An Up Day

This morning we learned that both Annaleigh and Lily are negative for the MRSA infection that plagues Charlie, so naturally that made us quite happy. We were also informed that the medicine Lily was given for her heart murmur seems to have worked! Her nurse told us that she could barely hear the murmur anymore, and she was having less episodes than she had the day before. When Dr. Hiatt called us this afternoon he told us that the ductus causing the murmur seems to have closed. He was also pleased that Annaleigh finally pooped (it had been several days and we were getting anxious for her to get on with it already). As for Mr. Charlie, he’s busy eating. His feedings were increased from 5 ccs of breast milk to 10 ccs! Go Chunky Charlie!

Our evening visit brought us more good things. We got to hold Lily Bug for the first time! When we arrived we asked Lily’s nurse if we could hold her and she said no. But after watching Joe talk sweetly to his daughters she apparently felt bad, so she checked with the respiratory team who told her that it was fine for us to hold Lily. It was wonderful to finally have her in our arms and she seemed to enjoy the one on one time. Joe even got to read Lily her evening story while cradling her in his arms. It was heaven and now we can happily say that we’ve gotten to hold each of our precious babies!

Although holding Lily was the highlight of our evening, we were also happy to hear that both girls had gained weight. Lily is now weighing in at 790 grams and Annaleigh is 740 grams. Charlie had not been weighed yet, but we’re confident that he’ll put on some weight thanks to his increased feedings. Charlie was also a good boy tonight, having only one recordable episode in a 3 hour span, which was a definite improvement for our boy.

We also need to send a big thank you to Marcie! I “know” Marcie from one of the message boards I visit and she is a frequent commenter on our blog. When we arrived at the NICU this evening we were handed a big envelope that had come in the mail for us. Inside were three beautiful signs from Marcie decorated with each of our babies’ names. They are absolutely adorable and once they’re home from the NICU I plan to frame them to hang in the nursery. Once again, we are overwhelmed by the kindness we’ve been shown by so many, many people. Thank you, Marcie! You helped make our good day even better.

So, today was a good day. We know that the peace we feel now is most likely temporary, but it’s days like this that get us through the bad ones so we are feeling very thankful right now.

.These were just waiting for us today at the hospital! What a nice surprise from Marci!

Annaleigh continues to do well. The nurse didn't fold over her diaper in half like they usually do, so it comes all the way up almost to her arms!

Charlie has it so rough; he has to find the time to eat so much food! Damn, he's cute!

We finally got to hold our Lily Bug! Words can't say how happy we were.

Joe reading "What's Wrong, Little Pookie" to Lily. This was the first time we've read to one of the babies while they were outside the isolette; it's much better this way!