One Week!

So today I was supposed to be having my c-section and meeting my babies for the first time. Instead, my sweet boys are a week old! I am so blessed really. As much pain as I am currently in, I’d much rather deal with that than be in the constant state of not knowing exactly what was going on with these little guys. We are able to know what these boys are up to, how they are really doing, treat them for anything they need to be treated for. There is so much more peace of mind now that they are here in the NICU.

My first time holding Mike!!!!! One of the BEST moments of my entire life. Makes me cry just remembering it!

Partial family picture with Mike

 On Saturday I was discharged from the hospital. Let me tell you, that was amazing! But even better than leaving the hospital that I’d lived at for almost a full 8 weeks, was that before I actually left I got to hold each of my new sons!!!!!!!!! We haven’t been able to hold them because they had umbilical lines in (lines/tubes that were inserted through the remaining umbilical cord stump; used for IVs and stuff). Really, there were just too many wires for us to be able to hold them. Later in the week they removed one of the two umbilical lines and on Saturday our NICU nurse carefully wrapped up each baby in blankets so that their wires were all in place and let me hold the sweet babies, basically for as long as I wanted. It was so wonderful!!!

When we are at the NICU the boys are on a schedule. Right now they are on 3 hour schedules, so every 3 hours they get vitals checked, diapers changed, and fed. This is the time that we get to really see the babies being alert. Sometimes they will wake up when we are in visiting, we can hold their little hands and be gentle while they lie in bed. But during these “care times” they usually wake up and are alert to what is going on. The lids of their beds are lifted to do the cares and we get to have a little more interaction—usually in the form of changing their diapers. I have never EVER been more grateful for diaper changes in my life. Their teeny little bodies are so awkward to move for their changes, especially with wires and tubes in their little beds, but getting the chances to TOUCH and really handle my babies is such a huge blessing. I just love these guys so very much!!

Will's body is the size of my hand

So for the updates…. Both boys have been taken off of their lights (the ones used for jaundice). They naturally had lost weight last week, but are back to gaining weight now. Mike was 3lb 5oz when he was born, lost a few ounces, but started gaining again yesterday and is now up to 3lb3oz. Will was 3lb 10oz at birth, also lost a few ounces, and started gaining weight yesterday bringing him up to 3lb 7oz. The first few days after delivery Mike was so active, always waving his little arms around; while Will was much more calm. Over the weekend they traded a little and according to the nurse who has been on the last 4 days with these guys, Will is the feisty one lately and Mike is more calm.

 

Zed holding Will

Both boys had their umbilical lines removed and now have PIC lines in. I had a PIC line the last 5 weeks in the hospital and I thought it was great compared to the alternative. The PIC line is a central line/tube fed into their arms where they can get their IVs. It’s more long term than IV ports and umbilical lines. Mike and Will got their first little sponge baths yesterday. And today they had ultrasounds of their heads. The head ultrasounds is just standard procedure that they do at 1 week and again at I think 4weeks. They use the ultrasound to look for bleeding in the brain area. Will’s looked clear, but Mike’s ultrasound showed a possible bleed. It was pretty small and possibly not a bleed, but the doctor wanted to have the radiologist take a look anyway, and we haven’t heard from him. The doctor and nurse (which we LOVE the nurse that we have had with the boys for the last few days) did explain that if it is a bleed on his brain that it is small enough that it is very likely to resolve on its own. We will wait to hear if it’s anything to be concerned about, but we aren’t worried yet. They will both have follow ups in a few weeks so we will learn more on that later.

These babies are such little troopers. They amaze me everyday. They are doing so very well! I absolutely love them—I know that seems like such a “duh” statement, but every mother can understand. I knew I would love these babies. I wanted them so much, needed them even. But having these sweet boys here it amazes me how much more love I have to share with them and still love Otis and Mr J so much. I love all my boys and it just feels great to have so much love spread out through them all, and it’s not any less for any of them. They are great.

Zed and Mike

On Sunday we Skyped with Mr. J and Otis while we were visiting Mike and Will. The big boys were pretty excited to see their little brothers. Otis is still pretty convinced that Ninja Turtle names are better than Mike and Will. After Zed showed off the twins a little I asked Otis what his brothers’ names were…you know, test his knowledge. He responded with “Raph and Leo”. I said “How about Mike and Will?” He just told me “No. Raph and Leo”. This kid, I tell you what. Zed thought he would trick Otis and asked “OK, which of the twins is Leo?” Otis told us “the first one”. HAHAHA. If it weren’t for the fact that when Zed first showed them each baby Otis joined Mr J in saying “Hi Will” and “Hi Mike” I’d worry that he really didn’t know that we’d named the babies something different than a Ninja Turtle name.  

Mike

I’m recovering from surgery pretty nicely now. Every day is a major workout. When I wake up in the night and mornings Zed literally has to help me up because I have absolutely no core/ab muscles to work with yet. Every night I can feel my muscles in my legs and arms and especially my abs start to tighten up….like they would the evening after a great morning workout. The following morning is always really slow going before I loosen up. There is a lot of pain and recovery because of having a c-section. Being sliced open is not to be taken lightly. But I have SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much more work to do from being on bed rest for so long.

 

Me getting to snuggle with Will

Today we spent tons of time holding the babies. They are a week old. I am so shocked by that fact. They are week old babies. Their feet are as long as my pinkie. Their lower legs are as long as my middle finger, and their bodies are about the size of my hand from base to finger tips. They are amazing blessings. I am so grateful for them. Their little spirits are shining through everyday. Heavenly Father knows that this experience is something that Zed and I needed. It’s hard to see these little guys just be so little, but we have learned so much, especially about depending and relying on God through this whole ordeal. It’s not over yet, we know this. But having such a smooth transition has been another great blessing for us. Miracles are real. We have a loving, caring and involved Heavenly Father who is truly invested in our lives and experiences. I am so blessed to simply have this knowledge. I am happy to have a faith, a belief in eternity and in deity.  

Will was wide awake after his diaper change. Love these sweet little faces!!!!!!