Day 5

Day 5 - Sunday

I tried to let Landon sleep in a little extra this morning and headed down early (5am) to see the boys. Both boys were having their blood drawn for today's lab work (numbers came back good on both). While I was there, I was able to change my first dirty diaper for Colton and also got to feed him via bottle nipple for my first time as well. He did so great! 

(Colton)

(Hudson)

Hudson is suckling a little bit, but still not ready to be fed outside of the feeding tube. 

When Landon and I visited them later in the morning, we were excited to hear they are increasing their food intake from 9ml to 12ml every three hours and the boys have been having consistent dirty diapers. 

I'll be discharged from the hospial today and from here, Landon and I will check in to the Roald McDonald House where we can stay for the duration of the boys' stay in the NICU should we wish. It's only a couple miles down the road and will give us the ability to see the boys as much as possible. 

Before leaving the hospital this afternoon, Landon and I held the boys skin to skin again. This time I got to hold both boys, Colton first and then Hudson, and try nursing with each of them. They won't be ready/able to take their feedings that way for a little while, but it's good practice for them and me. And surprisingly, Hudson did a little better than Colton. 

After skin to skin, Hudson got to put on his first outfit. It was a little big. Although weight wise, both boys are preemie, they are too tall to fit in preemie clothes. So, they're being dressed in newborn sizes. 

(Hudson)

(Colton) 

Tonight, we had a class at the hospital all about preemies and I am so glad we went. We learned so much about the approach to care for preemies, why certain things are done the way they are, the way they work to promote neurological development and ensure milestones are reached, and what we can do to really aid in the speed of their progress. What I couldn't believe was how much good holding the boys skin to skin on my chest (called kangaroo care) really does to promote development. Holding a preemie skin to skin for three consecutive hours does the same as 2 weeks in a incubator in the development of their brain functions. How amazing is that!?

Another mom who was at the class had had her little girl at 33 weeks 5 days (we were 33 weeks 6 days) and her baby is just about to go home after only two weeks in the NICU! It made us both so excited to hear that and gave us hope that our boys could be ready to go in such a short time as well! We just have to keep doing what we can and kangaroo hold them whenever possible! Me especially :) 

Day 4

Day 4 - Saturday

Today the boys showed improvement in their bilirubin numbers and were able to be taken off the lights. Also, we were excited to find Colton dressed in clothes and wrapped up like a burrito in a blanket. He's been doing so good, they are changing the way they regulate/gauge his temperature. Instead of having to monitor his skin temp directly, they can just watch the air temperature around him. Meaning, they can wrap him in clothes and blankets which keeps him calmer and more comfortable. 

Today, in holding the boys skin to skin (Colton with Landon and Hudson with Julie), we got to hold them for nearly 2 hours. Pure heaven! 

Also, exciting to report, the boys are eating every 3 hours, almost 2 teaspoons at a time. Colton takes most of his feedings from a bottle nipple but Hudson is still being fed through his feeding tube. But he is showing more ability in sucking, so hopefully we'll see him feeding via bottle nipple soon! 

Day 3

Friday Nov 28, Day 3, Hudson's breathing has improved enough for him to be taken off the bubble C-PAP and changed to a high flow nasal cannula for air support. 

(No more unicorn looking nose and we can finally see his dark hair!)

Also, the nurses are putting in pic lines on each boys' arm so the troublesome IVs can be removed. 

(Hudson getting prepped to have his pic line put in) 

Despite progress in some areas, the bilirubin levels for Hudson have not change at all from the previous day and Colton's has only decreased by .01. So, bigger 'grow lights' are being brought out and the boys are to spend almost the entire day under them.

Tonight, we held the boys skin to skin again. With Colton, Julie was able to attempt nursing him for the first time! He was still groggie from the morphine they used when putting in the pic lines, so it wasn't terribly successful. But, we're making progress!! 

Day 2

Day 2, we came into the NICU and found our boys sunbathing under what we like to call 'grow lights.'

Colton under the 'grow lights'

Hudson under the 'grow lights'

In the breakdown of red blood cells, an enzyme called bilirubin is produced that is then broken down by the liver. If not broken down fast enough, individuals can develop jaundice- evident by a yellowing of the skin. For newborns, it is common for jaundice to develop and for premies, even more so. So, to help with the breakdown of bilirubin, they are using these red/blue 'grow lights'.

Most of the day today, the boys "sun bathed" under the lights, but that night we got to hold them skin to skin again- this time Landon holding Colton and Julie with Hudson. There is nothing more amazing than being able to cuddle with our little guys!

Happy Thanksgiving from our growing family to yours!!

Day 1

November 26, 2014

Hours before day 1 officially started, we had an unexpected surprise when Julies water broke in the middle of the Smiths parking lot at 8:30 pm. Not fully sure that was what had happened, I still was sent in to get cereal and milk for the next day. However, when we got home, it was certainly apparent that is what had happened. So I grabbed the suitcase from the hallway closet and began packing what I thought we would use at the hospital. A note for future dads, there are lists online so you have a better idea of what is actually needed when pre-packing. Just remember, not all of the things mom needs are on the list, such as make-up, conditioner, face wash, etc, as learned from multiple trips back home to get these items.

Upon arriving at Carson Tahoe, we were sent upstairs to get checked into the OB department, where Julie was immediately admitted. No contractions yet but they confirmed her water definitely had broken. After about an hour of deliberation the hospital called for a hospital transfer to get Julie into Saint Mary's. Being not quite 34 weeks pregnant, the boys were premature and Carson Tahoe would not have to facilities to provide the care the boys would need.  

Shortly after midnight, and an ambulance ride later, we arrived at Saint Mary's. Despite the medications used to stall labor, Julie began having contractions in the ambulance and upon arrival she was dilated to 3 centimeters (aka: sontimeters, as pronounced by our child birthing class teacher and 15% of Americans). A quick hour and a half later, and after several medications doing nothing to stall labor contractions, Julie was dilated to 6 cm and her doctor decided to do the c section right away. Roughly 2:30 am, I was prepped for the surgery room, wearing studly paper scrubs, and Julie was prepped for a spinal tap.

At 2:59 am, a cry broke the silence of the surgery room and Baby A was born, followed shortly there after, at 3:00 am a second cry signaled Baby B's birth.

Upon birth, both Colton and Hudson were admitted to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). I was swept off with the boys as Julie was taken to the recovery room. Besides being preemies, both needed special attention in different ways. The largest concern was Hudson needed breathing support, for his lungs were not as developed as Colton's. Poor little Hudson was put onto a Bubble C-PAP, with a large head set to hold it onto his little nose, in order to stabilize his breathing.

Baby "A": Colton Graham Roser - 4 lbs 6 oz and 17 inches long

Baby "B": Hudson Brooks Roser - 4 lbs 15 oz and 19 inches long

After being up for over 24 hours, Julie and I finally got to bed early that morning. But the day was far from over. After only a couple hours of sleep, we spent as much time as possible with the boys in the NICU, we officially decided on names for each of them and the nurses started working with Julie on how to breast pump. And that night we were finally able to hold our boys skin to skin. Julie held Colton and I had Hudson.

Today was a definitely a long 24+ hours, but it has been an amazing day. Today I became a dad and my wife a mother.

A Long Road Here....

It's been almost five years to the day that Landon and I began our journey towards starting a family. In November of 2009, after two years of marriage, we decided we were ready for more. Little did we know however that our dream of starting a family would take us through so many years of trials, tribulations, heartaches, fertility treatments, surgeries, and more before finally coming true. Although we realize there will be more challenges to come, we are truly grateful to be standing at this point today.

Thank you to each of you who have stood by us, supported us, and prayed for us through the past five years and who are celebrating with us in the lives of our two little miracle boys. We would have never made it to this point without you.

As this next chapter of our lives unfolds, we wanted to start this blog to keep you, our family and friends, up to date on everything that is happening. We will do our best to keep you updated with notices, pictures, and the like as often as we can. So please check in often to see how we and our boys are doing.

Love,

Landon and Julie