Life and Love in the NICU

I never realized how easy days can blur together when you are living/doing things so out of the normal routine of life.  I wish I had kept a journal with stats and milestones from the time we were in the NICU.  I will try my best to piece it all together now...

Preface to the post...  Preemie babies are underdeveloped and you can't speed up developing.  Many premature babies don't have fully developed lungs or other organs depending on how early the baby is born. Preemies can not keep their bodies warm on their own... they have to develop the skill or basically teach their body to use the small amount of energy that they have to stay warm.  Preemies also often don't know how to suck or to swallow... they haven't developed the eating skill.  Studies have shown that when "mom and dad" put their infants directly skin to skin that is the closest thing that mimics the womb and they can supposedly develop quicker... Laying directly on mom can help them learn to regulate body temperature and often they learn to eat sooner.  They recognize the smell and heartbeat of the mom from when they were inside the womb.  When a baby is born prematurely they have 2 ages... The age they are from birth and the Adjusted Gestational Age.  The adjusted age is how old they are in weeks/days/months relating to their original due date.  Until age 1 or 2 they develop at their adjusted age.  If a full term baby learns to sit around 5 months, then a 6 week premature baby may not sit until around 6 1/2 months.

LIFE in the NICU

Leah and Noah were born on February 4, 2014 which is 34 weeks and 2 days- 6 weeks premature.  After they were born, they were immediately taken to the NICU.  Because I had a c-section I had to be in recovery for a while and until I could stand up on my own to get into a wheel chair or walk I couldn't go see my babies.  The hardest part of having a c-section is waiting to be with your babies.  Trevor was with them quite a lot and that made me feel better.  After they were born they were given a caffeine shot to help develop their lungs.  They were put into isolette beds (cribs/beds that help them stay warm) and put on oxygen.

Day 1 in Nicu

 Both of them came off the oxygen in less than 24 hours cause their lungs were developed enough and they were able to breath on their own.  They both had IV lines put in and they both had feeding tubes.  As a precaution they were both on Gentamycin (an antibiotic) at birth, but that was stopped on day 2 or 3 (I think).  They had multiple labs in the first 5 days of life.  Noah had high levels when they did his bili ruebin check, so when he was 4 days old he was put on bili lights for his jaundice.

Lights for Jaundice

 He came back off the lights after about 30 hours.  When Noah was 6 days old, he was moved to an open crib because he was able to maintain his body temperature without the help of an isolette bed.

Open Crib

   Leah started nursing pretty well around 5 days old, and she got her feeding tube taken out on day 6.  Unfortunately, she used so much of her energy eating so well so young she stopped eating good and ended up with her feeding tube back in.  Leah moved to an open crib (started maintaining her own temperature) on day 9.

Open Crib!

 After day 9 it became a waiting game.  Finally the Sunday before we came home, the boys got to come in and meet their new babies.  Caleb loved holding them, but Kelson was a little to nervous to even touch them at first.

Meeting brothers

Both babies were very healthy, and we just had to wait for them to learn how to eat.  Something you can't force them to do.  Eventually they figured out how to eat and we got to come home on day 16!!  Before NICU babies can go home they have to pass a carseat test.

Car seat test

 The car seat test is where they put the baby in the car seat for 90 minutes and monitor their oxygen levels.  If the oxygen levels alarm more than 1 time they fail the test.  Luckily both Leah and Noah were able to do the test at the same time and they both passed.  The night before we got to come home they got to "room in"  which means, me and the babies all got to stay in a hospital room and I could care for the babies as if I was at home, but had the availability of a nurse if I needed one!

GOING HOME!!

LOVE in the NICU
While we were in the NICU, we had the BEST care!!  Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Respiratory Therapists, and Nurses trained to work in the NICU are AMAZING.  St. George has the BEST staff!  I'm not even sure how to put into words how grateful I am to so many of the staff there.  Dr. Carroll and Dr. Ridout are the kindest, most sympathetic doctors.  Barb is the BEST Nurse Practitioner in St. George!  She is not only very knowledgeable, but very personable, and knows how to lighten the mood when you are feeling pretty down.  She is absolutely amazing!  And then there are the nurses... there is not enough words to say how wonderful they are.  They are amazing with the babies and also with the mothers.  It is NOT easy emotionally to have babies in the NICU and they totally give you a shoulder to cry on and really listen!  They held and loved our babies when we couldn't be there!  They have special qualities that make them all great nurses.  It takes an amazing person to be a NICU nurse.  Thanks to all who cared for our sweet little Noah and Leah.  But a special thanks to Shanna, Shauna, and Marnie! 

Leah and Noah

A Birth Story

In my opinion the story of their birth actually starts about a week before they were born...  I had been sick with a yucky cold and on Wednesday, January 29th I asked Trevor to give me a blessing cause I had got so bad.  At the end of the blessing I had this feeling that things were not going to go as planned, but that everything happens for a reason.  The following day I was actually sicker than I had been and around 4:00 pm I wondered if I was in preterm labor so I called the on-call doctor from my doctor's office and he said he thought it sounded like I had the flu and to go see my doctor the next morning.  On Friday morning I went in to the doctor around 8:30 and he didn't check me or anything, but told me to take lots of vit c, drink lots of water and rest lots.  He wrote me a prescription and then we were headed back home.  On Saturday night I realized that I had 1 swollen foot.  Not 2, but only 1.  I kind thought I'd put more weight on that foot and didn't worry about it.  Then on Monday I decided to call the doctor again and the on call doctor wanted me to go into labor and delivery to get checked for a blood clot.  They hooked me up to be monitored and we saw that I was having contractions that were not causing any pain or discomfort.  The nurse said "they are small enough they probably aren't doing anything," so she didn't check me.  After being monitored for just over an hour at the hospital and deciding that my right leg was swollen due to the weight of the babies they sent us away with instructions to follow up with my doctor the next morning.  So, we stayed at my mom's house in St. George.  We got up and went to my doctor appointment.  I had an NST (non stress test) and it was good.  Then, the doctor checked me and said that I was dilated to a 3 and about 50% effaced.  He decided since I was still only 34 weeks and 2 days to have me get the betamethasone (steroid) shots.  Their office was out of the shots so he sent me to Labor and Delivery to get the first shot and I would have to come back on Wednesday for the 2nd shot.  We went to Labor and Delivery where they hooked me up to monitors again.  They monitored me for about an hour and I was having contractions... some were big but most were kinda small.  The difference between being hooked up Tuesday morning and Monday evening was that I could feel these contractions.  I got the first shot and was sent home.  Finally we headed home around 2:00.  When we got home, Trev headed to work and my mother in law took the boys to her house so I could get some rest.  Around 4:00 I started realizing that my contractions were consistent. I decided to time them for the next hour... I was having about 5 or 6 in an hour (every 10-12 minutes)  So when my mother in law came back I had her help me pack a bag and I called Trevor and told him I thought we better go in, because they stayed consistent.  Just before 6 I was having contractions every 6-10 minutes.  Christy took the boys and we headed to St. George at 630ish.  When we got there they had me do a urine sample and found that I was dehydrated so they gave me fluid and called my doctor. I was dilated to a 4 and about 60% effaced.  My doctor was on the phone and he wanted to talk to me to tell me his plan instead.  They were pumping fluid as quickly as was safe to help hydrate my body, then they gave me one dose of nifedipine (stops or slows labor- if not in active labor).  My doctor told me to pay attention to my body and not the monitors.  He said he didn't think the medicine would give us more than 12-24 hours of time.  He wanted me to let the nurse know if I had more pressure or if the contractions felt stronger even if they weren't showing stronger on the monitor.  The plan was as soon as I'm dilated to a 5+ they were going to call my doctor and prep me for the c-section.  He didn't want me to go to fast.  With Caleb I dilated 4cm in 1 hour.  I'm glad he didn't want to take a risk.  The nifedipine slowed my labor, but I was still horribly uncomfortable and I knew what was coming.  I lost all track of time, but somewhere shortly after 10 I was dilated to a 5+ and they called my doctor and started prepping me for surgery.  I was nervous for a c-section since I had never had one.  The surgery was not as horrible as I expected.  Leah was born at 10:45pm and came out crying very loud which made me so happy that meant her lungs were doing pretty good...  She weighed 4 pounds and 1 ounce and was 17 inches long.  I only got to see her for a minute before the nicu team took her away.  Then at 10:48pm Noah was born also crying... yay!  He weighed 4 pounds 8 ounces and was 17.5 inches long.  I didn't get to see him as long as I did Leah and then they were gone.  I was so glad that Trev stayed with me while they finished up the surgery cause it is kinda scary being cut open like that.  As soon as I was wheeled into recovery, Trevor headed to the nicu to be with our sweet new babies.

*These pictures were taken when they were around 6 days old.

Well that's a bummer!

Today is slightly depressing for me.  Way back when I was 12 weeks pregnant I found out I was having twins! What went thru my mind??  Scared, excited, happy, sad, grateful, scared, happy, scared, happy, etc.  It was a huge shock.  I finally got used to the idea and have been excited ever since.  At that ultra sound my doctor confirmed my due date.  My original due date based on my cycle was March 16.  The ultra sound showed my due date at March 13.  We understood he changed the date... well, at my last appt.- last Tuesday I found out that he did NOT change my due date... for the past 20 weeks I've been marking my progress every Thursday because that was my new "weekly date"  NOT anymore.  I know I know you're thinking 3 days really you are sad about this... but at this point in time when I'm measuring 40cm and exhausted and counting down the days until these babies arrive... it is depressing.  Last Tuesday I went from being almost 33 weeks to barely 32 weeks.  Ugh.  Today I want to say i'm 33 weeks, but to stay on the same schedule as my doctor i'm not actually 33 weeks until Sunday.  (sigh) It is only 3 days, but today I'm wishing I could say I successfully made it to 33 weeks.  I guess I'll wait for the joy of that on Sunday.  Not that it really matters with twins, since I'm sure i'll go early but still I want to be further than I am now.  I am feeling pretty good about the fact that I am still having no contractions.  Next week I start NST's and then maybe the time will speed up.  I guess 3.5-4.5 weeks really isn't that long and that is around when these babies will probably come!

THANK YOU!!

As I mentioned in my last post... my sisters threw me a baby shower.  It turned out so great!!  I can't thank them enough, or the people who came to support.  I feel so blessed to have so much family and friends willing to come visit and bring gifts!  The little poem on the invite was so that we could consider the shower a diaper shower!  It worked out great!  I got around 180 size newborn diapers, around 700 size one diapers, around 250 size two diapers and a box of size three diapers! And tons of wipes!!! I also got a few other things (clothes, hair bows, socks, etc).  I feel a small weight has been lifted off my shoulders... that I won't have to stress about the cost of buying so many diapers especially at the start while we have all of our medical bills.  I don't know what else to say except THANK YOU!!!

Pregnancy and 2 cute boys!

 How far along? 32 weeks 1 day
Weight Gain? 26 pounds
Stretch Marks? No new ones since 30 weeks... still just one or two small ones yay!
Movement?  Lots of movement and getting painful.  Every movement can almost be seen.  The babies seem to get the hiccups a lot (you can't see those, but I can sure feel them)
Milestones? When pregnant with twins... hitting 32 weeks is a great milestone.  I'm looking forward to still being pregnant at 34 weeks (even though I am very uncomfortable these days) the last big milestone for twins- after this point the babies are less likely to have long term effects of going to the NICU and their lungs are much more developed.  And a milestone to me... getting through yesterday when I had the stomach bug and Caleb being sick with a fever and something else... Yesterday was a long day and I am incredibly glad to be past it... I'm hoping the rest of this pregnancy we can all stay healthy and happy and not worry about sickness when the babies are born!
Sleep? What is that??  I just get naps whether it is day or night.  I don't have many nights that I get to sleep longer than 3 hours consecutive.
Miss Anything?  I miss being comfortable and playing on the floor with the boys.
Symptoms?  Braxton Hicks are getting more frequent.  I've started having some cramping, and the usual back and hip pain.  Doc says the cramping is a sign my body is prepping for labor.
Best Moment this week?  I had a couple. #1. I got to see my sweet little babies during an ultra sound.  It was a fun ultra sound cause the doctor was in the room for it and kept telling me how wonderful and healthy the babies are.  Great heart, great kidneys, etc.  I also got to see 3d and 4d during the ultra sound which was a very fun treat!  From the detailed pictures it seems like both boy and girl have Gardner noses, and boy has very plush lips.  We couldn't see girls lips cause her tongue was out or her hand in front of her mouth. #2. Yesterday I had a huge craving and didn't feel like I could stomach much.  I posted on FB how very much I wished I could have a cherry snow cone and... Heidi Moody showed up at my door with a cherry snow cone.  I could have cried I was so happy and grateful!  #3.  Going to bed last night at 8:45 and sleeping until just before 7 and only getting up for the bathroom 2 times!  I have never felt so rested in the morning!
Looking forward to this week?  My sweet sisters are throwing me a diaper shower which is very awesome!  I'm excited to see family and friends at the shower and visit before these babies get here.

Anything else to share?  I am now going to the doctor weekly so I can be more closely monitored.  Doc told me to really pay attention to my body and be prepared cause he thinks I may start having some contractions in the next week or two.  I am measuring 38-39cm which is bigger than I ever measured with either of the boys.  He thinks that my body is really going to start prepping for labor soon.  I am supposed to not just rest, but rest laying down frequently and really take it easy.  Here is to making it to 36 or 37 weeks!!!

Ultrasound stats (1/14/14):  Baby A (girl) Vertex position (head down) Estimated weight 3lbs 7oz.  Measurements show her at 31 weeks 5 days (which is exactly with my due date).  Heart Rate: 153 bpm.
Baby B (boy) Breech (butt down, feet up by face) Estimated weight 3lbs 12oz.  Measurements show him at 31 weeks 5 days (right on track).  Heart Rate: 144 bpm.
They are doing so good and growing concurrently which is great!

Can't leave out these cuties!!

A couple stories about the Caleb monster.  He loves to say prayers over the food!  Half the time he doesn't want help, but then his prayer is in no order and becomes rambling.  Last night at dinner when Trev was helping him he said "say please bless the food" and Caleb said "bless the quesidilla!" haha it was so cute.  Also earlier this week Trev was asking him "what color is this ball?" Caleb says "green" then Trev says and "what color is this ball?" and Caleb says "something else" haha. He is very independent and active and keeps us on our toes and definitely keeps us laughing.  We love him to pieces.

And Kelson... he is such a big brother!!  He loves to tell Caleb exactly what they are going to do and how they are going to do it.  Luckily Caleb goes along most of the time.  He is still enjoying preschool and even though he acts bored it is really starting to sink in.  He knows all but 2 or 3 letters of the alphabet including sounds and he can count to 5 very well.  He also is very proud that he can write his name by himself.  He is so cute when he accomplishes something on his own!  He also mastered putting on his own seat belt this week.  He has been able to do it, but too lazy until he realized he is good at it.  He has become my 3rd hand while i've been trying to take it easy.  He will do so many things for me and for his brother he is such a sweet little boy.  We love him so much

30 week Milestone!!

How far along?  30 weeks 2 days
Weight Gain? around 24 pounds (discovered at last appt that my scale is off from doc scale- I didn't really gain 6 pounds in 2 weeks)
Stretch Marks?  I am starting to get a couple really small ones, but my skin hurts and itches like it is stretching.
Belly button in or out?  Still out and somehow even more out than 2 weeks ago
Movement?  Lots of movement and it is big and sometimes it hurts.
Milestones?  I am over 30 weeks- which I feel like is a great accomplishment for twins pregnancy.  Doctor told me when  I get to 30 weeks to stay off my feet as much as possible and to try to take 2-3 hour rests twice a day.  Light bed rest isn't easy for me, but I know it is what the babies need so I am trying to contain myself.
Sleep?  It seems like about every couple of nights I get really good rest and only wake up for the bathroom or in pain 2 or 3 times a night.  Then there are the more frequent nights where falling asleep is hard cause I'm so uncomfortable and I wake up around 4 times on average to use the bathroom.  Getting in and out of bed is becoming a huge challenge.
Miss anything?  I miss sleep, and having no back or hip pain.  I also miss sitting in the van and not having Braxton hicks. (Almost all trips longer than 10 min in the van make me have braxton hicks and very uncomfortable)
Symptoms?  Braxton Hicks, lower back pain getting worse.  Pelvic pain starting.  Just overall twin pregnancy un-comfortableness!
Best moment this week?  Yesterday Caleb and Kelson decided it was fun to give the babies kisses.  Now at random times they come kiss my belly.  Also got some "nesting" time before light bed rest actually started.  The nursery is almost completely finished and I am really excited about it.

The organized closet.  I do have more clothes than what is hanging, they are all in the drawers except the new stuff still on hangers.

Need to get the crib skirt on.  (the tissue balls were supposed to be gray, but look kinda black- oh well)

This sign will hang above the crib.

What I'm looking forward to this week?  Lots of resting and taking it easy.  I'm excited to watch the Doris Day DVDs that Trev gave me for Christmas.  He is making bed rest seem funner!  Me and the boys are all sick, so hopefully just taking it easy and staying in will help us get better faster.
Other random things to share?  I am still hope full that baby boy will turn to head down position.  My doc is leaning towards c section unless both babies are head down.  There is risks to both c-section and breech delivery.  I want what is best for my baby girl and boy, but I sure hope I can avoid c-section!
I feel like I am super hungry all the time... I can't go over 2 hours without wanting to eat something.

Christmas time Catch-up

Before Andrea, Rebekah, Ivica and Rylee left for their Croation Christmas we decided to have a little get together.  We made sugar cookies during the day, so that night we could frost them with Rylee.
Making the cookies...

Frosting and eating the cookies...

Caleb LOVED the sugar cookies, after Rylee ate most of the frosting off of her cookie she left the table and Caleb saw her cookie just sitting there and picked it up and ate it.  It was pretty funny.  They had a fun time especially eating the cookies.

CHRISTMAS EVE and CHRISTMAS DAY
On Christmas eve we went over to Jeff and Christy's house for dinner and watched a movie.  The boys love playing with Briggs and staying up kinda late.

On Christmas morning my mom came up early and we made cinnamon rolls and since Caleb didn't wake up until almost 9 so since the cinnamon rolls only had about 5 to 10 minutes left of baking we ate before we did presents.  The boys were really excited about opening presents and getting candy from their Christmas socks.  They got a fun tool bench, books, clothes, and a few other random items.  Me and Trev decided since money was tight that we wouldn't spend too much on each other so I shopped black friday and got fabric to make him a jean quilt for around $20.  He spoiled me and made me wish I had given him more.  He got me some non stick ceramic frying pans and some Doris Day DVD's I was really excited.  We gave my mom season tickets to Touchan so she can go to all 3 shows this year.  She loved the gift.

 After she left and we all got ready for the day we headed over to New Castle to spend the rest of the day with the Gardner's.  It was a fun day filled with family and fun.  I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!