26

At 26 weeks my babies chances of survival increased from 50% to 60%. We are getting to where these boys are going to grow faster and bigger. It relieves me a bit. They are still working hard on a few majorly important skills. During each ultrasound we look for "practiced breathing". We get to watch the boys practice using their lungs and diaphragm. They don't do it constantly but we have seen each baby practice occasionally. Hiccups count here too because they are using those same muscles and motions. The more practice they have breathing now, and the more developed their lungs are (hello, steroids) the less time-or even the less likely- they will spend on breathing machines in the NICU!

On that topic: yesterday was NICU tour day. It answered a lot of questions and made me want to just cry too! All the monitors, all the information was just a lot to take in. Plus the logistics of how much time I'll actually be able to hold them. It's not as much as I'd like. I'm used to having fat, healthy babies. My perspective of a newborn experience includes lots of holding and cuddling and contact. Having these babies at 32 weeks will be so different. They'll be hooked up to several monitors at the least. Minimum of 3 wires/cords. We only have physical interaction "x" number of times a day to prevent over stimulating them. I'll be trying to pump for the first time too, so that should be interesting. On the other hand, I'll be able to rest and heal easier after delivery and 5 months of bed rest a lot easier when I'm not the only one able to truly take care of my new babies.

It'll just be such an interesting experience. Mr. J and Otis won't be able to meet their brothers until they are several weeks old, likely over a month old and released from the hospital. That breaks my heart immensely.

Yesterday was ultrasound day. The babies are about 1lb 15oz and 1 lb 9 oz right now according to their measurements. The doctor said that a weight discrepancy of that amount is not a conncern. They are sharing a placenta and one is likely to be smaller than the other. We are at the point that size and weight don't matter as much as gestational age does. The NICU  nurse also said that most of the time the smaller baby is at the advantage because they are used to fighting for everything and they just keep fighting after birth, while the bigger baby that had it easier has a harder time adjusting.

Weight isn't our focus though. We want the babies to be able to breathe and eat and regulate their bodu temperatures. Those are the biggest keys to going home.

My mom brought me this the other day... Story of my life!

The boys aren't positioned week enough to monitor all the time yet, but we still try fairly often. This is the result. Super tight monitors, held at the best angles with washcloths and more straps.

26 Weeks! Feeling a little huge these days.