The twins graduated Sunday night to Intermediate care. Finn was still in an incubator and Oliver still had his nasal cannula (nose oxygen.) The NICU team had told us that Finn would likely take at least 2 weeks before discharge and Oliver would need at least 3 weeks. Again, these people have no idea what a 'Bonk' is.
Yesterday was their one week eviction from their humble hot-tub, and we got the word today that Finneus is slated to come home on FRIDAY and Oliver should come home SATURDAY.
Absolute Bonks.
They breast feed like champs, they refuse all IV's, tubes, and extraneous devices, they progress at ridiculous rates, but more importantly - they are coming home.
They both have had 'problems' with body temperature according to the intermediate nurses. It may have something to do with the frigid conditions of the nursery. I think that any room where adult biped mammals are wearing 3 layers of clothing is likely cool. I also think, it may be a little much to ask a 34 week old baby to generate the body heat required to maintain 98.6 in a meat locker. Anyway, when I visited tonight, they held their own when I held them.
They're coming home. Soon.
Oh my God. We have two babies coming home? Here? With a 2 year old, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and a daddy in med-school? Yep. We couldn't be happier.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Pictures
Not really clear enough this morning to write anything, so here are some pictures and videos. They're the best part anyway ;)
Click here to see MORE pictures!
Finn Snoozing
Look Everyone! No CPAP! Oliver graduated to a 'regular' oxygen tube yesterday.
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Glow Worm Finneus
Finn Snoozing
Look Everyone! No CPAP! Oliver graduated to a 'regular' oxygen tube yesterday.
Almost All of Us, 1st Time Mommy Holding Twins Simultaneously
Finn + Hiccups
Friday, May 15, 2009
Friday, the Day After the Day After Tomorrow.
It's been a whirlwind week with a blizzard of activity. The twins are still in the NICU, but they now have the same 'room' which is essentially a large cubby carved from a hallway. This is not only great for us, but they both have the same nurse on every shift.
Finneus is still on room air, doing pretty well with managing his temperatures (still getting help), and eating like a PIG. The day after birth, Melanie attempted to breastfeed while the lactation consultant looked on. She said not to expect anything because of his gestational age and size. It was quite clear she never met a Bonk before. Finn latched on and nursed like a champ. He's getting some supplemental formula feeds as Melanie's milk factory shifts into high production mode. He will likely get his IV discontinued today.
Oliver has still had trouble breathing on his own. Chest X-rays continue to show 'haziness', a technical Radiology term for fluid in his lungs. He's had two doses of surfactant, but has not been able to wean off the ventilator. He IS on minimal settings, and very close to 'normal' O2. The neonatologists may want to add a diuretic today (drug that make you pee like a racehorse at a frat-house kegger) and see if that helps pull fluid out of his lungs. He also got an umbilical artery line yesterday to cut down on the number of needle sticks he was getting. If it weren't for the fluid gumming up the lung works he be rockin' in the free world. He's still feisty, always pulling at his ET tube (breathing tube) and he yanked out his IV yesterday. He is tolerating his feeds well, which is mostly breast milk.
Both of the boys are using "Bili-Blankets" to help get rid of their excess bilirubin (the wonderful yellowing pigment that make one jaundiced.) They both look like peaceful little blue glow-worms.
Melanie will be discharged from the hospital today, not having slept at home in over a month. It will be a bittersweet day leaving the boys here, but it will also be wonderful to have Mommy back home with Emerson returning Saturday from the GrandBonks.
We will have a better idea of the NICU plan after rounds this morning, about half-past obscure-o'clock, or this afternoon, whichever comes first.
Finneus is still on room air, doing pretty well with managing his temperatures (still getting help), and eating like a PIG. The day after birth, Melanie attempted to breastfeed while the lactation consultant looked on. She said not to expect anything because of his gestational age and size. It was quite clear she never met a Bonk before. Finn latched on and nursed like a champ. He's getting some supplemental formula feeds as Melanie's milk factory shifts into high production mode. He will likely get his IV discontinued today.
Oliver has still had trouble breathing on his own. Chest X-rays continue to show 'haziness', a technical Radiology term for fluid in his lungs. He's had two doses of surfactant, but has not been able to wean off the ventilator. He IS on minimal settings, and very close to 'normal' O2. The neonatologists may want to add a diuretic today (drug that make you pee like a racehorse at a frat-house kegger) and see if that helps pull fluid out of his lungs. He also got an umbilical artery line yesterday to cut down on the number of needle sticks he was getting. If it weren't for the fluid gumming up the lung works he be rockin' in the free world. He's still feisty, always pulling at his ET tube (breathing tube) and he yanked out his IV yesterday. He is tolerating his feeds well, which is mostly breast milk.
Both of the boys are using "Bili-Blankets" to help get rid of their excess bilirubin (the wonderful yellowing pigment that make one jaundiced.) They both look like peaceful little blue glow-worms.
Melanie will be discharged from the hospital today, not having slept at home in over a month. It will be a bittersweet day leaving the boys here, but it will also be wonderful to have Mommy back home with Emerson returning Saturday from the GrandBonks.
We will have a better idea of the NICU plan after rounds this morning, about half-past obscure-o'clock, or this afternoon, whichever comes first.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Happy Birthday Bonk Boys!
Baby "B" was raising hell again this morning which brought a visit from the Cesarean Fairy. Happy birthday boys!
The surgery went very well, Dr. Smith and Dr. Hensel did an unbelievable job. Matt Grace held the bladder blade, our unsung urinary knight protector. Baby A came out first and promptly peed everywhere. EVERYWHERE. Dr. Smith had to really reach in for B because he was breech, but she got him out with no trouble.
Melanie is doing great! She's hoping the spinal block doesn't wear off too fast. She will begin pumping breast milk tonight so it will be ready when they start eating. It may be a day or two before the neonatologists think it's okay for them to begin eating.
Baby B, being the smaller and more "stressed" twin (due to the twin-twin transfusion syndrome) has more mature lungs and has being breathing room air on his own since birth. He's a rock star. His nurse told us he is feisty. Duh. He's a Bonk boy.
Baby A has had some trouble breathing, but has been doing well on CPAP. He has gotten antibiotics, just in case, and his NICU care team is taking good care of him.
I suppose names are in order. Romulus and Remus after the twin founders of Rome. Hehe. Not really.
Baby A = Oliver Thomas Bonk
Baby B = Finneus William Bonk
Love - The Bonks
The surgery went very well, Dr. Smith and Dr. Hensel did an unbelievable job. Matt Grace held the bladder blade, our unsung urinary knight protector. Baby A came out first and promptly peed everywhere. EVERYWHERE. Dr. Smith had to really reach in for B because he was breech, but she got him out with no trouble.
Melanie is doing great! She's hoping the spinal block doesn't wear off too fast. She will begin pumping breast milk tonight so it will be ready when they start eating. It may be a day or two before the neonatologists think it's okay for them to begin eating.
Baby B, being the smaller and more "stressed" twin (due to the twin-twin transfusion syndrome) has more mature lungs and has being breathing room air on his own since birth. He's a rock star. His nurse told us he is feisty. Duh. He's a Bonk boy.
Baby A has had some trouble breathing, but has been doing well on CPAP. He has gotten antibiotics, just in case, and his NICU care team is taking good care of him.
I suppose names are in order. Romulus and Remus after the twin founders of Rome. Hehe. Not really.
Introducing
Baby A = Oliver Thomas Bonk
Baby B = Finneus William Bonk
Love - The Bonks
Friday, May 8, 2009
One week!!!
T minus 7 days!! We are scheduled for a c-section next Friday, May 15th. We had a growth scan last Friday, both babies gained good weight: Baby A 4lb 6oz & Baby B 3lb 11oz. Hopefully by next week they will have packed on at least another pound each. I am so sick of being here but I know it best for the babies and me. I can't believe I haven't been home in more then 3 weeks!! Emerson is doing good, he is back living the high life at grandpa's for a few days so I know he is a happy camper. John-Adam is busy studying for step 2 of the medical boards which he takes next Thursday. He will be having a big week or what!!!
We will keep you posted!
Love,
J.E.M.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Bonk Twin Shower -- So Much Fun!!
The Daws' & Grace's hosted a fabulous in hospital shower for us yesterday. It was so nice to see all those smiling faces but also extremely nice to get out of my room for a couple hours ;) Thank you so much everyone!! (pictures below)
The baby boys are remaining stable! I am going stir crazy but I know it is best for them. Having more contractions lately but I think that is pretty normal for twins. Maybe we will go natural after all (by natural I still mean epidural of course).
The last week was also great because Sarah Galley was here to help with Emerson. He LOVED spending time with his cousin. Sarah - thank you so much, I can't put it into words how much you helped. And it was great because it also gave JA and I some quality time together.
Yummy!
Thanks -- we will keep you posted!
J.E.M.
The baby boys are remaining stable! I am going stir crazy but I know it is best for them. Having more contractions lately but I think that is pretty normal for twins. Maybe we will go natural after all (by natural I still mean epidural of course).
The last week was also great because Sarah Galley was here to help with Emerson. He LOVED spending time with his cousin. Sarah - thank you so much, I can't put it into words how much you helped. And it was great because it also gave JA and I some quality time together.
Emerson eating a war head - yes we torture our child! :D
Two Peas in a Pod Shower!
Yummy!
Craft time -- so many great onesies!
Purple shirt club!
Thanks -- we will keep you posted!
J.E.M.
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