thetadpoles.com

This past week Tadd and I have really started to get our first taste of being a parent. We have been their parents all along, but it feels real when you have them in your arms. It is still weird to leave and go home empty handed but we definitely have been more hands on. They listen to us a little more when we tell them things we see on the twins. If they have nurse they haven’t had before we can tell her what they like and dislike, how they like to sleep or how Loen will drop her oxygen levels if she is wet or has a full tummy. It has just been a good week for ourselves and the twins.

UPDATES:

• Loen: She has now been out of the Giraffe 3 times! Tadd was able to hold her for the first time on Wednesday. He looked like the proud papa. Tadd had come for a quick visit with the babies on his lunch break. The nurse asked me if he would be there very long because if so he could hold Loen. Tadd said work could wait and quickly got ready to hold her. We sent a picture message to some of his co-workers that said Tadd would be in late that afternoon. I think they got the hint! I will let Tadd write about his experience later. I held her again on Thursday for almost 45 minutes. She looks content in our arms. She is still doing really well with her feedings. She weighs 2 pounds 4 ounces. They put the little pink shirt on her and it is almost too small! Her belly was hanging out. The nurses were teasing she was wearing a midriff top and they should put a little fake jewel on her belly button. Then last night she got to wear her other pink top that she has never worn. It is like a little dress and she looks darling in it. I love how excited staff get when they see her in clothes. All of the other preemies are naked and Loen likes to be quite the fashion plate.

• Derby: YEA!!! Our upper GI study looked good. When the surgeon was trying to insert the tube down his nose Derby whacked him with his arm board. The nurse had to hold his arms down. But the tube went down and the hole in his esophagus has healed. The doctors said the x-ray shows normal bowel with no narrowing. So our little fat man was started on breast milk. Granted it is a very small amount (3 ml’s) every 3 hours but it is a start. Tadd and I couldn’t wait for the first time they checked for residuals. Good news, he digested it all. Which isn’t a huge surprise because he is such a chunky monkey. The doctor also said she didn’t see any reason why we couldn’t hold Derby. I called Tadd to tell him the good news and he rushed over from work just in case I tried to snake him and hold Derby first. The NICU was so busy yesterday with an emergency surgery we didn’t get a chance to, but it is on the horizon. They need to have a nurse and respiratory tech close by when they are out of the incubator, so when it is calm we can try then. Derby is starting to open his eyes bigger and longer. He weighs 3 pounds 5 ounces!! I cant wait to hold him and feel all that heft.

Loen got her hair washed

Loen acting like she is lying on the beach. The shirt is getting a little small

Daddy getting ready to hold Loen for the first time

Tadd looks so happy

Loen all bundled for her 3rd trip outside

Derby with his eyes open

Derby

Derby’s arm board of doom. It looks as if he is poised to attack. (The arm board is to help keep his IV in place)

Like a camel Derby stores all of his fat in his chin

One of the nurses likes to clamp the bottom of the blanket to make them feel secure. Derby decided to kick his feet through the bottom, unfortunatly he got stuck that way.