So the twins are just now getting the taste of some solid foods.
We tried the cereal but they were less than thrilled with it and since there is no nutritional value, we decided not to start with cereal and bypass it completely.
They are still nursing for their primary source of food.
As of today they have eaten:
Pears
Applesauce
Peas
Bananas
Carrots
So far so good! No allergies or reactions. We try a new one every 3-4 days. At first Libby had to learn how to use her tongue instead of just sticking it out. But now, both love there snack meal time!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
November
Okay....so lets try to stay on top of this now!! Whew!!
November...so many things to be Thankful for! Healthy babies being at the top of that list!
They had their first road trip down to LA for Thanksgiving. They did pretty well, but the last 2 hours of the ride, they were clearly done being in the car.
Libby actually started laughing out loud when I made faces at her (11/27). How wonderful to hear the giggles of your babies. It makes everything right in the world.
They got their first RSV shot on 11/9. They will continue to get these shots every 4 weeks until March. As of 11/9/10 Libby is 11lbs and Sawyer is 12lbs. Funny to think of our tiny boy, the big one now! Sawyer only has 2 more appointments with his oxygen doctor and then he is cleared! Whoot! Both babies are getting big and strong every day!
They are full of smile and giggles and rolling all over the place! They sleep in their own cribs in their room. Though Sawyer still wakes 1-2 times a night. Not sure if its because he needs to actually eat or just wants mommy. A work in progress, obviously. Libby..well she sleep like a champ! Unless of course she is woken by her brother on some occasions.
It is so fun to watch their personalities emerge. Sawyer likes attention all the time, lots of stimulation, but also loves to just have screams of joy for no reason and blow bubbles while he chats away to a toy on the floor. He is a big smiler! So happy to give them away freely to anyone who is willing to look. Libby is super mellow baby. She is content just watching her surroundings and evaluating the situation. Her smiles are saved for those special moments, when she feels it is smile worthy. She also loves to chat, but it is so soft and gentle it just makes me melt. She loves her swing and any toy that she can shake to make a noise.
We have another High Risk assessment in February to make sure they are meeting their milestones. They are now almost 9 months old, but developmentally 6 months. It is hard to believe that our babies are almost 1 year old. It has been a roller coaster of emotions but soo worth the ride!
November...so many things to be Thankful for! Healthy babies being at the top of that list!
They had their first road trip down to LA for Thanksgiving. They did pretty well, but the last 2 hours of the ride, they were clearly done being in the car.
Libby actually started laughing out loud when I made faces at her (11/27). How wonderful to hear the giggles of your babies. It makes everything right in the world.
They got their first RSV shot on 11/9. They will continue to get these shots every 4 weeks until March. As of 11/9/10 Libby is 11lbs and Sawyer is 12lbs. Funny to think of our tiny boy, the big one now! Sawyer only has 2 more appointments with his oxygen doctor and then he is cleared! Whoot! Both babies are getting big and strong every day!
They are full of smile and giggles and rolling all over the place! They sleep in their own cribs in their room. Though Sawyer still wakes 1-2 times a night. Not sure if its because he needs to actually eat or just wants mommy. A work in progress, obviously. Libby..well she sleep like a champ! Unless of course she is woken by her brother on some occasions.
It is so fun to watch their personalities emerge. Sawyer likes attention all the time, lots of stimulation, but also loves to just have screams of joy for no reason and blow bubbles while he chats away to a toy on the floor. He is a big smiler! So happy to give them away freely to anyone who is willing to look. Libby is super mellow baby. She is content just watching her surroundings and evaluating the situation. Her smiles are saved for those special moments, when she feels it is smile worthy. She also loves to chat, but it is so soft and gentle it just makes me melt. She loves her swing and any toy that she can shake to make a noise.
We have another High Risk assessment in February to make sure they are meeting their milestones. They are now almost 9 months old, but developmentally 6 months. It is hard to believe that our babies are almost 1 year old. It has been a roller coaster of emotions but soo worth the ride!
Pictures Take 2
Happy Halloween!
Sawyer all smiles - Love that dimple!
Happy girl Libby!
Brother and Sister (10/10/10)
My babes! (9/9/10)Home and beyond
Finally everyone is home! It's alot to take in. Yes, we were exhausted. Yes, our house was a mess. Yes, we rarely prepared a good meal, but most importantly Yes...our babies were home with us!
I can't say much eventful stuff happened in the months after the babies got home.
Lots of appointments. Sawyer had bi-weekly eye exams, which totally stunk! Libby had follow up brain scans for ventricle growth, which she was cleared until she's a year. Sawyer did have his brain bleed, but while still in the NICU they had done an MRI, so that cleared him until he is a year as well. He still had the bleed, but it was very slowly decreasing in size. Only time will tell, but in the mean time, he is our perfect boy!
At first when the babies got home we had lots of weight checks, weekly! The babies weren't necessarily gaining at a rapid weight. So we did bottle feeding with breastmilk to see what they were getting. Long story short, I was determined to nurse. 2 lactation consults later, me losing my mind and finally throwing everything out (scales, timers, charts, etc), and letting my body and my babies control ... they nurse! It took some time and LOTS of patience but they are doing well. Are they big ol' babies...Nope...but we are okay with that!
They had their first 4th of July in Colfax with my family. It was nice. They even "saw" a parade. Sawyer was on oxygen until the end of July, when he was finally strong enough to no longer require it, day or night.
In August they had their first overnight stay in Oroville (we only bring our children to the best towns! LOL) We went with my parents on their new boat. So lots of firsts, water, boat, overnight! They did really well and LOVED the water. I cant wait until next summer. Yipee for water babies!
September/October - not much went on, that I can recall. The babies are getting bigger and bigger. RSV season is coming up. This is very scary for premature babies so we will basically be on lockdown for the winter. The babies lungs will not be "fully" developed until the age of 2. So we have to take extra precautions until then. They celebrated their first Halloween as Mickey and Minnie, but weren't able to stay awake long enough to trick or treat or even greet!
I can't say much eventful stuff happened in the months after the babies got home.
Lots of appointments. Sawyer had bi-weekly eye exams, which totally stunk! Libby had follow up brain scans for ventricle growth, which she was cleared until she's a year. Sawyer did have his brain bleed, but while still in the NICU they had done an MRI, so that cleared him until he is a year as well. He still had the bleed, but it was very slowly decreasing in size. Only time will tell, but in the mean time, he is our perfect boy!
At first when the babies got home we had lots of weight checks, weekly! The babies weren't necessarily gaining at a rapid weight. So we did bottle feeding with breastmilk to see what they were getting. Long story short, I was determined to nurse. 2 lactation consults later, me losing my mind and finally throwing everything out (scales, timers, charts, etc), and letting my body and my babies control ... they nurse! It took some time and LOTS of patience but they are doing well. Are they big ol' babies...Nope...but we are okay with that!
They had their first 4th of July in Colfax with my family. It was nice. They even "saw" a parade. Sawyer was on oxygen until the end of July, when he was finally strong enough to no longer require it, day or night.
In August they had their first overnight stay in Oroville (we only bring our children to the best towns! LOL) We went with my parents on their new boat. So lots of firsts, water, boat, overnight! They did really well and LOVED the water. I cant wait until next summer. Yipee for water babies!
September/October - not much went on, that I can recall. The babies are getting bigger and bigger. RSV season is coming up. This is very scary for premature babies so we will basically be on lockdown for the winter. The babies lungs will not be "fully" developed until the age of 2. So we have to take extra precautions until then. They celebrated their first Halloween as Mickey and Minnie, but weren't able to stay awake long enough to trick or treat or even greet!
Pictures
Holding my babies together for the first time (5/5/10)
Sweet Sawyer -- Shhh
Sweet Libby
Happy Easter - In her Easter Dress
Happy Easter sweet boy - We love you!Lets Face It....
I seriously need to update the blog! Our babies are almost 9 months old and the blog is only on 1st month?!?! Let's get real...I just dont have the time that I used to. Between bouncing babies, burping, feeding, changing diapers, laundry, eating, sleeping and trying to use the bathroom somewhere in there and MAYBE catch a shower, the blog has been severely neglected. Sooo....lets do a fast track:
2nd Month (April)- Alot of the same as month #1, not quite as scary as we got used to the NICU and the terms used. Still lots of up and downs. The kids celebrated their first Easter in the NICU...yes we even had a dress for Libby and a bow as big as her head! Libby moved to nasal cannula and Sawyer finally moved down from a SiPap to CPAP to Vapotherm. Both starting using the bottle and recreational nursing. Both babies got moved into an open crib, meaning they could finally keep their own body heat!
3rd Month (May) - Babies are finally starting to fill out and look like full term babies, even if they only weigh between 4 and 5 lbs! My first Mothers Day...Libby was supposed to go home, but had a brady (breathing) episode and so the 7 day clock started again. She also stopped eating so they had to run tests, get a urine sample (which meant a catheter) , it was terrible. We did get to room in with her before that, which was a pure joy to hold our babies with no wires attached.
The babies finally got to co-bed together as well. Something we wanted from the very beginning! Libby made it home on May 16th - 1 week before her due date. Sawyer followed behind on May 23rd - 3 days before due date. Sawyer came home on 1/16 of a liter of oxygen.
2nd Month (April)- Alot of the same as month #1, not quite as scary as we got used to the NICU and the terms used. Still lots of up and downs. The kids celebrated their first Easter in the NICU...yes we even had a dress for Libby and a bow as big as her head! Libby moved to nasal cannula and Sawyer finally moved down from a SiPap to CPAP to Vapotherm. Both starting using the bottle and recreational nursing. Both babies got moved into an open crib, meaning they could finally keep their own body heat!
3rd Month (May) - Babies are finally starting to fill out and look like full term babies, even if they only weigh between 4 and 5 lbs! My first Mothers Day...Libby was supposed to go home, but had a brady (breathing) episode and so the 7 day clock started again. She also stopped eating so they had to run tests, get a urine sample (which meant a catheter) , it was terrible. We did get to room in with her before that, which was a pure joy to hold our babies with no wires attached.
The babies finally got to co-bed together as well. Something we wanted from the very beginning! Libby made it home on May 16th - 1 week before her due date. Sawyer followed behind on May 23rd - 3 days before due date. Sawyer came home on 1/16 of a liter of oxygen.
Friday, October 22, 2010
1st month
So the first month of the twins lives was a bit of a blur. Lots of "rollercoaster" rides, as the NICU so loving calls it. So many terms were thrown at us, so many decisions to be made, papers to sign and tears to cry.
The first couple of days were the scariest. Babies go through what they call a "honeymoon" phase. The twins did good for the first 24 hours. Then they "realize", so to speak, that they are no longer inside of me and kind of forget how to cope. Well, basically because they aren't supposed to have to cope at this point. I had always told Dave that what would make me feel better thoughout my pregnancy was to have a translucant belly so I could watch my babies grow. I guess, in a weird sort of way, I got what I wished for. I got to watch our babies grow inside of the incubator. But it wasnt nearly as cozy as inside of me was for them.
Sawyer:
He started out what is called C-pap. A sort of contraption over their head and nose. Sadly, that form of breathing was not enough support for him. So he had to be put on a ventilator called an osicalltor. It breathes in small short breaths for him, which is easier on his very fragile lungs. He has to be sadated on this machine. Im not gonna lie, my son looks scary at this point. He is gray and boney. He also had a collasped lung, which in turn, the doctors had to put in a chest tube to help reinflate his lungs. We are also told that Sawyer has a brain bleed in his cerebellum. At one point we are actually told by his doctor that we may have to make a decision on his care. They are not sure if he will survive or what kind of life he will lead, so we are told to be prepared we may have to make a decision on keeping him alive or not. Ultimately, we know this is God's decision and not ours to make.
Sawyer has lots of issues in that first month. Lung, brain, weight, pooping, heart, blood transfusions, bilirubin levels, lots for us to take in. It took 2 days for them to get a PICC line (an IV that goes to his heart) into him. Thank you nurse Penny! He lost weight and went down to 1lb 9.9oz. at one point. He had to get blood transfusions through his little head, which was terrible to see. On 3/18 Sawyer was able to get off the osicallor and move to the regular ventilator and on 3/27 he moved to the Si-Pap. Even at 19 days old his bili levels were still high so he continues to be under the "blue" lights. He loves being on his stomach and all snuggled in. He eats tiny amounts of my breast milk, 12ml as of 4/1/10. By the end of the first month he weighed 2lbs 15oz, his heart PDA had corrected itself, his infections had past and the best part was the we got to hold him for the first time 1 day shy of his month birthday!
Libby
She started out on a easier path than her brother did. She started on a ventiltor but was able to move to the Si-pap by 3/16/10. Her brain scans turned out good. She was able to start feeding on the 15th through a syringe and feeding tube. She also had a PDA that was able to be corrected with medication. She also lost weight but not as much as her brother. On 3/17 she weighed 2lbs 4oz. Just two days after being on Si-pap she was able to move to Vapo-therm, which is just nose prongs with a bit more pressure than a regular nasal cannula. She was able to move to the nasal cannula on 3/23/10. Overall, she is a pretty mellow baby. She doesnt like to have dirty diapers and is a wiggle worm, but so sweet and gentle. Libby also had PICC lines and blood transfusions. We were finally able to dress her when her PICC lines were taken out at the end of the month. By the end of the month she weighed 3lbs 3oz and growing well. A day shy of her 1 month birthday, I was able to recretional nurse her. Basically just set her on my chest and let her explore and smell. It was great to have my baby next to me!
1 month down...
The first couple of days were the scariest. Babies go through what they call a "honeymoon" phase. The twins did good for the first 24 hours. Then they "realize", so to speak, that they are no longer inside of me and kind of forget how to cope. Well, basically because they aren't supposed to have to cope at this point. I had always told Dave that what would make me feel better thoughout my pregnancy was to have a translucant belly so I could watch my babies grow. I guess, in a weird sort of way, I got what I wished for. I got to watch our babies grow inside of the incubator. But it wasnt nearly as cozy as inside of me was for them.
Sawyer:
He started out what is called C-pap. A sort of contraption over their head and nose. Sadly, that form of breathing was not enough support for him. So he had to be put on a ventilator called an osicalltor. It breathes in small short breaths for him, which is easier on his very fragile lungs. He has to be sadated on this machine. Im not gonna lie, my son looks scary at this point. He is gray and boney. He also had a collasped lung, which in turn, the doctors had to put in a chest tube to help reinflate his lungs. We are also told that Sawyer has a brain bleed in his cerebellum. At one point we are actually told by his doctor that we may have to make a decision on his care. They are not sure if he will survive or what kind of life he will lead, so we are told to be prepared we may have to make a decision on keeping him alive or not. Ultimately, we know this is God's decision and not ours to make.
Sawyer has lots of issues in that first month. Lung, brain, weight, pooping, heart, blood transfusions, bilirubin levels, lots for us to take in. It took 2 days for them to get a PICC line (an IV that goes to his heart) into him. Thank you nurse Penny! He lost weight and went down to 1lb 9.9oz. at one point. He had to get blood transfusions through his little head, which was terrible to see. On 3/18 Sawyer was able to get off the osicallor and move to the regular ventilator and on 3/27 he moved to the Si-Pap. Even at 19 days old his bili levels were still high so he continues to be under the "blue" lights. He loves being on his stomach and all snuggled in. He eats tiny amounts of my breast milk, 12ml as of 4/1/10. By the end of the first month he weighed 2lbs 15oz, his heart PDA had corrected itself, his infections had past and the best part was the we got to hold him for the first time 1 day shy of his month birthday!
Libby
She started out on a easier path than her brother did. She started on a ventiltor but was able to move to the Si-pap by 3/16/10. Her brain scans turned out good. She was able to start feeding on the 15th through a syringe and feeding tube. She also had a PDA that was able to be corrected with medication. She also lost weight but not as much as her brother. On 3/17 she weighed 2lbs 4oz. Just two days after being on Si-pap she was able to move to Vapo-therm, which is just nose prongs with a bit more pressure than a regular nasal cannula. She was able to move to the nasal cannula on 3/23/10. Overall, she is a pretty mellow baby. She doesnt like to have dirty diapers and is a wiggle worm, but so sweet and gentle. Libby also had PICC lines and blood transfusions. We were finally able to dress her when her PICC lines were taken out at the end of the month. By the end of the month she weighed 3lbs 3oz and growing well. A day shy of her 1 month birthday, I was able to recretional nurse her. Basically just set her on my chest and let her explore and smell. It was great to have my baby next to me!
1 month down...
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