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!