Back to the babies! Grayson and Hallie are doing so well and flying through their milestones for their gestational age. Both of their IVs came out on their one week birthday. One less wire and no more needles! They had a hard time getting Hallie's IV's in which broke momma's heart seeing her cry and hurt. Needless to say, we are happy to be past IVs. The IVs were assisting in nutrition and administered preventative antibiotics due to low but low normal white blood counts. The next big milestone was graduating from cpaps. Hallelujah! From the get go both babies did well breathing and were breathing 21% oxygen as an adult does but they needed a little additional help taking deep, full breaths. The c-paps are extremely frustrating for everyone including babies, parents and nurses. The tubes in their noses agitated our poor babies and were always coming loose and sounding off alarms. Holding them with c-paps was challenging as well. It was hard to see their tiny faces because the huge c-pap tubes covered half of their faces and enlarged their nostrils making their tiny little noses appear much bigger than they are. Tuesday (8 days old) they tried to take c-paps off to see how well G&H would tolerate them off. They are now 11 days old and have been c-pap free for three days! They are so much happier and rest much better. Grayson in particular struggled with his and is so much more relaxed. We thought he might be a fussy baby but it was the yucky c-pap after all. As of yesterday/today both are back to their birth weight. Grayson dropped to 3.6lbs and Hallie was 2.14lbs at her lowest. Dr. Brann said they should gain consistently from this point forward. Grayson is now starting the process of regulating his own body heat so he is able to wear big boy clothes! Hallie won't be far bend him but is still a little too small to regulate her own body temperature. Daddy dressed him for the first time and as with all firsts he was a little nervous. Grayson wasn't a happy camper but once he was dressed he was cool as a cucumber. Aaron was the first to change a diaper and take their temps which we do regularly now before we hold and they are fed.
Yesterday was a really special day. I walked into the NICU for the 12 feedings and Tanya one of our nurses gave Aaron both babies to hold at once! It was the sweetest moment yet! I melted seeing Grayson and Hallie in their Daddy's arms. We then held them side by side for the first time since birth. I wonder if they notice they are away from one another after 31 weeks of being so close? I can't wait until they are able to be close together and bond again. We also introduced them to nursing yesterday. Hallie did well until she fell asleep and Grayson wasn't interested at all. Now that we are attempting to nurse their feeding tubes are in the noses rather than the mouths so not to interfere or confuse them. It looks more comfortable to me in the nose than the mouth. Wish they could tell us what they think!
A lot of moms really struggle with their new babies in the hospital, understandably so. I want my babies home with us more than anything but I was mentally prepared for them to come early and am very confident in the team of nurses and doctors caring for them. I know they are being watched over and pray for their health and protection every day.
We continue to be so grateful for their health and know that they came exactly when they were supposed to, in God's timing. We were told had they not come when they did Hallie could have been at risk as she wasn't getting as much of the needed nutrients as Grayson was which attributed to their difference in size. Thankfully, she is here and eating like a champ now. He is taking 35ml and she is at 28ml. I am fully supplying their feedings by pumping and hope to be able to keep up as they continue to grow.
We are so in love with our little angels and love watching them grow!
No comments:
Post a Comment