Daddy's hands (with kids back when we were in the NICU.)
Our cute little monkey boys almost 2wks old in this photo!
I've got my eye on you. Gavin (L) Griffin (R)
Gavin (L) Griffin (R)Sunday, March 28, 2010
A few more....
Daddy's hands (with kids back when we were in the NICU.)Our cute little monkey boys almost 2wks old in this photo!I've got my eye on you. Gavin (L) Griffin (R) Gavin (L) Griffin (R)
and some more.....
Daddy and his boys take a nap. Gav (L) Grif (R)
My boss, Julie, was the first visitor that was non-medical and non-family. She has been so completely flexible with me the past few years and allowed me to continue to work while fighting the fight to start our family. Thanks again for the visit Julie!!
Julie and Griffin (L) and Gavin (R)
Me and my dad with the boys. Gavin (L) Griffin (R)
This was from the NICU still.....Daddy and Gavin.more favs
Another one of my first time getting to hold them both.
Daddy and his look-alike Griffin.
Griffin's cute little feet. The 2 on the tag on his foot is what is telling me this is Grif. (he is called Twin 2 by the hospital)
Mom and Dad with Gavin in the early days.Some of my favorites
Wishing I could hold my boys.
Loving each other and the miracles we call ours.
My mom and I, first day of life.
My brother and Gavin, day 1.
My mom and Gavin, day 1.
March 28th update
We have been spending so much time going between home and hospital, for Eryn, and home,work and hospital, for Randy, that we haven't had as much time to keep the pictures and updates coming.
Of course we are taking lots of pictures and will post as soon as we can.
Newest update and then I will post some of my favorite photo's.
March 28th update:
Both boys are doing really well and the hospital is anticipating an arrival home of one or both boys early this coming week! We are about a week ahead of what they originally guesstimated for us.
Griffin had another echocardiogram on Friday and I am guessing that the results were nothing for us to worry about since the cardiologist had the nurse practioner tell us that there was no change and we don't need to repeat the echo until he is between 3/6mo instead of their original plan of 3mo. So at this time, no further immediate action is necessary. Whew....we are so thankful that he continues to rise to the challenge. The NP even said Griffin was doing so well that he may be the first to join us at home. Of course, after she said that, he started slowing down in his eating and that isn't a good thing. Not that it is bad but, they need to move forward not slow down. He had a big day Friday and that could be a part of it. Regardless, they said both boys should be good to go by mid-week barring any unforseen changes. Gavin had slowed down in his eating where Griffin had picked up.....so they flip flopped until the NP said Gavin may have an extra day in the hospital compared to Griffin. It was as if they new and Gavin sped up and Griffin slowed down. I believe they understood what was being said and want to come home together so they are trying to match up. ;) I guess it will change no matter what we are told since the babies are the ones calling the shots for now.
Both have gained good weight from eating so well. Gavin weighed in at 5.12lbs on Sat and Griffin weighed in at 5.15lbs. We have learned that Gavin has a bit of a leak in his mouth when he eats and he also is a really good burper. Griffin is a cleaner eater and doesn't really have any burps....except for some bottom burps. He has that down pat. Who ever would have thought that parents could be so proud of the bodily functions. In our case and for sure other preemie cases, it is excellent news since it continues to prove that the digestive tract is doing what it is supposed to and is maturing nicely.
Tonight, Randy and I will give each boy a bath so we can learn what to do with a small baby at home. (However, our small babies are pretty good sized!) It is something we have to do as a teaching/learning thing when the babes are in the Special Care Nursery before they can come home.
Both boys have their carseat evaluations on Monday the 29th. It is a 2hr test where the boys will sit upright in their seats to make sure they can breathe OK without any breaks in breathing. They will be hooked up to the monitors for this test. This test and eating are their last big things to accomplish since they are passing all the other tests/goals that are set for them.
Praise God! This may be our last "quiet" weekend if we are lucky!!
Of course we are taking lots of pictures and will post as soon as we can.
Newest update and then I will post some of my favorite photo's.
March 28th update:
Both boys are doing really well and the hospital is anticipating an arrival home of one or both boys early this coming week! We are about a week ahead of what they originally guesstimated for us.
Griffin had another echocardiogram on Friday and I am guessing that the results were nothing for us to worry about since the cardiologist had the nurse practioner tell us that there was no change and we don't need to repeat the echo until he is between 3/6mo instead of their original plan of 3mo. So at this time, no further immediate action is necessary. Whew....we are so thankful that he continues to rise to the challenge. The NP even said Griffin was doing so well that he may be the first to join us at home. Of course, after she said that, he started slowing down in his eating and that isn't a good thing. Not that it is bad but, they need to move forward not slow down. He had a big day Friday and that could be a part of it. Regardless, they said both boys should be good to go by mid-week barring any unforseen changes. Gavin had slowed down in his eating where Griffin had picked up.....so they flip flopped until the NP said Gavin may have an extra day in the hospital compared to Griffin. It was as if they new and Gavin sped up and Griffin slowed down. I believe they understood what was being said and want to come home together so they are trying to match up. ;) I guess it will change no matter what we are told since the babies are the ones calling the shots for now.
Both have gained good weight from eating so well. Gavin weighed in at 5.12lbs on Sat and Griffin weighed in at 5.15lbs. We have learned that Gavin has a bit of a leak in his mouth when he eats and he also is a really good burper. Griffin is a cleaner eater and doesn't really have any burps....except for some bottom burps. He has that down pat. Who ever would have thought that parents could be so proud of the bodily functions. In our case and for sure other preemie cases, it is excellent news since it continues to prove that the digestive tract is doing what it is supposed to and is maturing nicely.
Tonight, Randy and I will give each boy a bath so we can learn what to do with a small baby at home. (However, our small babies are pretty good sized!) It is something we have to do as a teaching/learning thing when the babes are in the Special Care Nursery before they can come home.
Both boys have their carseat evaluations on Monday the 29th. It is a 2hr test where the boys will sit upright in their seats to make sure they can breathe OK without any breaks in breathing. They will be hooked up to the monitors for this test. This test and eating are their last big things to accomplish since they are passing all the other tests/goals that are set for them.
Praise God! This may be our last "quiet" weekend if we are lucky!!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Renee and Jeremy
Randy's co-workers threw him a baby shower on March 12th (coincidentally his birthday as well). One of the gifts (from Ben Chan) was a CD by Renee and Jeremy. We first listened to the CD Saturday the 13th. Eryn was feeling uncomfortable and starting to have contractions. We laid down and listened to the CD and they seemed to subside. We got up again and they started again. Two hours later, we met Gavin and Griffin. We suspect it was because they enjoyed the music so much and they decided to come on out to hear some more. We both love the music and decided to share it with you on this blog. Scoll down to the bottom to see what song is playing and be sure to turn it up...the songs are all so fitting for our Two Little Miracles.
If you desire to play the video below, you may want to first scroll to the bottom of this page and pause the song player.
If you desire to play the video below, you may want to first scroll to the bottom of this page and pause the song player.
Seems like a long time ago.
The video below was taken 19 hours almost to the minute after Gavin was born. Though on the cords, tubes and wires are helping him survive...it's still difficult for a parent to see. It's also amazing to me to see the difference a week and a half makes. He is a different person in such a short time...
Less than 2 weeks later...here's our little Gavin.
Less than 2 weeks later...here's our little Gavin.
A New Bed
The boys have been moved out of their isolets (pictured above).
Both boys have been doing very well and are now being tested in their ability to regulate their temperatures. They have moved outside of their incubators/isolets and are now in open bassinette type beds.
Gavin and Griffin both have a t-shirt & diaper, a sleeper, a sleep sack and 3 blankets. They are wrapped tightly like a Chipotle Burrito. As they do better at monitoring their temperature, a blanket is removed. Eventually this won’t be an issue…and one more test is passed allowing them to come home soon.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Bath day and a hearing test
March 23rd was a big day for Gavin and Griffin. They both had baths! It was the first one that Randy and I knew of where we had the opportunity to participate. We had to watch the nurse demonstrate once for me on Gavin and later in the day once for Randy on Griffin. Gavin did a few sqawks and mostly enjoyed, and
Griffin mostly snoozed through the whole thing. I took a few photo's that we will try to post later tonight.
After bath time, both boys got to have a dinner reservation with momma. They ate like champs again and got to skip their tube feedings. Gavin has orders to start bottling during the night and nursing whenever he shows signs that he may want to. Griffin is getting those same orders today. (as we may have mentioned before, Griffin is about a half day behind his brother) Griffin already had the nursing orders but, not the bottling orders. Both boys will come home doing both which will allow Randy some time to feed the boys when he wants to. (He says he will take some of the evening/night shift provided the boys do go smoothly between bottle/nursing)
Both boys also had hearing screens and passed with flying colors.
Last night after bath time, the nurse asked if we have the house ready for the boys. We have had it ready for a few weeks now. She said at the rate the boys are progressing, they will most likely get discharged early.
HOORAY!!!!! We can't wait to bring our boys home!!! We will keep you posted as we know more.
Again, we will try to post some new photo's tonight when we get a little more time. The days go by so quickly for us as Randy goes to a full day of work and then goes to the hospital and I go up around 11AM and come home sometime between 8 and 9pm. Cellphones aren't allowed in the nursery so if you ever try to get ahold of us and can't, there is a good possibility that we are with our boys.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Baby Blues or love unimaginable?
I have started this new thing where I cry when I leave the babies at night time. It isn't just a little cry either, it is a deep uncontrollable cry that I need to deep breathe during to come out on the other side of it. Again, my nurses assure me that it is normal with all of the hormones that are running through me right now as well as the events of the past week have been a lot to deal with. (I don't cry when we leave if the babies are sleeping but, if they are staring at me as I say my goodbyes, I lose it)
Thursday night, my first night home after being discharged from the hospital, I cried the hardest I think I have EVER cried. I couldn't catch my breath I was so overwhelmed with emotion. I made Randy call the NICU to check on our babies. This was only about 1.5hrs after we got home from being with them.
When we left our house at just before midnight on March 13th, I had no idea whatsoever, that I would look at our nursery on the way out the door and have my babies that night. The nursery has been ready for awhile now and since we didn't know the genders of our little miracles, I couldn't completely daydream about the little people that would make this room home. Thursday night when I got home and looked at the nursery, I was instantly overwhelmed with emotion as now it was assigned to two little boys. And not just any two boys. MY two boys. Gavin and Griffin. The room has owners now and I cannot wait to bring them home and fill our house with the precious sounds of children. Finally.
That night as I started crying, so many emotions came over me. I actually am a mom now. Our dreams for healthy children have been answered and we are finally getting to make the new chapters in our book of life. Our infertility chapters will always be part of our lives but, I think I finally cleansed myself of all the hurt and disappointment that we have experienced in the past few years. I cried because I am so completely 100% in love with these two precious little people I am so fortunate to call mine. I cried because I am hopeful that with a whole lot of faith and luck, Randy and I will get to experience full lives with our children. We have truly been blessed and I am not taking one thing for granted. This is with out a doubt, one of the most awesome experiences of my life.
If you are a parent, I know you get what I am talking about. If you are a parent because a fertility treatment finally worked, you get what I am talking about. If you don't have kids yet, but want them, I hope you get to be as fulfilled from an experience of your own as I feel I am right now.
As I have said before and I will say again, my cup runneth over. I am more in love with my husband and I didn't think that was possible. To see him with our children makes my heart smile. I know things won't always be roses. But, after so many challenges early on in our marriage around all the fertility stuff and my ankle issues (for those of you reading that don't know about this part of my life, I have had 3 ankle surgeries since I met Randy all the while we were fighting the infertility battle) I am ready for something completely new and different and I think we have that! :)
Thursday night, my first night home after being discharged from the hospital, I cried the hardest I think I have EVER cried. I couldn't catch my breath I was so overwhelmed with emotion. I made Randy call the NICU to check on our babies. This was only about 1.5hrs after we got home from being with them.
When we left our house at just before midnight on March 13th, I had no idea whatsoever, that I would look at our nursery on the way out the door and have my babies that night. The nursery has been ready for awhile now and since we didn't know the genders of our little miracles, I couldn't completely daydream about the little people that would make this room home. Thursday night when I got home and looked at the nursery, I was instantly overwhelmed with emotion as now it was assigned to two little boys. And not just any two boys. MY two boys. Gavin and Griffin. The room has owners now and I cannot wait to bring them home and fill our house with the precious sounds of children. Finally.
That night as I started crying, so many emotions came over me. I actually am a mom now. Our dreams for healthy children have been answered and we are finally getting to make the new chapters in our book of life. Our infertility chapters will always be part of our lives but, I think I finally cleansed myself of all the hurt and disappointment that we have experienced in the past few years. I cried because I am so completely 100% in love with these two precious little people I am so fortunate to call mine. I cried because I am hopeful that with a whole lot of faith and luck, Randy and I will get to experience full lives with our children. We have truly been blessed and I am not taking one thing for granted. This is with out a doubt, one of the most awesome experiences of my life.
If you are a parent, I know you get what I am talking about. If you are a parent because a fertility treatment finally worked, you get what I am talking about. If you don't have kids yet, but want them, I hope you get to be as fulfilled from an experience of your own as I feel I am right now.
As I have said before and I will say again, my cup runneth over. I am more in love with my husband and I didn't think that was possible. To see him with our children makes my heart smile. I know things won't always be roses. But, after so many challenges early on in our marriage around all the fertility stuff and my ankle issues (for those of you reading that don't know about this part of my life, I have had 3 ankle surgeries since I met Randy all the while we were fighting the infertility battle) I am ready for something completely new and different and I think we have that! :)
Has anyone seen my memory?
So many people have told me once you have kids you can't remember a thing. Well, there has been way too much proof of that. I typically have had an excellent memory. It was one thing I always had going for me and has helped me tremendously in my professions and personal life. Well, I hope it comes back one day because right now...it has left the building.
My mind is so full with thoughts of my boys and keeping all their info and the info from the nurses/doctors and the like. Who would think that "normal" full term babies get to go right home without an instruction manual? Well, ours are coming with a manual so to speak. I kind of like that actually. I am glad we are getting our training wheels right now so we will be ready for the ride of our lives by the time the kids are freed from the hospital training program.
If ever you are seeing a post that may not be edited right or sounds a little off, know that I mean well but, I am going down the sleep deprivation path. I have been attempting to do something I never in a million years would have thought I would EVER do.....no matter the circumstances.....Nurse my babies. I have confused Randy with this as I had told him I was not willing to breastfeed but, I would express my milk to feed the babies. Then I said, I am not going to do that since that will take so much time (every 3 hrs during the day and every 4 at night as of now...schedule given to me by the nurses/neonatologist). Well, after meeting these two little precious wonders, I have done a 180 and am trying to do anything I can to help them grow. The neonatologist told me that breast milk helps to coat the intestines and make things gentler on the babies. Also all of the antibodies etc. found in breast milk would help my babies especially since they are preemies. They are big preemies but, size isn't as important as the maturity of their 2,000 parts. Especially their organs and systems. Griffin has a little harder time with digestion right now and that is purely due to immaturity.
I decided to express my milk and that has been fine. It is a full time gig but, so worth it.
One day while I was kangarooing with Griffin, he started licking my skin, it felt very natural to tip him sideways and attempt nursing. Randy and I were both floored at this thought! How in the world can I be the same person who wanted to run screaming out of a breastfeeding class we attended back in February? Anyway, I tipped Griffin and he knew just what to do! The medical team has told me that the boys would just nuzzle me and not really know what to do yet, again because of their immaturity. BOTH Gavin and Griffin know just what to do and do it!! Our NICU nurse was so patient and helped me to learn what I to do. I hadn't read anything about nursing since I was absolutely not going to do it. I did however, pay pretty good attention at the BF class we attended. (I sat in that room so freaked out by things I was hearing and the thought of feeding another human from me) That did make things familiar when the NICU nurse said what to do. We are nursing a couple of times a day now. We can't do it as a full time thing because both boys need more calories than they get via breastmilk right now. Their milk is being fortified and administered via feeding tubes in their noses right now. We will continue to work on the nursing thing and hopefully be quite proficient at it before we get home.
This may be a topic some of you are quite uncomfortable with. I am one of those people so I can empathize. And if you are still reading, I thank you for not writing me off during this post. However, as a new mom, when you see these two little people who you know are depending on you and, you know you have waited so long to meet them, you will do anything, and I mean anything, to make sure they are cared for in the best possible manner to give them the best opportunity to mature and grow to be the wonderful little people we will continue to get to know.
The miracle of life is and amazing and awesome thing that I am so priveleged to get to experience.
My mind is so full with thoughts of my boys and keeping all their info and the info from the nurses/doctors and the like. Who would think that "normal" full term babies get to go right home without an instruction manual? Well, ours are coming with a manual so to speak. I kind of like that actually. I am glad we are getting our training wheels right now so we will be ready for the ride of our lives by the time the kids are freed from the hospital training program.
If ever you are seeing a post that may not be edited right or sounds a little off, know that I mean well but, I am going down the sleep deprivation path. I have been attempting to do something I never in a million years would have thought I would EVER do.....no matter the circumstances.....Nurse my babies. I have confused Randy with this as I had told him I was not willing to breastfeed but, I would express my milk to feed the babies. Then I said, I am not going to do that since that will take so much time (every 3 hrs during the day and every 4 at night as of now...schedule given to me by the nurses/neonatologist). Well, after meeting these two little precious wonders, I have done a 180 and am trying to do anything I can to help them grow. The neonatologist told me that breast milk helps to coat the intestines and make things gentler on the babies. Also all of the antibodies etc. found in breast milk would help my babies especially since they are preemies. They are big preemies but, size isn't as important as the maturity of their 2,000 parts. Especially their organs and systems. Griffin has a little harder time with digestion right now and that is purely due to immaturity.
I decided to express my milk and that has been fine. It is a full time gig but, so worth it.
One day while I was kangarooing with Griffin, he started licking my skin, it felt very natural to tip him sideways and attempt nursing. Randy and I were both floored at this thought! How in the world can I be the same person who wanted to run screaming out of a breastfeeding class we attended back in February? Anyway, I tipped Griffin and he knew just what to do! The medical team has told me that the boys would just nuzzle me and not really know what to do yet, again because of their immaturity. BOTH Gavin and Griffin know just what to do and do it!! Our NICU nurse was so patient and helped me to learn what I to do. I hadn't read anything about nursing since I was absolutely not going to do it. I did however, pay pretty good attention at the BF class we attended. (I sat in that room so freaked out by things I was hearing and the thought of feeding another human from me) That did make things familiar when the NICU nurse said what to do. We are nursing a couple of times a day now. We can't do it as a full time thing because both boys need more calories than they get via breastmilk right now. Their milk is being fortified and administered via feeding tubes in their noses right now. We will continue to work on the nursing thing and hopefully be quite proficient at it before we get home.
This may be a topic some of you are quite uncomfortable with. I am one of those people so I can empathize. And if you are still reading, I thank you for not writing me off during this post. However, as a new mom, when you see these two little people who you know are depending on you and, you know you have waited so long to meet them, you will do anything, and I mean anything, to make sure they are cared for in the best possible manner to give them the best opportunity to mature and grow to be the wonderful little people we will continue to get to know.
The miracle of life is and amazing and awesome thing that I am so priveleged to get to experience.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Grandparents Day (Part I) - Eryn's Parents Visit
The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.
~Author Unknown
Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. ~Author Unknown
Moving Day!!! Two Guys and a Truck...Well, Sort Of...
Graduation day from the NICU has finally arrived. With improved breathing, the ability to regulate their temperatures and eating like the champs that they are Gavin Thomas and Griffin Otto were approved to move from the NICU (Intensive Care Unit) at Childrens Hospital to the Special Care Nursery at Abbot Northwestern Hospital. At 1pm a rather omnious machine arrived outside of the babies isolets. The T1500 Globe-Trotter (sounds like something out of the Terminatior movies) is basically a mobile incubator/isolet.
The T1500 Globe-Trotter
At 1:15pm, the pediatric doctor stopped by and gave a final thumbs up and both boys were loaded in. Eryn and Randy packed up all their goodies (books, monkeys, blankets etc) grabbed a wheelchair and attempted piled it on top of Eryn. We all then started the 10 minute walk to the boy's new home.
Loaded into the T1500, Gavin doesn't seem to be too excited either way.
Griffin being loaded in with his brother.
Stop touching me! Stop touching me! Mom...he's on my side!!!
Once loaded, we started on the long walk through the tunnels under the hospital. It's not really that far, about 3-4 city blocks, however Randy had several bags, a backpack and was pushing Eryn with his left hand the whole way. Let's just say that Randy may have earned a few husband/dad points that afternoon.
We arrived at Abbot Northwestern Hospital....
Like his mom, Gavin sleeps easy on long journeys.
NICU Nurse Cindy and Gavin Thomas
Griffin Otto
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
