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.