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.