1 Month Old

Originally posted 9.26.07

The boys had their one month check up today - has it really been a month already?! The boys are certainly growing well. Jackson and Chase both weigh 5 pounds 14 ounces now and Tyler comes in at 5 pounds 4 ounces. I suspect the fast growth is only going to continue as the boys seem to be entering a growth spurt and can't seem to get enough to eat!

Nick and I are continually amazed that these little boys are ours! We feel so blessed, despite the extreme lack of sleep we're both experiencing right now. We're starting to see their little personalities come through - Jackson is very laid back while Tyler and Chase love to be held (especially by Daddy) and are a little high maintenance. All three are extremely expressive with their face and it cracks us up on a daily basis.

We would love to bring them out to show them off but it looks like that will have to wait until spring (the end of RSV season). That's probably best though considering our vehicle arrangement is not the most comfortable or the safest for Nick and myself (its perfectly safe for the boys though), so it turns out that it's a blessing that the only time the boys leave the house is for their doctor appointments.

It is almost feeding time at the zoo, so I better close now. Keep checking back for new videos and pictures - we'll do our best to update those on a regular basis, after all we do have a ton of free time :)

Tyler and Chase
Jackson, Tyler & Chase

The Boys Are Home!

Originally posted 9.16.07

All three boys are home!

On Tuesday Jackson came home, followed by Chase on Wednesday and Tyler yesterday (Saturday). Originally it was thought that Chase would be the last one home, but he suddenly picked up on his feedings while Tyler had a bradicardia (aka brady) episode. A brady is when a baby stops breathing long enough for his heart rate to drop. All babies have these, but pull themselves out of it. Some preemies have a hard time with that and so occasionally they need to be reminded, generally just with a light pat or shake. The doctors wanted the boys to go 5 days straight without needing to be "reminded" and considering Tyler needed that last Sunday his 5 days started over.

The boys are doing very well and spend 80% of their time eating or sleeping. Nick and I are spending most of our time feeding them and NOT sleeping. Jackson and Chase have already been for their first pediatrician appointment. Chase now weighs over 5 pounds and Jackson is really close!

Jackson and Chase on their first night home together.

Jackson on his first night home

Almost Ready to Come Home!

Originally post 9.8.07

We got some great news yesterday morning - the boys are almost ready to come home! Jackson and Tyler will be ready to come home Monday or Tuesday and if Chase picks up the pace on his feeding this weekend then he'll be ready to come home with them, otherwise he may need an extra day or two. So obviously the boys are doing quite well! Yesterday afternoon all three were moved into cribs, they're trying to take all their feedings either by me nursing them or from a bottle and if they're successful with that then their feeding tubes could be removed this weekend. Its all just happening so fast!

For those of you that have called or e-mailed, thank you for that! I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond or call you back though - I've been putting in 13 hour days at the hospital and I'm not allowed to have my phone on while in the NICU. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up with all of you over the coming weeks.

Chase

Jackson

Nick and Ty

Nick changing Tyler's diaper

First time together - Tyler, Jackson & Chase

NICU Life

Originally posted 9/2/07

Nick and I are so in love with these boys! We just can't get enough of them. It's amazing how content we are to just sit and look at them in their isolettes. We're definitely looking forward to the day they can come home with us and hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later.

All three boys are still progressing extremely well. They've all had their IVs removed, are taking food well and are starting to learn how to breastfeed (Tyler seems to be grasping it the quickest). All three boys spent several days under going photo-therapy for their jaundice but those lights were all removed yesterday as the jaundice has cleared up. It's so nice to see their regular color (not the blue tinge we'd been seeing from the lights) and to see their eyes again as while under the lights they had to wear goggle type things to protect their eyes.

Top to bottom is Jackson, Tyler & Chase. Look how huge that preemie diaper is on Ty!

Right now the boys are working on regulating their body temperatures. Basically the nurse turns down their isolette air temperature bit by bit (it's currently 86 degrees in there) and monitor the baby's body temperature to see if they are handling the temp changes. Once they can regulate their temperature they'll be moved into a regular crib, which will be wonderful!