Sunday, August 9, 2009

Three Pound Charlie!

What a great day! Brooke and I have had a lot of good days at the NICU lately, but tonight was absolutely fantastic! My face still hurts from smiling so much!

First, we arrived tonight to find that Charlie had gained another 30 grams... which means he now weights 3 pounds!!! Our tiny boy, who started life at 1 pound 13 ounces, now weights 3 pounds! In addition to this, both of us got to hold him for a while today, and we got to see him dressed in a shirt that was TOO SMALL for him! I was surprised to find that shirts existed that would fit our babies, but to realize that there are clothes that are too small is just awesome.

After finding out about Charlie's weight gain, we went to visit the girls, only to find that their nurse was about to bathe and weight them-- that's the best time to be there! Usually we miss it because they do it before we get back for our night visit, but we were earlier tonight and the nurse was behind schedule a bit. Lucky us! First, Annaleigh came out, completely naked and breathing nothing but room air. She was just the cutest thing! She wiggled and looked around and could not have been more beautiful.

And then we got the Lily Show. Oh, how we love to see the Lily Show. First she came out for weighing. Just like her sister, she was completely naked, but Lily needed to stay on the oxygen. She stayed relatively calm and kept the limb-flailing to a minimum. She actually gained weight again and is now 200 grams heavier than she was last Sunday (weighing in at 1225 grams, or 2 pounds 11 ounces). Her weight gain is very noticeable, especially in her belly, which she proudly stuck out at us during her bath. Oh, how we laughed!

It was such a great visit. We couldn't have asked for anything more.

Tomorrow is a big day for the babies. They are scheduled to have their first eye exam, which is a big deal in the NICU. Preemies are especially susceptible to eye problems because of their immaturity. The fact they they're constantly getting extra oxygen pumped in to them can also cause a number of eye complications. The nurses all warned us that the eye doctor (Dr. Barry Wasserman! The same guy who is constantly on the radio and the same guy who did Brooke's Lasik surgery five years ago) will probably find some problems in each baby. It's normal and expected. Most times, the babies will grow out of the complications, but laser surgery isn't uncommon and isn't a particularly big deal, at least in terms of baby surgeries. Hopefully there won't be anything out of the ordinary.


Lily sportin' her new St. Peter's bathrobe.


Lily kept her arms thrust out like this the entire time she was being carried from her isolette to the scale, the entire time on the scale, and the entire time back from the scale to her isolette.


Annaleigh just after her weighing.


Annaleigh on her way to the scale for weighing. She looks so scared, but she actually does very, very well when the nurse is "bothering" her. She never once struggled with her breathing, despite the fact that she was off the oxygen for quite a while.


Uncle John came for a visit today and Charlie was so happy to see him that he pooped. John has the effect on people.


Lily was checkin' out her mommy during a morning cuddle.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent job angels. Keep it up. That three pound announcement that I was waiting for just made me bust out in tears. Magnificent.
You're doing great.

All My Love, Auntie :) xoxooo

Katie said...

Loving the great day!!! Love Dr. Barry Wasserman...he did Keith's and mine's (is that a word) Lasik and did eye surgery to open tear ducts on Danny when he was only 2. Danny actually goes to see him tomorrow. Good luck to those babies today!!! They are sooo cute and Annaleigh is impressive with no oxygen for the duration of her bath!! Give them lots of snuggles!

Katie (DeRose) Wilson

Courtney said...

That's AWESOME! I'm so super excited to read about all the good news!

Andrea said...

Way to go babies!!!! Keep up the great work and the three of you will be home before you know it!!

Andrea
edasmommy0709
twin boys born at 27w6d

Christina H. said...

yay yay yay yay yay for all the good news! Go babies!!!
Christina

Stephanie said...

Amazing! You can really see their growth from the pictures!

Lauren said...

YAY! I absolutely love the pictures today. The one of Annaleigh at that cool angle w/ the nurse in the background... so cool. They are all so beautiful!

mrsolsenk12 said...

That is so wonderful! It is great that Charlie has reached 3 pounds and that Annaleigh went for a while without her oxygen. What big milestone steps.

mrsolsenk12 from SAIF

ErinsFoodFiles said...

Precious! I love seeing them get bigger. And it's cool to see them in pics with people, it helps see their size. :)

The Madeira Triplets said...

Hey--Pooping is a big compliment from a baby!!

How adorable :D That preemie arm flail is a reaction to feeling unsteady/being moved. Our 33--weekers did that until they were about 4 months old when we would lay them on their backs unswaddled. It's funny to remember the little arms flying out!

Melissa said...

What a terrific day! Those three look like they are the best cuddlers!