2 months, 3 days

Thursday, Jan 29, 2015

The boys are now officially 2 months old and as of today, have been out of the NICU for 6 full weeks. But, just as we were getting into a routine with the boys and adjusting to life outside of the hospital, we now find ourselves back in the hospial- although this time in the pediatric wing. 

Tuesday night we checked into the ER with Hudson and by early Wednesday morning, he was admitted to the hospial. What started out as a cough and runny nose over the weekend for both boys, escallated into much more for Hudson as the week began. Both boys had been spitting up more than usual due to their coughs, but for Hudson, the spitting became full fledged throwing up by Monday morning. And his breathing also became an issue as his stuffy nose got worse and the congestion traveled to his lungs. 

We worked hard to help Hudson keep his milk down, trying to keep him as upright as possible with his feedings and avoiding any unnecessary jostling, and kept him directly by a humidifier to help break up his congestion. By Tuesday however, anything he ate would almost immediately come back up and his breathing seemed to keep getting worse. After almost a full day of his inability to keep food down and, consequently, only one wet diaper in 24 hours, we knew it was serious. And his starting to look gray that night was the final straw that sent us straight to the ER.

When we checked in Tuesday night, they weighed Hudson (11 lbs 1 oz fully clothed) and took his O2 levels (97%). Their first order of business was to get an IV line run in order to get him hydrated right away. But, three nurses and 5 blown veins later, they gave up trying. Our poor guy looked like a pin cushion when we finally put our foot down. At this point, we truly were missing the amazing NICU staff at St Mary's. 

Having been sitting in the ER for a couple hours by that point, Hudson had wet his diaper (second of the day) and was able to eat and keep down some of his bottle. So, we asked theme to not run an IV and see if we could hydrate him orally. They then ran a nasal swab to test for the flu and RSV (a respitory infection) and did a chest X-Ray to look at his lungs and determine if he had phenomena. 

When the results came back in, we found out Hudson had RSV. RSV can present itself in adults as just a common cold, but when contracted by a baby, the symptoms are far more severe and can be life threatening. But since RSV is a viral infection, there really is nothing they can do to treat it other than treating the symptoms. They suspect Colton has it as well, but as his case is nowhere near as severe, they aren't concerned. So, with that diagnosis, Hudson was admitted to the hospial. 

The biggest turn around for him came when they hooked him up to a continual O2 monitor and, based on what they saw, decided to put him on oxygen. Although he had high O2 numbers when we were admitted, his numbers were in constant flux as he labored to breathe around all of the congestion. As soon as his O2 was up and consistent, he began eating more, keeping everything down, and his lovely soiled and wet diapers returned. 

It's now been just over 24 hours since being admitted and Hudson is really doing great. Gone is his throwing up, he is fully hydrated, and his cough and congestion are at a minimum. We are hoping and praying when we talk with the Dr this morning, he will discharge us today. Beyond the oxygen support and watching his O2 levels, there really is nothing else that warrants his being here. Landon and I are doing absolutely everything for both him and Colton (he was not admitted, but he's here with us)- the staff here just checks in now and again to run vitals and see if we need anything. At most, we would just need to take oxygen home with us. And that is something we know we can handle. 

We found it odd- they only have a patient bed for Hudson (no crib) and encouraged us to sleep in the bed next to him. 

They gave us a bassinet for Colton to sleep in- he barely fits.

Six Weeks, Three Days

Saturday, January 10

Merry Christmas, Happy One Month Birthday, Happy New Year, and Happy Due Date. In the past few weeks since I've last updated, lots has happened and we have had many causes for celebration. Beyond just the holidays, the boys have hit some big milestones.

Colton- 1 month old! 

Flashback 

Hudson - 1 month old! 

Flashback

Having passed their due date (Jan 8), the boys are officially considered newborns now rather than premies. Both have grown considerably in the past couple weeks- at Hudson's last weigh in he was 8lbs 13oz and Colton is now over 7lbs. Hudson no longer fits in newborn clothes and has graduated to 0-3 month sizes. Both are doing great with feedings, taking almost 4oz of breast milk every time, and will occasionally sleep a full 4 hours at a time rather than being up every 3 hours or less. Yeah for sleep!

Last week Hudson had his first appointment with the pulmonologist in Reno. Based on his vitals and how well he had been doing since coming home, she ordered an in-home O2 test for this past Monday. So, for 12 hours Monday night, we took him off the oxygen and keep him monitored on a pulse oximeter. Thursday we got the results from the Dr: numbers were great (consistent 94% O2 levels) and he was cleared to be taken off all oxygen support! The medical supply company came yesterday to pick it all up. 

Goodbye O2 and Apnea Monitor. You will not be missed. :)

Landon and I have been able to work out a schedule so that the boys won't have to be in day care right now and we can still both work. He is opening morning at the coffee shop and there until noon. I am working from home in the mornings and then in the office from noon until about 5.  

Feeding time

Hudson

Hudson snuggling on Daddy

Colton

Colton 

Day 28

Day 28 - Tuesday

Over the past several days, we've been working on just settling in and trying to build some sort of system and schedule with the boys. When one is up and ready to eat, I get the other one up to eat as well. Most of the books and blogs I've read recommended that and it's definately helped. Instead of feedings at random times across the board, we're on a pretty regular time schedule, eating every 3 to 4 hours. And it's sure helping with things at night.  At first, it seemed every hour to hour and a half, someone was up and ready to eat. Now, they now typically are up to eat at 9pm, 12am, and 3/4am.

Today was the boys' first appointment with their pediatrician. Both boys are doing great and have definately grown. Colton is now 6lbs 9oz and 18.5in long and Hudson is 7lbs 10oz and 19.75 in long. A considerable difference from 4lbs 6oz, 17in long and 4lbs 15oz, 19in long respectively when they were born four weeks ago. And at today's appointment, both were circumcised. We were told Colton sailed through the procedure no problem while Hudson was a little more feisty. We will follow up with the pediatrician again in another month for their first round of vaccinations. 

Colton 

Hudson 

Day 24

Day 24 - Friday

Not sure if I should still be numbering the days or not, since it was mostly counting the boys' stay in the NICU. I guess perhaps the numbers should begin anew: 22 days in the NICU and now day 2 at home. 

Anyways, today held several first experiences for our boys and us. They had their first trip out of doors and to church (to see our outreach Christmas production); first time being held by one of their aunts, an uncle, a cousin, and a great grandma; and, for us, first time giving them a bath at home (the bath was my favorite part of the day, double teaming it with my husband). And on all counts, things went really well. 

Through everything, one big thing we have to be mindful of is not over stimulating them. Simple things like bouncing them too much or patting or rubbing their back for too long overloads their little systems. For the most part, we want to keep thing for them quiet and calm. Although they are almost a month old, they still are premature and their neurological systems aren't fully mature yet. But it's definitely hard sometimes- since they really are so stinking cute :) 

Day 23

Day 23 - Thursday

We survived our trial run with the boys last night at the hospital and today we get to finally take then home!! It was definitely a long night, the first of many I know, with Colton up almost every 2-3 hours ready to eat and Hudson every 3-4. That, combined with needing to pump every 3-3 hours, made for only a couple hours of sleep cumulatively. 

It's been a whole new set of challenges now that we're home. It definitely takes some skill to maneuver around with Hudson attached to his oxygen tank and apnea monitor. I already had a mishap with the oxygen tank and knocked the thing over- expelling almost the entire tank out into the air. That's was fun. And of course our dog Beckett wants to be a part of everything and lick everything. She is so helpful (note the sarcasm). And poor Landon is starting to come down with a cold. But thankfully, my mom is here to lend a hand. Maybe that will mean I get more sleep tonight than last night- even if it's only an hour or two. 

I'm not too sure how things are going to work from here. We're just going to have to take things day by day I guess. I am hoping we can get some sort of schedule established with the boys' eating and sleeping. And hopefully we can transition them from bottle feeding to breast feeding soon so I can eliminate some/most of the pumping. But again, that's something we're just going to have to take one day at a time. For now, I'm just glad to finally have then home! 

Day 22

Day 22 - Wednesday

It official! Tonight we are rooming in with both boys and as long as there aren't any issues and both show weight gain in the morning, we'll be taking them home tomorrow!! 

Hudson will go home still on oxygen support and so today I was given all of the equipment and learned how to operate it all. In addition to the O2, he is to be hooked up to a monitor that tracks his breathing and heart rate. Seems pretty easy and straight forward. We'll see how it goes tonight. 

Day 21

Day 21 - Tuesday

After three weeks in the NICU, our boys are finally about ready to come home! They are both eating phenomenally, gaining weight consistently, maintaining temps, and have had no apnea or bradycardia events of any kind. 

In preparation for going home, there were a lot of happenings today. Hudson was changed to ad lib feedings like his brother. Both are on plain breast milk feedings (no more calorie fortification) and have started a multivitamin to be given every day. They both have now had their hearing test- they passed with flying colors- and tomorrow they will receive their Hepatitis B vaccination shot. Also, in prep for the journey home, they chilled in their car seats for a little while this afternoon to ensure they won't have any issues ridding in the seats when we finally go home.

Colton 

Hudson 

As long as tonight goes well for both of them- essentially if they keep doing what they're doing- tomorrow we will 'room in' with them. That means Landon and I will spend the night at the hospital with them in our room and be solely in charge of all cares and feedings. That way, we can ensure them we can handle all of their needs. And if that all goes well, Thursday they will be home!!