A New Chapter in Our Lives

We found an awesome daycare (thanks to Grandma) for Robby and Jacob that they totally love going to! What a relief that was. I miss them a lot during the day, but I had to go back to work because the bills are more than piling up!

With the housing market doing poorly, I decided to try something new. I needed a job where I didn't have to punch a time clock because it is very difficult getting out of the house every morning with two little ones, who decide on their own schedule. I would have been fired on the 3rd day if I had to punch a clock! Not to mention, we still have several medical appointments each month that I need the freedom to be able to leave work and bring the boys to, so I decided to sell insurance for Farmer's.

Long Over Due Up Date!

Robby on my Due Date

Jake on my due date

It has been a long time since I have updated my web site....where to start? (I'm just going from memory on the bigger events and will fill in with smaller details and pictures later)

On June 15th, I transferred the boys from the U of W NICU to Stevens SCU. Both of them just needed to learn how to eat on their own and they would be coming home. It was a VERY tough decision to make because I felt so at home in the NICU. The staff there was wonderful and they felt more like friends after spending 7 weeks there. I knew if one baby went home, I wouldn't be able to bring him back to visit the other and that is one thing that Stevens did differently, plus it was so much closer to home. I cried so much the night before because it was so bitter-sweet leaving, as I was told it would be.

Robby cried a lot of the way there and Jake just slept. I tried waking Jake up when we were between the ambulance and the hospital so he could experience the out doors, but he had no interest. They were both in isolettes, so it isn't like they would actually smell and feel the air.

We had a HUGE spot and everyone there was very nice.

After 8 weeks in the two hospitals, Robby decided he'd rather be home, so within 5 days (June 20th), he was discharged home with me. I spent the first night watching him sleep to make sure he was OK....he was! The next night I thought I should probably sleep and I did.

We would go back and forth to the hospital every day to spend time with Jake and work on him learning to eat. It took him 2 weeks before he was released. (June 29th).

Since they were still almost 3 weeks from their due date, they were still just growing. They would both eat every 3 hours, so I'd feed each of them for about an hour and then sleep for an hour through the night. During the day, I'd use those hours for laundry, dishes, naps, eating and whatever else needed doing.

Baylea didn't quite know what to think of them. She would look at their little bodies and hear their little squeaks and look at me wondering what I brought home. They were both just only over 5 pounds each.

4th Of July

The boys took their first ferry boat ride on the 3rd of July as we went to my parent's house in Kingston for the 4th of July festivities. That is pretty much a must do every year. We had a fun time and it was nice having others to help take care of them. Debbie, Ryan and Rachael also joined us.

Shortly after Robby had come home, it was discovered he had GE Reflux. The acid in his stomach goes up into his esophagus and burns. It is very painful for him (and me!) and there have been several measures taken since then to try to control it. He must be fed in a special position, sleep in a wedge (that looks like a torture device), take medicine, have his food thickened and be burped more. He has his good days and his bad days. I can't wait until he grows out of it and has no pain.

July 15th -- Two days before their due date

We had attended a church concert with Debbie that evening and made a trip to Fred Meyer. After getting home, I went to change Robby and noticed his face was blueish/gray. After talking to a RN in the NICU and being on hold too long at Children's, Debbie, Jake and I rushed him to Children's Hospital. Debbie squeezed in the back seat with them to watch him and make sure he was continued to breath OK. It turned out the "blue" was not abnormal, but it turned out he did have a flu virus, so he was admitted. After bringing Debbie back to my house, Jake and I went back and spent what was left of the night with Robby. He was doing well, but did stay an additional night and was discharged on July 17th....their due date.

August 5th--- A day of firsts!

I had been looking forward to this day since before they were born. We had tickets for the entire family and a couple of friends to see the Mariner's play. Debbie, Rachael and Ryan came over the night before and spent the night ... (I got a good night sleep because Debbie took over the night duty!). We met our Mom and Dad at the train station and took the Sounder to the game. The place was packed and the game was crazy....we lost, but had a great time! Lynn and Michael bought the boys a great big Mariner Moose that is bigger than them. They also got to meet the Mariner Moose and have their picture taken with him. The game was followed by a BBQ at our house.

Since they were both discharged, we have had many many visits to their pediatrician and speciality clinics at Children's.

The heart problem they thought Jake had should probably resolve on it's own and he doesn't have to go back for another year. The hernias that one doctor thought she felt cannot be felt by the surgeon, so there will be no surgery there. It amazes me how sick Jake was in the NICU and is thriving so well now. He continues to grow and get cuter by the day. Here are a couple of before and after pictures so you can see how different he is now!

Robby, who was my super hero in the hospital, is the one having "all" the problems now. He had a swallow study done on August 14th and it showed that he aspirates (lightly) into his lungs. Luckily, there has been no permanent lung damage and measures can be taken to avoid any permanet damage. The study also showed his reflux, that was already known about. He doesn't have severe reflux (Thank God!), but it still affects him.

A hernia was detected when he was very young and it grew to be quite large. He had it repaired on August 17th at Children's. The surgery went well, but much longer than expected because it was so large. He had a small one on the left side, that they also did surgery on. I was dreading this day because I knew he would have to go 8 hours without eating and he was used to eating every 3-4 hours at this time. He was such a champ! I woke him up at 5am to feed him since he couldn't eat after 5:30. He woke up at 8:30 and was a bit fussy, but settled with cuddling with me in bed. He didn't whimper as we went to the hospital or waited for the surgery. The nurses said he hardly cried while in recovery either. When he was admitted into his room, he was just an angel and slept. I stayed with him and my mom stayed at my house with Jake. He was discharged the next day.

He did "OK", but ended up in the Emergency Room the following Tuesday. He had diahrea since after his surgery and seemed to be in a lot of pain. They did xrays, drew blood and monitored him for quite a while. They couldn't find anything too abnormal, so they sent us home at 3am. He was once again a trooper and Jake slept the entire 5 hours we were there.

As far as I go....I am TOTALLY exhausted! Beyond exhausted! I've had a ton of help from my mom, sister and niece Rachael, but I need more help. The boys are starting to sleep 5-6 hours at a time (as of August 20th), but until they sleep through the night, I can't work. They each take about an hour to change, feed, burp and get back to sleep. Jake likes to stay awake quite a while after eating and sometimes he will just swing or lay there peacefully, but many times he just wants to be held.

Both Boys are Home!

I have been very bad at updating my site. Just a quick update...Robby came home on June 20th and Jake came home on June 29th. Both are doing great. I will fill in more details later.

People have asked what I still need...DIAPERS! Huggies is the only brand that works for them. They manage to pee through the other brands I've tried through into their clothes. They are wearing "newborn" size and will, of course, grow into size 1 at some point. Both boys are still under 6 pounds.

June 8, 2007 --- 6 Weeks Old and Becoming Big Boys!

Jake in his new bed. (Both Pictures)

On June 7, Robby moved into a "Big Boy's Bed". The rule was he had to keep his temperature stable for 24 hours or he'd have to go back into the isolette. He did quite well and remains in the open world. Jake had to wait until June 8 to move into his "Big Boy Bed". We won't know until tomorrow if he can keep his temperature up and stable. It takes quite a few calories for them to keep themselves warm, so I didn't make them eat much on their own today or yesterday. Since they are more in the open, they both have on ankle bracelets like Paris Hilton got yesterday. If anyone tries to kidnap them then alarms go off and doors automatically shut. I think the hospital needs to worry more about me taking them than a stranger!

Robby in his bed....right before feeding time...he was hungry!

Our studio apartment with our new furniture...so much more room!

Here are pictures of our apartment with the old furniture......

My food cart doubles as my computer desk.
It's nice to have a fridge, but only the boy's milk can be kept in there.




The top of the isolettes doubled as pillow holders and the

extra shelf was used for their boom box.

It was cozy, but I had them together

and that is all that mattered! Thank you Gayle for

moving us into this space!

June 8 --- Part 2

I mentioned earlier they would be moved to the Newborn Plus Service, but I found out that is more for long term babies, which they are not....so they will remain on the service they have been on.

Both boys are over 2000 Grams! They are both starting to drink from a bottle and breast feed a little too. I'm concentrating more on the bottle so I can get them home sooner.

Jake was so funny because I put the pics up on his bed shortly before I left. He kept looking at the pic of me and him and then looking up at me and then back at the pic, then me again…over and over.

I held both of them for over 2 ½ hours. Once Jake woke up and screamed out (loudly). Robby didn’t budge. Then Robby had a very long cry and also very loud. Jake didn’t budge. I ended up having Jake cradled in my arm and Robby propped up on my bent legs to keep him quiet. He just kept looking around the room at everything. They both seem to be adjusting to the lights and noises well.

June 3, 2007...A couple days of updates

I try to update this every night before I leave the hospital, but have had company with me, so I haven't.

Both boys are doing great. Jake had the first bath of his life tonight! I'll post some pictures later of that.

Jake got a gold star yesterday for eating 17 cc's from me. He gets 33 cc's a feeding, so that was pretty awesome of him to take that much. Today he tried, but didn't do too well. He would stop breathing while he was trying to feed, so I'd have to pull away. They still aren't expected to be able to nurse until they are 34 weeks and they haven't hit that point yet. Robby still just nibbles and licks at the milk. They both have been bottle fed a little and are doing OK at that.

The best news I got over the past couple of days is that they are going to be moved to the Newborn Plus Service. They will still be in the NICU and have the same nurses, but the Newborn Plus Service is for babies that don't have medical problems that need a lot of attention and they goal is to get them eating so they can go home....from what I understand. Only 6 babies are allowed to be on this service and there are currently 5 on the service. As soon as 2 spots open up, then Robby and Jake will transfer to this service. This is very exciting for me. It is possible that they might be able to come home in 2 weeks! I'm trying really hard to get them eating on their own so this can happen. I just pray nothing medical will hold them back.

Today, June 3, Aunt Debbie came to visit the boys.

Yesterday, June 2, Grandma was there to see her boys.

Friday, June 1st, both Debbie and Grandma were there and got to hold both boys at the same time. It was a thrill for them!

Both boys are almost 4 pounds now! They are just a few grams away...I'm sure by tomorrow, they will hit the 4 pound mark.

May 31, 2007....Goodbye Amy and Anna Marie!

Today we "lost" our first two girl roommates. Amy (Jake's girlfriend) went home with her family to live a happy life. She was very sweet and beautiful and had a very loving mom that was here a lot with her and her dad would come after he got off work. We will miss her loud burbs and even louder crying, but are happy that she got to go home with her family.

Picture of Amy to be posted later.

Anna Marie (Robby's girlfriend) went over to Children's Hospital for long term care. She was a very pretty little girl with a loud cry and she loved to swing in her swing for hours at a time. I kept telling the boys I was going to adopt her so they'd have a big sister. Unfortunately, her family life isn't of existence and she needs a loving home.

I didn't take a picture of her because her birth mother was here and I never met her since she was never here.

The boys spent an hour today cuddling with each other. I took the pictures with my camera phone and most of them I took myself, so they aren't the best... I put their hands close to each other and they did hold them, but I didn't get a picture.

Can you tell who is who? Feel free to leave comments with your guesses. The RN was just looking at the pictures and she guessed wrong! Luckily their beds are marked with their names!

May 30, 2007 .... Day 33....Poopy Man!

Today is our 33rd day here with 48 days until they are actually due...


Today was another pleasant day. Both boys had their eyes checked (a routine thing they do) for ROP, Retinopathy of Prematurity... http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/rop/index.asp#1. They found nothing with Jake and a stage 1 for Robby. They will check both of them in a couple of weeks. They don't seem too concerned about either result.

Robby was first famous for peeing on anyone changing his diaper, now his newest thing is pooping (and he squirts it fast, hard and far) when I'm in the middle of a diaper change. It is really quite funny and I should prepare myself for the change between 3 and 5pm everyday. I scared the poor little thing today because I jumped and pulled both hands back quickly when he did a squirt today. He makes the funniest noise when he does it too. I'm going to start wearing gloves for those changes because there is no way to avoid it!

Robby had his first little fit tonight. He kept crying like he was being poked with a bunch of needles or something. I picked him up and let him try to eat like a big boy and he totally mellowed out. I'm hoping he can start eating that way all the time so he can come home soon! His isolette is down to 30.6 (needs to get to 28) and he needs to eat on his own and he will be homeward bound.

Jake's isolette is at 32.1 and he is starting to try to eat like a big boy, but Robby is a couple steps ahead of him, although Jake has been the better binky sucker.

I'm hoping they can both come home on the same day or w/in a couple days of each other because once they are discharged, they won't be allowed to come and visit the other one that is still here.

That is all the news for today. Thanks again for all the prayers, emails and calls. Sorry I am so bad at returning them. When I am at home, I sleep, shower and grab quick bites so I can come here and be w/ my boys. I haven't had a lot of computer time while here at the hospital because both boys want to be held so much and they both get a diaper change and feeding every 3 hours, so I keep busy with them.

May 29, 2007...Together again!

When I went to the hospital today, the boys had been moved (per my request). We are now in a little corner spot, where both of their isolettes are and a chair for me. It is very crowded, but I can see both at the same time and hold them together without having to unhook monitors and get portable ones.

Jake has a PICC line in still and I was going to wait for it to be removed before I held them together again, but I couldn't resist. I was holding Jake and Robby was watching and fussing quite a bit, so I had the RN put Robby on my chest too. Robby kept staring at Jake and checking him out. Jake wasn't too interested and slept most of the time. I put Robby's arm around Jake and Robby pulled it back, made a fist and put it up to Jake's chin. It was pretty funny.

Both are doing well. Jake is back eating again and is having a bit of a hard time pooping, but he did a nice healthy one tonight for me (after getting a suppository). Jake went ahead of Robby in weight today by just a tad bit.

For the first time tonight, while holding both of them, I realized I might have my hands full! But that is just fine with me. The other thing I was trying to imagine while holding them was if they were both in my belly...I'd be huge! I wouldn't have minded and would have preferred that, but I know we can't have everything in life we want and I'm just dealing what was dealt to me and thankful they are both as healthy as they are.

May 26, 2007...We got to be together! Met Cousin Ryan too...

Can you figure out who is who???

This was our first meeting since we were in

Mommy's tummy together!

Today was an especially cool day. First Mommy surprised us with our own boom box. She said it was nicer than any that she has ever had. She brought in some calming CD's for us to listen to. It isn't the same music we are used to hearing when we drive, but it will help us to sleep and relax while we are stuck at this hospital.

Aunt Debbie showed up with cousin Ryan and we got to meet him for the first time. He didn't seem too thrilled to see us, but we were glad to meet him. While they were here, Marilyn, the nurse, let Mommy hold both of us at the same time so we could meet each other and see how much we look alike. We decided we have a couple of features the same, but aren't identicle. We can't wait until we can be together all the time. Today was extra special and we are very thankful to Marilyn! Our First meeting with cousin Ryan

Robby, Jacob, Ryan

May 24, 2007 .... A day of visitors...Kathy, Meyer, Kathy, Grandma and Grandpa

Today was a day of visitors.

Our first visitors were Kathy, Meyer & Kathy. We were quite thrilled to meet them. Kathy and Kathy had been there through the entire pregnancy and were such kind and good friends to Mommy. The first 11 days of our life Mommy kept apologizing to us because she had to keep calling one of the Kathy's about a loan they were trying so hard to get done for a mean lady. (Per Grandma's request- Mommy removed the rest of what was here). Who is Karma?
Meyer was someone we have been saying special prayers for because he has been kind of sick, but he looked good! We can't wait to come home and see them again at our own house where they can hold us.

Mommy took some pictures that she will put here later.

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit again today. It is like their 100th visit or so. We lost track because they come so much. They both held Robby and fed him a little with his bottle. Robby is such a big boy now and wearing baby clothes and not running around with just a diaper on. His weight is approximately 3.6 pounds!

Here are some great pictures of Grandma and Robby!

Jake's blood count is down because they have been testing him so much, so he had to get another blood transfusion today. Because of this, Mommy was the only one that got to hold him for a while. Jake is weighing in at about 3.5 pounds! Once he starts eating again, he'll catch up with Robby.

Mommy fed Robby at 5pm with the bottle and he drank 10 cc of his 19 cc's. That is the most he has taken yet. Within the next two weeks, he hopes to be totally off the nose feeding and eating like a big boy so he can come home and sleep in his own bed.

May 23, 2007...Rachael's Sweet 16 Birthday Kiss

I haven't been very good at updating things the past few days. Things have been going well for both boys. They are both breathing room air with no nasal prongs or any type of assistance. Jacob has been on antibiotics for the past 9 days for a possible stomach infection, but nothing grew on his culture, so it is unknown what was causing him problems.

Robby has started to "nipple" .... both on a bottle and me. He is still fed the majority of his feeds via his nose because he is still too young to feed on his own. Jacob has not been eating since he was on antibiotics, but once he is off, I will try to get him to start eating on his own too. He seems to suck his binky better than Robby does, so I think he will do better at first.

Robby put on regular (baby) clothes today. He looked so mature.

Yesterday, May 22nd, was their cousin Rachael's 16th birthday. She came here w/ her mom and saw the babies for the first time. She spent quite a bit of time holding Robby and got her Sweet 16 Kiss from him!

Rachael's Sweet 16 Kiss !!

Rachael (16 Years Old), Robby (25 Days Old)

Could this be a future babysitter??

May 17, 2007, 20 Days Old

Today was an exciting day for Robby. He got his first bath! It was quite fun and I have it on video and several pictures were taken. I will post those when I am at home and can download them on my PC. He got to use the new bath tub Auntie Debbie & Cousin Rachael gave them for Christmas and the Winnie the Pooh wash cloths from Lynn C. He was also put in his blue robe, which was a tad too big, but he looked very cute in it. He peed on me, which was quite cute. He did quite well and has been sleeping soundly since.

Jacob's condition has been pretty much the same as yesterday. His bilirubin http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/Bilirubin-15434 went up, so he was put under bili lights again. He has been a bit uncomfortable and cranky due to being handled by staff more than he liked to. I haven't been able to hold and cuddle him because he is hooked up to too many things (especially the bili lights), so that has been hard on me. He has to wear the glasses, so he can't see me when I talk to him, but he does hold my finger and squeeze it.