In the new year I see -
A move to a new house
New cars for mommy and daddy (well, mommy got hers yesterday)
A new job for daddy
A graduation for the big brother
And a year from now, all of celebrating New Year's together when the babies are home
On to a bigger and better 2010
Happy New Year!
12/31/2009
12/25/2009
Merry Christmas
So it snowed. And snowed. And snowed. Now on top of the 10-12 inches we had from a storm 2 weeks ago, we have an additional foot or so. Being snowed in at home is not how I wanted to spend the twins first Christmas.
Luckily Chris had yesterday off and was able to go see them in the morning before it was really doing too much. That made me feel better since we didn't go see them Wednesday night because it had rained during the day and got pretty slick and yucky out at night. Today is 3 days since I've been to see them.
We've called the NICU's several times checking in on them, but its not the same. As least we know they are warm, safe and in good hands. The Bergan nurses even assured me that they were loving on Payton so we didn't need to worry about her and to stay home and be safe.
So even though its not how we wanted to spend it -
Merry 1st Christmas Parker and Payton
We can't wait till next year when you're home with us for Christmas
Luckily Chris had yesterday off and was able to go see them in the morning before it was really doing too much. That made me feel better since we didn't go see them Wednesday night because it had rained during the day and got pretty slick and yucky out at night. Today is 3 days since I've been to see them.
We've called the NICU's several times checking in on them, but its not the same. As least we know they are warm, safe and in good hands. The Bergan nurses even assured me that they were loving on Payton so we didn't need to worry about her and to stay home and be safe.
So even though its not how we wanted to spend it -
Merry 1st Christmas Parker and Payton
We can't wait till next year when you're home with us for Christmas
12/22/2009
Introductions
While the babies have met quite a few people over the last 10 weeks (yes that's right - 10 weeks in the hospitals), they are getting to finally look like little babies, and not quite so fragile and breakable.
Last night, Chris was exhausted and stayed home to go to bed early. Which happened to work out well because I was able to go meet one of my best girlfriends, Kristin, for dinner. We met at Village Inn. That seems to always be out place because we like the option to get pie if that's not the only reason we went there. :) We were able to sit and have some girl time. Complain about the traffic (wow!), Christmas shopping(why is it that we have to go to 100 different stores?), the snow coming (yuck!).
Afterwards we went to see both babies. After getting them changed and wrapped back up, Kristin got to sit with them and rock. They did really good and didn't set off any alarms at all. They sat, they talked, they were warned that Kristin's two girls want to dress them up like a pirate and a ballerina when they get home.
It was nice letting them have some time with a surrogate auntie. Now tonight I have to take up some tape to put the pictures Sydney and Ava made for them to decorate. :)
Last night, Chris was exhausted and stayed home to go to bed early. Which happened to work out well because I was able to go meet one of my best girlfriends, Kristin, for dinner. We met at Village Inn. That seems to always be out place because we like the option to get pie if that's not the only reason we went there. :) We were able to sit and have some girl time. Complain about the traffic (wow!), Christmas shopping(why is it that we have to go to 100 different stores?), the snow coming (yuck!).
Afterwards we went to see both babies. After getting them changed and wrapped back up, Kristin got to sit with them and rock. They did really good and didn't set off any alarms at all. They sat, they talked, they were warned that Kristin's two girls want to dress them up like a pirate and a ballerina when they get home.
It was nice letting them have some time with a surrogate auntie. Now tonight I have to take up some tape to put the pictures Sydney and Ava made for them to decorate. :)
Characters
We have two little characters. Each with their own personality. Which, at only 36 weeks, is already shining through.
Payton is very demanding. She likes people to pay attention to her but not always touch her. She thinks it's funny to make her alarms beep sometimes. When she is done with something she is just done. She's very happy and loves to smile. She prefers things go her way (I predict Parker getting bossed around a lot in the near future).
Parker is much more laid back. He likes to just lay around and look at things. He loves to have his hands up by his face. He's pretty content on his own, but loves to be cuddled up. He's especially fond of daddy. Even for being quiet, he has no issue telling you that he's mad. And if he doesn't like something, he will just quietly take care of it on his own.
"Adversity does not build character, it reveals it."
Payton is very demanding. She likes people to pay attention to her but not always touch her. She thinks it's funny to make her alarms beep sometimes. When she is done with something she is just done. She's very happy and loves to smile. She prefers things go her way (I predict Parker getting bossed around a lot in the near future).
Parker is much more laid back. He likes to just lay around and look at things. He loves to have his hands up by his face. He's pretty content on his own, but loves to be cuddled up. He's especially fond of daddy. Even for being quiet, he has no issue telling you that he's mad. And if he doesn't like something, he will just quietly take care of it on his own.
"Adversity does not build character, it reveals it."
12/17/2009
12/14/2009
Aunt Bo
When I was little, I called Abby, BoBo. It just kind of stuck - only as she got older it got shortened to Bo. She's decided that she wants the babies to call her Aunt Bo. Friday night she and Parker had a special conversation and she got to hold Payton for the first time.
Baby Steps
Big Sister Payton - She has been working hard the past week. She is now out of her incubator and in a crib. Her feedings have been changed from a continuous amount to a bolus feeding. Every three hours she would get fed. They started by stringing her feeding over 2.5 hours, then kept decreasing by 30 minutes until she was getting fed over 30 minutes, once every 3 hours. Now she's doing some bottle feedings. It's a lot of work for such a little girl to try to remember to breath and suck and swallow. During last weeks Thursday night - Friday morning shift, they admitted 7 new babies to the NICU. They needed room so they moved Payton to the satellite NICU. It's down the hall from the other and for babies that need a little less direct care. She is currently sharing a room with a set of twins. She's such a big girl now. :)
Little Brother Parker - He is holding his own. He still has his strider a little from when he was intubated. But it's much better. Mostly, you can only hear it when he gets really mad. We're spending a lot of time sitting in the chair in his room looking around and talking about snow and his room when he gets home and the new car seat we bought for him. He's still on his continuous feedings. They want to make sure he has a little more time to heal from the strider before starting because any reflux could aggravate it. He's on a 2 week decreasing round of steroids to see if that helps. They had an ENT doctor come check him out last week to see if they need to do a scope on it. Dr. Lusk decided that they would wait until this round of steroids and see what happens. At that time they may decide to do a scope.
So we keep moving forward. And we keep having more and more time to snuggle with the cutest, more adorable babies on the planet (and I'm not biased). :)
Little Brother Parker - He is holding his own. He still has his strider a little from when he was intubated. But it's much better. Mostly, you can only hear it when he gets really mad. We're spending a lot of time sitting in the chair in his room looking around and talking about snow and his room when he gets home and the new car seat we bought for him. He's still on his continuous feedings. They want to make sure he has a little more time to heal from the strider before starting because any reflux could aggravate it. He's on a 2 week decreasing round of steroids to see if that helps. They had an ENT doctor come check him out last week to see if they need to do a scope on it. Dr. Lusk decided that they would wait until this round of steroids and see what happens. At that time they may decide to do a scope.
So we keep moving forward. And we keep having more and more time to snuggle with the cutest, more adorable babies on the planet (and I'm not biased). :)
12/08/2009
Getting ready for Christmas
Santa visited both NICUs over the weekend. It was set up by March of Dimes so that we could have their pictures taken. It was so nice to get to do something normal for our babies. They wore Christmas jammies from grandma. We had a good morning with them. :)
12/04/2009
The Brady Bunch
No, not that one.
Bradycardia
Payton and Parker are both having issues with these. They have had mild ones that they are able to resolve on their own. They have had some that they need to be stimulated to come out of. They have had some that are bad enough that they need to be bagged to come out of it.
They've had lots of them, all kinds. Their heart rate drops, the oxygen saturation drops. There's really no sign that it's coming, just all of the sudden it is and the alarms are going off, nurses coming quickly into the room.
It's scary when they have them. Payton has had one that she needed to be stimulated to come out of while both of us were holding her. Parker has done it too (although it's been a little better since going back on the steroids). It helps a little that now we know what to do to try to help stimulate them when they have one.
Hopefully, as they keep getting bigger and their brain develops more they will remember what to be doing all the time. For now, we just keep trying to pay attention when they get out so they don't get away with it.
Bradycardia
Payton and Parker are both having issues with these. They have had mild ones that they are able to resolve on their own. They have had some that they need to be stimulated to come out of. They have had some that are bad enough that they need to be bagged to come out of it.
They've had lots of them, all kinds. Their heart rate drops, the oxygen saturation drops. There's really no sign that it's coming, just all of the sudden it is and the alarms are going off, nurses coming quickly into the room.
It's scary when they have them. Payton has had one that she needed to be stimulated to come out of while both of us were holding her. Parker has done it too (although it's been a little better since going back on the steroids). It helps a little that now we know what to do to try to help stimulate them when they have one.
Hopefully, as they keep getting bigger and their brain develops more they will remember what to be doing all the time. For now, we just keep trying to pay attention when they get out so they don't get away with it.
12/03/2009
The weekly update
The latest -
Payton is doing well. We've moved off the high flow nasal canula to a normal one. The high flow was irritating her nose and causing a bloody nose a little bit. And she doesn't need the high flow anymore. She's gone up on her feedings twice this week. She has her temperature probe off and is keeping herself warm inside her incubator (she's not quite ready to come out of there yet). She even got to wear clothes for the first time yesterday. She is loving time that we spend together in one of the chairs. She even has a new bow in her hair from one of her favorite nurses, Lynsie.
Parker has managed to stay off the vent. He is having a little bit of a rough time getting going and staying that way on his own though so this morning he started his second round of steriods to try to help him. He is still on the high flow nasal canula. He has gone up on his food this week too. They are going to start working with him to loose the temperature probe (one less wire). He is very alert now that he is feeling better. He even does really well when we do his bath at night.
These updates are subject at any time to change. But to night if you need us, we'll each be at one hospital snuggling with them. :)
Payton is doing well. We've moved off the high flow nasal canula to a normal one. The high flow was irritating her nose and causing a bloody nose a little bit. And she doesn't need the high flow anymore. She's gone up on her feedings twice this week. She has her temperature probe off and is keeping herself warm inside her incubator (she's not quite ready to come out of there yet). She even got to wear clothes for the first time yesterday. She is loving time that we spend together in one of the chairs. She even has a new bow in her hair from one of her favorite nurses, Lynsie.
Parker has managed to stay off the vent. He is having a little bit of a rough time getting going and staying that way on his own though so this morning he started his second round of steriods to try to help him. He is still on the high flow nasal canula. He has gone up on his food this week too. They are going to start working with him to loose the temperature probe (one less wire). He is very alert now that he is feeling better. He even does really well when we do his bath at night.
These updates are subject at any time to change. But to night if you need us, we'll each be at one hospital snuggling with them. :)
11/28/2009
Baby Christmas Trees
Grandma and Aunt Abby (or Aunt Bo as she likes to be called) decorated two little trees a couple weeks ago with baby stuff, not Christmas, and took them to each of the babies. Yesterday they came to the hospitals to decorate them for Christmas since Thanksgiving was over.
Parker has a sock monkey tree and Payton has a fairie tree. They are so cute and definately the cutest ones in either NICU. I hope they don't expect presents under them ;)
Parker has a sock monkey tree and Payton has a fairie tree. They are so cute and definately the cutest ones in either NICU. I hope they don't expect presents under them ;)
11/24/2009
11/20/2009
NICU News
Ms. Payton - Payton has had a big week. On Sunday, she was extubated. YEAH! She had a si-pap on for a few days over her nose. She tolerated it really well. As of yesterday she's gotten rid of that and is now on to a little nasal cannula (the little things that stick up your nose). I was worried she would tear it off but she's done pretty well with it so far. She's up to full feeds, her milk has been fortified twice and has had the extra protein added to it. Now time for the little girl to grow.
Mr. Parker - While the little guy isn't having any problems growing, he's having a harder time getting off the vent. Last night he started a course of steroids to hopefully help. His cellulitis and staph are under control so last night was the last of antibiotics for him. He's on full feeds
and has his milk fortified twice and has had the extra protein added to it also. Now he just needs to work the steroids. 
11/18/2009
Tallying it up
In the past few week this is some of what we've gone through with the kiddos.
Headultrasounds - 3 for each at this point. No signs of any brain bleeds for either
Echocardiogram - to check for PDA's in their hearts. Neither one have it.
Transfusions - I think at this point they are both up to having had 7 each.
Eye Exams - Payton had hers Monday, Parker had his yesterday. So far, nothing unusual with the retinas. Just premature. They will be checked again in 2 weeks. (Don't bring it up if you see the little guys though, it was a rough experience for both of them).
Bilirubin Lights - Both had to use them. Payton was under 2 different ones at one point. They were both on them for over a week.
Picc lines - both of them had one. Payton in her arm, Parker in his leg.
Abdomen drains - for Parker following his perforated bowel.
Cellulitis - Parker had this in the area where his drain was after removal. We're almost done with the anitbiotics for it.
Staph Infections - both of them had this little joy.
We also know all about oxygen sats, respiration rate, heart rate and what is normal for them at this point.
Anyone needing a study partner to work on the neonatal classes in medical school, give us a call.
Headultrasounds - 3 for each at this point. No signs of any brain bleeds for either
Echocardiogram - to check for PDA's in their hearts. Neither one have it.
Transfusions - I think at this point they are both up to having had 7 each.
Eye Exams - Payton had hers Monday, Parker had his yesterday. So far, nothing unusual with the retinas. Just premature. They will be checked again in 2 weeks. (Don't bring it up if you see the little guys though, it was a rough experience for both of them).
Bilirubin Lights - Both had to use them. Payton was under 2 different ones at one point. They were both on them for over a week.
Picc lines - both of them had one. Payton in her arm, Parker in his leg.
Abdomen drains - for Parker following his perforated bowel.
Cellulitis - Parker had this in the area where his drain was after removal. We're almost done with the anitbiotics for it.
Staph Infections - both of them had this little joy.
We also know all about oxygen sats, respiration rate, heart rate and what is normal for them at this point.
Anyone needing a study partner to work on the neonatal classes in medical school, give us a call.
11/17/2009
Premature Awareness Day
November 17th - Premature Awareness Day
http://www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/index_map.asp
fight for preemies
http://www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/index_map.asp
fight for preemies
11/13/2009
Latest and Greatest
Here are the latest pics of the kiddos taken Wednesday night. They are starting to "chunk" out for as much as the little ones can. The pictures are kind of decieving - they look big until you look at the picture of me holding them. It's all perspective. (The first 3 pictures are Parker, the last 3 are Payton).
We had a bit of a rough evening yesterday and a little bumpy today. Here's hopes that it will be a quiet, uneventful weekend.
11/11/2009
Operation...Chow Time
The goal lately at both hospitals has been to get the babies to eat more. They both have ng tubes and are getting their milk that way - no bottles yet. They are on a continuous feeding. They get the same amount all the time, every hour. For the past week or so they have been getting bumped up on the amount of food every twelve hours.
Today, they are both about as high as they can get for their size right now - a whopping 7 milliliters per hour. That's about 1.5 teaspoons. That amount will increase as they grow. But right now that's a lot for the little turkeys. Since they have maxed out on their food amounts they are off of their fluid nutrition (or "TPN - total prenatal nutrition" in NICU terms) since they don't need all the extra fluid going in on them. Their food now is strictly breast milk. No formula. It's better for them, their immunity, and avoids possible complications of allergies and such. We are all about having no complications. Eventually their picc lines will come out in a few days is all goes well with these feedings. Chris and I have every part we can crossed.
And even though its not that much food in the grand scheme of things, that's a little bit of pressure - making enough food for both of them. Good thing the freezer we have is full of food for them too.
Today, they are both about as high as they can get for their size right now - a whopping 7 milliliters per hour. That's about 1.5 teaspoons. That amount will increase as they grow. But right now that's a lot for the little turkeys. Since they have maxed out on their food amounts they are off of their fluid nutrition (or "TPN - total prenatal nutrition" in NICU terms) since they don't need all the extra fluid going in on them. Their food now is strictly breast milk. No formula. It's better for them, their immunity, and avoids possible complications of allergies and such. We are all about having no complications. Eventually their picc lines will come out in a few days is all goes well with these feedings. Chris and I have every part we can crossed.
And even though its not that much food in the grand scheme of things, that's a little bit of pressure - making enough food for both of them. Good thing the freezer we have is full of food for them too.
11/09/2009
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Payton and Parker
Happy Birthday to you
1 month old today :)
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Payton and Parker
Happy Birthday to you
1 month old today :)
11/03/2009
Our first Halloween
We made it through our first holiday. Not exactly how we would have preferred to spend it with them but all in all it was a good day so we'll take it. In the afternoon, Chris got to hold Parker for the first time.
In the evening, I did my usual rounds to check on them. The nurses had given Parker another hat that was orange and yellow like a candy corn and some Halloween socks. He couldn't wear them but we have them for later. The nurses at Bergan even sent over a little rubber duck that was looks like dracula for him because Payton got a witch one.
Bergan's NICU goes all out for Halloween. They were McGregor's garden (like from Peter Rabbit). The nurse practioners dressed up in overalls and pigtails. A few nurses were bunnies. And they put the babies in vegetable outfits. Payton was a carrot. It was a big orange sack that looked like a carrot and she had a little green hat that went on with it. Soooooo cute.
Parker and Daddy
On Saturday, we spent a chunk of the afternoon at UNMC with Parker. It was time for dad to get to hold one of them for the first time. Parker did really well with it, he snuggled down right on dad's chest. They talked and sang in the recliner for a couple hours. (They are a little dark because he doesn't like bright lights so his room stays dark)
10/29/2009
Kindness
In the midst of craziness, confusion, medical terms, tests, dumb comments, hospital trips, etc. there has been a large amount of kindness that has come out as well.
We've had several people drop off food at our house so we don't have to cook in between working, running to the hospitals, Chris finishing up school, and keeping tabs on what's up with CJ as he gets through his last few weeks of school too. We've gotten some gift cards for places to grab dinner while we're doing the hospital rounds. Chris' step-mom threw a shower for us this past Saturday. There was a ton of food. A huge box of diapers, 2 giant boxes of wipes and a bunch of bedding that she had made herself. Some people at Chris' work donated some PTO or sick time for him to use since he is almost out of time when the babies came. That way if stuff is going on with them they that he wants to be there for, he can be there. The people at my work decided that they wanted to make sure any milk I was getting wouldn't go bad before the babies needed it so they showed up last week with a new chest freezer for us. Tomorrow, they are having a fundraiser lunch at my work for the two little turkeys.
Too bad they don't realize how many people are thinking about them and waiting for them to come home.
Even though it doesn't seem like it's enough - thank you.
We've had several people drop off food at our house so we don't have to cook in between working, running to the hospitals, Chris finishing up school, and keeping tabs on what's up with CJ as he gets through his last few weeks of school too. We've gotten some gift cards for places to grab dinner while we're doing the hospital rounds. Chris' step-mom threw a shower for us this past Saturday. There was a ton of food. A huge box of diapers, 2 giant boxes of wipes and a bunch of bedding that she had made herself. Some people at Chris' work donated some PTO or sick time for him to use since he is almost out of time when the babies came. That way if stuff is going on with them they that he wants to be there for, he can be there. The people at my work decided that they wanted to make sure any milk I was getting wouldn't go bad before the babies needed it so they showed up last week with a new chest freezer for us. Tomorrow, they are having a fundraiser lunch at my work for the two little turkeys.
Too bad they don't realize how many people are thinking about them and waiting for them to come home.
Even though it doesn't seem like it's enough - thank you.
10/26/2009
Kangaroo-ing
I spent 3 hours at the Med Center today. Everything was fine. Parker isn't in trouble. I finally got the approval to hold him for the first time. They call it kangaroo care when you hold them skin to skin. Him and I settled in the recliner that's in his room for over an hour and a half. Parker snuggled on my chest and I wrapped my hospital gown around him just like I did when I held Payton a week ago.
They both are so snuggly. They get so warm. It's about all I had to stop my self from falling asleep with them.
I can't wait for them to come home so we can cuddle with them. We can take turns with them and pass them back and forth.
Now we have to get dad his turn.
They both are so snuggly. They get so warm. It's about all I had to stop my self from falling asleep with them.
I can't wait for them to come home so we can cuddle with them. We can take turns with them and pass them back and forth.
Now we have to get dad his turn.
10/23/2009
Week 2
Happy Brithday Payton and Parker - 2 weeks old today.
Ms. Payton is already at 2 lbs. 2 oz.
Mr. Parker is a strapping 2 lbs. 1 oz.
Way to go kiddos!
One day at a time.
Mommy and Daddy love you
Ms. Payton is already at 2 lbs. 2 oz.
Mr. Parker is a strapping 2 lbs. 1 oz.
Way to go kiddos!
One day at a time.
Mommy and Daddy love you
10/22/2009
Latest poop...or lack there of
Ms. Payton decided on Sunday that she wasn't going to poop any more. After a little more checking they figured out why - she had an infection. Her system was more busy fighting that than moving things along. They identified it as a type of staph infection. So the milk feedings have stopped for now since she isn't able to move it through her system for now.
Mr. Parker is moving right along with his drain. They are starting to remove it a little at a time and hoping it will be completely removed in a few more days. There really isn't anything coming out of it any more. Once that happens, then we will get to hold him for the first time. Yesterday he was back up to 2 pounds (his original birth weight).
They are both pretty stable. Their numbers keep improving. They also improve when they know we're there. They both have their favorite nurses and calm down when they are there. The nurses love them. Payton's favorite day nurse, Carla, always makes sure she has her because she loves her. Parker's night nurse the past couple days, Kelsey, made him a little sign and hung it in his room with his picture. We are changing some diapers, helping with oral care, taking temperatures and helping weigh them.
Looks like the prayers are working, please keep them coming.
Mr. Parker is moving right along with his drain. They are starting to remove it a little at a time and hoping it will be completely removed in a few more days. There really isn't anything coming out of it any more. Once that happens, then we will get to hold him for the first time. Yesterday he was back up to 2 pounds (his original birth weight).
They are both pretty stable. Their numbers keep improving. They also improve when they know we're there. They both have their favorite nurses and calm down when they are there. The nurses love them. Payton's favorite day nurse, Carla, always makes sure she has her because she loves her. Parker's night nurse the past couple days, Kelsey, made him a little sign and hung it in his room with his picture. We are changing some diapers, helping with oral care, taking temperatures and helping weigh them.
Looks like the prayers are working, please keep them coming.
10/18/2009
The latest scoop
Ms. Payton - the "big sister" is doing ok. She is still at Bergan. She has had a pic line placed that she will be getting her feedings through, and that they will be doing other stuff though it without having to poke her all the time. She got her new vent tube yesterday. The one she had didn't fit quite right and she was getting an air leak around it. Her new one is a new size. They bumped up her milk feedings on Friday (she gets milk from momma for strictly TPN feedings and fluids through IV. No formula). The little girl is getting 1.5 mL per hour. Probably will get bumped up a little more on that in another couple days. She also had a transfusion yesterday. Normal to happen for little ones her size/age. All went well with that too.
The nurses think that she needed some pink so she has a pink bow on her head and a pink blanket on her incubator over the cover. Hopefully she can have a quiet day today without too much going on and get some rest. Although she does like to peak open eyes when she hears voices, especially daddy.
Mr. Parker - He is at UNMC after discovering that he has a small perforated bowel somewhere on his little system. He has a little drain to get some gunk out of his abdomen. When it is done, it will be removed. At some point in the future there will be surgery on the little man to repair it. He's been taken off his milk and is just getting the TPN feedings and fluids (which has all the calories he needs). He got his pic line yesterday and tolerated it well. The doctor is impressed with how stable he is, and that his numbers have continued to improve everyday.
He has his little blue stocking cap to help keep him warm if they have his incubator open or are doing stuff to him. And his blue and orange blanket went with him from Bergan to UNMC so he has it over his incubator.
Mom and Dad - are pooped and sore (well I am). Trying not to hang on to "why" but "what do we do now" and "what's best for both of them". We're quickly getting our degrees in neonatal care. We're creating a list of nurses and doctors that everyone should use. We're trying to find moments when its quiet to be us for a few minutes and to slightly fall apart when needed.
Prayers are still being accepted. Please send one to each hospital.
The nurses think that she needed some pink so she has a pink bow on her head and a pink blanket on her incubator over the cover. Hopefully she can have a quiet day today without too much going on and get some rest. Although she does like to peak open eyes when she hears voices, especially daddy.
Mr. Parker - He is at UNMC after discovering that he has a small perforated bowel somewhere on his little system. He has a little drain to get some gunk out of his abdomen. When it is done, it will be removed. At some point in the future there will be surgery on the little man to repair it. He's been taken off his milk and is just getting the TPN feedings and fluids (which has all the calories he needs). He got his pic line yesterday and tolerated it well. The doctor is impressed with how stable he is, and that his numbers have continued to improve everyday.
He has his little blue stocking cap to help keep him warm if they have his incubator open or are doing stuff to him. And his blue and orange blanket went with him from Bergan to UNMC so he has it over his incubator.
Mom and Dad - are pooped and sore (well I am). Trying not to hang on to "why" but "what do we do now" and "what's best for both of them". We're quickly getting our degrees in neonatal care. We're creating a list of nurses and doctors that everyone should use. We're trying to find moments when its quiet to be us for a few minutes and to slightly fall apart when needed.
Prayers are still being accepted. Please send one to each hospital.
10/16/2009
For lack of a better word
Or lack of a better words as it might be...I can't believe all the stuff that has happened in the past week. I will post more updates on Payton and Parker this weekend. Now the words just aren't there to do it. So, instead, a few pictures (from my phone so not the best quality) and
Happy Birthday Payton and Parker - 1 week old. :)
(Best week of mommy's life - I think daddy's too)
10/12/2009
Trick or Treat
So many surprises.
It snowed over the weekend. I know that makes some people really happy but it's a little too early for me. Luckily its already melting.
Last Thursday I had an increasing back ache all day at work. I thought it was funny that I just couldn't get comfy. It has been that way for a few days and was worse on Thursday. I already had an appointment scheduled for that afternoon so I just dealt with it. I went to my appointment. The good news was that I wasn't diabetic. The bad news was my backaches had actually been labor all day. My cervix which they measure and had been awesome 2 weeks before was suddenly shrinking. They sent me over to the hospital straight from the doctor's office and called Chris to meet me there.
By the time they got me admitted and in bed, I was already dilated to 2 cm.
We watched the Nebraska vs. Missouri football game while they tried different medicines and combos to try to get the labor to stop. Nothing worked. At 5:30 I was getting the feeling like I wanted to push and they checked me again. I was fully dilated and ready to go. No turning back or stopping.
Chris and I were in the operating room and into recovery within an hour. Both babies were out. They actually have the same birthday - 10/9/09 at 6:17 a.m. Payton is technically 20 seconds older.
They are pretty little, having delivered at 26 weeks. But my two little turkeys are pretty stable and holding their own down in the NICU. The nurses all already know that he's quiet and a sweetie and she's the antsy one.
We're hoping to go home tomorrow, mostly so mom and dad can be more comfy. Not that we're looking forward to leaving them here. But we know that there's no better place for them to be right now.
So any extra good baby vibes, prayers, thoughts, sparkles or whatever you have would be most appreciated. Please point them to beds 4 & 5 in the NICU.
It snowed over the weekend. I know that makes some people really happy but it's a little too early for me. Luckily its already melting.
Last Thursday I had an increasing back ache all day at work. I thought it was funny that I just couldn't get comfy. It has been that way for a few days and was worse on Thursday. I already had an appointment scheduled for that afternoon so I just dealt with it. I went to my appointment. The good news was that I wasn't diabetic. The bad news was my backaches had actually been labor all day. My cervix which they measure and had been awesome 2 weeks before was suddenly shrinking. They sent me over to the hospital straight from the doctor's office and called Chris to meet me there.
By the time they got me admitted and in bed, I was already dilated to 2 cm.
We watched the Nebraska vs. Missouri football game while they tried different medicines and combos to try to get the labor to stop. Nothing worked. At 5:30 I was getting the feeling like I wanted to push and they checked me again. I was fully dilated and ready to go. No turning back or stopping.
Chris and I were in the operating room and into recovery within an hour. Both babies were out. They actually have the same birthday - 10/9/09 at 6:17 a.m. Payton is technically 20 seconds older.
They are pretty little, having delivered at 26 weeks. But my two little turkeys are pretty stable and holding their own down in the NICU. The nurses all already know that he's quiet and a sweetie and she's the antsy one.
We're hoping to go home tomorrow, mostly so mom and dad can be more comfy. Not that we're looking forward to leaving them here. But we know that there's no better place for them to be right now.
So any extra good baby vibes, prayers, thoughts, sparkles or whatever you have would be most appreciated. Please point them to beds 4 & 5 in the NICU.
9/28/2009
A small break to brag
It's really not my place necessarily, but we had CJ's senior pictures taken and got them back on Friday. They are so good, and he looks so nice in them. So a little moment for him to show off. (Thanks for the pictures Kristin, they are AWESOME!)
9/25/2009
Milestone
We reached 24 weeks today, which is a big milestone. It's the viability point and here we are. To "celebrate" we had two doctor's appointments in 2 days.
Yesterday we saw the OB. All is good on their front. I go back in 2 weeks for a glucose test. Yuck. Not looking forward to drinking the bottle of orange sugary stuff.
This morning we went to the perinatologist again. We did another check and an ultrasound. Chris was stuck at work this time so mom and Abby got to go with and watch. We got to see their faces. The noses are already really cute. They will continue to monitor us and we'll go every month and they will check mostly on them. The OB will monitor all 3 of us.
Happy days :)
9/22/2009
The Turtle
So I keep getting this hip pain. They just kinda ache. Or it kinda feels like growing pains. There have been a few nights where at bed time I have taken one of the bed pillows and put it under me to give me a little extra cushion.
Every night I usually have to get up and go to the bathroom at least once, sometimes twice. This usually comes on around 3:00 am like clockwork.
Our bed is currently covered by the normal blankets and bed pillows, my body pillow and one blanket for each of us (since it's been nice enough and we're both hot we've been sleeping on top of the normal comforter).
So in the middle of the night, when it's about 3:00 and I wake to go to the bathroom, the pillow is under my hips and I'm surrounded by other pillows and my body pillow and blankets, I get stuck. I look like a turtle stuck on its back. I rock from side to side trying to get up and off the bed. The first time this happened, I started giggling. It was one of those "if someone walked in the room right now and saw what I looked like and what I was doing I wonder what they would think" kind of things.
Every night I usually have to get up and go to the bathroom at least once, sometimes twice. This usually comes on around 3:00 am like clockwork.
Our bed is currently covered by the normal blankets and bed pillows, my body pillow and one blanket for each of us (since it's been nice enough and we're both hot we've been sleeping on top of the normal comforter).
I promise there is a point to all these random little pieces of this story.
So in the middle of the night, when it's about 3:00 and I wake to go to the bathroom, the pillow is under my hips and I'm surrounded by other pillows and my body pillow and blankets, I get stuck. I look like a turtle stuck on its back. I rock from side to side trying to get up and off the bed. The first time this happened, I started giggling. It was one of those "if someone walked in the room right now and saw what I looked like and what I was doing I wonder what they would think" kind of things.
9/16/2009
Story time
In June (before we knew it was twins) I got Chris a book for Father's Day. It's called 'Me and My Dad'.
http://www.amazon.com/Me-My-Dad-Alison-Ritchie/dp/1561485659/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253125517&sr=1-7
Now at night sometimes he reads the story to them. He has to change the words now that it's more than one, so it includes both babies. They move alot after he's done reading to them. He's talked to them about school stuff, schematics, their big brother, Linus. Even read a little to them from his UFC magazine. Good thing they don't know what he's saying yet - they don't need any more encouragement at beating each other up.
http://www.amazon.com/Me-My-Dad-Alison-Ritchie/dp/1561485659/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253125517&sr=1-7
Now at night sometimes he reads the story to them. He has to change the words now that it's more than one, so it includes both babies. They move alot after he's done reading to them. He's talked to them about school stuff, schematics, their big brother, Linus. Even read a little to them from his UFC magazine. Good thing they don't know what he's saying yet - they don't need any more encouragement at beating each other up.
9/11/2009
Appointments just keep marching on
We saw the regular OB yesterday. Everything looks great. She's really pleased with things and where I'm at. All the fun stuff they check every appointment is good. The next couple weeks are important as we roll towards the 24 week point (a big deal if you're having twins). So before then they're booking me with appointments. Yesterday it was the OB, Monday its the perinatologist, the week after I see them both a day apart. Glad I can do my part to help support the local medical community. Maybe after I'm done, they'll put a plaque outside one of the exam rooms in my honor.
We talked shots while I was there yesterday. My progesterone (which I'm getting a reaction to every time I get it), flu shots and H1N1 shots. Just thinking about all of those makes my shoulders and rear hurt. But all for the best.
We talked shots while I was there yesterday. My progesterone (which I'm getting a reaction to every time I get it), flu shots and H1N1 shots. Just thinking about all of those makes my shoulders and rear hurt. But all for the best.
9/02/2009
Baby stuff
I spent the weekend working on the baby room. Got the dressers moved around. Vacuumed. Put the rocking chair in there. Dusted everything. When I told Kristin Friday night that was my plan for Saturday she laughed at me and said "ah, you're nesting".
We tried to put together the crib that was given to us but there is no way on earth that it's going to get put together without the instruction manual. And I don't think that's ever going to happen because I can't get a response from the company that makes it.
I tried to put the bassinet together. Chris did it while I was napping after I confirmed that I'm totally awful at that stuff and couldn't figure it out. The plan is for them to share a crib for now and they both aren't going to fit in the bassinet for very long. But I figured if for some reason they need to sleep apart or one gets sick or anything it would be ready. The sock monkeys are living in it right now.
The really hard part is keeping the few stuffed animals away from Linus who was visiting.
We tried to put together the crib that was given to us but there is no way on earth that it's going to get put together without the instruction manual. And I don't think that's ever going to happen because I can't get a response from the company that makes it.
I tried to put the bassinet together. Chris did it while I was napping after I confirmed that I'm totally awful at that stuff and couldn't figure it out. The plan is for them to share a crib for now and they both aren't going to fit in the bassinet for very long. But I figured if for some reason they need to sleep apart or one gets sick or anything it would be ready. The sock monkeys are living in it right now.
The really hard part is keeping the few stuffed animals away from Linus who was visiting.
8/28/2009
Meeting the specialist
We had our first appointment today with Dr. Barsoom. He's a perinatologist that works mainly at Creighton but moonlights at Bergan, which is where we will deliver. We were sent to him by the regular OB because we're technically considered "high risk". He was very nice, spoke to us in normal language and explained things he was looking for and going to watch. We to continue on with the weekly shots and now add a baby asprin to the mix.
We spent about 20 minutes with the tech getting the latest ultrasound. They are both doing great. Heartbeats are good, growth is good. They are kinda in there like a yin-yang right now. I'm also doing good - great blood pressure and no real fluid retention.
He is going to keep following us and will check us again in 2 weeks and then in 4 weeks for another ultrasound. He is going to continue to follow us along with the OB to makes sure everything goes smooth and can assist come delivery time if needed.
And now we know...Baby A is a girl and Baby B is a boy :)
There is a very happy big brother, aunt and a few grandparents running around. Not to mention mom and dad.
We spent about 20 minutes with the tech getting the latest ultrasound. They are both doing great. Heartbeats are good, growth is good. They are kinda in there like a yin-yang right now. I'm also doing good - great blood pressure and no real fluid retention.
He is going to keep following us and will check us again in 2 weeks and then in 4 weeks for another ultrasound. He is going to continue to follow us along with the OB to makes sure everything goes smooth and can assist come delivery time if needed.
And now we know...Baby A is a girl and Baby B is a boy :)
There is a very happy big brother, aunt and a few grandparents running around. Not to mention mom and dad.
8/24/2009
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