Christmas is over :(

We had the best week with my family in town! It was so wonderful! I can't thank them enough for all the help with calming crying babies, feeding, burping, diaper changes, help around the house...the list goes on. I'm incredibly sad to see them leave today! Papaw (Melissa's step-father) had amazing calming abilities for Liv. Amanda and Christine (Melissa's sisters) were complete naturals with them - they will both be wonderful mothers someday. Amanda's boyfriend Justin was a huge help with various projects around the house. We missed our brother Matt and his wife Maggie - wish they could have been here too!

Liv and Will are 12 weeks old now. They are really growing! Will is 9 lb 12.5 oz, and Liv is 9 lb 1.5 oz. They are both becoming much more aware of their surroundings, especially Liv...you can talk to her for a long time with her listening quite intently. She especially like listening to Mamaw (Melissa's mom). Will is proving to be a bit of an easier baby, but time will tell, I'm sure.

Bathtime...Will decided I needed to get a little wet too.

Liv and Will enjoying the quilts made by their Mamaw Edwards.

Is she adorable or what?

How many chins do you have Will?

Christmas is near...

Liv and Will are 10 weeks old now. They are past their due date, so I've told them in no uncertain terms that they have no preemie excuses anymore...time to think about sleeping longer at night! I'm not asking for all night, just waking up once instead of 2 or 3 would be a great Christmas gift. I'm not going to hold my breath though. :)

We no longer have the nurses coming to the house, as they do not qualify for continued home care since they are doing so well! That's a good thing, but I miss having them weighed and checked so frequently. We went for the 2 month pediatrician visit last Friday, which went very well...he said they were perfect, which I already knew. At that time, Liv was 7 lbs 13 oz, and Will was 8 lbs 3 oz. They seem to be gaining about 1.5 oz per day, so I'm sure they are well on their way to 9 lbs by now!

They are really starting to act like newborns now. It's pretty amazing how it just switches. They are really focusing on our faces, especially when I'm feeding them, and make the cutest faces! I love this one from this morning...it's just like me and Brent in the mornings. I wake up happy, and Brent takes awhile to get going.

We've started doing tummy time and getting them to focus on small toys. Early Intervention officially starts Friday, so they will be getting their "training" on strengthening their necks and tracking objects. Fun!

My family arrives next week to visit for awhile over Christmas...we're so excited to have them here! Brent and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas (we probably won't post again until after)!

Love to all!

Two Months Old!

Can you believe it? They are 2 months old now (9 weeks today). Their due date is Sunday, December 13th, so they are almost full term newborns! Will now weights 7 lbs 12 oz, and Liv weighs 7 lbs 9 oz...more than doubling their birth weight!

They had their follow-up eye appointment, and both are in the clear! Their eyes are maturing well, so they don't have to go back for 6 months for a follow-up. They have their pediatrician 2-month check this Friday. They also qualify for Early Intervention (see previous post) - had their assessment last week, and will be meeting with them on Wednesday to develop a plan for them moving forward...I intend to take as much advantage of the program as possible!

We've decided to get an au pair for the first half of 2010. Her name is Marie; she is from Switzerland. It will be odd to have someone else living in our house, especially an 18 year old, but we're excited to give it a try! It's a very affordable option, and will keep them out of day care during the flu season.

They are eating 9 times a day now. Seriously, where is that 6/day schedule they were on in the hospital??? I'm still missing sleep desperately, but at least starting to get used to the sleep deprivation. Good thing they're so cute! :)

Do you think we'll catch them holding hands like this when they're older??

Grandpa Nemo came to visit after Thanksgiving.

Oma took them for their first walk.

Sleep, Health Care Reform, and other updates...

Wow. No one ever really tells you how hard it is to have newborns at home, especially preemie twins. They are eating on demand, which is anywhere from 8-11 times a day...each. By the time I feed both, burp both, change both...it's almost time to start again! Needless to say, I've had very little sleep. Thank God for Brent...if he didn't help as much as he does in the evening, I'd be in the loony bin by now! Last night, they went on a 3 hour eating schedule, which allowed me two periods of 2 hours of sleep in between, and I feel like a new woman! In the past, a total of 4 broken hours would not feel good...amazing how that's changed!

Brent and I feel so lucky to have so many great friends and family. My mom stayed with us the first week (oh, how I wish she was still here!!). Brent's mom has been making many great meals and taking our dogs for walks - she's also great at calming Liv with a German lullaby. Our local friends - all whom have families and jobs of their own to take care of - are all pitching in and offering to help...you all know who you are...we can't say enough how much we love and appreciate you.

They are doing great! They were just weighed today by the visiting nurse: Will is 6 lbs 11 oz, and Liv is 6 lbs 10 oz. They are growing a very fast rate, so we must be doing something right! They're actually getting chubby cheeks, double chins, and round bellies...looking more like newborns than preemies. Their official due date is December 13, so they are just 2 weeks away from being considered full term newborn!

Healthcare: I admittedly know nothing about the health care reform issues, but I know for sure that I don't want anything about my healthcare to change. The babies have such amazing care - all through the NICU, special care nursery, pediatrician, eye doctor, visiting nurses, and early intervention. All covered through insurance. Will's eyes are still a bit immature, so we'll be seeing an eye doctor every 2 weeks for a couple of months to ensure they are progressing okay (if not, he may require laser treatments). The visiting nurses come 2 x a week (for one month) for their vitals and general well-being check, so we don't have to take them to the doctors as often. And, early intervention is a state program that they automatically qualify for as preemies...they come to our house and assess their development, and work with them as required. The first assessment is a week from today, which will include 2-3 people (physical therapist, developmental specialist, etc.).

Their Grandpa Nemo (Melissa's dad) is arriving today for a few days - first time he'll be meeting Liv and Will!

Will loves the doggies!

Liv chills in her swing.


Hangin' with Mamaw!

Lieselotta and Waltraud visit

Snoozing with Daddy.

Homecoming

Sorry it's been awhile since I've updated this. It's been an exhausting few days!

Liv and Will came home on Thursday!

The first night was hard, as expected. Being home is quite different than being in the hospital. We didn't really sleep that night...actually, I haven't really slept since they've been home. I think I got a total of 4 hours last night (non-consecutive), which is better than the previous nights! I'm trying to take naps when I can.

I'm so grateful that my mom is here to help so I feel comfortable taking those naps, along with everything else she's doing...I'm so sad that she's leaving Wednesday!

Beyond the lack of sleep, things are going great! It's so nice to have them home! They're eating up a storm, and gaining fast too. Will is 5 lbs 11 oz, and Liv is 5 lbs 10 oz! They are 36 weeks gestational age now, 6 weeks "real" age. And, they are the cutest little kids that ever existed.

Brent is an awesome Daddy! You wouldn't know that he didn't have any experience with babies before this. He gives them their bottles, changes diapers, and handles them like a pro. I'm very proud of him!

We gave them their first bath at home. They loved it!

The dogs have adjusted very well...they love the babies! They always come running when they cry!

I will try to update again soon, but no promises! Sleep comes first!

Some disappointment

A few days ago, Liv and Will decided to team up and have very minor "spells", related to eating. This delayed their homecoming to Thursday instead of today (Tuesday). I was pretty upset, but in the scheme of things, 2 extra days are minimal, compared to the 5 weeks they've been in the NICU. Plus, we'd rather err on the side of caution!

Besides this, they are doing great! They are each ~ 5 lbs 2 oz. They are really filling out, and looking more and more like term babies (although they are still 5 weeks away from that!).

Their "Mamaw" (Melissa's mom) is coming to help out for the first week they're home, which will be so helpful as we try to figure out what sort of schedule we will have! They will be very busy little babies for their first few days here...pediatrician appointment, visiting nurse, eye doctor appointment, early intervention appointment, etc.!

I'll post more pictures once we get them here. Everyone please keep your fingers crossed that there are no more delays!!!

How I'll spend my time for the next few weeks...

Such little peanuts! This is exactly how I want to spend my days...

First family photo (and some other updates)

We have our first family photo!

They continue to do well. Will is up to 3 bottles per day, 2 breastfeeds, and the other 3 tube feedings. He's struggling a bit with the bottles, but will be getting his feeding tube out tomorrow! Liv is an expert breast feeder and bottle feeder, so she has her feeding tube out! She's very happy about this..she tried to pull the tube out multiple times a day. They assure me that it's not that Will is behind, it's just that Liv is an over-achiever and ahead of schedule!

We have the house ready for them. Both cribs are in our bedroom, playards set up in the family room, clothes/sheets/towels/etc. all washed. Now we just need them home! There are 4 things the doctor wants them to do before they come home: 1. maintain their temp in the crib (done!) 2. successfully eat from bottle and breast, while continuing to gain weight (Liv has achieved this, and Will is on his way) 3. be at least 35 weeks gestational age (they will be there on Sunday) and 4. go 5-7 days spell free. The spell count will start tomorrow, so if they succeed, we think they'll come home next week!

They both now weigh ~4 lbs 9oz...that's over a pound gained for each of them since they were born!

Happy Halloween!

Cribs! Bottles! Big changes...

Changes are happening fast at the new hospital. They are out of incubators now, into "cribs". They have to stay pretty wrapped up to maintain their temperature without burning too many calories, but it's a step in the right direction. Will is ~ 4 lbs 5 oz, and Liv is ~ 4 lbs 4 oz.

They've also started on bottles. They have a total of 8 feedings a day. Currently they can do 1-2 bottles/day, and nurse 2 times per day, with the remainder being through their feeding tube. I'm hoping within a few more days they'll have the feeding tube out, since they are doing incredibly well with bottles and nursing. Feeding is one of the key criteria to come home, so I'm particularly excited about this! Because of the extra calories required for preemies, they'll go home on half of their feedings from bottles so I can mix in the human milk fortifier into the breast milk.

And, now that Brent is back to being healthy, he's been able to visit them daily. He held them both yesterday...look how small they look copared to him!

Week 3

We made the big move today to the Level 2 NICU at Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton. Will wasn't at all phased by the move, but Liv was a little upset...she didn't like the bumpy ambulance ride, and was off a bit on her eating today, but I'm sure she'll be back to normal in no time. I'm actually the one that had the hardest time with the move! It was our decision to go, and I do believe it was the right one, but I had really gotten attached to the great nurses at St. Elizabeth's - especially the nurse that has been with them the past week, and accompanied us on the ambulance ride. I miss you Marlene!!!

They have both surpassed the 4 lb mark! Weight is not a criteria for going home, but it just feels good to hit a landmark. As of last night, Will was 4 lbs 2.8 oz, and Liv was 4 lbs 1.6 oz.

Because they both seemed so interested in feeding, they had me try nursing, even though it was early. Liv has really gotten the hang of it - I'm "allowed to nurse her for 3 of her 8 feedings per day now. This is impressive, because normally they don't try breastfeeding until 34 weeks gestational age, and she's been doing it since 32 now! Will is catching up - he gets to breastfeed 2 times a day, but only takes in half of his feeding that way. He'll catch up to his sister quickly, I'm sure. I'm guessing within another weeks or so, they might be fully on bottles and breast, but I'm just guessing.

They still have the occasional spells (see previous post for definition), but they are happening less frequently. They still have caffiene, protien, and extra calories added to the breastmilk, something they will have to start decreasing soon - they will need to be off of these before they come home.

There are just a few criteria for getting to bring them home. They must be AT LEAST 35 weeks gestational age (they are currently 33 weeks + 1 day). They have to go 7 days without a spell. And they have to be feeding fully from bottle and breastmilk (no feeding tube). I can't wait to bring them home...hopefuly it's closer to the 35 week mark and not much later.

Quite a few of you have offered to come to the hospital to hang out with me to pass the time, and I've sort of turned you away. Please know that I appreciate it SO SO much! It's shocking to me how quickly time flies by in the NICU, between nursing the both, holding them during their feeding through the feeding tube, diapers, pumping...and then repeat. I have very little, if any, downtime while I'm there, so I'd hate for any of you to come to spend time with me only to have me busy the whole time! Also, there are many of you that have called and emailed, and for the same reasons as above, I'm very, very late in getting back to everyone. Please accept my apologies, and know I love you all!

Here is a pic of the transport incubator for the ambulance ride to the Level 2 NICU. They rode together!

Happy Liv!

Will thinking hard (or pooping)!

Week 2

Liv and Will are doing great! They have both been off CPAP for a full week now, so they are eligible to move to a Level 2 NICU (I'll talk more about this later). They are both off IV, so the only thing they really have now is the feeding tube (plus the monitors). Liv is finally above her birth weight, weighing in at a whopping 3 lbs 9 oz. Will has been a bit up and down this past week, but nothing to worry about. He's now at 3 lbs 10.5 oz. They both are wearing clothes now - my favorites are ones that say "I love Mommy". I've changed many diapers (we have to fold over the newborn size because they are so big on them). Will even tried to pee on me today, but I outsmarted him and caught it before he made a mess!

They both are having occasional "spells", as they call it, where they forget to breathe, and their heart rate drops. This is common with preemies their age, but I still hate to see it. They will usually correct it themselves, but sometimes they forget, and have to be tapped to wake them up so they remember to breathe. They're adding some caffiene to the breast milk to help with the stimulation - something they might be on for weeks. Hey...many adults need that cup of joe to get going in the morning, right?...no different for Will and Liv, I guess!

I hold them both every day at least once (usually more) for an hour or so, typically doing what they call "kangarooing"...this is where they lay on my chest skin-to-skin...it's a very special bonding time for us! They are both starting to "root", but they are still to young for true breast-feeding, because they will not develop a gag reflex for a couple more weeks.

There's a parent's room at the NICU, and I stayed there for the first time last night. It was so great to get to see them throughout the night. It's amazing how attached I've gotten to these little babes, and it gets harder each time I have to leave them to come home. Brent and I are going tomorrow to look at a couple of hospitals that have a Level 2 NICU, since they now qualify. If we can get them closer to home, it will make it much easier to go back and forth, and allow me to spend more time with them, rather than on the road.

Brent is just now over his cold, so he'll finally get to see them again tomorrow afternoon. Poor guy - it's been a week since he's seen them! I can't imagine...

I don't have a lot of pictures to share yet - it's hard to get good pictures when they're in the incubators or when I'm holding them. Now that their daddy can start going again, we'll hopefully start to get some more pictures to share. The picture below is the first time Will and Liv have been reunited since birth! It looks like Liv is turning to Will saying "what the heck happened??".

Liv and Will's - week 1 of life

It's been a busy week! I was discharged from the hospital on Saturday, which was hard to do - I hate being away from the babies! I spend every day with them, and call the NICU at least a couple of times in the night & early morning. It's amazing how much I've seen them change this week. Sadly, Brent is sick with a bad cold, so hasn't been able to see them for a few days. It's killing him to be away, but hopefully he'll get over his cold in the next couple of days and can hold them again soon.


The tubes you see in the previous post pictures are for CPAP. This helps in opening their young lungs so they can breath. They were never on ventillators...always breathing for themselves. CPAP just helps make it easier. For awhile, some extra oxygen was added, but not for long. Liv came off CPAP on Friday (10/9), and Will came off Monday (10/12). It was so great to get these off, because we really couldn't see what they looked like until then! Once they are successfully off CPAP for 7 days, they are no longer considered Level 3 (just require Level 2 NICU after that).

They are too young to breast or bottle feed, so they can only eat through a feeding tube. They started with only IV, and as I was able to pump, they have been increasing their breast milk and decreasing IV. Once they show they can tolerate full feedings of breast milk, they can come off of IV. Liv did this today. Will should lose his IV in the next 3 days or so. After that, the only thing they'll be hooked to is the feeding tube, plus the monitors.

Will is above his birth weight (~3 lbs 12 oz), and Liv is slowly gaining (~3 lb 6.5 oz).

Will had a heart murmur, but it was corrected through treatment. This is common in premies.

They are doing so impressively well. It's still too early to know when they will come home, but we're hoping for another 3-4 weeks. It's all dependent on them learning to eat!

Liv (10/14):


Mom and Liv (10/14):



Will (10/14):



Mom and Will (10/14):

Liv and Will's Arrival - October 6, 2009

Most of you have heard the basic story:

On Monday morning (10/5/09), I could tell something wasn’t quite right, and after speaking to my doctor, was off to our local hospital (Norwood Hospital) to be checked, fully believing that worst case would be bed rest. After a few hours at that hospital, they transferred me to St. Elizabeth’s hospital in Boston, because they were concerned there was a chance I could go into premature labor, and at 10 weeks premature, I needed to be where they had a Level 3 NICU. Brent and I both believed at the time that worst case was an extended stay at the hospital on bed rest. Sleeping was almost impossible Monday night due to my discomfort, but around 4am Tuesday morning, that discomfort turned into serious pain. Within no time, my water broke, and I was in full labor, with contractions coming non-stop (all without pain medication!!!). The babies were not handling the contractions well, and William was not in position to be delivered, so it was a rush to the operating room for a c-section. Moments later, Olivia and William were born!

Olivia Norine Wainwright
(Liv)
10/6/09, 7:23am
3lb 8 oz
16”

William Henry Wainwright
(Will)
10/6/09, 7:25am
3lb 8.5 oz
16.5”

We are all doing well. I think Brent and I are getting over the shock of being parents weeks before we were expecting, and are incredibly happy that they are doing so well. Will and Liv will be in the NICU for a few weeks, but are very strong and making us proud parents already.

Will (10/6/09):

Liv (10/6/09):