Our boys at 5 days old

Kerry and I had two great visits with the boys today.  When we got in this morning for our first visit they had just taken Wes off of the CPAP and put him back on to high flow oxygen and were working on Max’s.  This means they are breathing better on their own and are only requiring oxygen and not breathing assistance.  They did have to move their feeding tubes from their mouths to their noses since they kept pulling them out – naughties.  Both Kerry and I had successful temp and diaper changings, no spraying pee for either of us.  Before we left the nurse said that they were going to pull the IV from their umbilical cords and place it in either their hands, feet, or head.  This kind of freaked us out, having an IV in their heads sounded so weird but the nurse assured us that is was normal since their veins are so small.  

Our second visit was fantastic since we got to do kangaroo care (skin-on-skin bonding).  They both fussed a little bit at first but once they figured out it was us they immediately calmed down.   They both had their new IV’s (the ones providing nourishment – basically sugar water, vitamins, and minerals) placed – Max’s was in the top of his head, and Wes’s was in his hand.  Wes had one in his head originally but his forehead swelled up a little so they moved it to his hand.  Another round of successful temp and diaper changes, I think we are getting the hang of this!  Max is still a little small weighing in today (they weigh them every night) at 2lbs, 9 oz, and Wes is turning into a little chub weighing in at 3lbs, .7oz.  They bumped up their feedings to 7cc each which is quite a bit but they still have a ways to go.  I think the nurse told us that they bump up their feedings by 1 cc every other feeding, but I may be wrong on that.  Once they reach 20cc’s per feeding they will remove the IV completely as they will be getting enough breastmilk (or formula) to no longer require the nourishment.  Also, once they hit 20cc’s, they get to wear clothes.  The nurse said we could bring in our own preemie onsies or let them use the hospital ones.  Either way neither of us can wait for that to happen.  At the current rate it may only be a week before that happens so WOO HOO!

And now on to what everyone really wants… pictures!

Wes and I during kangaroo care

Kerry and Max doing the same

 

Jeff