he was pretty slow to start. Their jaundice levels were about nine this morning, although the normal level is around one, this is pretty standard for preemies of this age, and so far they are not under any lights. Lena's warmer is turned off, and once the jaundice is under control, they should be able to put her in an open crib! Liam's warmer is still on, but it's on very low, so he won't be far behind. Since Lena's sac had ruptured (the reason I went to the hospital on Thursday night), she is still on antibiotics until tomorrow. Once she is off those and the fluids, her IV will be taken out. She also made the decision to take her feeding tube out two days ago (clearly, she'll be a doctor), they left it out b/c she wasn't really using it anyway. Liam is not on antibiotics anymore, and is on very low IV fluids, so, he'll probably have his IV out first :) They are doing so well, all these details are just standard in premature babies. They aren't even far from getting back to their birth weight, and they were exactly the same weight again last night, which is surprising to even the nurses, b/c it's rare to see. I'm not sure when they will be home yet, I'm thinking like maybe a week? We just have to get them eating more, on their own, especially Mr. Liam.
Em and I are doing great. We're exhausted as to be expected, having two babies in the NICU is a lot of work, once you're finished with one, you start the other and have to be back in an hour and a half. It'll be a lot easier once you take all the cords away, and just have babies to worry about :) Em's a great dad, changing diapers and tshirts already. They calm when they hear him. Lena thinks I'm Mrs. Food, :) They are so amazing, it makes the pain, the swelling, the exhaustion all worth it. I couldn't ask for more.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
My last weekend pregnant?
It's lookin' like this could be our last weekend as a family of two. My BP is a tad elevated, has been since Monday, nothing dangerous, just a little bit high. Today, we had our normal appointment. Had our ultrasound first, babies are doing well. Liam has smooshed his head much lower than it was Monday, and is taking up more than his share of the room. Ellen, the tech, says they are so low, she's shocked to see me walking so well. I told Em this morning, the pressure is almost unbearable. Well, that would be why. After the ultrasound, they hooked me up to the monitors, where I was having some pretty good, regular contractions, even after I took my meds. Dr. says she's not too concerned with that b/c I'm 35 weeks with twins, nothing unusual. They are more painful than braxton hicks, cramping and lower back ache and all.
While, I was hooked onto monitors, we overheard the nurse telling Ellen that the doctor wanted to do the growth scan today. When Stacey, the nurse, came in, we asked her what was up. She told us that Liam has much more fluid than Lena, so they wanted to make sure they were growing okay. If there was a significant difference, they would deliver them. We went back for the ultrasound, Lena is measuring 5.1 lbs and Liam at 5.3, which is a good thing that they are still so close in weight. Means the nutrients are being distributed evenly among them. Lena's little body is measuring a little bit behind her head size, which is the first sign that she is starting to get cut off from the nutrients through the placenta. They did a scan to make sure the flow was still going strong through her cord, and it was, so that's great. Doc is trying to get me closer to 36 weeks. Basically, Mr. Liam is taking up so much room, he's putting a lot of pressure on his sister. When baby A has too much pressure put on them by B, they'll stop making fluid in response.
Doctor says we are definitely not making it til our scheduled date, she thinks probably next week. They are going to reevaluate Lena on Monday, if there is any difference in her development or nutrient flow, they will deliver them. So, we'll see! I'm ready for them, when they are ready for me. Looks like we'll be parents next week, I mean, my fortune cookie did say the 23rd.... ;)
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Big, Important Events...
...I've missed out on a lot of them in the three months of pregnancy prison. It's all been worth it obviously, to make it this far, but it's been kind of emotional for me too. Today marks the day that my best friend, who was my maid of honor, and is Lena's godmother, gets married. I was not only supposed to be a bridesmaid on her big day, but now I am not even going to make it. I hope she has a wonderful day, I wish more than anything Em and I could have been there. Love ya, Julie! :)
My grandma is in the hospital, it's a long, drawn out story, but I wish she would remember that this year, she will have three great grandchildren to meet. I reminded her of that yesterday, when she didn't want to take more than two bites of jell-o, well, I reminded her that she needs strength to hold my babies. She said she wouldn't be able to hold them anyway, I don't know what kind of crazy talk that is, but it's on my mind and I am praying she gets better soon.
The weather outside is gorgeous today, and I am trying to concoct a plan to be able to get out an enjoy it. Don't have a wheelchair, there goes my chance of a "walk." Sometimes, I wish I could fit into the little red wagon the twins got at our shower, "fat" chance of that happening! Maybe a drive with the windows down, but who will drive? I don't have a reclining chair for my deck, so it gets a bit uncomfortable... I miss friends and family. I just wish the twins were here, that I was recovered, and I could pack them up in the car and drive to the park or something. Everyone keeps telling me soon, but today, "soon" isn't a word that's going to cut it.
PS: I apologize for the rant. Bear with me.
My grandma is in the hospital, it's a long, drawn out story, but I wish she would remember that this year, she will have three great grandchildren to meet. I reminded her of that yesterday, when she didn't want to take more than two bites of jell-o, well, I reminded her that she needs strength to hold my babies. She said she wouldn't be able to hold them anyway, I don't know what kind of crazy talk that is, but it's on my mind and I am praying she gets better soon.
The weather outside is gorgeous today, and I am trying to concoct a plan to be able to get out an enjoy it. Don't have a wheelchair, there goes my chance of a "walk." Sometimes, I wish I could fit into the little red wagon the twins got at our shower, "fat" chance of that happening! Maybe a drive with the windows down, but who will drive? I don't have a reclining chair for my deck, so it gets a bit uncomfortable... I miss friends and family. I just wish the twins were here, that I was recovered, and I could pack them up in the car and drive to the park or something. Everyone keeps telling me soon, but today, "soon" isn't a word that's going to cut it.
PS: I apologize for the rant. Bear with me.
Friday, June 10, 2011
"Kiddos are getting comfortable"
Yes, that's what the doctor said. They are getting comfortable! Of course they are, b/c I am most certainly not!
34 weeks today, the last huge milestone we needed to hit! Check, complete! We made it, we are here. =) It feels good, but it is also making me crazy to still sit here on the couch. Hopefully only one more week of that, although at 35 weeks, I still have to take it easy until the cerclage is out at 36 weeks. Then, after that, I can do what I want!
Nothing really happened at the doctor's office yesterday, Liam was having none of it. He did not want to be monitored, he did not want to make it easy on the ultrasound tech, he was just not going to play along. I'm feeling a lot less movement from the both of them, but they are also running out of room very quickly as babies should be putting on an oz. a day. They are both head down, and using my bladder as a trampoline and my sciatic nerve as a pillow. 25 more days of this, 25 more days of this... let's just continue with that chant...
34 weeks today, the last huge milestone we needed to hit! Check, complete! We made it, we are here. =) It feels good, but it is also making me crazy to still sit here on the couch. Hopefully only one more week of that, although at 35 weeks, I still have to take it easy until the cerclage is out at 36 weeks. Then, after that, I can do what I want!
Nothing really happened at the doctor's office yesterday, Liam was having none of it. He did not want to be monitored, he did not want to make it easy on the ultrasound tech, he was just not going to play along. I'm feeling a lot less movement from the both of them, but they are also running out of room very quickly as babies should be putting on an oz. a day. They are both head down, and using my bladder as a trampoline and my sciatic nerve as a pillow. 25 more days of this, 25 more days of this... let's just continue with that chant...
Monday, June 6, 2011
A whole lotta nothin'!
Had our first of two doctor's appointments this week. No contractions, just two naughty babies who didn't want to be monitored! :) Everything looks great, holding strong, doctor is excited, almost 34 weeks, she says! Both of them are head down, locked and loaded, ready to go. Dr. made a comment about how she doesn't know how Liam went from breech to head down, considering the limited space in their current quarters. I do have to go get fitted for those beautiful support stockings for my legs, thanks to my beautiful veins, wonderful genetics, and horrible circulation from lack of movement for almost three months!
We put the car seats in the car yesterday, that's exciting :) A little bit of a tight fit, if we would have known a year ago we were having two babies in one shot, we probably would have gone with a van or a third row, but our Edge will have to do for now!! Saturday, we went out and did all of our shopping for the hospital necessities! Washed it all, including their outfits. Packed their diaper bag today, newborn diapers are adorable (when they're clean, haha). Just gotta organize my things, so it's ready to go also. Again, a whole lotta nothin' but I'm okay with that!
We put the car seats in the car yesterday, that's exciting :) A little bit of a tight fit, if we would have known a year ago we were having two babies in one shot, we probably would have gone with a van or a third row, but our Edge will have to do for now!! Saturday, we went out and did all of our shopping for the hospital necessities! Washed it all, including their outfits. Packed their diaper bag today, newborn diapers are adorable (when they're clean, haha). Just gotta organize my things, so it's ready to go also. Again, a whole lotta nothin' but I'm okay with that!
Got a twin carrier off Ebay :) Em's request.
Workin' on getting my itzbeen baby care timers! :) We decided on a pink and green one for each of them.
Also made my care charts for when they come home, especially if they are preemie, I guess documenting feedings and diaper changes is important. We're ready!! Can ya tell?
Sunday, June 5, 2011
One month from today!
....(and I like to say, if not sooner) our bouncin' babes will be here at around 7:30 a.m.!!! One month from today, I will be somebody's mother, and Em, their father. A month from today, life will no longer be simple, but wonderfully challenging. One month from today, our lives will revolve around feedings, changings, and naps. We'll wake up to the alarm of a baby crying instead of from a cell phone. A month from today, Em will officially change his first diaper (one of thousands!) A month from today, will be the day we have been dreaming of for years. Life will somehow be more complete in a single instant :)
A month from today, we will meet the most beautiful babies in the world.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
"Babe, maybe we should pack the bags, just in case!"
Ahh! Okay, so I'm 33 weeks tomorrow. :) That's so exciting!! I'm so excited, we're so excited!! I can't wait to meet these babies, I'm not even scared. I'm just ready!!! Appointment went great! Here's the summary! I'm smiling as I write this!!
My mom came to the appointment today, which was very exciting, b/c she hasn't been able to come to very many. And we got a little bit of extra time to look at the babies, the ultrasound tech is pretty good about that! Heart rates are great! Lena, is still head down, and I got to see that hair again!!! Haha, almost looks like daddy's, little spikes! ;) Mr. Liam, well, we was my mover today! He went from a transverse position (horizontal under my ribs) to breech! We got some great shots of them too, and saw Liam's face for the first time, in weeks, maybe months? He's a little camera shy. At one point, he had his little face smooshed up against where the probe was and we got a perfect little view of his pouty lips and his nose (that looks a lot like daddy's!) They were both suckling, and Lena was sticking her tongue out and yawning. Just thinking about meeting them, makes me grin from ear to ear. Here are their ultrasound pics from today! Finally, some good ones where you actually know what you're looking at!
Okay, so in other news! Today was my last cervical length!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOO!!! I am clearly ecstatic about this, b/c I've been having them done weekly since 17 weeks, and you don't know what a pain that has been, unless you've been through that everrrrrrrrry siinnnngle week! It is holding out at a little lower than one, so it is starting to shorten, but give me a break, I have 9+ lbs of baby in there! When I was hooked up to the monitors, I was contracting, stronger before I took my meds, but even still after I took them. They were about 20-30 seconds long, not anything to be overly excited about. However, the dr. says she expects that at this point, my uterus is distended past the 40 week point. She also says, get excited, that if they get stronger and/or longer, to stop eating and drinking, becauuuuuuuuuse, she is going to deliver them from this point on! No more IV drips or shots to stop labor, no if these babies want to come! They are comin'!!!! So, with that being said.....
Hubby and I have some things to get ready, hospital bag, car seats, ect! He's taking me out for a quick outing this week to get some stuff that I'll need, and a few odds and ends that we still need for babies!! I am so ready, recovery doesn't even scare me like it did days ago! Part of the my end to the anxiety is the fact that my twin momma, Beth, had her boys, and had a c-section and she is handling it like a champ. It's so reassuring to have a close friend that has basically been through almost an identical experience. That's helped A LOT! I've really been blessed with a lot of close friends that I can talk to about anything with :)
So, next week, we go twice a week! Monday at 8:45!! I'm sure I'll blog about some random nonsense this weekend!!!!!
My mom came to the appointment today, which was very exciting, b/c she hasn't been able to come to very many. And we got a little bit of extra time to look at the babies, the ultrasound tech is pretty good about that! Heart rates are great! Lena, is still head down, and I got to see that hair again!!! Haha, almost looks like daddy's, little spikes! ;) Mr. Liam, well, we was my mover today! He went from a transverse position (horizontal under my ribs) to breech! We got some great shots of them too, and saw Liam's face for the first time, in weeks, maybe months? He's a little camera shy. At one point, he had his little face smooshed up against where the probe was and we got a perfect little view of his pouty lips and his nose (that looks a lot like daddy's!) They were both suckling, and Lena was sticking her tongue out and yawning. Just thinking about meeting them, makes me grin from ear to ear. Here are their ultrasound pics from today! Finally, some good ones where you actually know what you're looking at!
Lena Bean :)
Mr. Liam
Okay, so in other news! Today was my last cervical length!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOO!!! I am clearly ecstatic about this, b/c I've been having them done weekly since 17 weeks, and you don't know what a pain that has been, unless you've been through that everrrrrrrrry siinnnngle week! It is holding out at a little lower than one, so it is starting to shorten, but give me a break, I have 9+ lbs of baby in there! When I was hooked up to the monitors, I was contracting, stronger before I took my meds, but even still after I took them. They were about 20-30 seconds long, not anything to be overly excited about. However, the dr. says she expects that at this point, my uterus is distended past the 40 week point. She also says, get excited, that if they get stronger and/or longer, to stop eating and drinking, becauuuuuuuuuse, she is going to deliver them from this point on! No more IV drips or shots to stop labor, no if these babies want to come! They are comin'!!!! So, with that being said.....
Hubby and I have some things to get ready, hospital bag, car seats, ect! He's taking me out for a quick outing this week to get some stuff that I'll need, and a few odds and ends that we still need for babies!! I am so ready, recovery doesn't even scare me like it did days ago! Part of the my end to the anxiety is the fact that my twin momma, Beth, had her boys, and had a c-section and she is handling it like a champ. It's so reassuring to have a close friend that has basically been through almost an identical experience. That's helped A LOT! I've really been blessed with a lot of close friends that I can talk to about anything with :)
So, next week, we go twice a week! Monday at 8:45!! I'm sure I'll blog about some random nonsense this weekend!!!!!
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