NICU updates

I've been wanting to do short updates of your days in the nicu, each little thing feels like a big milestone in there.

Before today (7/17/12)- You both started on a high flow nasal cannula then Colton went to a CPAP machine because he was so exhausted after the nurses and doctors tried to insert a picc line then he went back down to the high flow nasal cannula.  They also tried and failed to insert a picc line on you Callan.  You both also had iv's in you for a while so you could get extra nutrition they called "cheeseburgers and fries." Both of you are breathing room air now and have your high flow nasal cannulas at 2. Also, Mom, Dad, and Grandma have gotten to hold you so far.
 
7/17/12-Both of your jaundice lights were turned off today! HOORAY! hopefully they stay off. Your high flow nasal cannula was turned down to 1.5! Soon you will be on a regular flow nasal cannula! Callan you also upped your feeds to 30 ml and Colton you are taking 33 ml :)
I also got to change both of your diapers for the first time.  You both pooped, thanks, it was gross (but I'm glad you did!) LOVE YOU.

7/18/12-You both are now on a regular flow cannula! YAY! And Callan drank 7 ml from a bottle today! And Colton rooted around on my chest while I was holding him! Way to grow boys!

7/19/12-You both drank from a bottle today! Colton 7 ml and Callan 8 ml! Colton, you also tried to breastfeed! It was awesome! You did so well, much better than expected.  Callan, you were too tired to try because you had your bottle the feeding before. It's crazy that drinking from a bottle or breast takes so much energy from you two and in probably just a couple months you guys will be pros! You're also on .4 for your regular flow cannula and once its down to .1, you won't need it anymore!! Hooray!

7/20/12-Babies!! Today is a big day! You are officially off of oxygen! No more nasal cannulas for you! It is so nice to see your sweet faces! You also are at 27 degrees celsius in your isolettes which is room temp SO your basically regulating your own body temperatures! Way to grow boys! OH and Callan, they upped your feeds to 32 ml :)

7/21/12-You both are officially 2 weeks old today! We got some great news today as well, essentially all you boys need to do is learn to eat and you can come home! Doctors say maybe a couple more weeks! :)

7/29/12-Colton, your feeding tube is officially out! hooray! And Callan you are SO close! You also ate 61 mls at one feeding today! That is just NUTS! You usually only eat about 36!

7/30/12-Callan your feeding tube is officially out now too! Yay!! AND you both are out in the open! They opened the tops of your isolettes :) So babies! All you need to do before Mommy and Daddy can take you home is continue to gain weight while feeding on demand. Grow babies grow! We can't wait to have you home!!

7/31/12-The doctors told me today that you Colton might be coming home Thursday if all goes well! That's amazing! Callan, you had some "bradys" last night.  It's where your heart rate goes too low.  You haven't had those since you were a couple days old but they put you in a swing last night that seemed to not do too well for you.  Hopefully you won't have anymore and you'll get to come home soon :)

We got so busy with you guys getting close to come home that I didn't update on the days but Colton, you came home that Thursday and Callan you came home the Thursday after because you had another little scare with the bradys! You are both doing so well at home now though!! :)

Welcome to the world!

Dear Colton and Callan,
Welcome to the world sweet boys! Mommy was in the hospital for 5 days resting and trying to keep you in my belly as long as possible before the doctors decided it was best for you to be born. The doctors told me you needed to be born around noon on Saturday July 7, 2012 and I called Daddy to come to the hospital and he hurried over and you, Colton were born at 4:05 pm weighing 3 lbs 14 oz and you, Callan were born at 4:06 pm at 3 lbs 5 oz. You both came out crying and they showed you to me really quickly and took you away to clean you up. Then Daddy and a nurse came out holding you both and I got to see your sweet faces, give you kisses and tell you I love you before Daddy and the nurse took you both to the nicu. Later Daddy took Michael to meet you guys.  He kept saying "Whats that?!" and pointing and touching your isolettes.  He loves you guys already. That night I was able to be wheeled down to see you both. I was able to get up briefly to touch you and tell you again how much I love you both.

Mommy right before you both were born

Daddy in his scrubs ready for you to be born!

Colton right after you were born

Callan right after you were born

my boys together :)

Michael meeting Callan

Mommy meeting Colton

Mommy meeting Callan

Dear Michael

Oh, Michael.  My little monkey.  Monday, Daddy and I went to the dr's office for an appointment and Mommy ended up having to stay what we thought was going to be a few hours, that turned into a day, that turned into "until the twins are born." This has been the hardest week of my life by far and the hardest part has been being away from you and daddy.  I miss you so much but I get to see pictures of you and your daddy brings you to visit as often as he can and most of all I know you are having fun playing with your Daddy, uncles, and your grammy.  They have been taking such good care of you! Having this experience has made me so glad you are so young, which I never realized was a great thing before, but you don't realize much is going on and you will probably never even remember that mama wasn't  around for a while. All of this has just made me realize Heavenly Father's planning and timing.  It's not up to us what happens, its only up to us how we handle it and I'm doing my best to be strong.  We are so blessed Michael, remember that.  You have so many people who love you and care for you and were willing to take care of and play with you when they found out Mommy would not be able to for a little while.  I can't wait to be home with you and snuggle and love on you.  It makes my day when daddy strolls you into the room and you see me and smile! The other day the nurse came in to take my blood pressure while you were here and it was the lowest its been since I've been admitted, even though you like to jump around and play, just being with you makes me feel so much better!  Soon we'll be playing and this will all seem so long ago.  I love you forever, Michaelbug!

Love,
Mama

Unexpected

Dear babies,

I am sitting here in a hospital bed weeks before you two should make your debut.  Apparently, mommy's body is having a hard time carrying twins and in order to keep you two safe and mommy safe we have to stay in the hospital until you guys can be born.  I am 32 weeks and 1 day pregnant and we're hoping to make it until 34 or 35 weeks with you two on the inside! SO mommy has been taking time resting, reading, watching tv and movies and trying to learn how to crochet! Hopefully by the time you guys arrive I will have made something for you :)

I feel like I have gotten to know you two a lot better while I'm here.  I'm pretty sure I know which one of you is Colton and which one of you is Callan BUT we're still going to make that final decision when we see your precious faces.  You guys are so funny moving around and kicking the nurses and techs when they try to find your heart beats.  A lot of times one of you will cooperate and the other will try to swim away.  :)  I'm sorry mommy's body is cooperating and that you guys will most likely have to come earlier than we'd hoped.  We are still hoping and praying that you guys will make it far enough along to be able to breathe and eat well and not have to spend time in the NICU.  Once you guys are out, I just want to hold and snuggle you and not let you out of my sight! I love you little boys and I hope you get to cook for a while longer!

Love,
Mama