2 weeks old

We are 2 weeks old!

11 days old

We have had a couple of "firsts" ...
The babies got to wear clothes for the first time yesterday


Matthew got to wear a lime green onesie with lions on it.


Emily wearing her pink onesie with a monkey on it.



And a great surprise this morning of holding the babies at the same time. This was their first time back together since they were born. They squirmed for a little bit then slept together for over an hour! Matthew snored and they both sucked on their soothies.

Matthew is now eating 22 cal feedings at 17 ccs via the feeding tube and is on oxygen at 1 liter. All of his other tubes have been discontinued.

Emily is eating 24 cal feedings at 25 ccs. She has had all tubes removed except for her feeding tube, which was moved to her nose. She pulled it out earlier today, which was no fun for her or me. Since she cried when she pulled it out and cried to put it back in.

8 days old

Matthew was taken off of the CPAP today and is trying out the nasal cannula so hopefully it works well for him and we can continue to see his cute face since the CPAP blocks his little face. He will also be having his PICC line removed tonight and move to feedings only. Emily has had 22 cal fortifier added to her feedings to help her gain weight. Soon, Matthew will get the same. They are both still on bili lights until tomorrow morning's blood test. I spent the morning with them and held them both while they each had a feeding and both practiced sucking using a pacifier. They are getting better at it everyday. They still need help from Mom and Dad to hold it in their mouths.

I am able to stay with them for longer periods of time now that I am feeling better. It is still hard leaving them behind each time.

Happy Father's Day

We are celebrating David's first Father's Day with the twins a year earlier than we expected but loving every minute. They are very lucky because they have the best Daddy in the world.
He reads a story to each of them every night.


He snuggles and holds them. Here he is kangarooing Matthew


Elissa, the twins nurse last night made these very sweet cards. They were taped to their isolettes when we arrived this morning.

Matthew

Emily

Matthew is up to 12 cc for each of his feedings. He had a PICC line put in a couple of days ago so he could continue to receive his IV fluids without getting his umbilical line infected. The NP told us that it would be about 7 days but one of the neonatalogist informed us today that he would likely be coming off of the IV fluids/nutrition in the next 48 hours. Yay Matthew! He might me tiny but he is strong. He is still on the CPAP machine for now. Tonight he weighed 2 lb 1 oz.

Emily is up to 25 cc per feeding and is totally off of the IV. She had her IV line removed today. Big step for our big girl! She is also tolerating the nasal cannula and is getting 1L of oxygen. Tonight she weighed 3 lbs 1 oz.

They are also both back on the bili lights wearing tiny "sunglasses". The doctor told me today that we may go on and off of the lights several times.

We are now able to take their temperatures and change their diapers on our own. We hold them using a "Kangaroo" hold, which means that we hold them skin to skin on our chests. They are able to feel our body heat and this is a great way for them to bond with us and has been proven to aid in growth. We usually hold them while they are eating and 30 minutes after which gives is 1.5 hours. We are allowed to hold them once per day at this point. David and I take turns with each one but David lets me have the turn if for some reason one of them can not have a turn that day. David is in charge of reading to them every day and every night.

I thank God everyday for our tiny miracles. Please keep praying for us.

First week in pictures

Admitted into the hospital for preeclampsia. 2 days later we met Matthew and Emily


Matthew


Emily on her CPAP machine for some breathing help.


Matthew gets some snuggle time with Mommy


Emily loves to have her hands on her face.


Matthew holding Mommy's hand


Emily relaxing in her isolette


Matthew 6 days old. He is resting after his feeding.


Emily (6 days old) opening her eyes to see Mommy and Daddy

6 days old

We went to the hospital this morning and I held Matthew for an hour. He is up to 7cc on the feeding tube and had a PICC line put in this afternoon to move his IV to his arm from his belly button. He is still getting a little bit of breathing help from the CPAP machine.
Emily is up to 18cc for feedings and is off of the breathing machine and trying the nasal cannula again. Her IV was switched to her arm last night. I got to hold Emily for almost 2 hours tonight while she was fed. She napped and sucked on her paci.
They both had a standard ultrasound of their brains today and were all clear. It can be common for preemies to have brain bleeding.
I will post pictures from my computer tomorrow bc I can't figure out how to do that from my phone and I am a little tired.

Birthday

Matthew David and Emily Dean were born on June 10, 2011 a 1:54pm and 1:55p. Matthew weighed 2 lbs 14 in and Emily weighed 3 lbs 1 oz 16 in.