11/30/06 1 week, 1 day old

Today's visit went well. Harley was having allergy issues so Tim stayed with her in the nicu family room while i visited with the babies.

Evie : Last night's weight had her gaining a whole ounce YAY!! 3 lbs 1 3/4 oz. Still at 26 cc's every 3 hours, with human milk fortifier. Pooping well still. I actually got to change a poopy diaper this morning, and she had that good healthy breastfed baby poop :) Who'd a thought id be so happy over poop lol Evie's BIG news today.... she is OFF THE CANNULA!!!!! And even better, her pulsox has been at 100 throughout the day according to her day nurse!! I didnt get to kangaroo Evie today because they wanted to be sure she would be stable without the cannula, but defintley will get to tommorrow :) Today I settled for holding her for about 30 minutes (nurse let us have a little extra time!) and holding her while she got her feeding. Something absolutley cool... when i first got there Evie was wide awake and alert. She looked like a regular ole baby laying there, eyes wide open and moving her arms and legs in a normal baby way (not fussy or jerking movement). She looked so beautiful and so good :)

Jackson : Also gained weight - his biggest gain!! 3 lbs 3 1/2 oz! Almost a 2 ounce gain in 24 hours!! He is doing so well with his feedings, hasnt had any residual at all the past few feedings today and earlier it was very minimal. I did get to kangaroo hold Jackson and it was wonderful! :) He snuggled against my chest and had one arm stretched out and kept moving his little fingers against my skin. He felt so wonderful to hold so closely. I couldnt help but cry a little. I was talking to him and he "talked" back. He has this sound he makes, its not a whiney or fussy or agitated sound..more like an "i hear you" type sound. Like a happy sigh. He seemed so cozy and I sure was. I hated for it to end. I admit, im feeling kind of sad the past few days, really missing my babies. I know how lucky we are they are so healthy and in a place where they are getting the best care, but that doesnt make me miss them any less.

Heres a few pictures from today.

Evie, cannula-free!!!


Jackson looking oh-so-precious :) His feeding tube was retaped above his mouth, he has a little mustache lol

11/29/06 - 1 week old!!!

Well, my precious babies are a full week old today! They have both made such incredible improvement, it seems unreal!

Last night after i posted I talked to their night nurse. Both babies had lost some more weight (after gaining back a little...). Evie got down to 3 lbs 3/4 oz and Jackson got down to 3 lbs 1 3/4 oz. Both babies began receiving "human milk fortifier" mixed with the breastmilk at each feeding. It contains an additional 4 calories per feeding, to help them gain a little weight. I hope it works and quickly! Ill be glad to see them back up to their birth weights!

Let's see... it was a very exciting day for us with our babies. We arrived at the NICU and both babies were in their new beds... basically they had been in some special beds that had equipment attatched to them already. Now they are in the regular heated isolettes. My Mother had bought the babies each a special blankie, so i washed them and took them up today. The nurse draped the blankets on top of their isolettes, their little area looks more inviting now.

Jackson had his cannula removed yesterday - well he has done so well without it they removed his pulsox monitor this morning!! These little changes are very exciting and also very scary at the same time! Im glad he doesnt need it anymore but also worried he doesnt have it anymore, in case he does need it. I hear this is a common concern among nicu parents when changes like these are made. He was also taken off the billilights!! So with the exception of his feeding tube and heart monitor (and i think 2 other little sticker monitors) Jackson is free from wires!!! He is actually "mobile" - he can be completley unplugged and carried like a regular baby! :) Some great news, Jackson is finally pooping regularly!!! Like, with every feeding pretty much LOL He seems so much more comfortable now when he is receiving his feedings and even tho he does continue to have some residual, its improved GREATLY!!

Evie is doing well too! :) She is still at 2 liters of oxygen, but they expect that to be turned off and remove the cannula sometime tommorrow!! She is also off the billilights! As of right now she has the cannula, feeding tube and various monitors, but that should change tommorrow. She is tolerating her feedings so well... has only had 1 residual incident! Her bladder and bowel are working well and everything really seems to be going good. Today i held her while she received her 11am feeding and she sucked on her pacifier the entire time. This girl has an amazing sucking reflex!!! Once she was done with her feeding she stopped sucking. Like she realises the whole sucking/feeding connection. She's so brilliant ;)

The BIGGEST news of the day - I got to hold the babies together for the first time today :) It was only for about 5 minutes, but long enough to snap a few pictures and watch in amazement as my little ones were together again :) Their day nurse told me on the phone earlier that she let Jackson hang out with "big sister" Evie in her bed for about 20 minutes this afternoon. She said they really seemed aware of one another and held hands. She took a pic for us - I cannot wait to see it!!! :) She also said that when Jackson had to go back to his own bed, Evie's heartrate dropped a little - like she knew her brother was gone and she wanted him BACK! Well, she will have her way soon. The NICU, thanksfully, encourages co bedding for mulitples once they are in an open crib. So as soon as that happens my babies will be together all the time!

Also, tommorrow we get to start kangaroo care!!! That on top of getting to hold them for 20 minutes. Im REALLLLY looking forward to this :)

Well, thats about it i think. Im sure im leaving something out but im so tired i cant think of what it is im forgetting. Heres a few pictures of my sweet little ones *together*.

Evie is above Jackson in this one...


Jackson on left, Me, and Evie on right!

Images hosted at HoldThatPic.com

11/28/06 - 6 days old

Short update tonight as im exhausted and needing some sleep.

Evie : oxygen is at 2 liters and room air! She has done well on this all day, no spells or trouble to mention. Shes getting 26 cc's per feeding now, every 3 hours. Not having any residual except for 1 time. Her billi counts are improving and she should be off the phototherapy in a day or so. She was moved to a regular isolette - tho its pretty much just like the bed she's been in - i really dont see any difference.

Jackson : He is officially cannula FREE!!!!! Totally on room air, no more breathing help for my boy! :) He is getting 27 cc's per feeding but unfortunatley he is having residual at nearly each and every feeding. Its upsetting to me and I wish they would take things a little slower. I held him today while he was getting his 11am feeding through the feeding tube and he seemed so uncomfortable. Like he wasnt tolerating it well. He burped a few very quiet burps and spit up a little bit. He has had about 1-5 cc's of residual each time and the nurse said thats not a concern - but Evie hasnt had any except one time and its hard to not compare her lack of residual with his frequent residual. Jackson was also moved to an isolette today. Again, no idea what the difference is!

My Mom got to come with us today to see the babies and it was really awesome! :) We got some beautiful pictures but i havent had the time or energy to upload them yet. Will be sure to do it tommorrow!

11/27/06 - 5 days old

Both babies are doing well today :)

Evie : previous weight had dropped to 3 lbs 1 oz, tonight she is up to 3 lbs 1 3/4 oz!! Her weight loss is over & now she is starting to gain back YAY!!! Oxygen is 4 liters and room air. Umbilical catheter (belly button IV) has been removed! Tim and I held her for 10 minutes each and she snoozed the whole time ;)

Jackson : previous weight had dropped to 3 lbs 2 oz, tonight he is up to 3 lbs 2 1/4 oz! So he has also finished loosing weight & is gaining back! :) His oxygen is 2 liters and room air! His umbilical catheter was also removed. DH and I also held him for 10 minutes each, Jackson was actually awake and opened his beautiful little eyes :) We got some great pictures!!

I love this picture, Jackson clutching his Daddy's thumb. Whenever Tim tried to move his hand Jackson would grip tighter. This boy looked so content in his Daddy's arms.


Proof Jackson really does have eyes! ;)


This one is just too precious not to share. Its also Jackson.


And now for Ms Evie...

You can see how tiny she is, holding on to Daddy's thumb!


She was so precious, scrunching up her little face!


Leave me alone, im trying to sleep!


And these 2 pictures... well I guess they are the Supahstars of the NICU lol Dont they look so cozy ;)

Ms Diva... I mean Evie ;)


And Jackson lookin all cool with his "sunglasses" on!

Our first picture together as a family of six!!

About 3 hours after the babies were born Dh, Mikayla, Harley and I were able to go in to the NICU and see the babies!! A nurse took this photo for us - our first picture together as an official family of SIX!!


From left to right : Evie in her NICU bed, Mikayla, Harley, me, DH, Jackson in his NICU bed

Another post from 11/24/06

Post from a mama board on 11/24/06 at 251 pm

After 12 days of being in the hospital in preterm labor, I had my babies 11/22/06. Evie was born first, vaginally, at 9:39 pm and Jackson was born footling breech at 9:42 pm.

Both babies are of course in the NICU on nasal cannulas, a tube down their throat to get rid of air i think, an IV in their belly buttons for blood and medication, and a handful of leads/monitors. he neonatologist said after their birth they may be home around 35 weeks gestation, which is Christmas Day.

Heres my precious babies

Jackson Alexander, 3 lbs 8 1/4 oz & 15 1/2 inches long (the official "baby" of the family now since he was born after Evie!)



and Evelynn Brooke, 3 lbs 7 1/4 oz & 15 inches long - the spittin image of big sister Mikayla as a newborn (but 3 lbs smaller)



Its hurtin like crazy being away from my babies, its gonna be a long several weeks until they come home.

Post from 11/24/06

I typed this on a moms of mulitples board 11/24/06 at 11:41 pm

i had my sweet babies at 30 weeks and 2 days, after 12 days in the hospital for preterm labor.
First came Evie weighing 3 lbs 7 1/4 oz and 15 inches long. 3 minutes later Jackson was born at 3 lbs 8 1/4 inches and 15 1/2 inches long. Both born vaginally, Evie was head down and Jackson was a footling breech/breech extraction. It was honestly a pain free birth for me - just had some no-pain pressure. I had 1 contraction with 4 pushes and out popped Evie. I dont think i even pushed with Jackson. I reached down and touched his little head after he came out. And cried LOL It was a very emotional 2 weeks for my husband and I and it was honestly what i would call the most beautiful moment of my life when these little ones were born. the connection between dh and i, the birth, watching him cut their cords... it really was amazing. We both feel so extremely blessed.

I did have the steroid shots for their lungs but they both still needed that medicine to inflate their lungs. they each have a nasal cannula, a tube in their mouth for removing air i believe, an IV type thing in their belly buttons, a handful of leads/monitors. they have both made improvements in how much help they need to breath and tonight i was checking on them and the nurse said she didnt have dr orders yet but it looks like Jackson's will be turned down again. hey have both lost 3 oz since birth, but we know thats normal. they both started phototherapy for jaundice today as well. im kind of glad they started because we knew they would need it and it feels like the sooner it starts, the sooner its over and they can come home

they started getting 4 cc's of formula in their iv fluid thing today, but once i get some milk pumped they will be getting breastmilk. i started pumping yesterday and have been drinking tons of water and pumping every few hours - i got enough colostrum this evening from one side to cover the bottom of the little bottle, didnt have any height the it but it did cover. So it seems to be going well and hopefully i will have some yummy breastmilk for my sweet little ones tommorrow or Sunday!

Let's see, what else... OH!! they both have a great sucking reflex already, trying to put everything in their mouths to suck on from their fingers to their cannulas LOL, so they each got a little preemie pacifier their night nurse said they both love the pacifiers and Jackson sucks on his pacifier while she is giving him his feeding and then afterwards he falls asleep with it hanging out of his mouth. Precious!! And Evie loves her so much she sucks on it during her feedings and then keeps on going LOL! Im so pleased they have a good sucking reflex already!!!

Last night and this morning i got to take their temps and change their diapers it truly was wonderful And last night i was taking Evie's cannula out of her mouth (yes i know lol she pulls it out of her nose and gets it in her mouth to suck on, silly girl!) and she sucked on my finger!!!! I loved it AND... i also got to hear them both cry - Evie last night and Jackson this morning. And of course i cried too - my first time hearing anything more than a soft whimper from either of em!! It was only like 2 wahh's from each baby, but it was still amazing. And they have such different cries! Sound nothing alike!

Well... im sure im leaving something out. I came home today and am glad to be home with dh and my older girls, but i miss my babies so despratley. Im doing my best to keep my emotions in check by really focusing on the positive things happening but ive had a fewlittle breakdowns since ive been home. my girls asked me earlier if i was glad to be home and i said oh yeh... i spent 12 days crying for them in the hospital and now im at home and crying for the babies, ill be so happy when they come home and our family will be all together 3 hours after their birth the neonatologist said they may come home as early as 35 weeks gestation, which is Christmas Day!!! So maybe dh and I will have our complete family home for Christmas - what a blessing that would be Im not banking on anything tho, but it is a good thing to focus on during my super sad times.

We are heading up to the hospital tommorrow morning after breakfast - hoping to spend some good quality time with my babies its hard not being able to walk down the hall and see them whenever i want but i admit i am resting much better at home.

Evelynn Brooke and Jackson Alexander

Our twins, Evelynn Brooke and Jackson Alexander were born Wednesday November 22, 2006 at 30 weeks & 2 days. Both born vaginally, Evie came first at 9:39 pm and 3 minutes later Jackson was delivered footling breech at 9:42pm. Evie weighed 3 lbs 7 1/4 oz, 15 inches long and Jackson was 3 lbs 8 1/4 oz and 15 1/2 inches long. By the time they were born I had been in the hospital for 12 days - hospitalized at 28 weeks & 4 days due to preterm labor and being 3 full cm dialated. With the help of magnesium sulfate, endocin and then nifedipine after the mag was stopped we were able to hold off delivery long enough for me to have the beta methosone steroid shots. My doctors (maternal fetal medicine) all expected me to deliver that first weekend and were very surprised we made it as far as we did. While difficult at times, the time spent in the hospital was well worth every second. My babies both had amazing birth weights and even tho they didnt work 100%, the steroid shots did help mature their lungs some.

Their updates as of today - 4 days old - are...

Evie : weighs 3 lbs 2 oz, oxygen is at 3 and 23% (21% is room air, almost there!!), taking 14 cc's every 3 hours for feeding. that amount should be increased to 16 cc's at her 11pm feeding and then 18 cc's at her 11am feeding tommorrow. Friday and Saturday she had preemie formula (except for 1 feeding on Saturday) but as of today theres enough breastmilk to cover her for 24 hours, and I already have pumped enough for 5 feedings for Tuesday that Ill take in tommorrow. By the time we go I should have enough for all of Tuesdays feedings. She loves her preemie pacifier and doesnt like having her temperature taken or her diaper changed lol I held her for the first time today!! She is allowed to be held once a day for 20 minutes. It was so amazing! Tommorrow dh and I are going to share her, he will get her 10 minutes and Ill get her 10 minutes ;)

Jackson : weighs 3 lbs 4 oz, oxygen is 3 and 21%!!!!! He should be off his nasal cannula in a day or 2! Everything else i said about Evie is the same for Jackson.. only thing different was his weight and oxygen :) Oh, and he had his first bath Friday night!

My plan for this blog is this... Im going to copy and paste what I have typed up about the babies on various websites to bring everything up to date, then I will just update this blog as information changes.