Can you tell who is who...?
Madelyn came off of her nasal cannula yesterday afternoon! We think maybe the girls were having a little discussion about how breathing is a lot of work.
7.25.2009
Slumber Party!
Last night Georgia visited her sister's bed... I have a feeling this is a glimpse of many future nights with giggling girls being told to go to sleep. Maddy did make some faces as if to say "um... I'm trying to sleep here" but I think she was happy to see her sister.
Can you tell who is who...?
Madelyn came off of her nasal cannula yesterday afternoon! We think maybe the girls were having a little discussion about how breathing is a lot of work.
Can you tell who is who...?
Madelyn came off of her nasal cannula yesterday afternoon! We think maybe the girls were having a little discussion about how breathing is a lot of work.
7.24.2009
Keeping Calm
Everything is still going well and calm for the girls. Georgia lost a little bit more weight the other night so they increased her feedings slightly and now she has begun gaining again and is up to 2 lb 8 oz. Madelyn is continuing to do well with her feedings also and is up to 2 lb 10oz. Everything seems to be very calm and quiet which we are immensely thankful for.
The other night when we came in Madelyn was all wrapped up like a little "baby burrito" and she looked so cute and comfy... the picture doesn't do it justice. The nurses tried her off of her nasal cannula for a period of time yesterday but apparently she started getting tired and needed to be put back on it in the evening. Breathing is hard work.
Georgia needed a new feeding tube the other night so we were given a rare chance to see her without anything on her face. She wasn't quite sure what to think.
Georgia had another head ultrasound this morning and the results came back showing everything to be stable. Neuro surgery is still following her and likes to order lots of ultrasounds which in a way makes me feel better but also worried everytime.
Both girls are scheduled for eye exams next Thursday the 30th. They will be checked for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) which is an eye disease that occurs in babies born too early. Blood vessel growth in the eye is very active the last 3 months of pregnancy and since the girls missed out on this time of development there is a possibility that the retina and blood vessels in their eyes did not develop fully. ROP is most common in babies born weighing under 900 grams and both of our girls were born around 830 grams. Mild ROP can often heal itself but more severe versions require laser surgery and can even result in loss of vision. Please keep their little eyes in your prayers.
We have talked to the doctors about Madelyn's upcoming surgery and they say they are thinking it will be about 3-4 weeks from now. She currently weighs about 1200 grams and the surgeon would like her to be closer to 2000 grams for surgery which would be about 4 lb 6oz. Based on her weight gain trend they think she will be there by the end of August.
On another note I figured out how to make it possible to receive comments to the blog without requiring people to become registered users or any of that hassle in case anyone was interested. We love hearing from people who are following our girls and are amazed by the stories of complete strangers who feel compelled to pray and care for our family.
The other night when we came in Madelyn was all wrapped up like a little "baby burrito" and she looked so cute and comfy... the picture doesn't do it justice. The nurses tried her off of her nasal cannula for a period of time yesterday but apparently she started getting tired and needed to be put back on it in the evening. Breathing is hard work.
Georgia needed a new feeding tube the other night so we were given a rare chance to see her without anything on her face. She wasn't quite sure what to think.
Georgia had another head ultrasound this morning and the results came back showing everything to be stable. Neuro surgery is still following her and likes to order lots of ultrasounds which in a way makes me feel better but also worried everytime.
Both girls are scheduled for eye exams next Thursday the 30th. They will be checked for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) which is an eye disease that occurs in babies born too early. Blood vessel growth in the eye is very active the last 3 months of pregnancy and since the girls missed out on this time of development there is a possibility that the retina and blood vessels in their eyes did not develop fully. ROP is most common in babies born weighing under 900 grams and both of our girls were born around 830 grams. Mild ROP can often heal itself but more severe versions require laser surgery and can even result in loss of vision. Please keep their little eyes in your prayers.
We have talked to the doctors about Madelyn's upcoming surgery and they say they are thinking it will be about 3-4 weeks from now. She currently weighs about 1200 grams and the surgeon would like her to be closer to 2000 grams for surgery which would be about 4 lb 6oz. Based on her weight gain trend they think she will be there by the end of August.
On another note I figured out how to make it possible to receive comments to the blog without requiring people to become registered users or any of that hassle in case anyone was interested. We love hearing from people who are following our girls and are amazed by the stories of complete strangers who feel compelled to pray and care for our family.
7.21.2009
Looking Good and Growing
The girls are continuing to do great. Georgia weighed 2lb 6oz last night and Madelyn is now bigger than her sister weighing in at 2 lb 7oz. We decided that extra ounce is all in her cheeks as Madelyn has grown these great chubby cheeks and impressive double chin. She looks so cute and squishy, I just love it. The nurses had warned us that the first pound is the hardest to gain and they will probably bounce around a little until they reach that point. They are both awake more often and more alert when they are awake, which is great to see.
Madelyn is still on her nasal cannula but she mainly needs the flow it supplies rather than any oxygen support. Georgia is still doing wonderfully breathing on her own. Both girls are continuing to eat more everyday and handling that well. Georgia had another follow up head ultra sound on Monday morning which showed everything to be stable and no swelling in her ventricles anymore. We will hopefully be planning a second surgery date for Madelyn soon and will let everyone know when that is.
We are so thankful for how far they have come and feel so blessed.
The girls snuggling with their Daddy.
Madelyn
Georgia
Madelyn is still on her nasal cannula but she mainly needs the flow it supplies rather than any oxygen support. Georgia is still doing wonderfully breathing on her own. Both girls are continuing to eat more everyday and handling that well. Georgia had another follow up head ultra sound on Monday morning which showed everything to be stable and no swelling in her ventricles anymore. We will hopefully be planning a second surgery date for Madelyn soon and will let everyone know when that is.
We are so thankful for how far they have come and feel so blessed.
The girls snuggling with their Daddy.
Madelyn
Georgia
7.16.2009
What a Month
It has simultaneously been the longest and shortest month of our lives. So many things have happened that surely it could not have only been a month ago that the girls were born, it also feels like just yesterday I was trying to get a grip on the idea of them actually being here. They are amazing little bundles of joy that have flipped our worlds upside down and I can't imagine my life without them.
The respiratory team wheeled Georgia's nasal cannula out of the room yesterday. Sometimes they seem to reappear but for the time being she seems to be doing great breathing all by herself. Both girls are still doing well on feeds and just spending a lot of time growing and resting.
Happy 1 Month Birthday Girls!
Look how far we've come...
Georgia 6/16/2009....
Georgia 7/16/2009
Madelyn 6/16/2009....
Madelyn 7/16/2009
The respiratory team wheeled Georgia's nasal cannula out of the room yesterday. Sometimes they seem to reappear but for the time being she seems to be doing great breathing all by herself. Both girls are still doing well on feeds and just spending a lot of time growing and resting.
Happy 1 Month Birthday Girls!
Look how far we've come...
Georgia 6/16/2009....
Georgia 7/16/2009
Madelyn 6/16/2009....
Madelyn 7/16/2009
7.15.2009
Only Good News Here
The girls are doing great. The results from Georgia's latest head ultrasound came back showing that the swelling in her ventricles has resolved itself! They are still watching the bleeding but say everything looks stable and they couldn't hope for better.
Georgia was also being a little bit of a show off last night :O) She was showing us some great oxygen levels without her nasal cannula. She is also on what they consider full feeds and is not in need of the lipids of TPN she was receiving through her IV which means.... no more IV! Besides the monitors she was completely free of things hanging from her.
Madelyn is doing great as well. She is now up to 8ml of milk every 3 hours. Her intestines appear to be working beautifully and it is only a short time now until the surgeons will be putting all back together. She is doing well on her nasal cannula, relying on very little oxygen support.
They looker bigger and more and more beautiful every time we see them. To add to the great night, our favorite nurses Megan and Miranda made a great NICU memento for the girls and I. They made imprints of both girls' hands and feet and put them in a cute frame so that we will never forget how precious and little they were. It's nice when they are with them, I feel like Craig and I can sleep better knowing they are in good hands.
Let's hope and pray for more steps forward and more good days to come.
Georgia was also being a little bit of a show off last night :O) She was showing us some great oxygen levels without her nasal cannula. She is also on what they consider full feeds and is not in need of the lipids of TPN she was receiving through her IV which means.... no more IV! Besides the monitors she was completely free of things hanging from her.
Madelyn is doing great as well. She is now up to 8ml of milk every 3 hours. Her intestines appear to be working beautifully and it is only a short time now until the surgeons will be putting all back together. She is doing well on her nasal cannula, relying on very little oxygen support.
They looker bigger and more and more beautiful every time we see them. To add to the great night, our favorite nurses Megan and Miranda made a great NICU memento for the girls and I. They made imprints of both girls' hands and feet and put them in a cute frame so that we will never forget how precious and little they were. It's nice when they are with them, I feel like Craig and I can sleep better knowing they are in good hands.
Let's hope and pray for more steps forward and more good days to come.
7.11.2009
Growing Girls
Both girls are growing right along and doing great. Georgia was 2lb 4oz last night and Madelyn was right behind her at 2lb 2oz. Both girls are also off of their CPAPs again, for the time being. They look a little healthier and a little less wrinkly every time we see them.
We're hoping for a nice, quiet weekend. The only thing coming up as far as medical procedures is Georgia's repeat head ultrasound on Monday and we are hoping to see continued decrease in ventricle size.
Madelyn
Georgia
We're hoping for a nice, quiet weekend. The only thing coming up as far as medical procedures is Georgia's repeat head ultrasound on Monday and we are hoping to see continued decrease in ventricle size.
Madelyn
Georgia
7.06.2009
Georgia's Second Pony
Georgia had a follow-up head ultrasound early this morning. The results showed a decrease in ventricle size which is great! This is one step closer to her brain bleed resolving itself and one step further away from the need for any kind of surgical intervention. It looks like she has another pony coming her way. I think I'm leaning towards "my little ponies" for her medical milestones instead of the real life smelly animals.
Both girls have had some great, stable and boring days lately. Both are tolerating small feeds of breast milk and growing right along, Georgia reached 2lbs last night and Madelyn was right behind her at 1lb 14oz! Last night when Craig was holding them they were reaching for each other and fell asleep holding hands. It was a nearly perfect loving sisters moment that of course disappeared by the time I went and got the camera. I have faith they will show me they like each other again some day when I actually have the camera with me.
Both girls have had some great, stable and boring days lately. Both are tolerating small feeds of breast milk and growing right along, Georgia reached 2lbs last night and Madelyn was right behind her at 1lb 14oz! Last night when Craig was holding them they were reaching for each other and fell asleep holding hands. It was a nearly perfect loving sisters moment that of course disappeared by the time I went and got the camera. I have faith they will show me they like each other again some day when I actually have the camera with me.
7.04.2009
Sleeping Beauties
We have been doing "skin to skin" with the girls every evening. Lately the unit has been low on available chairs so one of us will just hold both girls. If there is any skill required in doing skin to skin Craig has more of it. The point of skin to skin is to help the babies relax and grow. The familiarity of a heartbeat and the warmth and sound of our voices all remind them of being in the womb and research has shown that babies sleep deeper at this time which helps them grow and develop. Well when I do skin to skin I spend the hour or two watching their screens to make sure their heart rates are good and their getting enough oxygen, etc. When Craig does skin to skin he gets everyone comfy and he falls asleep until someone starts to fuss. They all look so comfortable that a lot of nights I find it more enjoyable to read my book and watch them sleep. I can't wait to recreate this on lazy Sunday afternoons at home without the hospital surroundings.
The girls are both doing well and are for the most part stable. They both have their moments where they just forget to breath and need a gentle reminder but we are told this is very normal as the part of the brain that tells you to breath has not fully developed in them. Both girls are also being fed breast milk now. Georgia is doing great with it but Madelyn is having a little bit more difficulty digesting. They are moving slowly with her and will keep trying a small amount at a time.
The neurosurgeon Dr. Foody ordered an MRI for Georgia the other night. The results were the same as the ultrasounds and showed a little bit of swelling in the ventricles of her brain. He wasn't overly alarmed and agreed with the neonatologists that it is something worth watching that will hopefully resolve itself. She has an ultrasound scheduled for Monday so keep her in your prayers.
Craig and the nurses have convinced me to leave the 10 mile radius of the hospital and try to enjoy an evening watching fireworks tonight. Our two favorite nurses that we both trust, Megan and Miranda will be with them which makes me feel a lot better. So tonight instead of being at the hospital we will be on the lake watching fireworks, trying to relax. Wish me luck.
The girls are both doing well and are for the most part stable. They both have their moments where they just forget to breath and need a gentle reminder but we are told this is very normal as the part of the brain that tells you to breath has not fully developed in them. Both girls are also being fed breast milk now. Georgia is doing great with it but Madelyn is having a little bit more difficulty digesting. They are moving slowly with her and will keep trying a small amount at a time.
The neurosurgeon Dr. Foody ordered an MRI for Georgia the other night. The results were the same as the ultrasounds and showed a little bit of swelling in the ventricles of her brain. He wasn't overly alarmed and agreed with the neonatologists that it is something worth watching that will hopefully resolve itself. She has an ultrasound scheduled for Monday so keep her in your prayers.
Craig and the nurses have convinced me to leave the 10 mile radius of the hospital and try to enjoy an evening watching fireworks tonight. Our two favorite nurses that we both trust, Megan and Miranda will be with them which makes me feel a lot better. So tonight instead of being at the hospital we will be on the lake watching fireworks, trying to relax. Wish me luck.
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