Thursday, September 3, 2009

Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug!

Is it possible to develop a drinking problem when you’re only 9 weeks old? If so, we need to keep our eyes on Lily.

She got a bottle for the first time yesterday and didn’t seem to want it. She took some milk into her mouth and then promptly spit it back out. So there were no expectations that she would do much better today. We were wrong.

Brooke sat down to feed her this afternoon and was shocked that Lily started sucking away on the bottle as soon as it was in her mouth. That in itself was great to see. But then Lily kept going… and going… and going… until the ENTIRE BOTTLE was gone. She didn’t stop to breathe, she didn’t stop to burp, she didn’t stop for anything. Lily chugged her bottle. The whole thing lasted less than five minutes from start to finish, and by the time the bottle was empty Brooke was in tears from laughing so hard and Nurse Julia had called over any other nurse who was in shouting distance to watch Lily’s keg-party-like drinking.

For a late-night encore, Lily decided to drink another ENTIRE BOTTLE. She's totally upstaging Charlie. The 9:00 feeding wasn't quite as fast as the earlier one, but just the fact that she did this today is awesome. To make the evening even more special, Lily finally gained that little bit of weight we've been waiting on for three days and she's now officially 4 lbs! Go Lil!

Since I was at school during the afternoon feeding and home by the night feeding, I was not privy to the dietary portion of The Lily Show. Fortunately, The Bug took it upon herself to arrange some entertainment for me, too (though my entertainment was a bit more stinky than Brooke’s). I arrived at the NICU after a long day at school wanting nothing more than to hold each baby for a little while. Usually, when a baby is going to come out for a cuddle, the nurse changes the baby’s diaper and then checks the baby’s temperature. Since we’ve become more comfortable handling the babies lately, Nurse Julia offered to let me do the routine on my own, which I happily (and ignorantly) agreed to. Little did I know what Lily had planned.

There was a little pee in her diaper so I cleaned her up and put a new one on. No big deal. But as I started to put her onesie back on, I smelled something a little funky. I turned my head to Julia and said “could she really have just…?” Julia said to check. I checked. It was. Julia laughed, happy that I was the victim of Lily’s poop. So I cleaned her up, removed the now-dirty diaper, and slid another diaper on her. Before I could even close this diaper up, I heard a muted squishy sound and was hit but an unholy smell. She had pooped again! Again, Julia laughed at me. So… I cleaned Lily up (again) and slid a new diaper under her (again). And just as I had lifted her tiny legs up to their highest point so I could get the new diaper all the way under her, Lily started to pee. All over. Since her legs were propped in the air, the pee went all over her stomach and down her back, and everything got quite messy. By this point, Julia was beside herself, sure that Lily was helping her get revenge on me for giving her a hard time yesterday for encouraging Brooke to buy more baby clothes. As I finished putting what was her fifth diaper in 10 minutes on her, Lily lay there happy as could be, pleased with herself and the mess she had made for me.

So Brooke and I both got our own version of The Lily Show. They were different from each other but both were extremely entertaining.

Charlie didn’t quite put on a show for us, but he did manage to impress us all. He heard about Lily’s antics and so decided it was time to grab some headlines of his own. He managed to down an entire bottle of his own. He has taken about half his feeding with a bottle three times, so this was a big jump. We’re a bit worried that he may have done it because the milk was freshly pumped instead of frozen. We can’t let Charlie expect the fresh stuff every time because Brooke can’t keep up! Plus, we’ve got an entire freezer full of frozen milk that he’s got to eat.

It was an eventful day at the NICU. We had a lot of laughs and a lot of milestones. We’re so proud of our beautiful babies!


Charlie is trying to figure out how to get his thumb back in his mouth. I'm happy to report that he figured it out (about three seconds after I put the camera down).


Nurse Julia loves to put bows on girl-baby's heads. Doesn't Lily look pretty?

31 comments:

Maggie said...

It sounds like you are really enjoying your babies - and that's the way it should be.

I just pray that you get to enjoy them at home soon.

And I had to laugh at the Lily show, especially for Dad.

Macchiatto said...

Oh my goodness, they are SO precious! And I love the bow. :) And wow, that chugging is SO impressive--and hilarious!

Unknown said...

They are so beautiful and quite entertaining, even second hand! Prayers for all of you as you enjoy these special moments.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an awesome day. So happy for you guys...:)

Lauren said...

I'm totally cracking up. Go babies!!

Unknown said...

Great news on those babies! Love the bow. My little one had one of those courtesy of the nurses. I think its the only time we have been able to keep a bow in her hair.

Drinking on their own - another step on their way out of the nicu and onto home. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

I'm hysterical... Absolutely outstanding news. Yes Lily - I love the bottle act and the diaper trick is great. One day I'll explain what your uncle did to me... Go Charlie - keep it up babies. You'll be home sooner than you expect...

All My Love, Auntie :) oxoxoxoxo

Jen said...

GREAT NEWS!!!!

Lily and Charlie both drinking bottles now is wonderful.

Colleen said...

Yay for 4-pound babies! And I am sure Brooke loved that story about Lily, Joe - especially that you got to deal with it instead of her!

Unknown said...

that is sooooo awesome!!! my boys weren't even doing that when they came home! your little ones are doing amazing.i can't wait to hear their progress :)

nora (yankee42) accidentally signed in as my hubby ;)

OMG Triplets said...

Look how big they are! Keep on chugging kiddos : )

Diana Lopez said...

wow, brings happy tears to my eyes to see how big they are getting...Praying that all four of you will be enjoying each other at home. God bless you all.

JoLynn said...

My little Sara did the same thing with a bottle and blew the suggested NICU feeding schedule out of the water to come home a week earlier than expected! Good thing you have the nursery ready!

And may I saw 'way to go Dad' for hanging in there on the diaper?! Many would walk away and tell the nurse to take over. It's awesome to see a Dad so involved in their care...I bet it makes Mom all proud of him!

#1SAHM said...

That poop story is hilarious! You can tell by the pictures that your babies are growing, they're getting so big! Keep growing little ones! Glad they're doing well.

Sonya said...

This post has made my day!!! Good job Charlie and Lily...keep up the awesome work!!!

Anonymous said...

This post made me laugh. I am so happy that things are going well and I will continue to keep your beautiful family in my prayers!

Becca said...

Go babies go! Looks and sounds like your babies are making huge steps towards coming home! They're getting so big & beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

Charlie and Lily are just so beautiful--I look forward to seeing their pictures everyday--my heart is filled with love for them!

Anonymous said...

What great accomplishments!!!!! Lily looks so pretty with her bow! Charlie & Lily both put a smile on the whole world!!!!

Sarah - The Home Cook said...

Go Lily, go Lily! I can't believe she chugged two bottles...that's fantastic! And it's also great that Charlie decided to follow suit. They're getting so big and strong - I love it!

And I'm loving that Lily story. Priceless. :)

Doug H. said...

That Charlie picture is adorable. Don't get me wrong Lily is cute too, but Charlie looks very distinguished.

Stephanie said...

Go Babies!!! That is so awesome! I love reading your "daily reports". I hope you both know how much joy you bring to perfect strangers with your excitment of your little ones! I look forward to reading the updates everyday!!! Congrats on the progress and thanks for keeping us informed :)

E. Merritt said...

Reading your story of Lily's countless diapers is all too familiar. Just wait until Charlie does it. Little guys with "hoses" spray everywhere. We had one that was testing how high he could get it up the wall next to their changing table. We've taught everyone that changes them to move QUICKLY otherwise they're in for a wet surprise.

Glad to hear such good reports. They'll be home before you know it!

Lindsay said...

Lily's antics are cracking me up. She is already such a character. :)

Gretchen said...

You definitely have comedians on your hands!!! I have a feeling Lily is going to want to be the center of attention all the time!!! She's going to be a little Diva!!! I am crying from laughing so hard about what she did! They both look awesome! Way to go Charlie and Lily!!! You'll be home before ya know it!

Congrats Mom and Dad on all the good news and excitement! Also, Joe, Good job on sticking it out and finishing the diaper!!! lol Mommy had to have found that hysterical!

Keep up the good work all of you!!!

Jen said...

I love how lil they are and have such personalities already! They are just beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!!

Anonymous said...

They have changed so much this past week, I can't believe Charlie's weight gain...and Lilly's appetite. That is Awesome. =) Daniela G

Michele from FTHS said...

LOL. ROFL. The Lily Show had me laughing and imagining Joe's reaction. Just wait til it's Blue's Clues time, Joe. ;-) Charlie is becoming quite handsome and Lily is just too precious. Way to go, Little D's!!!!

Lisa said...

Your babies get more beautiful each day you post about them. Am glad to read that Lily and Charlie are doing so beautifully. Gives me hope for the days ahead.

Rebecca, from CT said...

What a wonderful post!!! So entertaining!!

Elizabeth said...

I love reading your blog. The babies are so sweet. I have six month twins who were born at 32 weeks and in the NICU for several weeks. It takes me back a little to ready your stories. I saw your photo of all your pumped milk a while back and am just wondering if you are going to try nursing them? They are gorgeous babies!