Oh, and Griffin found two new best friends.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
OOP!
I forgot to update their weights. Skippy is 4.6 and Scooter is at 4.2 lbs. There is all kinds of yummy baby chubbiness to kiss and snuggle. Yippee!
Oh, and Griffin found two new best friends.
Oh, and Griffin found two new best friends.
We've moved!
Yep, that's right! We've moved. Scooter and Skippy have been moved from level 3 in the NICU to level 2. This is a huge step toward going home. And to top it off, they have graduated from their isolattes to an open crib--together. After two month of being separated, they are back together. It is so cool to see them side by side.
They definitely resemble one another but they have their own uniqueness. Owen's face is more narrow and oval, where Griffin's face is more round. Owen (on the left in yellow) is fairer than Baby G, but I guess that makes sense with his lighter hair. My mom and Brian say Owen looks like me, and I can see the resemblance to my baby photos. Unfortunately, I don't have any baby pictures of Brian, so I'm not sure if Griffin favors him. He definitely has Brian's mellow personality, content to sit back and watch the world. We aren't sure where Skippy got his high energy. But I will fess up to being the culprit of their stubbornness. Talk about some strong willed little dudes.
Besides the awesomeness (a word from Lelia) of the boys being back together, I got a major highlight moment. I got to hold both of them at the same time. It was incredibly emotional. With such an abbreviated pregnancy and traumatic delivery (someday I'll write about those terrifying moments but I can't yet), there have been many things I have grieved. One being all three of us together. Yes, I had experience the thrill of holding my own child, each in his turn, but there was always this feeling of incompleteness. That is not to say that they are not enough each on their own. But I carried around the memory of when there was two inside. So when I finally held both again, it was breathtaking and overwhelmingly joyous.
They definitely resemble one another but they have their own uniqueness. Owen's face is more narrow and oval, where Griffin's face is more round. Owen (on the left in yellow) is fairer than Baby G, but I guess that makes sense with his lighter hair. My mom and Brian say Owen looks like me, and I can see the resemblance to my baby photos. Unfortunately, I don't have any baby pictures of Brian, so I'm not sure if Griffin favors him. He definitely has Brian's mellow personality, content to sit back and watch the world. We aren't sure where Skippy got his high energy. But I will fess up to being the culprit of their stubbornness. Talk about some strong willed little dudes.
Besides the awesomeness (a word from Lelia) of the boys being back together, I got a major highlight moment. I got to hold both of them at the same time. It was incredibly emotional. With such an abbreviated pregnancy and traumatic delivery (someday I'll write about those terrifying moments but I can't yet), there have been many things I have grieved. One being all three of us together. Yes, I had experience the thrill of holding my own child, each in his turn, but there was always this feeling of incompleteness. That is not to say that they are not enough each on their own. But I carried around the memory of when there was two inside. So when I finally held both again, it was breathtaking and overwhelmingly joyous.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Rub-a-Dub, Two little ones in the tub
Much to their dismay, I got to give the boys baths. Neither enjoyed the experience overly much, but I had a blast. I wonder if as they get bigger bath time will be easier, since I'd have more to hold onto. Although then they will also be stronger, but I can't imagine they could get any wigglier. Owen kept getting his feet onto the side of the tub and then straightening his legs, like he could just walk out.
I was pretty wet by the time he was all squeaky clean, but he looked right handsome, and he smelt just yummy.
Here's the letter he wrote to his Daddy all about it.
This was Griffin's reaction to the news it was his turn.
Check out the evil eye he gave me during his dunking.
As of this morning, Owen weighs 2.13 lbs and Griffin weighs 2.8 lbs. Woohoo! Way to go little Champs! They continue to do great on their breathing and are getting stronger everyday.
I was pretty wet by the time he was all squeaky clean, but he looked right handsome, and he smelt just yummy.
Here's the letter he wrote to his Daddy all about it.
This was Griffin's reaction to the news it was his turn.
Check out the evil eye he gave me during his dunking.
As of this morning, Owen weighs 2.13 lbs and Griffin weighs 2.8 lbs. Woohoo! Way to go little Champs! They continue to do great on their breathing and are getting stronger everyday.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Kickin' Chicken
To borrow a phrase from my mom, the boys are kickin' chicken, which means they are awesome. I don't know why this means this, but it does.
They are both now 2.3 lbs and gobbling up the breast milk faster than I can make it. And let me just say, pumping milk makes me feel like Bessy the cow. I am sure that breastfeeding your child does equally as horrible things to your nipples, but since you can't see, it can't be as traumatic. Sadly, the plastic cups of the pump are clear and while pumping, you can be horrified, I mean entertained by the new and strange way you are being transformed. My poor boobies will never be the same. Oh well, all for a good cause.
The boys are breathing well on their own and no longer need IVs. We are blessed that they are healthy and for now, we are just concentrating on putting on weight.
Check out Skippy's cool spikey hair.
And here is Skippy peeking up at Dad.
This is my new favorite picture.
Dad and Griffin
Owen and I
Look at this cute little smile. And cute little beanie. And cute little boy.
Griffin chilling out Grandma Linda
And lastly, a lovely picture of three generation of my family.
They are both now 2.3 lbs and gobbling up the breast milk faster than I can make it. And let me just say, pumping milk makes me feel like Bessy the cow. I am sure that breastfeeding your child does equally as horrible things to your nipples, but since you can't see, it can't be as traumatic. Sadly, the plastic cups of the pump are clear and while pumping, you can be horrified, I mean entertained by the new and strange way you are being transformed. My poor boobies will never be the same. Oh well, all for a good cause.
The boys are breathing well on their own and no longer need IVs. We are blessed that they are healthy and for now, we are just concentrating on putting on weight.
Check out Skippy's cool spikey hair.
And here is Skippy peeking up at Dad.
This is my new favorite picture.
Dad and Griffin
Owen and I
Look at this cute little smile. And cute little beanie. And cute little boy.
Griffin chilling out Grandma Linda
And lastly, a lovely picture of three generation of my family.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
2 lb Club
Woohoo! Skippy made the two lb club.
Scooter is at 1.13, so he isn't far behind. Here is a picture of his feet in Daddy's hands.
And this is his armadillo impression.
And I finally got to actually hold one of them. I mean hold, hold them, not just pick them up for two seconds. It was incredible. I was afraid I'd pee my pants, but I got a grip because I didn't want to embarrass my guys.
This is where they spend their time. Owen's isolette is on the left and Griffin's is on the right. When we graduate to Nursery II, they will get to be in a regular crib together.
I love these two pictures of them sleeping.
Scooter is at 1.13, so he isn't far behind. Here is a picture of his feet in Daddy's hands.
And this is his armadillo impression.
And I finally got to actually hold one of them. I mean hold, hold them, not just pick them up for two seconds. It was incredible. I was afraid I'd pee my pants, but I got a grip because I didn't want to embarrass my guys.
This is where they spend their time. Owen's isolette is on the left and Griffin's is on the right. When we graduate to Nursery II, they will get to be in a regular crib together.
I love these two pictures of them sleeping.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Happy New Year
Scooter checking out the world.
Skippy and I hanging out.
Phew! What a couple of weeks we have had.
The boys are doing well. But they have certainly give us quite a few more gray hairs.
We had two meningitis scares. Both of which turned out negative. But not before they had to have lumbar punctures. Mommy bawled her eyes out over that.
Scooter had to have surgery to put a clamp on his PDA, a duct that moves blood across the lungs while they are still in the womb that is suppose to close after birth. Up there as one of the longest hours of my life. Thankfully, he came through surgery just fine and he has recovered nicely.
Both boys went back on the ventilator. This is apparently normal for micro preemies, as they get tired and remembering to breathe and pump their heart is a lot of work for the little guys. So the vent gives them a rest. But both are extubated now, and after a few scary hours of watching their little chests move up and down and watching the monitors for every little dip, they have gotten back in the swing of things. Let me tell you, those seconds where you are waiting for them to take another breath are insane. It is amazing how many thoughts can run through your mind and how many prayers you can say.
They are both back on breast milk feeds and increasing in volume everyday, which will help them put on weight. As of today, they are at 1.9 and 1.10 lbs. So they are both over their birth weight by a few ounces. Yeah! I know that doesn't sound like much, but on these little dudes, it's tons. You can see in the pictures that they are starting to fill out nicely.
They have quite the personalities and being their Mommy, I think every little movement is adorably fascinating. They are so cute when they yawn those huge Grand Canyon wide yawns.
Scooter likes to be curled up tight best, and Skippy is still Mr. Wiggles. In fact, one of the nurses nicknamed him Wildman. Both like to sleep on their bellies, just like their mommy and they like to hold my hand just like their daddy.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Caele Bug!
Today, my youngest step-daughter turns the big seven.
She wanted to go to Mamacita's for her birthday dinner, so the family and friends that live near by all meet there last Saturday. Personally, I suspect her decision was based on the big sombrero they plop on your head while all the wait staff sing. An experience I would rather do without, but she loved every minute of it. She "finally" got a DS and would probably have slept with it if it hadn't need to charge. Her Great-Aunt Sharon, Aunt Amber, Uncle Randall, and Cousin Bailee got her her own baseball glove. She has had a blast playing catch with Lelia and Brian. Grandma Linda and I have had quite the blast watching her get the hang of it. As everyone knows, Caele does everything full throttle, and spends much of her catching flying through the air. She has taken several bumps to the nose and chin and keeps telling Lelia to not aim for her body. Although we aren't sure where she wants her to aim.
On Sunday, the boys had a birthday of sorts themselves--one week. They continue to thrive. Still breathing on their own. Hearts and brains still looking good. Skippy's white blood cells are a little high, so they are running tests to see if he might have an infection somewhere. We should have results this afternoon. They have graduated from taking 1 ml of breast milk in their tubes to 3 and 5 mls.
Both Brian and I have gotten to touch them, which we were dying to do, but very nervous and hesitant about. But it was amazing. I immediately started bawling and that scared the nurse half to death. She kept asking, "Are you okay?" I finally got out that I was and it was a happy cry. Yesterday, I got to hold them for a few seconds. My cousin Amber took pictures and as soon as she emails them to me, I'll post them. I also got to change their diapers, which of course are tiny. But the really funny part is that they have NO butts. They look like little frogs and the only thing besides the diaper tape holding up their diapers are their bent knees.
Don't you just love their little hats. They were made by a volunteer organization called "Threads of Love". They sew, knit, and crochet blankets, hats, and pillows for preemies and then give care packages to each preemie when they're born along with their prayers. Isn't that lovely?
Jenna
Today, my youngest step-daughter turns the big seven.
She wanted to go to Mamacita's for her birthday dinner, so the family and friends that live near by all meet there last Saturday. Personally, I suspect her decision was based on the big sombrero they plop on your head while all the wait staff sing. An experience I would rather do without, but she loved every minute of it. She "finally" got a DS and would probably have slept with it if it hadn't need to charge. Her Great-Aunt Sharon, Aunt Amber, Uncle Randall, and Cousin Bailee got her her own baseball glove. She has had a blast playing catch with Lelia and Brian. Grandma Linda and I have had quite the blast watching her get the hang of it. As everyone knows, Caele does everything full throttle, and spends much of her catching flying through the air. She has taken several bumps to the nose and chin and keeps telling Lelia to not aim for her body. Although we aren't sure where she wants her to aim.
On Sunday, the boys had a birthday of sorts themselves--one week. They continue to thrive. Still breathing on their own. Hearts and brains still looking good. Skippy's white blood cells are a little high, so they are running tests to see if he might have an infection somewhere. We should have results this afternoon. They have graduated from taking 1 ml of breast milk in their tubes to 3 and 5 mls.
Both Brian and I have gotten to touch them, which we were dying to do, but very nervous and hesitant about. But it was amazing. I immediately started bawling and that scared the nurse half to death. She kept asking, "Are you okay?" I finally got out that I was and it was a happy cry. Yesterday, I got to hold them for a few seconds. My cousin Amber took pictures and as soon as she emails them to me, I'll post them. I also got to change their diapers, which of course are tiny. But the really funny part is that they have NO butts. They look like little frogs and the only thing besides the diaper tape holding up their diapers are their bent knees.
Don't you just love their little hats. They were made by a volunteer organization called "Threads of Love". They sew, knit, and crochet blankets, hats, and pillows for preemies and then give care packages to each preemie when they're born along with their prayers. Isn't that lovely?
Jenna
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