Monday, December 19, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
9 Months Old (6 months Adjusted)
9 Months already? Where did the time go? It is definitely flying by.
Last week Jackson & Addison had their first Synagis shot to help combat RSV.
This week was the 9 month well baby visit. Only the Hep B shot! Jackson weighed 18 pounds 2 oz and was 27 inches long! Addison is now 17 pounds 4 oz and was 27 1/4 inches long!
Both are sitting for longer periods of time. They are even trying to sit up straighter each time. They are still getting used to solids. We have increased the amount they get and are working up to three times a day. They are still drinking 4-5 6oz bottles a day of Formula. I stopped pumping about 2 weeks ago. It was a very hard decision and I felt really guilty. They are thriving though so everyone says they will be fine on just formula. They were only getting about an ounce a day of BM the last month anyways.
Jackson is "talking" up a storm these days! Addison just started saying ba ba ba on Tuesday this week. I love listening to them talk. They love to play on the floor, long gone are the days where they wanted to be in their swings a lot. Some days, Jackson will cry if Addison touches him. Other days he is totally ok with it. She loves to reach out for him, it's adorable. While they are playing on the floor, they both scoot around their play mat. They get better going backwards every day.
I'm going to try and take some pictures this weekend.
Last week Jackson & Addison had their first Synagis shot to help combat RSV.
This week was the 9 month well baby visit. Only the Hep B shot! Jackson weighed 18 pounds 2 oz and was 27 inches long! Addison is now 17 pounds 4 oz and was 27 1/4 inches long!
Both are sitting for longer periods of time. They are even trying to sit up straighter each time. They are still getting used to solids. We have increased the amount they get and are working up to three times a day. They are still drinking 4-5 6oz bottles a day of Formula. I stopped pumping about 2 weeks ago. It was a very hard decision and I felt really guilty. They are thriving though so everyone says they will be fine on just formula. They were only getting about an ounce a day of BM the last month anyways.
Jackson is "talking" up a storm these days! Addison just started saying ba ba ba on Tuesday this week. I love listening to them talk. They love to play on the floor, long gone are the days where they wanted to be in their swings a lot. Some days, Jackson will cry if Addison touches him. Other days he is totally ok with it. She loves to reach out for him, it's adorable. While they are playing on the floor, they both scoot around their play mat. They get better going backwards every day.
I'm going to try and take some pictures this weekend.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
november 12 2011 - 8 months old today (5 months adjusted)
Happy 8 month birthday Jackson and Addison! Hard to believe only 4 more months till you all are a year old! Believe it or not both decided today would be the day they sat up for the first time. I'm talking longer than just a few secondary too! I was so excited. We were leaving a video message for Nana at exactly the same time too! I am so proud!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
November 10, 2011
My poor little Jackson is so stuffy again. He kept waking up every hour or two last night until we finally just put him in his swing. He slept much better sitting up!! I'm trying to keep him as suctioned as much as possible because I do not want him to get Bronchiolitis again. Unfortunately, I think I'm the one that gave it to him again. My sinus' started draining over the weekend, went to the Dr yesterday because I felt like crud and she said I have Bronchitis. I'm constantly washing my hands and using sanitizer so I don't know how he is catching it from me.
Addison is doing good. Her nose runs occasionally but I don't know if she is catching the cold too, or if it's from teething.
We weighed them yesterday (unofficially of course). Jackson was 17 pounds 1 oz and Addison was 16 pounds 3 oz. They are definitely growing!!
Brianna has joined the basketball team at her Jr High. Her first game is the 21st. I'm excited, I can't wait to see her play.
That is really about it right now. Still feeling like crud so I'm having a very hard time trying to think about what to write. :)
Addison is doing good. Her nose runs occasionally but I don't know if she is catching the cold too, or if it's from teething.
We weighed them yesterday (unofficially of course). Jackson was 17 pounds 1 oz and Addison was 16 pounds 3 oz. They are definitely growing!!
Brianna has joined the basketball team at her Jr High. Her first game is the 21st. I'm excited, I can't wait to see her play.
That is really about it right now. Still feeling like crud so I'm having a very hard time trying to think about what to write. :)
Saturday, November 5, 2011
November 4 2011
Addison rolled over from back to tummy today for the first time! She did it at least a half dozen times too!
October 31 2011
Happy 1st Halloween. Jackson was a puppy and Addison a kitty. We went to a few houses with big sister Brianna trick or treating.
October 25 2011
I finally saw Jackson roll from back to tummy and caught it on video! He has only been doing it once a day.
October 21 2011
Jackson rolled over from back to tummy for the first time. Course I was outside so only daddy got to see it!
Some recent pictures:
Some recent pictures:
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
7 months old/ 4 months Adjusted
I guess I'm not staying as up to date as I would have liked. I usually don't get time to even think about posting until after 1030pm at night.
Right now we are fighting colds. Jackson and I have had it the worst. He absolutely hates having his nose suctioned!! Course I don't blame him. He is on breathing treatments right now because when I took him in last Friday she heard a slight coarseness (I had thought we had heard wheezing so I took him in to be checked out). He also has an ear infection, his first one. My poor little guy. I hope he gets over this really quickly.
Addison has been doing good, she has a slight cough but her lungs are clear (I had her checked out Monday when I had to take Jackson back for his follow up).
Weight wise, Addison was 15 pounds 7 oz Monday and Jackson was 16 pounds 3 oz.
What they are doing:
Both babies have rolled from tummy to back a few times. They definitely don't do it consistently. They don't even really care to try and roll from back to tummy right now (they only like tummy time for about 5 minutes right now).
Addison is definitely a thumb sucker. She prefers her thumb to her binky more and more. Oh and she only uses her right thumb! She is grabbing toys with both hands though when on her floor mat. She will hold a rattle for a short bit. She uses her legs to lift her body off the ground (while laying on her back) and scoots to wherever she wants to go. She isn't really crazy about the jumparoo right now. She keeps her arms tucked in by her sides most of the time. Oh and she loves to try and grab her toes! Not only that but she loves to grab your hair too. She smiles ALL the time! She seems very happy most of the time. She doesn't like to cuddle as much as Jackson does but sometimes I wonder if that's because of being in the hospital a couple weeks longer and then being on oxygen when she came home.
Eating wise, she eats about 6 oz at a time, generally 4 times a day. I let her taste green beans, she did alright with them but I don't think she was really that crazy about them. She will sleep through the night, just getting her down is the hard part. She falls asleep easily in the swing but once we lay her down in her crib she ends up waking up after a bit. That is something we really have to work on.
Jackson likes to put his fingers in his mouth but he isn't a true thumb sucker right now. He still uses his binky during bedtime mostly. He typically doesn't take it throughout the day. He definitely seems to have a right hand preference. He uses his right hand all the time and left only occasionally. He grabs and plays with toys as well. He will hold the rattle and has even started putting it in his mouth. When I hold him on the couch (next to the end table) he will swipe whatever he can off the table and on to the floor! He scoots around on the floor also but doesn't lift himself as high as Addison. He tries to grab his toes occasionally but he doesn't get his legs as high as Addison does. He absolutely LOVEs the Jumparoo. He's fallen asleep in it twice so far. (the first time I freaked out! I didn't think he was sleeping). He grabs your clothes alot and hair too.
Eating wise, he was eating 6 oz 4 times a day until he got sick. For a couple of days we were lucky to get 3 oz at a time down. The most we are getting him to take is 5 oz now and that's not consistent. We have put rice cereal in his bottles a couple of times. He seems to take it pretty well so we might try more often when he's past this mucus so we can see if it helps with his reflux anymore. I've also given him a taste of green beans (he didn't spit them out too much so I was surprised). He has also tried applesauce which he loves!
I bought them costumes for Halloween. I can't wait to take pictures of them in them. We will probably only take them to a couple of houses (people we know in the neighborhood) to show them off. :)
Right now we are fighting colds. Jackson and I have had it the worst. He absolutely hates having his nose suctioned!! Course I don't blame him. He is on breathing treatments right now because when I took him in last Friday she heard a slight coarseness (I had thought we had heard wheezing so I took him in to be checked out). He also has an ear infection, his first one. My poor little guy. I hope he gets over this really quickly.
Addison has been doing good, she has a slight cough but her lungs are clear (I had her checked out Monday when I had to take Jackson back for his follow up).
Weight wise, Addison was 15 pounds 7 oz Monday and Jackson was 16 pounds 3 oz.
What they are doing:
Both babies have rolled from tummy to back a few times. They definitely don't do it consistently. They don't even really care to try and roll from back to tummy right now (they only like tummy time for about 5 minutes right now).
Addison is definitely a thumb sucker. She prefers her thumb to her binky more and more. Oh and she only uses her right thumb! She is grabbing toys with both hands though when on her floor mat. She will hold a rattle for a short bit. She uses her legs to lift her body off the ground (while laying on her back) and scoots to wherever she wants to go. She isn't really crazy about the jumparoo right now. She keeps her arms tucked in by her sides most of the time. Oh and she loves to try and grab her toes! Not only that but she loves to grab your hair too. She smiles ALL the time! She seems very happy most of the time. She doesn't like to cuddle as much as Jackson does but sometimes I wonder if that's because of being in the hospital a couple weeks longer and then being on oxygen when she came home.
Eating wise, she eats about 6 oz at a time, generally 4 times a day. I let her taste green beans, she did alright with them but I don't think she was really that crazy about them. She will sleep through the night, just getting her down is the hard part. She falls asleep easily in the swing but once we lay her down in her crib she ends up waking up after a bit. That is something we really have to work on.
Jackson likes to put his fingers in his mouth but he isn't a true thumb sucker right now. He still uses his binky during bedtime mostly. He typically doesn't take it throughout the day. He definitely seems to have a right hand preference. He uses his right hand all the time and left only occasionally. He grabs and plays with toys as well. He will hold the rattle and has even started putting it in his mouth. When I hold him on the couch (next to the end table) he will swipe whatever he can off the table and on to the floor! He scoots around on the floor also but doesn't lift himself as high as Addison. He tries to grab his toes occasionally but he doesn't get his legs as high as Addison does. He absolutely LOVEs the Jumparoo. He's fallen asleep in it twice so far. (the first time I freaked out! I didn't think he was sleeping). He grabs your clothes alot and hair too.
Eating wise, he was eating 6 oz 4 times a day until he got sick. For a couple of days we were lucky to get 3 oz at a time down. The most we are getting him to take is 5 oz now and that's not consistent. We have put rice cereal in his bottles a couple of times. He seems to take it pretty well so we might try more often when he's past this mucus so we can see if it helps with his reflux anymore. I've also given him a taste of green beans (he didn't spit them out too much so I was surprised). He has also tried applesauce which he loves!
I bought them costumes for Halloween. I can't wait to take pictures of them in them. We will probably only take them to a couple of houses (people we know in the neighborhood) to show them off. :)
Monday, September 12, 2011
6 months/ 3 Months Adjusted
Jackson & Addison are officially 6 months old today!
They are talking like crazy!! Jackson loves to squeal but Addison hasn't quite figured that one out yet. They are starting to hold toys and grasp for them too. Jackson even started rolling from Belly to Back this week!!
They were not happy to get their shots today. So far tonight Addison seems alright. Jackson cries every time you move him (acts like his legs hurt or something).
As for stats...
Addison:
weight:14 pounds 10oz
Length: 24 1/2"
Head: 16 3/4"
Jackson:
weight: 14 pounds 12.5 oz
Length: 24 3/4" (I'm not sure how accurate the measurements are because she seemed to angle the pen instead of holding it straight up and down)
Head: 16"
Addison is 10th percentile for length, 25% Weight 50% for head (for actual & age which is great!!). Jackson: 4% length, 9% weight, & head is not on chart but is growing at a steady pace
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Just an update
I'm sitting here trying to figure out, ok what's new lately? The days really seem to run into one another lately. Both Babies are doing great sleeping at night. Last night we put them down around 10pm and they slept till 750am. They take more of cat naps during the day than naps longer than an hour. We are also working on floor exercises as much as possible to try and round out their heads some more (preemies get flat sides to their heads a lot from being in bed so much in the hospital). They had PT this past week and they said they are already doing better than they were 2 weeks prior.
One other item that Addison has to work on is bringing her arms up when she is laying flat on her back on the ground. She has been leaving the straight out and flat on the ground, so we have to help her bring them up until she builds up the strength in her arms. To do this we lay her flat on the ground, and then use a boppy pillow and have it basically in a "u" shape (the arms of the u are at her side and her legs are on top of the bottom part of the u). this makes her arms prop up on the boppy so she has an easier time bringing her hands to her mouth etc. She doesn't have any problem with that when she is sitting up in her swing or bouncy chair, it's just when she is laying flat on her back with her arms straight out.
Jackson's reflux seems to be doing better since he has been on meds. He's not screaming out in his sleep anymore. He is "talking" like crazy!! He loves to talk and smile. He is such a flirt. LOL
Addison doesn't talk as much as Jackson does. But she loves to smile all the time. She likes to stick her tongue out too. She laughs occasionally too. It is so adorable! I think today was the most she has talked in one day. I hope she keeps progressing and starts talking more and more (better watch what I wish for huh? ! LOL)
They are getting so big. I'll have to try and take some pictures of them tomorrow. :) But here are a couple snapshots from a couple weeks ago.
One other item that Addison has to work on is bringing her arms up when she is laying flat on her back on the ground. She has been leaving the straight out and flat on the ground, so we have to help her bring them up until she builds up the strength in her arms. To do this we lay her flat on the ground, and then use a boppy pillow and have it basically in a "u" shape (the arms of the u are at her side and her legs are on top of the bottom part of the u). this makes her arms prop up on the boppy so she has an easier time bringing her hands to her mouth etc. She doesn't have any problem with that when she is sitting up in her swing or bouncy chair, it's just when she is laying flat on her back with her arms straight out.
Jackson's reflux seems to be doing better since he has been on meds. He's not screaming out in his sleep anymore. He is "talking" like crazy!! He loves to talk and smile. He is such a flirt. LOL
Addison doesn't talk as much as Jackson does. But she loves to smile all the time. She likes to stick her tongue out too. She laughs occasionally too. It is so adorable! I think today was the most she has talked in one day. I hope she keeps progressing and starts talking more and more (better watch what I wish for huh? ! LOL)
They are getting so big. I'll have to try and take some pictures of them tomorrow. :) But here are a couple snapshots from a couple weeks ago.
Friday, August 19, 2011
pda
Addison's PDA is closed!!!!!!!!!!! No more cardiology appointments!!!
Jackson is now on reflux meds.
They are both approx. 13 pounds and about 24 1/4 inches long!
Jackson is now on reflux meds.
They are both approx. 13 pounds and about 24 1/4 inches long!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Long Over due Update (I changed my title slightly, might change again later on)
Wow it really has been a long time since I updated. I'm going to try and give a brief synopsis on everything that has been happening. I'll go in chronilogical order, looks like the last main update was May 5th so I'll start after that.
I finally had my Baby Shower on May 7th. It was a small group of my friends but we had a good time. I can't believe I forgot to take pictures though!! The babies received a diaper bag, lot of cute outfits and necessities. We also received other items by mail... some of which were: blankets, bottle warmers, pitcher, books, and clothes.
8 weeks old (36 weeks Gestation)
May 8th - Mother's day. I got to spend the night with Jackson at the hospital. I was so scared and didn't get much sleep all night long! It was the first time I had seen him without any of his monitors.
May 9th - Jackson was circumcised. Then we got to take Jackson home!! Addison has also started some of her feeds by bottle. :)
May 10th - Addison has been taking 20ml by bottle for the nurses. I got her to take 45ml tonight! The nurses said that the Dr's are just going to watch her PDA over the next 3-6 months and hope that it closes on it's own. So no surgery for now. Once she takes all her feeds by bottle then she will get to come home. She will be coming home with an Apnea Monitor and on Oxygen.
Jackson is doing good at home. He took 3 oz during one feeding for me!
May 11th - Jackson's first Ped appt. He is 6 pounds 11oz and 19 inches long! \\
May 12th - Jackson & Addison are 2 months old today!! Jackson: 19 inches long, 6 pounds 12oz. Addison: 18.7" long and 6 pounds 8 oz. It is so hard leaving Addison at the hospital when Jackson is at home. I've missed seeing Addison 2 days since Jackson has been home because I have been extremely exhausted (to the point where I would fall asleep if I tried driving).
May 14th - Addison took 55ml by bottle and was wide awake after her feeding. She's getting to be such a big girl.
May 16th - Would have been in the 37th week gestation. Addison is 7 pounds 1 oz!! Still not taking all feeds by bottle yet.
May19th - Got the word that Addison will be coming home VERY soon!!
May 20th - OMG Addison is coming home tomorrow!!! Excited and Scared!
May 21st - Drove to the hospital at 9am... Had a meeting with the medical supply company on how to work the portable oxygen tanks and the apnea monitor. Addison's big oxygen tank was already delivered to the house. :) After signing some paperwork we were finally able to leave the hospital with BOTH of our babies!
May 23rd - Hubbies and my 3rd wedding Anniversary. No we didn't go out and do anything
May 27th - I really love having my babies home. I can't wait till it either gets warmer outside, or the babies hold their temp better. We have to keep it really hot in the house so their temps don't dip down below 97 degrees.
May 30th - Jackson decided it would be fun to try waking every 2 hours during the night instead of every 4. Can you say exhausted?
May 31st - Well we traded both of our vehicles on a new Ford Flex. Now we can fit the whole family in one car.
June 3 - 18th - My mom came to visit. Jackson and Addison got to meet their Nana for the first time. I loved having mom here and really hate that my family lives so far away.
June 5th - The babies had someone other than mommy take their picture finally. (today was my due date)
June 12th - 3 Months old!!!!!!!!! Jackson 9 pounds. Addison 8lbs 14oz
June 17th - big sissy Brianna graduated from the 6th Grade. Congrats, mommy is so proud of you!
Mommy feeding Addison
June 18th - I am so bummed, my mom is leaving today.
June 28th - Addison had a weight check. She is 10 pounds 11oz!!!!
July 1st -Awwww.... Jackson is starting to cry real tears. So cute and so heartbreaking at the same time
Had a scare with Addison, they wanted to do blood work to make sure all levels were normal since we were switching formula's. Well her pottassium level came back elevated so we had to go in again to get it re-tested. Thankfully the number went down. (I guess it can go up if they break down some of the red blood cells).
July 4th - the Babies first 4th of July! Happy Birthday America
July 5th - The babies are 1 month adjusted and almost 4 months actual age.
Addison had a follow up appointment with her pulmonologist today. He took her off the oxygen and the apnea monitor!!!! She is finally wire and tube free!!!
July 6th - Just one day off the oxygen and Addison is already acting like a different baby. She acts like she wants to get up and run around the house! She is much more alert and has been awake a lot more today too. :)
July 7th - Wow Jackson slept 6-7 hours in a row last night.
July 12th - The babies are 4 months old (Actual)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jackson has started to coo the last week. Both babies are smiling a lot each day!! They seemed to be enthralled with the ceiling fans too!!!
July 16th - I took some pictures off J & A today for 6 weeks adjusted/ 18 weeks actual since I didn't get a chance to when they were a month old. Addison is cooing now too.
July 18th 4 Month well baby visit -
I finally had my Baby Shower on May 7th. It was a small group of my friends but we had a good time. I can't believe I forgot to take pictures though!! The babies received a diaper bag, lot of cute outfits and necessities. We also received other items by mail... some of which were: blankets, bottle warmers, pitcher, books, and clothes.
8 weeks old (36 weeks Gestation)
May 8th - Mother's day. I got to spend the night with Jackson at the hospital. I was so scared and didn't get much sleep all night long! It was the first time I had seen him without any of his monitors.
May 9th - Jackson was circumcised. Then we got to take Jackson home!! Addison has also started some of her feeds by bottle. :)
May 10th - Addison has been taking 20ml by bottle for the nurses. I got her to take 45ml tonight! The nurses said that the Dr's are just going to watch her PDA over the next 3-6 months and hope that it closes on it's own. So no surgery for now. Once she takes all her feeds by bottle then she will get to come home. She will be coming home with an Apnea Monitor and on Oxygen.
Jackson is doing good at home. He took 3 oz during one feeding for me!
May 11th - Jackson's first Ped appt. He is 6 pounds 11oz and 19 inches long! \\
May 12th - Jackson & Addison are 2 months old today!! Jackson: 19 inches long, 6 pounds 12oz. Addison: 18.7" long and 6 pounds 8 oz. It is so hard leaving Addison at the hospital when Jackson is at home. I've missed seeing Addison 2 days since Jackson has been home because I have been extremely exhausted (to the point where I would fall asleep if I tried driving).
May 14th - Addison took 55ml by bottle and was wide awake after her feeding. She's getting to be such a big girl.
May 16th - Would have been in the 37th week gestation. Addison is 7 pounds 1 oz!! Still not taking all feeds by bottle yet.
May19th - Got the word that Addison will be coming home VERY soon!!
May 20th - OMG Addison is coming home tomorrow!!! Excited and Scared!
May 21st - Drove to the hospital at 9am... Had a meeting with the medical supply company on how to work the portable oxygen tanks and the apnea monitor. Addison's big oxygen tank was already delivered to the house. :) After signing some paperwork we were finally able to leave the hospital with BOTH of our babies!
May 23rd - Hubbies and my 3rd wedding Anniversary. No we didn't go out and do anything
May 27th - I really love having my babies home. I can't wait till it either gets warmer outside, or the babies hold their temp better. We have to keep it really hot in the house so their temps don't dip down below 97 degrees.
May 30th - Jackson decided it would be fun to try waking every 2 hours during the night instead of every 4. Can you say exhausted?
May 31st - Well we traded both of our vehicles on a new Ford Flex. Now we can fit the whole family in one car.
June 3 - 18th - My mom came to visit. Jackson and Addison got to meet their Nana for the first time. I loved having mom here and really hate that my family lives so far away.
June 5th - The babies had someone other than mommy take their picture finally. (today was my due date)
June 12th - 3 Months old!!!!!!!!! Jackson 9 pounds. Addison 8lbs 14oz
June 17th - big sissy Brianna graduated from the 6th Grade. Congrats, mommy is so proud of you!
Mommy feeding Addison
June 18th - I am so bummed, my mom is leaving today.
Nana
June 28th - Addison had a weight check. She is 10 pounds 11oz!!!!
July 1st -Awwww.... Jackson is starting to cry real tears. So cute and so heartbreaking at the same time
Had a scare with Addison, they wanted to do blood work to make sure all levels were normal since we were switching formula's. Well her pottassium level came back elevated so we had to go in again to get it re-tested. Thankfully the number went down. (I guess it can go up if they break down some of the red blood cells).
July 4th - the Babies first 4th of July! Happy Birthday America
July 5th - The babies are 1 month adjusted and almost 4 months actual age.
Addison had a follow up appointment with her pulmonologist today. He took her off the oxygen and the apnea monitor!!!! She is finally wire and tube free!!!
July 7th - Wow Jackson slept 6-7 hours in a row last night.
July 12th - The babies are 4 months old (Actual)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jackson has started to coo the last week. Both babies are smiling a lot each day!! They seemed to be enthralled with the ceiling fans too!!!
July 16th - I took some pictures off J & A today for 6 weeks adjusted/ 18 weeks actual since I didn't get a chance to when they were a month old. Addison is cooing now too.
July 18th 4 Month well baby visit -
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I know I haven't been posting....
But there has been a lot going on.... Both Babies are home!!!!!!
I'll post more later and give more info on what has been happening lately. I just don't have time at the moment.
I'll post more later and give more info on what has been happening lately. I just don't have time at the moment.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
today
I finally got to talk to a neonatologist today. He actually grabbed the phone before the nurse could. Addison had an echo the other day, and there has been no change since the prior one a few weeks ago. This Dr would have liked to have seen some change. So he decided he wanted to try to give her a med that may help close her PDA. He thinks the PDA is what is causing her desat issues since when the PDA is open it prevents all the blood from going to the lungs so some of the de-oxygenated blood is going back to the Left side of the heart (when normally only oxygenated blood does). That's why she is desatting because not all the blood is oxygenated at 100%. It's possible the med won't work due to her age, but other risks are low so it's worth a shot (I'm glad someone is finally trying something... I had asked about this med a few weeks ago!!). Course they have to take her off feeds while she is on the meds (through noon on Sunday). It can cause the vessels in the gut to constrict as well causing her issues while eating. She is on an IV again so she can get her meds and nutrients.
I'm hoping this is the cause and the meds will fix everything. If it does work, then I'm curious to see if her feeding issue (she desats a lot while eating) goes away. They stopped her caffeine 2 days ago as well so I'm hoping her reflux will get better (since caffeine makes reflux act up.)
I love it when she is alert. I can't help but smile when her eyes are bright and she smiles at me. It makes my heart swell!!
Jackson is doing great on demand feeding. He wakes up every 3 1/2 - 4 hours... he is drinking straight breastmilk (no added protein anymore or Human growth hormone). He will drink anywhere from 60 - 75ml (which is 2 - 2 1/2 oz) every feeding. He is a very quiet baby most of the time when he is waking up, I hope I hear him during the middle of the night!! Course today he did make a fairly large noise when we weren't quite ready to feed him yet. That was the loudest I have ever heard him really. LOL He has this really cute little grin too... It's so hard to catch on camera
He hasn't had a brady since 5/3... so that puts him on target to come home on Sunday. He had his 3rd brain ultrasound this week and it's normal and they don't consider him at risk for brain bleeds anymore. I think his circumcision procedure is set for Saturday.
Both of them are 6 pounds 2 oz now!!! They should also be getting their follow up eye appt within the week...
I'm hoping this is the cause and the meds will fix everything. If it does work, then I'm curious to see if her feeding issue (she desats a lot while eating) goes away. They stopped her caffeine 2 days ago as well so I'm hoping her reflux will get better (since caffeine makes reflux act up.)
I love it when she is alert. I can't help but smile when her eyes are bright and she smiles at me. It makes my heart swell!!
Jackson is doing great on demand feeding. He wakes up every 3 1/2 - 4 hours... he is drinking straight breastmilk (no added protein anymore or Human growth hormone). He will drink anywhere from 60 - 75ml (which is 2 - 2 1/2 oz) every feeding. He is a very quiet baby most of the time when he is waking up, I hope I hear him during the middle of the night!! Course today he did make a fairly large noise when we weren't quite ready to feed him yet. That was the loudest I have ever heard him really. LOL He has this really cute little grin too... It's so hard to catch on camera
He hasn't had a brady since 5/3... so that puts him on target to come home on Sunday. He had his 3rd brain ultrasound this week and it's normal and they don't consider him at risk for brain bleeds anymore. I think his circumcision procedure is set for Saturday.
Both of them are 6 pounds 2 oz now!!! They should also be getting their follow up eye appt within the week...
Saturday, April 30, 2011
7 weeks old
Well my babies are 7 weeks old today!! I can't believe it's been 7 weeks already since they were born on 27w6d. (they'll be 35weeks gestation Sunday)
Jackson is 5 pounds 13oz and Addison is 5 pounds 10oz. They are both 17 - 17 1/4 inches long.
Addison is still on the canula...I can't wait for the day that she doesn't need that anymore. She tends to go 48-72 hours without a BM... not sure what that is about. She sucks on her binky occasionally and will cue every once in a awhile but not all the time, so we haven't tried breast feeding or bottle yet. She did pass her hearing test today!!
Jackson passed his hearing test a week ago. He is taking at least 50% of his feeds by bottle/breast. So the Nurse Practitioner today said he will start going on Demand feeding this week. I fed him by breast today (he took 24 of his 50ml by breast) and then he was exhausted so we tube fed him the rest. He tends to fall asleep faster when BF then he does when he gets a bottle. The NP said that as soon as he goes to demand feeding he will likely go home in a weeks time. So he could be home in a week!! Assuming he doesnt' brady of course this week (he had a brady this evening when he refluxed.)
Sometimes I feel guilty holding one baby more than the other. Some days it happens unintentionally (depending on when I get to the hospital and how long I stay there). Their care is an hour apart. Addison is on 12 - 3- 6- 9 schedule and Jackson is on 1 -4 -7 -10 schedule. So if I get there at 3pm then I do Addison's care, hold her until close to 4 and then start Jackson's care and hold him for about an hour (sometimes longer). So unless I skip Jackson's care, then I can generally only hold Addison for a little less than an hour at a time. Sometimes I will only hold Jackson the hour and then spend the hour of free time pumping or taking pictures of both.
Course then there is my 12 year old... she feels neglected sometimes with all the time I have to spend at the hospital and all the stuff the babies are getting.
Jackson is 5 pounds 13oz and Addison is 5 pounds 10oz. They are both 17 - 17 1/4 inches long.
Addison is still on the canula...I can't wait for the day that she doesn't need that anymore. She tends to go 48-72 hours without a BM... not sure what that is about. She sucks on her binky occasionally and will cue every once in a awhile but not all the time, so we haven't tried breast feeding or bottle yet. She did pass her hearing test today!!
Jackson passed his hearing test a week ago. He is taking at least 50% of his feeds by bottle/breast. So the Nurse Practitioner today said he will start going on Demand feeding this week. I fed him by breast today (he took 24 of his 50ml by breast) and then he was exhausted so we tube fed him the rest. He tends to fall asleep faster when BF then he does when he gets a bottle. The NP said that as soon as he goes to demand feeding he will likely go home in a weeks time. So he could be home in a week!! Assuming he doesnt' brady of course this week (he had a brady this evening when he refluxed.)
Sometimes I feel guilty holding one baby more than the other. Some days it happens unintentionally (depending on when I get to the hospital and how long I stay there). Their care is an hour apart. Addison is on 12 - 3- 6- 9 schedule and Jackson is on 1 -4 -7 -10 schedule. So if I get there at 3pm then I do Addison's care, hold her until close to 4 and then start Jackson's care and hold him for about an hour (sometimes longer). So unless I skip Jackson's care, then I can generally only hold Addison for a little less than an hour at a time. Sometimes I will only hold Jackson the hour and then spend the hour of free time pumping or taking pictures of both.
Course then there is my 12 year old... she feels neglected sometimes with all the time I have to spend at the hospital and all the stuff the babies are getting.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Good Day
Today was a good day. I went to see the babies by myself. I got there in time for Addison's care. We decided to go ahead and weigh her and measure her. Course I had her ready but there wasn't a scale available yet so I did Kanga care. She and I both enjoyed it. She weighed 2340 grams today, was 44 1/4 cm long ( just over 17")... my girl is growing!!
Then it was Jackson's turn, I kind of sort of did Kanga... while we were doing Kanga we practiced breastfeeding. At first he kind of just played. Then we used a nipple shield and he just went to town!!! He took close to 30ml!!!!!!!!!! By then he was tired so we dressed him and let him sleep. Poor little guy would have slept through his next feeding if they wouldn't have tried to wake him. He was too tired to do bottle or breast again so we decided to tube feed him again. I'm very proud of my little boy!!! He weighed 2415 grams!!!! They hadn't measured him yet so I will have to call in and find out.
Then after pumping it was time for Addison's care again. I got to hold her again (not kanga) and we were belly to belly basically. She was at 23% o2 pretty much all day... but she did great. Not many desats at all.
They are so cute!
Then it was Jackson's turn, I kind of sort of did Kanga... while we were doing Kanga we practiced breastfeeding. At first he kind of just played. Then we used a nipple shield and he just went to town!!! He took close to 30ml!!!!!!!!!! By then he was tired so we dressed him and let him sleep. Poor little guy would have slept through his next feeding if they wouldn't have tried to wake him. He was too tired to do bottle or breast again so we decided to tube feed him again. I'm very proud of my little boy!!! He weighed 2415 grams!!!! They hadn't measured him yet so I will have to call in and find out.
Then after pumping it was time for Addison's care again. I got to hold her again (not kanga) and we were belly to belly basically. She was at 23% o2 pretty much all day... but she did great. Not many desats at all.
They are so cute!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter
My babies had their first Easter today. Course they really don't know they had their first Easter. I took a picture of them with their bunny.
Addison also hit 5 pounds as of today!!! (Course she hasn't pooped in 2 days so part of it could be that). Jackson is 5 lbs 2 oz.
Jackson had his hearing test today. He passed! They also discontinued his caffeine (he has been on it since he was born). He has taken 2 bottles since his overnight feedings (and it was the full 43ml he is supposed to eat). We tried BF again today, he got tired quickly of course so we fed him through his feeding tube for the rest. He had 2 brady's while I was there... they were both related to reflux. Oh and it's been about a week at least since they have heard his murmur.... fingers crossed that means his PDA is closed!
Addison is eating 40ml these days. Here is still by ng tube. Her desats seem to be a little better than what they were. She's still having them, but she seems to pull her self out most of the time. There was only twice I think while I was there that they had to up her o2 or stimulate her. As for her hearing test, they didn't do it today. They said "closer to the time that she'll come home". So that really sounds like Jackson might come home before she will.
I took the car seats in today for inspection. That makes coming home seem so much more real.
Addison also hit 5 pounds as of today!!! (Course she hasn't pooped in 2 days so part of it could be that). Jackson is 5 lbs 2 oz.
Jackson had his hearing test today. He passed! They also discontinued his caffeine (he has been on it since he was born). He has taken 2 bottles since his overnight feedings (and it was the full 43ml he is supposed to eat). We tried BF again today, he got tired quickly of course so we fed him through his feeding tube for the rest. He had 2 brady's while I was there... they were both related to reflux. Oh and it's been about a week at least since they have heard his murmur.... fingers crossed that means his PDA is closed!
Addison is eating 40ml these days. Here is still by ng tube. Her desats seem to be a little better than what they were. She's still having them, but she seems to pull her self out most of the time. There was only twice I think while I was there that they had to up her o2 or stimulate her. As for her hearing test, they didn't do it today. They said "closer to the time that she'll come home". So that really sounds like Jackson might come home before she will.
I took the car seats in today for inspection. That makes coming home seem so much more real.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
6 Weeks old!
Jackson and Addison are 6 weeks old today!
They had a big day. They had their First Bath today!! Addison HATED it. She screamed her little head off! Jackson was upset about his but he was more mellow and didn't scream, just fussed a bit. I wish I could have taken pictures during the bath but it was just the nurse and I so it wasn't a possibility.
Pictures after the bath....
Jackson also drank from a bottle for the first time today! (We've been practicing BF the last couple of days). He actually drank 23ml!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for their weights... Jackson hit 5 pounds today and Addison hit 4 pounds 13 oz!! They are about 17" long. My babies are growing!!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tired, firsts and everything else
I know I have been bad about writing everywhere! If I'm not working, then I'm pumping or at the hospital. Or I'm just too plain tired to do anything.
Let's see if I can summarize what has happened in the last week.
Addison - She is still dealing with desats (oxygen saturation levels in the blood decreasing). There is a pattern right now... it all seems to revolve around her feedings. Course her feedings keep increasing as her weight increased (has to be so many ml per kg a day). They actually had to bag her yesterday because she just wouldn't come up from the 50's/60's. It seems like she is refluxing as well. She will do a slight cough... then start hiccups. Then the desats start. I'm trying to get the nurses to document as many as possible (even when they don't have to intervene) so hopefully the Dr's or NP's will try a med like Prevacid, prilosec etc. Poor little girl seems so uncomfortable when it happens.
Good news is that her feeding tube was moved from her mouth to her nose. She is also sleeping in an open air crib now (as of 4/19).
As of yesterday she is 43.8cm long, head is 31 cm, and she weighed 4 lbs 8oz.
Jackson - His Brady's have decreased. The last 2 were on 4/18 and 4/15. He does desat occasionally but brings himself back up. He was moved to an open air crib today (was waiting on weight gain). Not only did he get his new bed today, but we also tried breastfeeding! We only practiced for 5 minutes, he was so tired after just that 5 minutes. But my little man did great. He opened his mouth right away and actually started sucking. I guess the practice with the binky is working. We will practice once a day for the next few days then move it to 2 times a day and so on.
As of yesterday, he is 43cm long, head is 30cm, and he weighed 4 lbs 10oz.
Let's see if I can summarize what has happened in the last week.
Addison - She is still dealing with desats (oxygen saturation levels in the blood decreasing). There is a pattern right now... it all seems to revolve around her feedings. Course her feedings keep increasing as her weight increased (has to be so many ml per kg a day). They actually had to bag her yesterday because she just wouldn't come up from the 50's/60's. It seems like she is refluxing as well. She will do a slight cough... then start hiccups. Then the desats start. I'm trying to get the nurses to document as many as possible (even when they don't have to intervene) so hopefully the Dr's or NP's will try a med like Prevacid, prilosec etc. Poor little girl seems so uncomfortable when it happens.
Good news is that her feeding tube was moved from her mouth to her nose. She is also sleeping in an open air crib now (as of 4/19).
As of yesterday she is 43.8cm long, head is 31 cm, and she weighed 4 lbs 8oz.
Jackson - His Brady's have decreased. The last 2 were on 4/18 and 4/15. He does desat occasionally but brings himself back up. He was moved to an open air crib today (was waiting on weight gain). Not only did he get his new bed today, but we also tried breastfeeding! We only practiced for 5 minutes, he was so tired after just that 5 minutes. But my little man did great. He opened his mouth right away and actually started sucking. I guess the practice with the binky is working. We will practice once a day for the next few days then move it to 2 times a day and so on.
As of yesterday, he is 43cm long, head is 30cm, and he weighed 4 lbs 10oz.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Eye Exam
Both Jackson and Addison had their first eye exams this evening. There is NO sign of ROP. The eye Dr said that both babies eyes are almost mature. He also said that their vessels are growing in the right direction!!!
Hooray!!!!
(both babies are VERY close to 4 pounds too!)
Hooray!!!!
(both babies are VERY close to 4 pounds too!)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Happy 1 month birthday!
Addison and Jackson are 1 month old today!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday babies!!
I got to hold both of them today (separately of course). :)
I am so in love!
Monday, April 11, 2011
A step forward
I had a pleasant surprise when I arrived at the hospital today....
Jackson's canula was removed!! He looks so cute!
I also found out I should be able to start holding Addison again as long as she is behaving. She started having some Desats again though while I was there so I decided I had better give her until tomorrow. I want my girl healthy and strong! She looked precious as always.
The nurses kept saying what beautiful babies they are. One of the nurses was caring for them today that had watched them down in the NICU. She said when she came in the night that they had been moved she was bummed.
Here is a picture of Jackson that I think is adorable and I just have to share.
As of today, Addison is 3 lbs 14oz and Jackson is 3lbs 12oz (he had lost a little bit of weight yesterday). As soon as they are able to gain more than 25grams a day for 5 days in a row, then they should be able to move to open air cribs.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
They Aced their ultrasound!
Well we had our repeat Brain ultrasounds this morning (actually the babies did not me). :) And the faboulous results are: Jackson is the same, Normal. Addison's also came back normal!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy! Actually I think I'm beyond happy. I think I did the happy dance there in the ICN. (she had the suspicious for grade 2 brain bleed at 1 week old). I think the next testing they go through is for their eyes (looking for ROP blindness). Praying hard my babies eyes are perfect!
As of today Jackson is 3 lbs 10oz and Addison is 3lbs 9oz. They have gotten so much bigger!!!
Addison has had some issues with desats but she has been better the last couple of days. She is currently getting some humidity through her canula to help with all of her mucus secretions. They both have some big boogers sometimes!!!
My babies are so beautiful!! :)
As of today Jackson is 3 lbs 10oz and Addison is 3lbs 9oz. They have gotten so much bigger!!!
Addison has had some issues with desats but she has been better the last couple of days. She is currently getting some humidity through her canula to help with all of her mucus secretions. They both have some big boogers sometimes!!!
My babies are so beautiful!! :)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Weekly weigh in/length check 3wks3day old (gestation 31w2d)
4/5/11 – I kanga’d Addison tonight and David Held Jackson. Addison is still having lots of desat issues. I would stimulate her by rubbing her feet and back as her sats dropped into the 60’s. They thought it was sepsis/infection at first but everything came back negative so they stopped the antibiotics. I guess now they are just assuming she’s “tired”. But bad thing is, the NP won’t let me hold her anymore until she is “stable”. I hope I get to hold her again soon.
Weekly numbers:
J – 1576 g (3 lbs 7 oz) {increase from 1403g, 143g for the week}, Length 40.7, Head 28.5
A – 1523 g (3lbs 5oz) {increase from 1349g, 174g increase for week}, Length 41.2, Head 29
4/6/11 - I went by myself to see my babies tonight. I got to hold Jackson swaddled, course Addison is still Desatting so I can't hold her yet. They are generally keeping her on 23% oxygen to keep her happy and to control the desats. Daily weigh-in... Jackson lost 10 grams (1566) and Addison gained 99 grams! (puts her at 3lbs 9oz, or 1622 grams!!) That just seems like way too much of an increase to me (but they did just up her feedings last night as well). I believe Jackson is now at 30ml and Addison at 27ml for their feedings....
Sorry for Slacking!
I have been so bad about blogging I know... I have just been really tired!! Here are some quick daily updates I have been saving:
3/29/11 – I held Addison swaddled today, David held Jackson swaddled. I freaked out a little bit after Addison moved her head then her respiration and sat’s went down. Her little nose even looked blue!! I asked the nurse to take her so she could get her back to normal!!
Weekly numbers:
J – 1403 g, Head 27 cm, Length 40 (15 ¾), hematocrit = 35
A – 1349 g, Head 28 cm, Length 41, hematocrit = 35
3/30/11 – Brianna held Jackson. He did great. Only had a couple 1 beep desats. I held Addison. She had a few desats that went down. It was right after they hooked up her feeding. We repositioned her and she was fine.
J – 1411
A – 1358
3/31/11 – We kanga’d both babies today (leslie held Jackson, David held Addison). Jackson did great, Addison had some desats.
J – 1448 3lb 3oz
A – 1353 (just shy of 3 lbs)
4/1/11 – I went to see the babies by myself today. I held Jackson again because Addison was in a mood today. This morning she had an episode where her sats went down into the 30’s. They had to stimulate her to get her back up. I guess she had a really large booger about 8am also. Both babies sodium levels are just a tad low. They are just doing the wait and see what they are next week routine right now. I talked to the NP and she said they should be having their echo’s again next week (April 7th I think) to check on their PDAs. Fx they are closing up!! They aren’t happy with Addison’s weight gain right now, they are going to up her food just a tad. They don’t want to up it too much because it could stress out her heart. They should also have their brain ultrasound pretty soon, probably Monday April 11th.
J – 1481 3 lbs 4oz (woohoo go Jackson go!!)
A – 1370 g (3 lbs 0 oz, let’s go Addison, time to put on the weight!!)
4/2/11 – Kanga’d Jackson. Addison was desatting a lot so I let her have a break.
J 1484g
A – 1361 g
4/3/11 – Addison had an episode at 4am where her sats went down into the 40’s. They had to stimulate her and give her oxygen to get her out of it. She had another one around 1pm when I was holding her (kanga). Brianna changed Jackson’s diaper for the first time. Course he ended up peeing all over his bedding. LOL
J – No A or B’s tonight, big boogers tonight, 1521g (3 lbs 5oz)
A – 1497 (weighed 3 times), Has IV on which is some of the weight. Cut her back from 25 to 24cc for the night. Will talk to the dr in the morning. Not sure of true weight with the IV on board. Had another episode around 530pm (sats down into the 70’s).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)