Welcome to Our Blog! Our Story Starts Below...

Welcome to our blog! We set this up as an information hub about the progress of our little twin boys who were born on January 5, 2010. We along with our little boys first thank you so much for your love and support, and hope that this blog will give you an opportunity to follow their progress as they grow in the NICU at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton.

Our little boys had a harrowing journey to get here. They were born at 25 weeks and 6 days, which is needless to say, very early. Jared William, was born at 10:49 a.m. feet first, and on the bathroom floor of the delivery room. Anthony Michael was born at 11:30 via C-section after he decided that he wanted to come out hands first.

Our story started on Monday, January 4 after a doctor's appointment with Dr. Gray. Danielle had been feeling generally, "crappy" the day before and reported what sounded like some contractions. The doctor decided to send us across the street to the hospital just to make sure everything was okay. After a couple of hours in labor and delivery the staff confirmed a few contractions, but very far apart. Her cervix was not dilated and the babies were fine.

The doctor sent us home and told us to keep track of the contractions, and so long as they weren't less than 7 minutes apart there was no need for concern. The next morning Danielle started feeling contractions again, but this time they were about five minutes apart. She called the doctor who said to wait another hour and see if they went away.

I was just getting ready to walk out the door to work when Danielle had a contraction that just about doubled her over. Deciding something wasn't right, I called the doctor and said we were coming to the hospital.

On our way to the hospital Danielle was having severe pains in her lower back every three minutes. When we arrived at the hospital Danielle was hooked up to the machines which registered no contractions at all. The doctors and nurses did not think her pains were contractions but constipation. After several attempts to alleviate that Danielle went into the bathroom still having severe lower back pain.

After a minute, I heard a scream, and Danielle was screaming that her babies were coming out. The nurses came rushing, as did the doctor, but Jared was too impatient to wait. He was born on the bathroom floor. After Danielle was moved to the bed, Anthony wasn't so cooperative and an emergency C-section was performed.

The NICU unit was quick to respond and help the teenie little babies breathe and fight for life. Jared was 2lbs. 1oz. and was 13 and 1/2 inches long. Anthony was 1lb. 15oz. and was 13 inches long.

The whole thing was totally unexpected, and frankly more traumatic than happy. But we are blessed with two gorgeous little miracle babies!

Our boys came home to us on March 26, 2010, after spending 81 days or about 12 weeks in the NICU at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton. As you may note from our previous posts below, the journey was not without its bumps in the road.

There were highs, and there were lows. We and the boys braved two laser eye surgeries, and countless other obstacles and scares. But, we never lost confidence in the medical team in the NICU, and always kept our faith that God would lead us through this time.

Our steadfastness paid off, because now the boys are happy and healthy at home! This of course brings with it a totally new set of challenges that we are exicted and eager to experience. The task of caring for twin newborns is a daunting one, but a welcome one.

So, just because the boys are now home, don't think the blogging will stop. It may not be as consistent as before, but we will do our best to keep you all updated on their progress, and give you a window into our lives raising twin boys.

Enjoy!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Everyone Poops - this time on Daddy!

Jared looking for Momma's voice
Daddy holding Jared and giving him his pacifier
Anthony snuggled up with Momma



Anthony sucking his thumb

Yes, that is right - Jason was the first one to get peed on and now...pooped on! Anthony pooped while Jason was changing his diaper last night, all over his hand. Jason didn't even notice, until I pointed it out. I guess the boys don't like to keep all of the fun for the nurses! :)

Still good days for the boys recently - mostly they have to worry about growing now. There is still a chance for issues to arise, but the main concern is an overall trend of weight gain.

Last night, Jared and Anthony had the NICU to themselves (I am not sure how much extra they charge for a private suite) but then today when I walked in, there was 3 new babies. Not sure their stories, but I think the boys like having friends around.

Both boys are still off of all breathing machines and doing well breathing on their own. They are both able to wear clothes now, so I was very happy to do laundry and bring in outfits for them both. Since they are off of the breathing machines, they are a little more mobile, which means we get to hold them a little more often now. I was able to hold both at the same time. I was hoping this way I could compare them to see how similar they look, but no luck. I really needed to hold them right next to each other and because of their monitors and cords, they couldn't reach. Since Jared has been gaining weight, he is starting to look more like Anthony but we still cannot tell who they look like...Momma or Daddy.
Last night was my first experience with Koala Care (skin to skin contact). Usually right after a baby is born, they are placed on the mom's chest. This contact promotes bonding as the baby lies right on the mom's heart. This type of contact has also been linked to encouraging milk production. At any rate, I was able to hold Anthony this way. It was so amazing. He felt so tiny, but yet fit so perfectly on me as if he was meant to be there the whole time...I didn't want to let him go. His nurse fed him while I was holding him, which led to a warm surprise (spit up) down my tummy...yum! I am hoping to hold Jared this way very soon - it all depends who his nurses are.

Jared has been having spells that seem to be correlating with his feedings rather than respiratory issues. The doctors and nurses have made a few adjustments to his feedings over the last few days that may be causing these spells and some adjustments that may alleviate them. He is now on a multi-vitamin and a breast milk fortifier just like Anthony and today they increased his feedings to 19cc every 3 hours. They also switched Jared to pump to administer his food over a 45 minute time period. He is responding well and is up to 2 lbs. 7 oz. now. They did a lab work up on him and all is well with the exception of a low sodium level, which they are fixing with a sodium supplement. Other than that, all is coming back normal on his testing and he is doing well. He does have his occasional spell, but he always responds to stimulation.

Anthony is still eating well and all of his nurses (and Daddy) report that he is pooping well also. He is holding at 21cc each feeding and still weighs 2 lbs. 8 oz. On his last lab work up, all levels were within normal range with the exception of a low hematocrit. The doctor did not order a blood transfusion yet, he wants to give Anthony a chance to make the red blood cells on his own first and will retest in a few days.

Both boys had a repeat head ultrasound on Friday as part of a routine one month old check up. We haven't had a detailed explanation from any of the doctors yet, but the overall result is that neither of their bleeds have gotten any worse. Praise God for this! We are praying that there will be no long term damage from the bleeds that they have, Grade 1 bleeds usually don't.

On Friday, both boys celebrated their one month birthday! It was a very exciting day. I explained to each of them that their first month has not been so great, but I promised they all wouldn't be like this and they will have some great months ahead. I explain to them quite often how many people are loving them from a distance and praying for them to grow big and strong.

I have started reading a bedtime story to them every night when we visit. I thought this would be a good tradition and that they will be able to recognize my voice the more I talk to them. I received books from the Krukows as part of my shower gift and a few years back, my Grandma Carol bought me two Golden Books, one of which she used to read to me as a child. I have chosen a different book every night since I have started...not sure which one is their favorite!

They are a lot more active and alert these days. When they are awake they have their eyes wide open looking around and following your voice. They have started to fuss and cry more frequently, often around feeding time. They are already like their Daddy...getting cranky when he's hungry...or maybe that is just a male thing!

They are scheduled for their first eye exam on Tuesday. There will most likely not be any type of "result" the eye doctor will want to see them in another two weeks for a follow up.

Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers for our family during this time. A few more good days behind us, hopefully good days ahead. We appreciate your continued support and love.

Fight On! Little Fighters!! - Love Momma

2 comments:

  1. Danielle and Jason - I was so excited to go to the blog this morning and see the new update! I want you to know I am praying for you and the boys everyday. Whitney's first class of the day is religion and the class has also been praying for the babies. I am so happy to hear they continue to do so well. You are awesome parents. In our prayers, Elizabeth and Whitney

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  2. I'm so glad both babies are doing so well!
    I know your babies will be fine and very soon they will be home.
    Edila

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