The first month

It sure was a crazy first month. The good news is that we found the camera cord so I do have new pictures. The boys are already so much bigger. They are out of all things preemie and in newborn clothes and size 1 diapers.




My boys

Things we are doing:
* eating 3-4 oz
* ganging up on mom
* practicing holding up heads
* sucking our fists
* focusing on people and things (when we choose)





Owen


Ethan


Attacking nana


nice cousin

And lastly the pics that will haunt my boys the rest of their lives....The first real bath.





Ok so upcoming events.
*Appointment for reflux
*Owen's murmur evaluation
*2 month shots

maybe not so good news

So yesterday Owen had an appointment. It should have been just to see how he is growing (which by the way is great he is just below the charts and should be on them very soon). He now weighs 7lb 3oz and is 19 in long. Well after all the measuring and stuff the Dr was listening to his heart and thought she heard something. She spent some time moving him and listening. Well she thinks she heard a murmur. So now we are waiting to get a referral to see the cardiologist. I am really trying not to worry but it is hard not to. We were told that it could be nothing and many children have them and grow out of them.

In other news I have a camera full of pics I want to post but in a sleepless stupor SOMEONE (Erick) did something with the cord to upload the pics and now we cant find it. So pics will be posted as soon as the cord is found.

Belly to back

Owen rolled belly to back today during tummy time. Im sure it was a fluke accident but he did it all on his own. Really right now they think that tummy time is tummy nap time and just lay there til they get mad then they get active. lol. GO OWEN!!!

Adventures with penises

A long time ago Erick and I decided that I dont have a penis so the choice to circumcise was his. If we had had girls the ears would have been my choice.

Well Erick wanted it done but while we were in the hospital the boys were to small. Before we left the boys pedi told us she would refer us out when it was time because her practice charges $600/penis (at the hospital it would only be $250). It is considered elective and cosmetic so insurance doesnt cover it. Fine.

Well they were finally big enough to have it done. We went to the new Dr and the boys were weighed Owen is now 6lb 12oz and Ethan is 6lb 1oz. They are getting so big. The procedure was explained to us. Owen was taken first. After what seemed like a long time he was brought back to me. He wasnt crying and the nurse said he did great. They said they needed to prep for Ethan she would be back. As soon as she left Owen was not happy. He screamed and was unconsolable. It was all I could do not to break down crying too. Finally he was somewhat calm and about 2 sec later Ethan was back. She said I was right and Ethan cried more but mostly about being tied down. Ethan didnt cry like Owen did in my arms but I didnt give him the chance. We packed up to leave hoping that the cry ride would put them to sleep. Thank goodness it did. We did some errands then headed home. The poor boys were so clingy. The rest of the day was so off and diaper changes have reached a whole new octave. Now we wait the 7-10 days for the plastibell and the foreskin to fall off. My poor babies.

I believe as a direct result of this eating and sleep is off. I really hope they get back on track before Erick goes back to work next week.

week 2

Things have been going really smoothly. I count my blessings that I have such easy babies. Both boys are taking in 2 oz at a feeding and sleeping really well. The hiccups are the only thing that really limit sleep. Both boys get them about twice a day.

Today Ethan and I had appointments. Mine again was first. My incision looks great according to the Dr I dont have to go back for another 4 weeks when I get cleared. The best news though has to do with the scale. I am down 4 lbs from last week. That is 4 lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight and just 2lbs above my lowest point in my weight loss over the last year.

Ethan's appointment went just as well. He gained and gained a lot. My little chunker put on 14oz. Yep you read right 14oz in 7 days. During Ethan's appointment we also found out that Owen has a blocked duct so his eye is kinda goopy.

Now what you have all been waiting for....PICS!


a few days old


New Years...first day home


One week old


compared to a teddy bear and a paper my boys are small


in car seats...12 days old


play time today


Jan 8th


nap time today

So can you see the size difference? So much has changed in them already. Time is just going to fast.

Where have the 2 weeks gone

I am very happy to say that both the boys, Erick and I are doing much better. We seem to have found our first grove. The boys are eating more consistently and we are getting a fair amount of sleep. We are going to start extending the night time feedings and seeing if we can get away with that. Wish us luck. If it doesn't work at least I still have one more week with Erick home. Monday we find out just how much Ethan has gained. He doesn't even look like the same baby (I will post pics when I have a weight update). Both boys have found their voices and are very sure that diaper changes are not their favorite things. That makes the 3 am changes really hard because they are LOUD. Both boys are in newborn diapers and moving into the clothes. Some preemie stuff is to small and some fits just right. I only have 4 outfits that they haven't worn at all. I am trying to get all the stuff we were given at least worn once. The boys love the boppys and love to nap in them on the couch next to us.

Good news

Ethan is starting to catch up!!! His appetite on the new formula is great. He is eating about 50ml at a feeding. It still takes twice as long to feed Ethan as it does to feed Owen but he is eating so we are happy. Owen is rapidly outgrowing the preemie clothes. shoulders on outfits are starting to pull but Im not really for him to be in the next size up yet lol. Last night for the first time Erick and I slept at the same time. We slept while they slept. I think it was really hard for Erick at first. He kept getting out of bed to check on them. After about the 3rd night feeding it looked like it was easier for him. It really was great not only did I get just over 6 hrs sleep last night (even if it was broken in 2 hr chunks) I got to sleep with Erick which is something I really missed.

Follow up appointments

Today both the boys and I had appointments to check on us.

Mine was first. It started out great then turned a little sour. I get called back and they have me step on the scale and I am at my pre-pregnancy weight. woo hoo. I knew I had to be close because I am also in my old pants. Then we go in the room. The nurse ooohs and ahhhs over the boys. She then asks if I have any issues or problems I need to discuss. I tell her yeah there is a sore spot I am concerned about but that it has hurt sense before I came home. She leaves and the Dr comes in, he looks and I have an infection. He says I should have been wearing a pad across the incision. Why was I never told that? They had it open to the air in the hospital. I even told them before I was discharged that the spot hurt. Grrr

Then we go down stairs for the boys appointment. We no sooner sat down then we were called back. The boys get weighed. Owen is now 5lb 10oz. That is a whole 6oz above his birth weight. Ethan on the other hand is still at his discharge weight of 5lb 3oz. Once again they switch his formula. I really hope this works. We go back for him next week. Owen doesnt have to go back for 2 weeks. We also have to make another appointment with a different Dr to get the boys clipped but we have to wait 2 more weeks for that as well. Both boys a still a little jaundice but the levels are not a worry right now.

We are officially on lock down. The boys do not qualify for the shot to protect them from RSV but they have 6 of the factors that put them at high risk.
* premature birth (born more than 4 weeks early, with or without lung disease)
* being born boys
* low birth weight (under 5½ pounds)
* family history of asthma
* Infants who are not breastfed
* multiple births (for example, twins)

RSV is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in babies and young children. About 67% of babies are infected with RSV before their first birthday and virtually all children will have been infected by their second birthday. Most of these infections result in minor illness. But in some high-risk children (particularly preemies or children who have experienced lung complications) RSV can be life threatening.

We ask that all visitors do the following:
1. When you arrive, please wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching the babies.
2. Please, if it is possible, get a flu shot.
3. Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick and have not been symptom-free for at least 5 days, if you live with someone who is sick, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick.
4. If you smoke, we ask that you change your clothing and refrain from smoking prior to visiting, as a preemie’s lungs are very sensitive to smoke. Most RSV sites recommend against passive smoke exposure.
5. If you are parents to a baby or toddler, please refrain from bringing them to our house during RSV season.
6. Please call before coming over so that we may limit contact and people handling.

The best part of all this is we are not allowed to take the boys out in public. Yep thats right after 6 weeks on bed rest I am still housebound. Only this time its not weeks its months. RSV season for our area goes til April.

Pics

All of us in our first family photo


Owen Carlos


Ethan Joseph


Snug bugs


proof of first night survival

We have boys

About the boys
So we are home now but I know you all want to know everything that has happened before now. Well I went in for an NST and Erick came with me at 8am 12-27-08. He had been to only one before then and we were there for 6 hrs for observation. This was my follow up to that appointment and Erick walked in and said that if we were going to be there another 6 hrs he didnt want to leave without the babies. Well about 20 min later they came in and said I was having some contractions and once again baby b's heart rate was dropping we were waiting to hear back from a call put into the dr. About 10 min later I was being told Erick got is wish. The Dr was happy that I was 36 weeks and didnt want to wait any longer. We were told to get me changes and I would be going in for my c-section at noon.

I got ready and Erick and I were talking. We were both excited and nervous. The Dr came in to talk to me about 930 he said he was ready and to get me ready. About that time though the lady next door started pushing so I got to wait. During the wait I met everyone and had everything explained to me. I also go preped and all that that entails. Just before 10 they came in and walked me to the OR across the hall. Erick had to wait (he said he paced the whole time). They sat me on the table and started to give me the spinal. He couldnt find the space it needed to go (i was warned that I may need to be put under). On the 7th (yes you read that right) time I poked me it worked. He said my spine was so deep it took the whole needle. They laid me down fast almost rolling me off the other side of the table. All of a sudden the room was full of people (11 medical staff). Erick was brought in. He sat by my head and they let me keep my had unstrapped so that Erick could hold it. At 10:29am they told Erick to stand and quick. 3 seconds later I heard a cry and Erick looked at me with the biggest grin. Owen Carlos was born weighing in at 5lb 4oz 18.5 in long. The one Dr then told everyone to stand back for the splash. Erick cringed and then smiled. There was another cry and at 10:30 (really 10:29 and seconds) Ethan Joseph was born 5lb 9oz 18.5in. I got to see and kiss the boys and off they went to be monitored. Erick went with the boys and I laid on the table crying while getting stitched.

Recovery was an hour long in a tiny room with Erick in and out and a nurse filling out the paperwork that didnt get done before surgery like it should have. Then I was taken to my first room. The babies were still in the NICU for observation and people were in and out watching me. This is where things get fuzzy. my mom and in-laws came to visit. They all got to meet the babies before me because they could walk to the NICU and I couldnt. It would be 8pm before I really got to meet Owen. They then told me it would be a little longer til I would get to meet Ethan. At 10 they finally got to meet my little man but I was told he couldnt stay with me. Erick stayed with me til 2 even though visiting wasnt allowed after 10 we were overlooked and it was great int he private room. Owen slept on my chest the whole night. After lunch the next day they finally brought Ethan to stay.

The rest of my stay was a sad one because the boys were taken away from me again due to jondice (sp?) and because I didnt have the boys I lost my private room. That is a long sad story. They wanted to send me home on Tuesday (12-30) but when I told them I was attempting to establish breastfeeding they said I could stay. Not long after that the Pedi came in and told me she was switching both boys formula because they were not doing as well as she would have liked and Ethan may not get to go home right now. He lost 5oz and was spitting up everything we were giving him whether it was breast or formula. This caused me a lot of tears. There was no way I wanted to come home with only one of my babies. After more crying and talking with Erick we decided that i would stop pumping and breastfeeding and just worry about the boys gaining weight and getting big and fat. This was a very hard choice for me to make and even trying to type this out I am crying. I so wanted to be able to breastfeed but to be honest it was killing me as well. In order to do it with the boys under the billy lights they would bring me one baby I had 30 min to feed him any way I chose. If the baby was put to breast I had to use the last 10 min to give him formula. Then I would walk (if thats even what you can call it) to the nursery with baby 1 and sit in the nursery to feed baby 2. Then I would return to my room and pump for 40 min. when I was done I walked back to the nursery and gave them the breast milk. Then I had 1 hr and 20 min to go to the bathroom, shower eat or sleep. Even with doing this Ethan was still getting sick.

It was not until noon on my last day there that I knew for sure both boys were coming home with me. Erick got up early and get everything ready then sat at the hospital with me. Finally at 2:30pm on New years Eve after getting my staples out all 4 of us got to come home together.

Our first night was a rough one as we were given very specific instructions on feedings and amounts but we made it through it and are doing great.