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