HOMECOMING

Nineteen days it took us to learn to eat on our own, but we finally did it! Today the girls finally made it home and we are thrilled to have all the chickies in the nest. Brooke held us up one extra day trying to eat a bit better, but she finally passed all her tests yesterday. We are forever grateful to the wonderful nursing staff and neonatologists at Mo Bap, as they were eternally patient and empathetic to our plight this month. The twins' most frequent and our favorite nurse, Katrena, saw them off today, a fitting ending to their stay.

Big brother Jack accepted the babies in stride. He is very interested in them and has been terribly kind, wanting to feed them and even giving them his favorite new toy, his stash of Dora and Diego bandaids. (No, he doesn't have the actual need for a bandaid, but likes to wear one every day). While sibling rivalry is surely in our future, at this point, all is at peace.

So far as the pictures, Jack is feeding and loving on Caroline. We dressed the girls in the same outfit for coming home, which was a mistake! We can tell them apart, but at first glance, they certainly are twins. Brooke is the one sleeping. Finally, a picture of their cribs in the special needs nursery, their first home. We are so grateful that we are finally out of the hospital!

Feeders and Growers

Tomorrow is our two week birthday and day No. 12 in the special needs nursery. At this point, the girls are referred to as "feeders and growers," basically preemies have to do three things: 1) regulate their own temperatures 2) gain weight and 3) eat all of their own feedings. The last step is the feeding, and thankfully, that's where we are. We are in the "feeders and growers" group, which is the last step before coming home.

Today, Caroline took her 8 a.m, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. feedings all by the bottle, which is the longest stretch she's had of feeding on her own. Brooke is also taking more of her bottle, but is yet to finish one by herself. When she doesn't finish, she ends up getting the rest through the feeding tube, which, to quote Jack, is "No fun." As opposed to last week, we are seeing progress and the nurses and doctors believe that we will have them both home in one or two weeks. This lesson in patience is tough. All of our good doctors believe that the girls are right on track for their age, unfortunately, it takes twins a bit longer than singletons to learn to eat.

Last Thursday, Aunt Emmy came to help out and she certainly has! Not everyone would give up their vacation to take care of their sister's family, but she has and we are forever indebted. Frankly, we don't know how we would manage without her, as the three of us were generally a mess altogether before her arrival. Jack, however, in the last 24 hours or so, seems to be doing better. Susu and Andrew came today and that always cheers him up.

In the above pictures, I am feeding Caroline and holding Brooke. We are incorporating some kangaroo care, basically putting a baby down your shirt....it encourages milk production and helps the babies prepare for PO readiness (ready to eat state). It's also just nice to hold them close like that, they seem to really like it. Jack and Andrew are doing a Christmas gift exchange (Andrew loved the Elmo legos and books) and Aunt Emmy holds the twins.

Thank you for all the messages and emails, I am very behind in responding simply because I am in a bit of struggle getting through the days.....but, hope to catch up once these girls come home! A very merry christmas to all.....

Patience is a virtue.....

On Wednesday our girls celebrated their 1st week here with us. At 35 weeks, they are acting their age, which means that they are still learning to eat. Caroline, who is the middle child and the smaller one, is actually eating better than Brooke. Today, she took a whole bottle at one feeding and several milliters at the others. Brooke did not have a good eating day, though earlier this week she showed some progress. The doctors have told us that, as the smaller twin, Caroline is used to fighting in the womb for nourishment. They often find that the smaller twin progresses faster than the larger one.

Those who know me well know that for me, patience is a Sisyphean task and this waiting for their suckling reflex to arrive is quite painful. Add that to recovery, sleep deprivation, well, making for difficult days around here.

Big Brother Jack has attached himself to Nana, though he seems to be accepting of his parents a bit more each day. He still hates going to sleep.

In this week's pictures.....Daddy is dancing "Fly Me To The Moon" with Jack. Caroline is in the lavender gown. Thankfully, Aunt Emmy arrived on Thursday and is helping us manage our household a great deal better than we were earlier this week. Aunt Emmy is holding Brooke in her shot. Daddy is holding Caroline, who was particularly alert that day!

All doctors have said that the girls are progressing well and that while we might not be able to see the progress, they can. Now, we wait and hope this growth process goes a little faster.

And then there were 5.....

Caroline Emily and Brooke Kathryn arrived on December 10, 2008, at 6:05 p.m. and 6:07 p.m. They were 34 weeks old at birth, past the real dangers developmentally and for that we are deeply grateful. Caroline was born at 5 lbs; Brooke was 5 lbs., 10 oz. Their first names are our personal favorites, but their middle names are in honor of two very important women to our family. Emily for my sister, aka "Aunt Emmy," and Kathryn for our dear friend Kate who introduced me and J when we both looked liked hopelessly single individuals. Matchmaker of the century!

Caroline and Brooke are both healthy, but they were born 5 weeks early. As preemies, they are struggling learning to eat by themselves, as babies usually need to be around 37 weeks to suckle at a healthy rate. They are getting stronger every day. The tubes you see in the pictures are feeding tubes. They eat every three hours from bottles. When they get too tired to finish their portion, the rest of the milk is fed to them through the tube, which goes directly into their stomachs. As you can imagine, this is very difficult for us as we really want to bring them home.

So far as when we can bring them home, they need a blessing from the "nipple fairy," as the nurses call it. Essentially, they need 24 hours of eating each feeding by themselves, after which the feeding tubes come out. Then they need another 24 hours of successful feeding, then they can join us at home. Preemies get a "blessing" from the nipple fairy because one day they just figure feeding out. The neonatologist told me today that there really isn't a week when preemies begin feeding consistently and there aren't any other specific signs that indicate that the successful feeding is nearly here. As a Type A, I am struggling with this concept! We are hoping that they can be with us at Christmas.

In the picture of Mom and Dad and the twins, Mom is holding Brooke and Dad has Caroline. Brooke looks just like Jack did at this age; Caroline actually has Dad's nose. Dad thinks that Caroline reminds him a bit of his Aunt Jeri, he may finally have a child that resembles him! Caroline has shown herself to be the spunky one of the bunch. The nurses think she'll be an actress as she has shown a propensity for drama. (Don't know where she would have picked that up!) Brooke is a bit quieter, and they both are terribly sweet.

Big Brother Jack is recovering from the shock. Nana was a hero and stayed with him while we were at the hospital. We are forever indebted and seriously cannot imagine doing this without her help. She is exhausted, though, as anyone is after several days of chasing a 2 1/2 year old. Santa will bring her great gifts this year! As is to be expected, Jack did punish both J and me when we came home. He wouldn't come to us until today; it appears that we have been forgiven now. At least until the twins come home! He did visit them in the hospital and he told Brooke that he loved her. He's going to be a wonderful big brother.

Thanks to all for all the well wishes and thoughts. Send all good thoughts our way and to our little babies!

Holiday Tales

I am happy to report that we have made it two full weeks without any emergency room visits....after my unfortunate flu situation, Justin came down with the flu and severe chest pains, resulting in a night spent in our local hospital here. Several heart tests and a stress test later, he is fine, no blockages, muscle spasms in a bad back causing the pains. That, and everyone's friend, stress. We are all working on calming down.

Lucy and Emily visited us for Thanksgiving week and we had a wonderful time. Justin's Aunt Jerri hosted Thanksgiving dinner, it was so nice and we didn't have to cook! Then Nana came over and everyone put up our Christmas tree as I can no longer get up from the couch. As you can see from the pictures above, she also brought over a beautiful advent calendar, with a treat for everyday until Christmas. While this is a great idea, we found Jack the other night, post-bedtime, having pulled down the calendar from his door and playing with all of the treats on the floor of his room. So.....advent calendar needs to find a new home this year.

In other pictures.....Jack in Santa hat at our local Mexican joint, hanging out with Aunt Emmy and sleeping with Dad (yes, we have severely regressed and pledge to do a better job teaching the twins how to sleep).

The twins are doing well, they are about 5 lbs each and next week I start the stress tests. I am hopeful that they come sooner rather than later, but I really hope my own doctor delivers them. At this rate, they would be 8 lbs. each by December 30, carrying 16 lbs. of babies is not something I really wish to try. So, here's hoping they come sooner. STILL no word about the job situation, big meeting next week that might shed some light. If I could know whether or not I have a job and then who my boss is, I might be able to work out a part time or flex schedule OR at least know my options. Thinking about hanging out my own shingle, another option.

More news later....