The boys have been reunited once again. They are now co-bedding again and both have Tucker Slings which helps keep them up right on the incline in their bed. Our nurse today didn’t think that it would be a problem to have Kaden elevated too. We are happy to see them together again.
On another note, we have been moved out of the East Pod to the Center Pod today for staffing purposes. We almost had a window room and a roommate but I threw a little fit and told them I preferred privacy over a window. There was absolutely no reason why we should have a roommate when there were several empty rooms (the staffing problem is that things are slow). I think our nurse felt bad because I think she could tell I was not happy with the move. There are people whose babies have only been there a few days and will be going home sooner than ours that could have moved. I am a little irritated that they would move someone who has been there as long as us and still has some time to go. We had made our other room feel more comfortable and then we had to move. Oh well, maybe we will have better luck in this room and we will get out of there sooner.
Both boys are making progress. Braylon has less brady spells and Kaden’s respiratory rate has been normal. They were even able to decrease Kaden’s high flow cannula from 3 liters to 2 liters. Once he can get down to 1 liter and nipple all of his feeds he will be really close to going home, even if it is with oxygen. He has a few brady spells but not nearly as many as his brother did. The nurse tonight said that he is improving by leaps and bounds and thinks that he won’t be too far behind Braylon. He is nippling every other feed and would nipple all of them if he had the stamina which will only come with a little more time and practice.
Braylon has had several massive poops today after being stopped up for over 24 hours. Thank goodness we moved him out of preemie diapers into size ones just in time because he would’ve had several major blowouts today.
I was able to hold both of the boys together tonight and it was so entertaining. They were both wide awake and interacting with each other. They were grabbing at each other’s faces and staring at each other. Braylon grabbed a hold of Kaden’s tubes and Kaden tried to suck on Braylon’s fingers. Brenda was able to get lots of good pictures and I will try and post them tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Last night was a calm night. Both boys are doing well. Braylon is still having trouble pooping and they gave him prevacid, which helps with his reflux and some pear-nectar to help him poop. The reflux has been getting a little better, but he was still having trouble keeping in his stinky surprises for too long, but hopefully last night he gave the nurse a big ‘ol diaper sized pudding dessert. He hasn’t gone for over 24hrs so I’m sure when he does go it will be a big one.
Kaden has been doing well. He has been nippling every other feed and his respiratory rate has been staying down. He will be getting an increase in his protein, which will hopefully help him grow more, and he will now start stinking it up with his brother. The doctor also told us when he thinks the boys will be ready to come home. He said Braylon could be getting out in a week or two, and Kaden would be about a month or so. I would rather them just tell us a day or two before they knew exactly when they would be getting out. Braylon has been supposedly getting out for the last 3 weeks, and it kind of gets our hopes up.
Its been a long road, and I know things can only go up from here. I have two strong, healthy boys, and a beautiful strong wife, who hasn’t seen our home in over a month. She has been doing very well up here without me being around all the time, and I’m proud of her for that. So hopefully in the next month we will be out of Spokane and won’t come back for a long time.
Monday, April 19, 2010
more ups and downs
It’s amazing that in less than a week the boys change so much. They look bigger, have more color, and are more alert every time I come back and see them. Both boys are doing well, and have been separated again. Braylon was having to many brady spells and needed to be more elevated after he ate. The nurses didn’t think that would be fair to Kaden since he was doing alright just the way he was. It also makes it easier for us to do their cares. The crib sharing was fun while it lasted. Plus I think Kaden was getting tired of Braylon bragging about breast feeding and nippling all his feeds and stinking up the place.
Kaden was able to nipple a couple of feeds today. They have put him on lasix, which helps him get out the extra fluids that he is holding onto. This also allows his respiratory rate to be lower and then he is allowed to eat from a bottle or mama. We leave it up to him. They also said to not be surprised if he loses a little weight since they put him on it, but as of last night he weighs 4lbs 9oz. He is starting to be a little porker. Ash and I decided to try and nipple feed him every other care as long as he is up to it. We hope that it will help him grow and hopefully get him out of here faster.
Braylon has been doing a lot better with his brady’s since being elevated. As of tonight he only had a hand full, which is a move in the right direction. It seems to be with him whenever one problem gets better another occurs. He has been getting some stomach problems we think. Before when he was done feeding you could guarantee that he would have a surprise waiting in his diaper, today and yesterday it hasn’t been happening. After he eats he doesn’t really want to burp or leave a surprise and that has been irritating him. He will fuss and fuss and all we can do is try to get it out. The nurses brought him some gas drops and it seems to work but it takes a little while for it to sink down into his system. Hopefully he will do better tonight and he will let out a good one for his nurse. Even with his recent strike on pooping, he has gained weight and is now at 6lbs 1.2oz. At the rate he is going he will be crawling out of the NICU.
Kaden was able to nipple a couple of feeds today. They have put him on lasix, which helps him get out the extra fluids that he is holding onto. This also allows his respiratory rate to be lower and then he is allowed to eat from a bottle or mama. We leave it up to him. They also said to not be surprised if he loses a little weight since they put him on it, but as of last night he weighs 4lbs 9oz. He is starting to be a little porker. Ash and I decided to try and nipple feed him every other care as long as he is up to it. We hope that it will help him grow and hopefully get him out of here faster.
Braylon has been doing a lot better with his brady’s since being elevated. As of tonight he only had a hand full, which is a move in the right direction. It seems to be with him whenever one problem gets better another occurs. He has been getting some stomach problems we think. Before when he was done feeding you could guarantee that he would have a surprise waiting in his diaper, today and yesterday it hasn’t been happening. After he eats he doesn’t really want to burp or leave a surprise and that has been irritating him. He will fuss and fuss and all we can do is try to get it out. The nurses brought him some gas drops and it seems to work but it takes a little while for it to sink down into his system. Hopefully he will do better tonight and he will let out a good one for his nurse. Even with his recent strike on pooping, he has gained weight and is now at 6lbs 1.2oz. At the rate he is going he will be crawling out of the NICU.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Little Mr. Stinky Gets A Bath
Over the past couple of days we have noticed a little odor while holding Mr. Kaden. Usually there is a stench to the probe that is wrapped around their feet to monitor their oxygen level but once you cover it back up you can’t smell it. Bryan and I started to notice that even after Kaden’s probe was covered and we were holding him we would get a whiff of stinky feet still. I told Bryan, “I think he is starting to smell like a stinky foot” and Bryan responded, “Yeah, I noticed that too.”
Yesterday while holding Kaden skin-to-skin I discovered that the smell was coming from behind his ears. I told the nurse about it and she said, “Yeah, with little guys like this, they work so hard breathing we don’t want them to waste their energy fussing over a bath so we just usually give them a spit bath.” So I tried to clean behind his ears some which helped a little.
I mentioned to the boys nurse today that Kaden was beginning to smell a little sour and she said that I could give him a bath, we would just have to be quicker than we would be with Braylon. I felt bad for the little guy and thought about how uncomfortable it might be for him to have not had a real bath; I could only think of how itchy it would feel.
He did really well with his bath and didn’t fuss nearly as much as his brother did. It did wear him out for most of the day but he was so calm after we were finished and he look so much more comfortable and looked like he was sleeping better. I love his little chicky fuzz hair after I dried him off and it was so nice to snuggle and kiss on him and not be reminded of the high school gym, although it didn’t ever stop me.
Both boys have continued to gain weight. Braylon weighed 5lbs 9oz and Kaden weighed 4lbs 7oz. Braylon is still a big eater and doing very well with feedings. He still has lots of apnea spells which is the only thing keeping him in the NICU but at least he is with his brother. We are not anxious to separate them now that they are co-bedding.
Mom is exhausted and running on fumes. So please forgive me for not being real good about keeping up on the blog. I think the hectic schedule with two babies in the NICU for over a month is finally starting to catch up to me.
Kaden buns
Kaden “enjoying” his first bath
Getting dried off
Mommy with a squeaky clean Kaden
Oh Yeah! And the boys with their 6 week old picture with their bear
Yesterday while holding Kaden skin-to-skin I discovered that the smell was coming from behind his ears. I told the nurse about it and she said, “Yeah, with little guys like this, they work so hard breathing we don’t want them to waste their energy fussing over a bath so we just usually give them a spit bath.” So I tried to clean behind his ears some which helped a little.
I mentioned to the boys nurse today that Kaden was beginning to smell a little sour and she said that I could give him a bath, we would just have to be quicker than we would be with Braylon. I felt bad for the little guy and thought about how uncomfortable it might be for him to have not had a real bath; I could only think of how itchy it would feel.
He did really well with his bath and didn’t fuss nearly as much as his brother did. It did wear him out for most of the day but he was so calm after we were finished and he look so much more comfortable and looked like he was sleeping better. I love his little chicky fuzz hair after I dried him off and it was so nice to snuggle and kiss on him and not be reminded of the high school gym, although it didn’t ever stop me.
Both boys have continued to gain weight. Braylon weighed 5lbs 9oz and Kaden weighed 4lbs 7oz. Braylon is still a big eater and doing very well with feedings. He still has lots of apnea spells which is the only thing keeping him in the NICU but at least he is with his brother. We are not anxious to separate them now that they are co-bedding.
Mom is exhausted and running on fumes. So please forgive me for not being real good about keeping up on the blog. I think the hectic schedule with two babies in the NICU for over a month is finally starting to catch up to me.
Kaden buns
Kaden “enjoying” his first bath
Getting dried off
Mommy with a squeaky clean Kaden
Oh Yeah! And the boys with their 6 week old picture with their bear
Monday, April 12, 2010
P.O.S. Morning
Today started off badly, no it wasn’t with the boys but what we had found out before their noon care time. Ash and I were leaving the McDonalds, and had walked down the hill to where we usually have to park our car or jeep. Well usually we have both vehicles parked down on the street but the night before we had parking spot for the jeep. We had our usual stuff, cameras, the pump, some lunch for us, and what Ash had pumped from the night before and early morning. I was driving so I went to the driver’s side door, obviously. Before I had even attempted to open the door I had noticed something different about our car and I as I walked closer I saw a small hole in our window and it was completely shattered and looked like a spider web. Ya, some P.O.S shot our window with a pellet or bee-bee gun. They made us miss a care time with the boys, waste our time looking for a place to replace our window, and have to deal with the insurance company. So today could have gone a lot better, but what can you do?
We were still able to see the boys and that brightened our day. They are both doing well, but they still have a ways to go before we are able to take them home. Braylon is still having brady spells, and Kaden is still breathing to heavy for us to be able to nipple feed him as much as we want. The doctor and physical therapist decided that we could feed Kaden as long as his respiratory rate was under 60 breaths per minute. Last night and yesterday he was able to take 3 bottle feedings, which were 21, 23, and 40mL. Kaden’s full feed is 40mL so that was great, but later on he was tuckered out and his respiratory rate was too high for him to try anymore. We figured that we would give the guy a rest, like the nurses say “he’s not going home tomorrow, so no point in pushing him too much.” Braylon has still been doing well on his feedings, but he seems to get a little tired every now and then. He weighs 5lbs 6.5oz and Kaden weighs 4lbs 5oz. The boys are gaining some weight and trying to get out as fast as they can. Mom and Dad hope they will get out soon, so we don’t have any more un-expected costs. Dad got a speeding ticket the other day also, yay me!
We were still able to see the boys and that brightened our day. They are both doing well, but they still have a ways to go before we are able to take them home. Braylon is still having brady spells, and Kaden is still breathing to heavy for us to be able to nipple feed him as much as we want. The doctor and physical therapist decided that we could feed Kaden as long as his respiratory rate was under 60 breaths per minute. Last night and yesterday he was able to take 3 bottle feedings, which were 21, 23, and 40mL. Kaden’s full feed is 40mL so that was great, but later on he was tuckered out and his respiratory rate was too high for him to try anymore. We figured that we would give the guy a rest, like the nurses say “he’s not going home tomorrow, so no point in pushing him too much.” Braylon has still been doing well on his feedings, but he seems to get a little tired every now and then. He weighs 5lbs 6.5oz and Kaden weighs 4lbs 5oz. The boys are gaining some weight and trying to get out as fast as they can. Mom and Dad hope they will get out soon, so we don’t have any more un-expected costs. Dad got a speeding ticket the other day also, yay me!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Mommy's NICU Birthday
Today’s was Mommy’s 26th birthday and she spent it with us at the NICU. We asked Daddy to have a card waiting for her from us at the RMH and since we aren’t able to walk yet we asked our nurses today to go get Mommy a present. We lay quietly in our crib waiting for Mommy and the rest of our family to arrive and for our nurse to deliver the surprise. Mommy made it to the NICU before our nurse got back from picking up our surprise.
When our nurse got back to our room she handed Mommy a pretty coffee mug with some chocolates and a balloon wishing Mommy a happy birthday from us. Mommy loved it and we think we could see a little tear in her eye. We don’t think she expected it and was really surprised.
After Mommy and Daddy finished with our cares Grandpa and Grandma took Mommy out to birthday dinner at Shogun. We hear that they made a bunch of noise, sang Mommy a song, made her and Daddy dress up, and took their picture. They ate a birthday cake that matched the cookies we had delivered by Grandma to the nurses to help celebrate Mommy’s birthday. The cake looked a little funny though because Angus and Izzy, who we have not met yet, decided they would have a taste too while the cake was in the car. Angus tried to deny it but he had some blue frosting left over on his whiskers. Mommy didn’t mind though, she just laughed.
We are happy we could spend Mommy’s birthday with her. We think she enjoyed having us around. She told us what a great day it was and how thankful she is for everyone who made her feel special on her day.
Mommy and Daddy at Shogun
Our surprise for Mommy
Mommy's sampled birthday cake
When our nurse got back to our room she handed Mommy a pretty coffee mug with some chocolates and a balloon wishing Mommy a happy birthday from us. Mommy loved it and we think we could see a little tear in her eye. We don’t think she expected it and was really surprised.
After Mommy and Daddy finished with our cares Grandpa and Grandma took Mommy out to birthday dinner at Shogun. We hear that they made a bunch of noise, sang Mommy a song, made her and Daddy dress up, and took their picture. They ate a birthday cake that matched the cookies we had delivered by Grandma to the nurses to help celebrate Mommy’s birthday. The cake looked a little funny though because Angus and Izzy, who we have not met yet, decided they would have a taste too while the cake was in the car. Angus tried to deny it but he had some blue frosting left over on his whiskers. Mommy didn’t mind though, she just laughed.
We are happy we could spend Mommy’s birthday with her. We think she enjoyed having us around. She told us what a great day it was and how thankful she is for everyone who made her feel special on her day.
Mommy and Daddy at Shogun
Our surprise for Mommy
Mommy's sampled birthday cake
Friday, April 9, 2010
Reunited Once Again!!!
The day has finally come that the boys are CO-BEDDING!!!! I walked in this morning and was pleasantly surprised by the sight of both boys in one crib. I can’t even describe the feeling to see them together again and to know that they are side-by-side and have each other even when mommy and daddy are not there. I do feel a little bad for Kaden though because now he gets to bask in the stench of his brother’s dirty diapers. Braylon has some really rank diapers and stinks up the whole room. The smell even creeps its way out of the garbage and lingers in the air. The nurses joke about throwing them in another nurse’s room or even in the other pods as a joke. They say it is from the extra protein they are putting in his bottles, hopefully they decide to get rid of that before sending him home.
Several times today I just stood at the boys’ bedside to see if they noticed each other. They didn’t do anything real exciting but I could see Kaden just staring at his brother and studying his face, as he does with everyone. He seems to be the real observant one. Braylon snuck a few peeks at his brother and watched Kaden a few times until he got distracted by the thought of food. Tonight we experienced a little bit of the twin thing. Kaden was screaming his head off because he wanted his binkie but couldn’t have it until his oxygen level went back up to normal (he has been very attached to his binkie since getting to breastfeed a little yesterday). While Kaden was screaming Braylon was laying there with his eyes open listening intently. After Kaden had carried on for some time Braylon decided he would start some sympathy whining. It started out as kind of soft cry but when he noticed his brother was going to continue carrying on he started whaling. Both boys were going at it and we were all laughing at the sound of their cries together. I thought I had better get my laughs in now because this will not be very funny for long, especially at three in the morning.
Kaden had another first today. He got to try and eat from a bottle. He did very well but was only given the chance to eat 5mL because his oxygen level kept dropping. While he was getting the rest of his feed through his tube he was still having trouble keeping his oxygen level up. The nurse decided that maybe she would try to suck his nose out a little and, sure enough, it was full of boogies. Kaden also got to be held by someone other than mom and dad also. Last night Great-Grandma Cloann got to hold him and today Grandma Brenda got to hold him while Braylon ate.
Braylon has turned into a little comedian. He was having trouble with his monitor today. The nurses were not sure when the guy could come up and fix it so they said to go ahead and start breastfeeding him and the guy would know to knock since the curtain was closed. When the guy arrived Braylon was still working on lunch. I told him I would just cover up and he could come read some of the numbers off the monitor. It was right then that Braylon came unlatched and pulled of the nipple shield (a little device that helps preemies latch on to breastfeed). I couldn’t get the nipple shield and him latched back on without exposing myself so I just held him with his head up on my chest, under the blanket, until the guy was finished. Braylon decided he couldn’t wait and began vigorously moving his head side-to-side, licking my chest causing the blanket to move too and making obnoxious grunting noises. I kept trying to not laugh hysterically at him. The guy said, “Are you sure you have a baby under there and not a teenager.” We all busted out laughing.
Both boys have continued to gain weight and they are consistently staying a pound apart. Braylon weighed 5lbs 2oz and Kaden weighed 4lbs 2oz. We keep hoping that Kaden might start catching up with his brother so he won’t look so little next to him but I am not sure how long it will be with his brother’s hearty appetite.
It looks like Braylon will be staying a while longer in the NICU. He has been having more and more brady spells over the past couple of days. They appear to be more of what they call central apnea/brady spells which means he forgets to breathe at times. They may have to start him back up on the caffeine to help keep him stimulated enough to remember to breathe. He can go home on the caffeine and the monitor but in that case I would just prefer he stay in the NICU with his brother until he either out grows them completely or they both get to go home. I am just planning on not getting to go home until May.
Back together again
Braylon waiting for lunch
Kaden sitting on mommy’s lap waiting for his first bottle
Kaden getting burped
Both boys in their crib
Kaden rooting on mommy’s finger
Several times today I just stood at the boys’ bedside to see if they noticed each other. They didn’t do anything real exciting but I could see Kaden just staring at his brother and studying his face, as he does with everyone. He seems to be the real observant one. Braylon snuck a few peeks at his brother and watched Kaden a few times until he got distracted by the thought of food. Tonight we experienced a little bit of the twin thing. Kaden was screaming his head off because he wanted his binkie but couldn’t have it until his oxygen level went back up to normal (he has been very attached to his binkie since getting to breastfeed a little yesterday). While Kaden was screaming Braylon was laying there with his eyes open listening intently. After Kaden had carried on for some time Braylon decided he would start some sympathy whining. It started out as kind of soft cry but when he noticed his brother was going to continue carrying on he started whaling. Both boys were going at it and we were all laughing at the sound of their cries together. I thought I had better get my laughs in now because this will not be very funny for long, especially at three in the morning.
Kaden had another first today. He got to try and eat from a bottle. He did very well but was only given the chance to eat 5mL because his oxygen level kept dropping. While he was getting the rest of his feed through his tube he was still having trouble keeping his oxygen level up. The nurse decided that maybe she would try to suck his nose out a little and, sure enough, it was full of boogies. Kaden also got to be held by someone other than mom and dad also. Last night Great-Grandma Cloann got to hold him and today Grandma Brenda got to hold him while Braylon ate.
Braylon has turned into a little comedian. He was having trouble with his monitor today. The nurses were not sure when the guy could come up and fix it so they said to go ahead and start breastfeeding him and the guy would know to knock since the curtain was closed. When the guy arrived Braylon was still working on lunch. I told him I would just cover up and he could come read some of the numbers off the monitor. It was right then that Braylon came unlatched and pulled of the nipple shield (a little device that helps preemies latch on to breastfeed). I couldn’t get the nipple shield and him latched back on without exposing myself so I just held him with his head up on my chest, under the blanket, until the guy was finished. Braylon decided he couldn’t wait and began vigorously moving his head side-to-side, licking my chest causing the blanket to move too and making obnoxious grunting noises. I kept trying to not laugh hysterically at him. The guy said, “Are you sure you have a baby under there and not a teenager.” We all busted out laughing.
Both boys have continued to gain weight and they are consistently staying a pound apart. Braylon weighed 5lbs 2oz and Kaden weighed 4lbs 2oz. We keep hoping that Kaden might start catching up with his brother so he won’t look so little next to him but I am not sure how long it will be with his brother’s hearty appetite.
It looks like Braylon will be staying a while longer in the NICU. He has been having more and more brady spells over the past couple of days. They appear to be more of what they call central apnea/brady spells which means he forgets to breathe at times. They may have to start him back up on the caffeine to help keep him stimulated enough to remember to breathe. He can go home on the caffeine and the monitor but in that case I would just prefer he stay in the NICU with his brother until he either out grows them completely or they both get to go home. I am just planning on not getting to go home until May.
Back together again
Braylon waiting for lunch
Kaden sitting on mommy’s lap waiting for his first bottle
Kaden getting burped
Both boys in their crib
Kaden rooting on mommy’s finger
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