Grey and Max are 33 weeks

This last week has had some great ups in the boys lives.  Addie was able to come and see them every other day and is in absolute love with her brothers.  She loves singing to them and telling them about her day.  First off the doctors said that it was OK for Grey to do non nutritive feeds on Monday, and today the doctors gave the OK for breast/bottle feedings twice a day.  Grey is weighing 3 lbs 14 oz. Max was given the OK today to do nutritive feeds.  He is now weighting 3 lbs 3 oz. They both where taken off caffeine and put on zantac to help with their reflux, but we wont know for a while if it is working or only adding to the problem of ABD's episodes. I don't think that we really said but they are defiantly fraternal twins, they both have a great combination of our families but they do not look alike at all.  Grey has blonde hair and looks more like the Lassigs and Max has dark brown and looks more like the Allens.  They both have been switched to air temperature instead of skin and are slowly getting used to regulating their own temperature.  The nurse said that soon we will be able to put them in clothes.  Now this momma gets to go shopping :).   All in all it has been a great week. 

Week 2 of NICU Life

Sorry family for not keeping everyone updated about how things are going with us and the twins.  Time really flies and by the time I remember to write each night I am to tired and keep putting it off.  Shame on me because I know each and everyone of you are praying for us and are worried.  I will try to put this last week into a nutshell so you can see what we are up to. 

Both of the boys are doing great. They've been up and down but mostly up, and they are both gaining weight as they should. The prognosis is that they will still likely remain in the NICU until their original due date, and until they get close to that time the NICU is where they will both remain.

Grey still has his high flow cannula, but mostly for the flow to keep his lungs open.  He only gets some oxygen when his heart rate and oxygen levels go down lots and they have to rub his back to get him to breath.  (Don't worry this is a preemie thing to do since there lungs, as well as their brain stems, are not fully developed till 32-34 weeks) The first couple times he stopped breathing normally it was scary but now we know what we are dealing with it really is not bad and the nurses and I cheer them on to get back up to normal on their own.   Grey had a central line (an IV into the belly button) taken out since he has started gaining weight.  They have also removed all of his IVs since he is off antibiotics.  The doctors have done some blood panels on both boys when they are close to a fever, only to find out that they got the virus that seems to be going around.  Grey and Max are both over that first virus.   He is getting full feedings which are my breast milk that is fortified with formula because breast milk is made for full term babies and since they get all of their calcium and potassium the last trimester they missed out and will get it from the formula.  Grey has gained weight and is up to 3 lbs 6 oz and is almost back up to his birth weight.

Max was off of oxygen for a couple of days but was getting tired and so they put him back on low flow cannula. He then got a fever and they found that he got a virus too.  Since he was going through so many ivs each day the doctors decided to put a picc line in him.  After almost a week they decided to take the picc line and ivs out since he was gaining weight and doing good.  He is also on fortified breast milk and full feeds (full feeds are the top amount of what they give for their weight, so as they go up and down the amount gets adjusted).  He has had some more episodes with his oxygen and heart rate and so on Sunday they put him up on a high flow cannula. He weighs 3lbs 2oz as of yesterday. 

From here there are two main concerns that we have for the boys

• Improper Retina Development - could lead to partial blindness -
• Brain Bleeds due to birth trauma - There is an ultrasound that is performed at 7 days old and one at 30 to look for these. So far they have passed their 7 day with flying colors, we're just hoping the 30 day look good too.

Addie was able to see the boys during that first week but due to having a virus was finally able to see the boys again earlier this week.  She loves her little brothers and will tell everyone about them.  She also loves calling the nurses doctors and loves saying hi to each and every person that walks by. 

As for Aaron and I, we are doing pretty good.  At first I was cursing having a c-sections because it hurt so bad, but it is really amazing how fast the body heals.  Plus I probably over do it just a tad with going to and from the hospital but I wont stay away.  Probably due to this my c-section incision got infected so I am back on antibiotics but it does not hurt as much as before.  I would say that I am 80% back to my normal self.  Aaron is great with keeping me sane and not turning in to a nervous wreak with germs.  He is also amazing with doing all that I can't do yet.  I sure did pick one amazing man.

Thank you all for your prayers and support through this time.

Max and I having a nice cuddle.

Aaron and Grey

Aaron and Max 

MAX

Max wide awake.  

 

Here is Grey holding Addie hand while Aaron touches his head. 

The night nurses made cute signs to put by the boys beds. 

Grey tired after Addie's visit. 

Addie visiting with Max 

 Grey wide awake today, this is the first time that he has been this wide awake after holding him. I love these three kiddos of ours.  I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for them.

Dear Family,

Ok, here's the skinny, and then I'll get to the details.

The kids were delivered via C-section last night, both were born on May 19th 2013. They are 29 weeks and 3 days along. Meaning they are about 11 weeks, a little more than 2 months, early - And then there were five.

Greyson:

Born 11:49 pm

Weight 1480 Grams

Length 39 cm

Apgar: 6 then 8 ("how healthy" scale 1-10 with 10 being best, measured at birth and then 5 min later to give an indication of their transition)

 

 

Maxwell:

Born 11:51 pm

Weight:1180 grams

Length 39 cm

Apgar: 5 then 9

Babies are happy and mom is fine.

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the story.

Addie and I had visited the hospital at about 6pm on Sunday, and were on our way to leaving by about 7:30. I got home and got Addie ready for bed, and she was out like a light. Eventually I got a phone call from Katie at about 9:30, and she told me that she had started having some contractions at 8:30 and they were getting stronger and closer together. Talking her through a few contractions I got the inkling that I needed to go visit her. Before I voiced that Katie told me that she felt I should probably come up to be by her side. So we hung up the phone and I called the Lukers to tell them that I would be calling in the favor I needed to have them watch Addie while I went to the hospital. Having played this game before I made sure to grab my PJ's, a pillow and a blanket. Hospitals say they have these things, but the cheap and ill working imitations at comfort leave much to be desired.

I got to the Hospital at about 10:30 pm. Why is it always the beginning or middle of the night when kids start having the big issues? I've told Katie to put in a request with the next kids that they need to let us have a great nights sleep, and then come around noon or so the next day. We'll see if that helps. Katie's contractions were indeed getting stronger, and the resident Maternal guy (yep a guy) came up to talk to us. He said we needed to check if Katie was dilating at all. If she was then they would likely deliver the babies tonight. If not that meant there was a good chance the contractions would stop. On checking her he discovered that she was dilated to 5 cm. 10 is what is expected for a normal baby delivery. With our small kids, it would be less, and most mom's will understand 5 cm is pretty far along...Glad we're in the hospital!

We had decided previously that, for the sake of our kiddos, we would probably do a C-section if the kids were under the optimal weight for vaginal birth, 1500 grams (about 3 lbs 5 oz). As we were pretty confident that neither of them were up that far, C-section was decided. We moved to the Operating room. I got to wear a hair net (what for I'm not quite sure yet), a mask and a full body white suit thing. They prepped Katie up, gave her a "spinal" (something with a little more kick than the regular epidural). And prep'd her. The had her lay down and I sat on a chair at her left shoulder. There was a little cover I could peek over, which I did a couple times. Katie had wondered whether I might pass out and encouraged me not to look. I wondered a couple times whether she would be right, however, I did find the procedure fascinating. I can't stand watching this stuff on a camera, but there's something just surreal enough about the real thing that it didn't bother me at all.

They started the operation at 11:40 (Katie had requested that they be born the same day, I had thought it would be fun to have different days, but Katie gets what Katie wants:)). They pulled Grey out, he came out head first. I watched him come out all the way. I could tell he was about 15 inches long and told Katie, I saw them cut the cord, pass him to the nurses and he disappeared through a window in the opposite side of the room from me straight into the NICU. We were relieved when we heard him crying in the other room. Not near as loud as our Addie, but a cry all the same. Max was a little more stubborn, and they ended up pulling him out by his feet. He looked remarkably smaller than his brother, but as they laid him on Katie's lap to cut the cord he gave a soft cry. As a concerned parent that is a sound that makes you cry because it speaks volumes. Then the cord was cut and Max was whisked away through the same window.

I stayed with Katie while they took the placenta's, stitched up her uterus then her tummy. About 15 min after Max had disappeared a nurse opened the window just a crack to tell us the kids were looking very good, and that everything was stable. Katie was then wheeled back to a recovery room for observation. I stayed with her long enough to make sure she was ok, then I took my camera and went to see my sons.

Each boy was in his own little incubator. There are, as I understand it, 3 forms of respiration help given to newborns. Respirators, Bubble CPAP and Canella. Respirators physically force air into the lungs on a regular basis, and is the most invasive to the kids, which can present problems. CPAP, is a lightly presurized oxygen that is presented to the kid, and just helps so their lungs don't colapse. The last is esentially the oxygen tubes. When Katie had her water break they gave Katie sterroids that would promote the development of the kids lungs. That has apparently done it's work as the boys do not need respirators. They are on CPAP, and it looks like with how healthy they are they will be able to move away from that by tomorrow or the next day.

Katie and I did visit them again this morning, We're able to touch them. You never stroke a premie baby, but they do enjoy the pressure of a hand. Katie was so happy to see the result of all the labor and pain we've gone through to this point. Katie is doing well. She's walked from the bed to the bathroom. They're getting her taken care of and expect that she will be discharged on Thursday. She will need to take it very lightly as she transitions from Hospital to home. Everything seems to be healing up nicely as far as her.

As far as the boys, they are stable, but they are not out of the woods. There is a lot of development that takes place between 29 weeks and 34 or even 36 weeks. Current prognosis (standard) is that they will be here until their original due date of August 1st. Now that they're here it will be a constant round of ups and downs as the NICU doctors work their magic. Milestones to watch for are the removal of CPAP breathing, the eye check, which checks to make sure their eyes are developing and have not been affected by too much oxygen. Putting on Weight, continued health etc.

If anybody wants to visit the babies in the NICU know a few things.

- Katie or I will need to be there with you.

- Nobody under the age of 14 is allowed in the NICU except Sibblings.

- No more than 4 people can be bedside at a time including us a parents.

- You will need to "scrub" up to your elbows every time you enter

- You need to be 24 hours free of any sickness or you will not be allowed into the NICU

- Please call us to work out any times, but give us a week.

Visiting Kaite is much simpler, but will be limited as we will probably go home on Thursday.

We love you all very much and are grateful for your prayers and thoughts. Hopefully we'll be bringing home some kiddos in a couple months.

-Aaron, Katie, Addie Grey and Max.

This week in a nutshell.

Sorry that it has been a while, I write in my journal and was planning on coping and pasting them on our blog and every time I went to do it someone come in and I just forgot.  So I will go and write and then do that, so you all can see what is going on.  Life has been kind of busy, it is crazy to see how fast these last two weeks have gone.  I only hope that these next 5 go just as fast.  Oh did I mention that I am 29 weeks today!!!!!  Yay we made it another week.  As the boys grow their kicks get stronger and stronger.  It is also so much fun just to see my stomach move all around and into different shapes.  There is a part of me that wishes I could have gone all the way to 40 weeks just so I could feel them in there as long as I can.  I guess I am just going to have to relish every single second that I have them in there.  At the same time I am so excited to see these two handsome boys.  Each day at the NST I get to see more of their personalities coming out.  That is another thing that I am so excited to see when they come out is how close to what I think their personalities are going to be. 

This week Addie went and had some fun at a friends house on Monday and Tuesday.  Tuesday right before Aaron was going to pick her up, our friend called and said that she threw up.  Aaron ended up getting up with Addie every hour or so that night to help her as she threw up and started to dry heave.  I was so sad, Addie was going to come and see me on Wednesday and Thursday and I knew that was not going to happen.  Since Grey's water broke they don't want anyone that is sick being around me because if I start throwing up it could send me into labor or cause a infection which will then send me into labor.  All in all I had to buck it up and just be fine talking to her on the phone.  Really it was the perfect timing for her to get sick though.  My Mom had already planned on coming on Wednesday and staying till Friday morning, so Addie was able to stay home with my mom on Wednesday and just watch movies and have fun.  On Thursday she was still not all the way up to par but was acting kind of like her old self, so my mom took her shopping for summer clothes.  Finally today she was able to come and see me.  We cuddled, drew pictures and watched the Incredibles with Grandma and then cuddled, tickled and had some fun when Aaron came.  I love these days when it gives me a glimpse of what life was before the hospital, but am so glad for doctors that are able to keep these two in for as long as they can. 

This week I also had to do my glucose test.  I could not eat anything from midnight until after they did the whole test.  So the first test they came in at 5 a.m. took my blood, gave me the sugar drink and an hour later they came back and took my blood again. Later Tuesday morning the doctor came in and told me that my test came back abnormal and that I would need to do the 3 hour test.  So Thursday I started fasting at 12 a.m. and had to wait till 7:45 a.m. for them to come in and start the test with them drawing my blood, having me drink a bigger bottle of sugar in five minutes (the first test is the equivalent of 1 king size snickers bar, the three hour test is the equivalent of 4 king size snickers bars).  Then they came in at 8:45, 9:45 and 10:45 a.m. to draw my blood. After the last one I was able to eat some food.  The best news is that I passed, which I am so excited about.  I can still have Cafe Rio so that makes me one happy momma.  


Plus the extra good news is that it is the weekend, which mean I get to see Addie and Aaron EVERY SINGLE DAY!  I love weekends, plus Aaron is going to get me Cafe Rio tomorrow :).

Day #6

I think that it has finally really hit me how long I am going to be here.  I have really not been bored but I am not one to be lazy and I am used to be up and doing something.  The only really hard times are when I have to say goodbye to Addie as I send her home, and at night when Aaron calls me during the nightly routine of putting Addie to bed to have prayers with me and to say goodnight.  Those are the times that I remember what I am missing, the giggles, the races to get pjs, teeth brushed but then I feel my tummy and feel these two little ones move and kick and know that this is but a moment in time.  Addie wont forget me during the nightly routine, I will still have many of those tickle sessions and tantrums, but right now she has this wonderful time to get to know family and friends better. 

I guess one of the harder moments is letting people serve me and my family.  I guess this is a humbling moment when I have no qualm asking if someone would help clean my bathrooms, or mow the law so that my hubby (who is amazing) can have time to relax and breath.  Many people ask how I am doing, and really I am doing great.  I have a team of doctors and nurse at a touch of button to help me in any way and need.  I have to say thought that the one who is probably going to need all the help and support is my loving hubby, Aaron.  He is so strong and loving but he is the one running 90 miles per hour each day coming and going doing everything he does and also everything that I do at home.  One thing that I would like to say is if someone sees a need please just ask Aaron if you can do it instead of what can you can do for him.  He has so much on his mind right now that it is so hard to process everything and try to think of what we need.  I will try to see the needs we need and ask also. 

One of the most favorite part of my day is when Aaron comes and has lunch with me.  It is so good to just have some one on one time with him.  We sit and talk and laugh and it gives me time to just breath him in and realize that I have a keeper.  He is so grateful that I am willing to be here to keep these little two in and I am so grateful that he is such a good dad to Addie at home.  All in all I am being blessed with this great opportunity to see what I great family I have and what great blessing the Lord is giving to us.  

Hospital Stay 6 weeks 2 days to go!

On Friday when Grey's water broke I thought for sure that I was going to have 27 week twins.  That thought scared me but at the same time I knew I had to take everything in stride.  I have had many blessings though out this pregnancy and I know that these two will come when they are suppose to come.  So on Friday I just felt calm after the first shock of Grey's water breaking.  After doing those three tests and have them come back saying that I did loose water the first thing the doctor did was reassure us that these two can still stay in me (big shy) what a relief that was.  They then gave me steroids and antibiotics to help just in case we did go into labor.  After having some mild contractions stop they decided that I was in the safe zone to go upstairs and to a room where I will be hopefully for the next 6 weeks and 2 days. 

Many people have asked if I have been bored yet.  The truth is I have only been truly bored when both my cell phone and kindle died on Saturday afternoon.  Other then that I have been busy talking to people, resting and just really going through the motions of being in the hospital.  Just to show how crazy it is being here I will try to remember and write down how my day has been. 

Last night I was finally off the iv antibiotics so the nurses only came in a couple times during the night to check my blood pressure, the baby's heart rates, and get my temperature. Plus I also had to do bathroom breaks every 3 hours.  They brought breakfast in at about 7 and I slept till about 7:45 a.m. then ate my breakfast.  At about 8:30 when I was about to get into the shower the nurse came in and said that they were ready for me to do my non stress test down stairs.  The non stress test is where the nurses monitor the babies heart rates and look for some accelerations and make sure that they are keeping a steady heart beat for 20 to 30 minutes.  On a side note, I get to see a little personality of my boys during this time.  Max the very active baby gets on the monitor pretty quick, then Grey gets to on the monitor and everything looks good, the nurse steps outside and not 2 minutes later she is back in to readjust Max's heart monitor because the little one has moved off.  The nurse gets it back on and I begin to notice a pattern, the nurse leaves after fixing Max's monitor and not 30 sec later he moves off it again.  He would then hear the nurse coming and get back onto the monitor.  This little one definitely is like his father and is already a tease.   After 30 minutes of monitoring I head back upstairs where I take a shower and get ready for the day.  My little sister and Addie arrive at 11 to visit me :).  Then at noon Aaron comes for his lunch break and we get to have a family lunch.  Aaron has to go back to work at 1 and Emilee and Addie leave at 2:30 to go babysit my older sisters boys while she goes to the doctor.  I then talk to my mom for 30 minutes until I have to say goodbye to because I need a nap.  My other sister then comes and visits for about 30 minutes after her doctor apt.  I have dinner at 5 and then start to watch some tv and blog. I will soon have a new nurse for the night and get ready for bed.  So my days have been pretty full.  I am hoping that I can get pretty far through this stay before a have another boring day, but I will try to keep you updated.

Thank you to all who have offered to take care of Addie, we have made up a list and I am sure we will get to you all through out this stay.  Thanks for the prayers, thoughts, email and notes they have all helped me immensely.  Thanks also for those who are providing meals for Aaron and Addie so they get to spend a little more time with me and also get a good health meal.  I know I have great family and friends but this has already shown me how amazing you all are.  Thank You!!!!

Surprise!...or something like that.

This is Aaron this time. I'm sure that Katie will be adding her own blog here soon, but for all the fans, friends and family I thought I would write a little update as to the goings on in the Lassig Household.

As many of you know, and referenced in earlier blogs, we are pregnant with Twins! Max and Grey are on their way. The two little bundles of joy have been growing towards a due date of August 1st. (40 Weeks). Typically twins have come median at 36 weeks (July 4th! my favorite holiday). They've been doing good over the past few ultrasounds (as there are so many when you have twins).

Well this past week I (Aaron) went out of town with Addie to do some camping with my friend Matt, and his two kids in Goblin Valley area. We were scheduled to come home on Saturday, but after realizing what it takes to get 3 kids of the ages of 5, 4, and 3 taken care of every morning and evening (you women are amazing by the way!) we decided to go to our last attraction, get the kids fed some dinner and then bed them down and trek on home on Friday night. I contacted Katie Friday morning to let her know what had been decided, and that we would be seeing her that evening. My phone did shortly after 7pm, and as we rounded the corner of freeway that lies about 30 min from home I turned the phone back on. I recall it was about 10:56 pm, and I got a text, sent from Katie at 10:26 asking where we were. I responded with a text of our location and ETA and got a phone call back. It was Katie, she was nervous and I could tell a little scared as she told me she thought that her water had broke. I told her I was on my way and asked whether she could wait or if she needed to go to the hospital and I would meet her there. She said she would call the nurse and find out.

Matt  hit the gas.

We arrived and I abandoned the car to go to Katie, She didn't seem in a huge rush as she walked out the door. I had called on the thrilling ride home (I was surprised to see us barreling down the road at about 85 in a fully loaded 20 year old extended cab Chevy pickup, it's a good truck Matt should be proud of). Making sure she was ok, I went and grabbed Addie out of the car, she woke up and was crying for her mom, whom she hadn't seen for a week. We ran to mom, gave a quick hug and left her with Matt and Carrie, who had agreed to take care of her. And went safely and speedily to the Intermountain Medical center on 50th south.

When we arrived we apparently got to the correct place as we were soon talking with a doctor, and shortly situated in a room. A few tests later, 3 to be exact, all came back positive...her water had indeed broken. An ultrasound indicated it was probably Grey. It also indicated that he still had quite a bit of water cusioning him and that his, and Max's heart rate were fine. They were kicking and having a great time together in their little niche in mom's tummy.

With the tests having come back positive for water breaking, the doctor, one who specializes in early preterm labor and delivery, walked us through the need-to-knows. The baby's are fine. Their heart beats are good. They will be ok inside Katie's tummy for now, and the longer they stay the better. Preterm labor for the babies and infection to Katie are the biggest risks, along with complications to the baby as a result of less cushioning (less water). All of these things are best monitored. The "danger zone" is the next 5 days. After 5 days if we see no pre-term labor signs, no onset of infection (although the danger for that will remian constant, and the babies seem to remain happy Katie will go off constant monitoring and proceed to a waiting period at the hospital. The goal is to keep the babies in to 34 weeks, we're at 27 and 2 days. So just short of 7 weeks to go The rule of thumb I've heard, but by no means have substantiated, is that for every week they spend in mom's tummy is 1 month less of time in the NICU. 

Katie will be spending the rest of her time in the hospital until the kids are born. I would appreciate any prayers, thoughts etc. I will be discussing things with Katie this Afternoon to see what things I need to do to make sure that our needs are met, but to those who have offered help to this point know how much I appreciate your help and continued support. I'll post pictures when I've got them. Take care.