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!! 

Day 20

Day 20 - Monday

Great news!! Colton finished 100% of his feeds via bottle for more than 24 hours! As such, today his feeding tube was removed and his feedings are now 'ad lib' feedings. So every three hours, he gets to dictate how much he eats. If he wants more one feeding and less another, it is ok. They won't mandate a specific amount each feeding as log as he eats a certain amount overall each day. And today, he's been eating more than his 51ml- almost an extra 10ml each time.

Another change today, they are decreasing the fortification in Colton's milk. In another day or two, he'll be on breast milk only- no additives at all! And all of this means we are only a stone's throw away from him coming home! 

Colton- no feeding tube! 

This past day, Hudson took roughly 90% of his total feeds. The nurse practitioner said he is about a day or two behind Colton. However, after his afternoon feed, he was clearly still hungry and although he isn't ad lib yet, the nurse let him have another 10ml and he downed the entire extra amount. Also, he decided today would be a good day to pull out his own feeding tube. And since he has been doing so good, they are going to leave it out. Hopefully he continues to take his full feeds and the tube doesn't have to be out back in. 

Hudson - no feeding tube! 

As long as things continue on the same pace, we could have both boys home by this weekend/this next week! 

Day 19

Day 19 - Sunday

Today the boys have been doing phenomenal with their feedings. Colton is up to 51ml and Hudson to 58ml and both took four of their feeds today in their entirety! I'm so proud of them. Their nurse today seemed to think it might be only a matter of days before they will be ready to come home. I sure hope so! 

So typically when changing a little boy's diaper, they tell you to watch out because when exposed to the air, they have a tendency to pee. Our two boys however, have the tendency to soil their diapers instead. Almost every time we change their diapers, out it comes. It's rather comical actually as they aren't very shy or quiet about it. You can hear them clear across the room! For the most part, the don't make much of a fuss or cry very much, but their little toots sure make up for that! 

Colton 

Hudson 

Day 18

Day 18 - Saturday

There were no significant changes, good or bad, for either of our boys today. Colton's feed amounts didn't change, he still is at 48ml, but Hudson's was increased to 56ml. But even with the higher amount, Hudson did a little better at his bottle feedings through the day than Colton. They are both taking about 80% of their feeds through the day- which is really good- we just need them to reach 100%. 

Colton 

Hudson

Day 17

Day 17 - Friday

I had a good conversation with the boys' nurse today. We talked about their progress thus far, the individual challenges they both face, and what needs to be seen now before both boys are ready to come home. At this point, the only thing really keeping the boys in the NICU is their inability to finish 100% of their feeds. Once they hit that mark, and eat everything via bottle for 24-48 hours, they'll be considered ready to come home. Even if Hudson still needed the small oxygen support, they would send him home with it if he were eating consistently. 

I talked with her about my frustration with breast feeding- how even if they successfully feed that way, they still have to then finish their entire bottle. She understood my feelings and suggested I try breast feeding after the boys eat if they are still awake. Then we could still practice things, but without tiring them our before their feeds. It's a great suggestion. So tomorrow, that's the plan. 

Colton is now up to 48ml and Husdson to 53ml every feeding (60ml would be two ounces). They are continuing to make progress in taking more and more via bottle, but they're not there yet. I keep praying they'll be there soon! But in the meantime, I'm doing everything I can to spend as much time with them as possible and also hold them both skin to skin whenever I have a couple hours to do so. Like today- I held both of them for almost 2 hours. It was perfect! 

Colton 

Hudson 

Day 16

Day 16 - Thursday 

Today was just another typical day at the NICU. Boys are doing better at their feeds than they were yesterday which is good. Landon fed Colton his 2pm bottle while I fed Hudson his and both finished their amounts entirely. There was no change in Colton's amounts, but Hudson has been increased to 50ml. And at today's weigh in, Colton weighed 5lbs 5oz and Hudson was 6lbs even. 

Daddy with his boys

Hudson 

Colton 

Day 15

Day 15 - Wednesday

Today brought with it some good and some not so news for both boys. 

Good news, both have been weaned off their IV fluids and their pic lines have finally been removed. As such, they no longer need any of the special features on the big incubator Giraff beds they have been in up to this point and so have moved into new beds (pictured below), Also, feed amounts are up once again; 45ml for Colton and 47ml for Hudson. 

Not so good news, neither Colton nor Hudson have been able to finish any of their bottles today. Yesterday, they were finishing a good deal of them and those they weren't, they were completing at least 80%. Today, it was tough for them to finish even half the amount of most of their feeds. 

Colton after his feeding

And more really not so great news, Hudson is back on oxygen support. Since early this morning, his oxygen levels were consistently dipping after every feed. The nurse said it seems the extra work it takes in eating more is really tiring him out, and his breathing is getting more shallow as a result. Thus, the decision to add oxygen support. 

Hudson after eating

I'm praying the nasal cannula doesn't stay for very long and that tomorrow is a better day with regards to their taking their feeds via bottle. 

Day 14

Day 14 - Tuesday 

Both boys have been increased on their feeds agin today, 42ml for Colton and 44ml for Hudson, and both are gaining weight. But other than that, there aren't any other real remarkable changes or improvements to note- again. I know they have come so far already, but I'm getting antsy for when they'll finally be ready to come home and it kind of feels like we're just treading water. But the nurse practitioner is optimistic they will both be off the IV fluids sometime tomorrow and their pic lines would then be removed. Here's hoping!! 

Hudson 

Colton 

Despite being on a three hour feeding schedule, Colton wakes up almost an hour early every time completely ready to eat. Since it wasn't time for his bottle yet, I was able try breast feeding him again today, stalling till he could be fed his regular amount. It kind of seems silly to me; no matter how long I breast feed, they still must take their entire bottle afterwards for it to be a successful feeding. And even though Colton is hungry earlier than every three hours, they still have to stick to the three hour rotation. Seems to me if he wakes up and is showing hunger cues, he should be able to eat right away. And if they are able to breast feed, wouldn't it make sense they should be ok not finishing their bottle afterwards but still count it a successful feeding? I guess that's the trouble with having to keep everything so systematic and well documented. 

Day 13

Day 13 - Monday

Not much new to report today. Boys are still continuing to gain weight and they have increased their feed amounts again, 39ml for Colton and 40ml for Hudson. 

I sat and held Hudson today and Landon had Colton. I wasn't able to try breast feeding with Hudson, but we did get to give them their bottles. Typically, Colton is the chow hound and finishes his bottle long before Hudson will finish his. But today, Hudson picked up the pace and finished his bottle way before Colton. I think he's trying to give his brother a run for his money! 

Hudson

From here, they are going to continue to wean the boys off their IV fluids. I'm hoping by the end of the week they'll both be off them and their pic lines can finally be removed. And from there, they will both just need to keep eating and gaining more and more every day. Then hopefully they'll be home soon! 

To close out our day, Landon and I took the hospital's infant CPR class this evening. They offer it free of charge to NICU parents. I hope we never have to use the skills we learned in the class, but should there ever be an emergency, we now know what to do. 

Colton 

Day 12

Day 12 - Sunday 

Looking back at the pictures from when the boys were first born, it's amazing just how far they have come in less than two weeks. At today's weigh in, Colton came in at 5lbs and Hudson 5lbs 11oz. Feed amounts on both boys have been increased to 36ml every 3 hours and both are doing great at taking their milk via bottle. There still is the occasional feeding or partial feeding via feeding tube (for when they are too tired to eat or finish the entire amount), but it's getting to be less and less. 

I was able to breast feed Colton today and he did great! I'm so proud of him. And then after, I held him skin to skin while Landon fed Hudson his bottle and held him skin to skin. Tomorrow I should get to work with Hudson on breast feeding. 

Hudson 

Colton 

Day 11

Day 11 - Saturday

We decided to check out of the Ronald McDonald House today and finally go back home. Beyond having abandoned our puppy for the last week and a half (thank you Randy and Shawnna for taking care of her), it's been extremely rough on Landon having to commute back and forth. We decided if someone's going to have to commute, it would be easier for me to do so (my schedule can be more flexible) and then we can maintain some sort of normalcy. 

We got results from the cardiologist today on Hudson's ecco. His heart looks great, no issues with it itself at all. The issue is what the nurse practitioner had suspected- his valve/vessel isn't fully closed and is leaking (called patent ductus arterioles, PDA). 

Typically, the left side of the heart pumps blood to the body and the right side to the lungs. With PDA, extra blood is pumped into the lungs from the artery coming from the left side of the heart. The extra blood makes the heart and lungs then have to work harder. 

The dr said PDA is something that could clear up on its own. But if it doesn't, it's then something they would then address when he gets a little older- at about 6 months old. To fix it, they would thread a catheter up a blood vessel in his leg to the site and plug the leak. And from what the dr said, it would be an outpatient procedure. But I hope we don't have to do that- I'm still praying it resolves on it's own. For now, they will keep monitoring the murmur and do another ecco in a week or so.

I spent the majority of the morning and afternoon with the boys today. Colton is up on his feed amount, 32ml like his brother, and they added the calorie fortification to Hudson's now as well. Both boys are taking the majority of their feeds via bottle and both gained weight from yesterday's weigh in. 

Colton after eating 

Hudson after eating

The best part of today- I got to hold both boys together skin to skin. We sat for almost 2 hours and I read a book aloud to them. 

Day 10

Day 10- Friday

Since day one in the NICU, both boys have been on a mix of IV fluids to support their calorie intake. Yesterday (Thursday), Colton was taken off the lipid component of his fluids (essential fatty acids). Possibly related to the change, he lost weight between Thursday and Friday. So, Colton is now getting his 28ml fortified with extra calories.

Today, Hudson was taken off his lipids, so we will see tomorrow what effect it has on his weight or not and see if his milk will need to be fortified as well. Today hisever, they did increase his feeds alone to 32ml. 

Hudson still has a heart murmur. Another baby in the NICU was scheduled for an ecco today, so they decided to go ahead and do one on Hudson since the machine would be there anyways. However, we won't know the results until the cardiologist is able to review his scan and discuss it with our Dr. So hopefully tomorrow we'll hear something. 

The best part of today- I got to hold both boys skin to skin at the same time for the first time. It was so amazing! 

Hudson on the left, Colton on the right

Having them next to each other, you can really tell just how much bigger Hudson is than Colton. And Hudson has much more olive toned skin (like Landon) while Colton is extremely fair skinned (like me). 

Day 9

 Day 9 - Thursday

Today Landon and I got to spend a good chunk of our afternoon with the boys. We brought some children's books from the library they have here at the Ronald McDonald House and read to them while I held Hudson skin to skin and Landon held Colton. 

Colton taking a bottle 

Hudson's heart murmur was still there today. The will keep monitoring it between now and Monday and if it's still there by Monday, they'll order an ecco to determine the exact cause. I'm still praying it goes away quickly and on its own before that point.

Both boys are up again on their feeds- 28ml every 3 hrs (almost 1oz)- and Colton still is taking the majority of his via bottle while Hudson the occasional partial one. However, after holding Hudson skin to skin for a couple hours today, his next feed he took his entire amount via bottle. First time he finished a whole feeding via bottle. Way to go! Makes me even more gung-ho to hold them skin to skin again tomorrow.

This afternoon, both boys were moved into a new room in the NICU known as the Green Room (so named because of the color of the walls). The babies in the Green Room do not require nearly as much individualized care and attention as those in the room the boys started out in. And here, the nurses are much more lax and let us take more of a lead role in caring for the boys which is great. After the Green Room, the next move for the boys will be coming home. 

In the Green Room 

Colton 

 

Hudson 

Day 8

Day 8 - Wednesday Dec 3

It's hard to believe it was a week ago that the boys were born. It kind of feels like we've been living just one really long day. 

Colton and Hudson are continuing to make progress. At today's weigh in, Colton was 4lbs 9oz and Hudson was 5lbs 5oz. Both went up on their feeds again, up to 24ml every 3 hours. Also, today they opened up the tops of the boy's beds and let them stay in the open air to see how well they would do at regulating their own temperatures- and they both stayed warm on their own. 

Colton's open bed 

Hudson's open bed

Colton took almost all of his feedings via bottle today and Hudson is just starting to take some feedings via bottle. Hudson's biggest challenge in feeding with a bottle is that he gets tired about a quarter of the way through and the remainder of his milk has to be given through his feeding tube. 

Hudson

Colton 

But even with all the progress, there still are some hurdles to overcome. And today we learned of a new one we might be facing with Hudson. When in the uterus, a baby's heart has an extra open valve that causes the blood to bypass the lungs. When they are then born and take their first gulp of oxygen and cry, that valve snaps closed and starts routing blood to the lungs. But, for preemies, sometimes that valve doesn't close all the way and you get a heart murmur. And this morning, the nurse practitioner told us they heard a murmur when checking Hudson's heart. There hasn't been one before, so they will keep checking to see if it's there again tomorrow. If it persists, they will end up ordering an Ecco on his heart to verify if that indeed is what it is. And if so, it should be something that goes away with time and would be another thing that could delay his coming home. So pray it resolves itself and and there is no heart murmur tomorrow.