Tuesday, September 1, 2009

It's September!

Today is the first day of September, which is significant to us for two reasons:

1. School started today so my time with the babies is now officially limited.

2. When people ask “When are the babies coming home?” we can reply “hopefully this month!”

1. School. Eh. It started. It was nice to have the distraction but a bit awkward to be focusing (or trying to focus) on something other than babies right now. ‘Nuff said about that.

2. The prospect of bringing Lily and Charlie home is just about the best feeling I can imagine. Let me just stress that we don’t know when they’ll be home and there is absolutely no set date for their homecoming; it will most likely be some time within the next six weeks if they both progress as they have lately.

The first really good sign that homecoming is getting closer is their weights. Lily gained another 50 grams and is now 1805, which is just half-an-ounce short of four pounds! She was so tiny for so long but for the last three of four weeks she has been gaining weight like a champ. But Charlie just won’t give her a chance to catch up. He gained 60 grams today and is now 2070, or 4 lbs 9 oz. We’ve been really focused on getting to the five-pound mark, since we were told shortly after they were born that that was the desired weight to be discharged. We’ve since learned that five pounds doesn’t necessarily mean an automatic trip home, but it’s still a very significant size to shoot for.

Another good sign is eating habits. While Lily is still taking all her food as normal with the feeding tube, Charlie seems to have taken to bottle-feeding like he’s been doing it all his life. I posted yesterday about how he successfully took a bottle for the first time when Brooke gave it to him. Well, let the record show that he also successfully took a bottle for the second time when Brooke gave it to him. In fact, this time he ate 17 of his 30 ml from the bottle before he decided enough was enough. But the promptness to which he has taken to this method of feeding is a great sign that it won’t be long until he’s exclusively taking all his meals via a bottle.

The last really significant sign is their breathing. Charlie has been breathing with his nasal cannula for almost two weeks now and he’s taking a diuretic which should help ween him of it and on to room air relatively soon. Miss Lily is now exclusively on the cannula as well. And not only that but her oxygen requirements all day today were very, very low. So if their tiny little lungs can keep getting stronger at the same rate they have recently, both babies will be breathing with no help soon enough.

So there are a lot of good signs lately. Of course, as we’ve learned, we can’t stop worrying since things can (and often do) change in a matter of hours. But we’re going to try and focus on the good things. We can’t wait to have them home with us so we can get started living a “normal” family life!


Lily got a bath from Daddy tonight! Nurse Alicia put lots of bubbles in it so it had that extra spa feel!


Lily didn't enjoy her tub bath tonight as much as she enjoyed her first one last week. I really hope she was just in a bad mood and it's not because I gave it to her instead of Brooke....


Charlie and I got in a good cuddle this evening. It was very nice to hold him and burp him and put him back into his isolette all by myself. Yay independence!

21 comments:

Sue said...

It's just amazing how much Lily and Charlie have grown and developed! Love the picture of Joe and Charlie cuddling. Congrats on more independence.

Amy said...

I am just in love with your blog. I read it every night before I go to bed, and it helps me remember that there is a God. Your babies are such miracles, and I know precious Annaleigh will be the guardian angel for your beautiful family.

Anonymous said...

Yay!!! They are both doing so wonderfully. You can really tell how big they are getting from the pics. Charlie is doing fantastic with his bottle feeds. Lily will be doing the same before too long. Sending you prayers and hugs!!!!

Stacey
(gbb)

Kara said...

Wow! They are growing so well and you can really tell how big they are getting!! Way to go Lily and Charlie!! Bottle feeding was why we were in the NICU for so long, so I'm totally impressed with how well Charlie is doing! Hooray!

Kara
(another stranger- I was told about your blog by some girls on another infertility board who are friends with you guys from the bump or somewhere!)

Michele from FTHS said...

Charlie and Lily...you two are "da bomb"!!! Keep up the fantastic job. I can't wait to meet you two. Joe and Brooke, you two are amazing!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, thank you, for updating tonight. I was so afraid that with going back to school today, you might not have the time...and I just HAVE to have a daily dose of Charlie and Lily! It's the highlight at the end of my day!

Keep growing strong precious ones!

Lauren said...

Yay for weight and bottles! They are amazing. Love you, babies!

Anonymous said...

Yes... Bottle feedings and bath tub fun. Enjoy the spa Miss Lily Bug because us girls are going to have some nights out. I love this cuddling picture. Keep it up my sweet precious angels...


All My Love, Auntie :) xooxoxox

Diana Lopez said...

wow, its just so amazing how fast they are gaining weight, Love the pic with you and Charlie.

God bless you all.

Anonymous said...

It makes me so happy when I read how well they are doing! I am looking forward to their homecoming... although that probably means you won't have as much time for blog updates :) Charlie is going to be a pro at the bottle in no time! And I bet Lily was just not in the mood for her bath... she is going to be a daddy's girl for sure!

Quince Family said...

I just love reading your blog--it really does brighten my day to see pictures of little Lily and big ole' Charlie and to think of sweet Annaleigh. I'm so glad you are diligent about keeping up with it. Trust me, you will always treasure this "online diary" of your children's journey. Good luck with your first week back and school and keep the posts coming!
Melissa (shady06 from Multiple Mamas)

Cynthia said...

Yeah for Lily and Charlie. They are doing SO well. Your postings are the second ones I read every day, the first being my daughter's! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you every day. Amy is right about Annaleigh. I'm sure she's one of the guardian angels for your family.

Anonymous said...

Woohoo babies! It's so great to see them doing so well! While I can't say Charlie's the cutest thing ever (hey, I have a little boy what can I say)....he is SOOO stinking CUTE! Oh my word! :D

Lily is going to be a little heartbreaker, too! Sooo pretty!

You are such a beautiful family! I look forward to many more great updates as homecoming nears!

Continually in my thoughts!

Doug H. said...

Extatic to hear that Charlie and Lily are doing well. Keep up the good work babies!

everafterinmi said...

YAHOOO!! I love it! Both of those little fighters are now bigger than my Ben when he came home! The time will come soooo soon! I know it!

Anonymous said...

Charlie and Lucy are absolutely beautiful. They are so lucky to have you two as parents. I hope the weeks go by fast so you can bring them home.

Becca said...

Charlie and Lily are so beautiful! And I really think Charlie looks like Joe & Lily looks at least a little like Brooke! Soooo awesome that you will be able to bring them home soon. It is an amazing feeling and I am praying that it comes soon for you!

CRS said...

YAY Charlie and Lily! They're doing so great!

Elena Cordero Busch said...

Hi, is my first time posting but I have been following your story over the last few weeks. First of all, I'm really sorry for the loss of your daughter Annaleigh. While I can't relate to your loss, I can relate to your experience with the wonderful staff at St Peters. I delivered my ggg triplets last June at St Peters at 30 weeks. Nurse Tina, Alicia and Marissa were also primary nurses for our daughters (The Cordero Triplets) and reading your posts about their care brings many good memories. Dr Hiatt...an angel sent from heaven. In any event, we live in the Princeton area and have stuff that you are welcome to have if you need any spares (no charge). We have 2 bouncers, 1 swing, 2 play gyms, a single snap and go, bottle proppers, floor mats. All from a smoke-free, pet-free house. If interest send me an email at titileni@hotmail.com. Best, Elena

Anonymous said...

Each blog keeps getting better & better!!! All the prayers out there for Charlie & Lily must be working!!! It's so great to hear the words babies & home in the same sentence!!!

Erin said...

Way to go little folks! I remember how thrilling it was when my son started taking more and more by bottle...it was the light at the end of the NICU tunnel. I was so deathly sick of warding off the constant questions of when he would come home, as though I secretly knew but was refusing to tell people. I just kept saying "believe me, as soon as we know, we will want the world to know!"

My baby's birth was wonderful, but the day he came home from the NICU was the day our life as a family really took off, and it is the day I remember with unbridled joy.

I hope and pray that day comes soon for your family. You have already had to go through so much.