Home.

Chad, Connor, Chloe and I are home from the hospital. We were released about 7pm. The babies are doing great but Julio the Cat isn't quite sure what to think of it all.....
Later,
Chad, Connor, Chloe and Jennie

We are two weeks old.

We can't wait to go home with mommy and daddy. It's great that we see them every day, but we want to be with them ALL the time. I know mommy and daddy are getting tired of coming to the hospital every day, too, even though they say they don't mind!

Chloe is packing on the ounces. On Tuesday, she was 4 pounds, 12 ounces! She's gained 12 ounces since birth! She does not like to breast feed, so she takes bottles of breast milk that mommy pumps. She is quite demanding and vocal, so mommy and daddy do not change her diaper until her bottle is ready! She likes to take her time eating, and usually fills her diaper midway through eating! Once she is done eating, she will purse her lips and will not open them for anything! We call her frogger, as she tucks her legs up under her and makes diaper changes very interesting!

Connor is still eating like a champ! He weighs just over 5 pounds, adding 5 ounces from his birth weight. He had his little man procedure on Monday, so didn't breast feed so well, but is making up for it now! He is very laid back and usually doesn't cry for much of anything. He is very expressive with his hands, and often has them moving around his head, orchestrating someone or something!

We've been delayed going home a few times, so I'm not going to jinx anything until we are actually at home. I'll make the announcement then. Nothing bad has been happening, Connor just needs to maintain his temperature. Both Connor and Chloe are eating well. Chloe is actually ready to go home, but they are going to discharge both on the same day. That's a relief, as I'm not sure how we'd manage one baby at home and one baby in the hospital!

I'll post updated pictures of the cuties soon!

Later, Jennie

little piggies.

The little piggies, Connor and Chloe, are breastfeeding like champs! Chad helped me tandem feed them tonight for the 7pm feeding. Connor fed for 30 minutes, Chloe fed for 15 minutes. They have both gotten the hang of breastfeeding, which makes it so much easier for me! And, now I only pump during the times that they are not breastfeeding.

We are getting closer and closer to bringing them home each day. The doctors say they are progressing great, too!

Connor was moved from the isolette into an open crib Wednesday night after his 7pm feeding. As long as he maintains his temperature, he will stay there! He's done well, with some extra bundling. Chloe will hopefully move into the open crib on Friday.

Connor's weight this morning was 4 pounds 12 ounces, one ounce above his birth weight. Chloe's weight was 3 pounds, 15.9 ounces, 0.1 ounce below her birth weight. Hopefully her weight will go up tomorrow with her good feedings!

I jumped on the scale tonight......I was curious how my weight was, as I wore a pair of pre-pregnancy pants today. I'm 4.5 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight! Not bad, is it?

I have my post-delivery OB appointment tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how my blood pressure is. It's been borderline high when I've checked it. My resting heart rate has also been elevated, so I'm hoping it's not related to blood loss issues. I'm going to ask to have my red blood count checked, just in case.

The babies and I have a photo session at 2pm on Friday. A photographer comes to the hospital, takes any poses you want, burns the pictures on a disc and you get the disc to print the pictures, all free of charge! You can't beat that! Now I think I'll be able to order announcement photos soon after receiving the disc!

I think that's it for now. I've been taking naps between feeding session, and it's helped a lot. I need to get ready for bed, then sleep before I pump at 11pm.

later, Jennie

I'm pooped.....

I knew I'd be tired, but it's catching up to me. Here's what our day looks like:
3am: pump breast milk for 2o minutes, wash up pump supplies.
5:45am: wake and shower.
6:30am: on road heading to the hospital.
7am: I breast feed both Connor and Chloe for ten minutes each, one at a time. After the ten minutes, either Chad or I will feed the babies a bottle of the pumped breast milk. After they are back and settled into their isolettes, I pump for 20 minutes. Chad heads to work after the babies are settled.
8:30am or so...I order breakfast. It's provided free to breastfeeding mothers of NICU babies. Nice perk!
10am: Another feeding. I pump for 20 minutes.
1pm: Another feeding. Another pump session of 20 minutes.
2:30pm or so...I order lunch, again provided by the hospital at no extra charge.
4 pm: Each baby breastfeeds for 10 minutes, followed by a bottle feeding. I pump for 20 minutes after they are settled.
6:45: Chad arrived at hospital from work. We head to the NICU to help with the 7pm feeding. Today I pumped for 20 minutes while Chad attended to the babies.
Around 8pm, we head home and either enjoy a meal out or a meal at home. Our times to have date nights with just the two of us are limited, but we are perfectly OK with it!
11pm: Pump for 20 minutes. Hopefully I've had a chance to sleep before this pump session.
Start over at 3am....

I'm going to start laying down and taking short naps in between feedings. My cankles have returned and I don't want the swelling to get any worse. I started to wear support hose once I return home and will wear until the morning. Hopefully that will help decrease the swelling.

The babies moved from the section of the NICU into Module 3. This is the feeder/grower area where their only need is to gain weight! It is such a nice feeling to see them progress to the final destination of the NICU.

We are going pick up a new digital camera tomorrow. Luckily I have a disposable camera with each baby, so we are getting some pictures! But, I need new ones of their tiny hands and feet, fuzzy hair and adorable faces! Of course I'm not partial at all!

Thank you to everyone who has sent well wishes. I apologize I'm not able to recognize each and everyone, but know that we all appreciate it!

later, Jennie

I'm home.

I was discharged today, with changes to my blood pressure medication.....it's decided to remain high at times, so I'm still being evaluated for pre-eclampsia. Little did I know that it can occur anytime up to six weeks post-partum. I'm feeling ok. The nurses tell me I look great, even while I was on the magnesium sulfate drip post delivery. Not sure if they are being nice, or if I really do look good! Oh well, taking it one day at a time. My c-section incision, along with Chad, let me know when to slow down.

The babies are doing great! I'll share a picture of each now, but will share more later.

Chloe!

Connor!

I will share more photos later. I'm having camera and memory card issues.....luckily I at least downloaded pictures from their first few days.....nothing like making a new mommy even more emotional.

I won't be answering individual e-mails for awhile. This will be the best, and maybe only, place I'll be placing updates for awhile. Thank you for all the well wishes and thoughts. Chad, Chloe, Connor and I appreciate each and every one of them.

Later,
Jennie

Update

Jennie will be coming home later this afternoon. She is feeling fine.

Chloe and Connor have both gained 1 ounce - Awesome!!

Jennie will give a more detailed update once she is home.

And now for the weights....

Chloe is 4 lbs
Connor is 4 lbs 11 ounces

Happy Birthday Chloe and Connor!

I am so excited to announce the arrival of Chloe Joy and Connor David! Jennie and Chad went to the hospital this afternoon and Chloe arrived at 5:30 pm eastern time and Connor arrived at 5:35 pm eastern time. Mom, Dad and Babies are doing fine. I do not have weights but will post them when I find out.

Wow! Jennie is a Mommy!

ETA: Chloe was born at 6:30pm eastern time. Connor was born 6:35pm eastern time.

Monday OB appointment.

Looks like a double birthday is looming on the near horizon. My urine showed 2+ protein, the highest it's been so far. My initial blood pressure was 140/90, weight up the two pounds I lost last week......Babies looked good during the NST, but seemed to react a bit slower than my OB would like. The slower reaction could have to do with effects of my elevated blood pressure. I feel a bit off, too. As soon as I came down the stairs to leave for my OB appt, I started to feel crappy. Activity tolerance is getting to be less and less as each day goes by.

The office is going to check the surgery schedule for Wednesday to Monday. Chad is going out of town on Friday, leaves early AM and returns in the evening. I asked if we could possibly do Monday....so, hopefully I behave until then and we can hold off until Monday. Now, nothing is concrete, so please do not make plans (MOM)! Once I know an exact date, I'll share the news. Until then, we are still taking it day-by-day.

I'm to call the office on Wednesday to report how my blood pressure has been while at home, on bedrest with minimal activity.

I think that's enough excitement for now......
Later, Jennie

the babies fattened up!

So glad to have a good report at the OB office today. Both babies were on target for growth and my doctor was very happy with where they are at size wise. Baby boy measured at 4 pounds 7 ounces, baby girl measures at 4 pounds! So glad she's back on board and getting fat. My blood pressure was better than it's been for a LONG time....136/74. I'll take that! It hasn't been that good after lying in bed for hours.......And, my weight was down 2 pounds...which probably helped my blood pressure!

Non-stress test went well, also, once each baby could be captured on the monitor.

So....we are still taking it day-by-day, but hoping to make it closer to 36 weeks!

I was totally prepared to head to the hospital and celebrate a double baby birthday......bags are packed, camera ready to go, I didn't eat breakfast.....I guess that's the trick!

The echo report was finally back...and looks like things are back to normal, thankfully! We are going to get the final confirmation from the cardiologist who read the report, but things look normal for the time being!

later,
Jennie

"what if" rally.

Ever try falling asleep, but unanswered questions keep rolling through your mind? That's what I'm dealing with right now....of course it's all centered around the babies and "what if they need to be delivered this week?" and all sorts of other things regarding baby boy and baby girl. I slept so well last night, I was looking forward to another great night of sleep.......maybe it was just a fluke.

I doubt I'll have time up post before I leave for the appointment, not that there would be anything new to say......I'll update when I return, or my sister will update if we need to head to the hospital.

Later, Jennie

33 week, 5 day belly shot.

Well......I finally took a new picture......not sure how much I've grown, but the flowers sure make things seem a bit larger than they appear!



My sister, Laura, has agreed to update my blog when the babies make their appearance.

Hopefully she won't dredge up any embarassing photos to add to her posts.......that would not be very sisterly, would it?

Not much else new to report. My OB appointment is at 10am tomorrow (Thursday). Chad is picking me up, a hospital bag is packed along with a pillow, just in case we head in for a double baby birthday. Both Chad and I feel like the babies have grown......but it's so hard to tell! I definitely feel fuller, if that makes any sense.

By this time tomorrow, we'll know if our family is going to double soon or if we have a bit more time to grow babies!

Later, Jennie

Whew!

I just received a call from the OB office. The labs which were drawn yesterday were all in ok ranges......so, pre-eclampsia is not getting any worse to the point it's affecting my liver, kidneys or platelet count. My blood pressure is still slightly high, but I think I will have that until after I deliver. This morning it was 140/84, with similar readings last night. I'm taking this bedrest thing very seriously, so not much more that I can do.

I'll have my appointment on Thursday. From my understanding, whether or not we deliver later this week will depend on the growth of the babies per ultrasound.....if baby girl is still small or if both look like they are lagging in growth, I'd expect things to progress and a twin birthday would occur soon.

I'll keep you posted.

later, Jennie

Probable early arrival of babies.......

My appointment was ehhh today. Both babies looked good on the monitor during the NST. My blood pressure, on the other hand, did not look good. Initial blood pressure was 164/90ish….not good. Blood pressure recheck was somewhat better at 154/76. Not good, but better. My OB thinks I have no tolerance to activity and my BP rises with any activity at all. Plus, I noticed blurry vision on my way to the appointment today, along with dull right upper quadrant discomfort. So……labs were drawn to check for any further evidence of pre-eclampsia. Lab results should be back tomorrow and they will call with anything concerning. I’m still spilling 1+ protein in my urine, and weight is up 2 pounds from last week.

So, the plan is……Thursday appointment with an ultrasound, NST and review with my OB. If the growth of the babies hasn’t improved much since the previous ultrasound about four weeks ago, most likely I will be scheduled for a C-section soon after. I’m thinking Friday…but not sure how urgent things will be. I’ll be 34 weeks on Friday (even thought the ticker below states 32/6). We are still taking it day-by-day.

If I have any issues prior to my appt on Thursday, I’ll be giving the office a call. Both Chad and I are surprised I’m not in the hospital right now…but glad to be home for the time being.

Late update.....

I meant to post on Friday after my OB appointment, but didn't....so here goes.

Both babies looked good during the non-stress test. Baby boy was being a stinker and moving all around during the monitoring. They both had accelerations and decelerations during the test, so are looking good.

My blood pressure, on the other hand, is not behaving. On my way out, I realized that it had not been checked yet, so I sat back down......it was 148/84ish....not good. I get back into the recliner, on my left side and chill out in the darkened room for a bit. Recheck of my blood pressure is right at 140/80. I had increased protein in my urine, too......

My OB was currently at the hospital with a delivery, so in consulting with the OB in the office and my OB on the phone, they decide, rather to admit me, to send me home. (ok, I know that was a severe run-on sentence...oh well). I need to double my Procardia dose to 60mg daily. I'll take another dose when I get home, and take 60mg Saturday morning.

So glad to not have been admitted to the hospital, but have a feeling I may have to be today. Over the weekend, my blood pressure has at times been over 140/80, other times right at or just barely below 140/80. I would have hoped it would have decreased more than that with the double dose of medication.

No word on the results of my echocardiogram that I had Friday morning. I do know that the office was trying to get a stat read on Friday, just in case I was dealing with some fluid volume overload issues as I had been a few weeks ago. Luckily, my breathing is a-ok.

My OB was on call all weekend, and I was given instructions to call her with any issues. Luckily, I did not need to.

I need to pack a bag to leave in my van, just to be prepared. Both Chad and I think I'll be heading in to get my blood pressure under control. Not sure if a magnesium sulfate drip is the next step, or if there are other things that can be done prior to starting that......I'll update later today if I'm given the all clear to return home.

Each day is another day closer to 34 weeks. This is a good milestone where the oral-motor skills are most likely developed so eating should not be a problem. Our original goal was to make it to 36 weeks....but we are still taking things day-by-day......

I did not proof this post.....so please forgive me!

later, Jennie

Tuesday OB appt.

I had another OB appointment yesterday. My blood pressure was initially elevated, but the recheck was a-ok, thankfully. My weight was up about a pound from Friday. Sure hope all this weight is going to fatten up the babies! Lord knows I don't need to gain anymore on my frame! It will be interesting to see what my weight is after I come home from the hospital and how much of the weight I gained was baby weight.

Both babies passed the non-stress tests. Baby girl was again difficult to track this time. They were both moving around quite a bit during the monitoring. Guess they liked the blueberries and creme frappaccino I enjoyed from Starbucks on the way to the office...it was yummy!

Friday morning I have a repeat echocardiogram to ensure that my heart pressures have returned to normal. It will be reassuring to know the results. I feel 100% better than I had during the breathing episode that brought me into the hospital....so we hope all is well.
After the echo, I head to the OB office for another non-stress test and appt with my doctor. Hope everyone is behaving and we can still aim for delivery around 36 weeks or so! It's hard to believe that is only three weeks away! Where has the time gone????? ARE WE READY???? I guess we won't know the answer to that until the babies arrive.....we'd like to think we are ready, but honestly, how can first time parents prepare for TWINS!!!

I'll update after my appointments on Friday, along with 33 week pictures!

later, Jennie