The little roos

Boy were Dad and I surprised to see that neither girls needs their IVs any more. This is such a good thing on many levels. First, it simply means that they are needing less help to maintain their nutrition and hydration. This also means that Dad and I can get in some serious Kangaroo time.

"Kangaroo care is a way of holding a preterm or full term infant so that there is skin-to-skin contact between the infant and the person holding it. The baby, wearing only a diaper, is held against the parent's bare chest. Kangaroo care for preterm infants is typically practiced for two to three hours per day over an extended time period in early infancy. With babies who are medically stable, there is no maximum duration for kangaroo care, some parents may keep their babies in-arms for many hours per day.
The label kangaroo care was chosen to describe this strategy because the method is similar to how a kangaroo is carried by its mother. It is estimated that more than 200 neonatal intensive care units practice kangaroo care today compared to less than 70 in the early 1990s. One recent survey found that 82 percent of neonatal intensive care units use kangaroo care in the United States today.
Researchers have found that the close physical contact with the parent can help to stabilize the preterm infant's heartbeat, temperature, and breathing. Preterm infants often have difficulty coordinating their breathing and heart rate. Researchers also have found that mothers who use kangaroo care often have more success with breastfeeding and improve their milk supply. Further, researchers have found that preterm infants who experience kangaroo care have longer periods of sleep, gain more weight, decrease their crying, have longer periods of alertness, and earlier hospital discharge. "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_care

Dad and I went up the visit them last night and had a wonderful time. We got to kangaroo and it is really starting to feel like they are mine. A simple thing like cleaning the sleep out of Addison's eyes made me feel like a mom. It is truly the little things. I cannot wait to change my first diaper. I hope that I can hold the same desire after they come home, but somehow I think that will be very different. Dad took today off work to take care of me and to visit them again. I cannot wait. I will fill you in on any exciting news.

(Addison on left, Evageline on right)

Days since the Evangeline and Addison were born, one week.

Number of diapers changed so far-0 (how many new moms can say that :o)

Home again for Mom, Womb with a view for the Addison and Evangeline

Well I am home now and doing well. Grandma Doyle came to take care of me and help out with everything. I could not have done it without here. She and Daisy are getting along really well.

Evangeline and Addison are doing so well. They have both gained weight, neither are one oxygen. Evangeline is at the max for her tube feedings, so that means she could be off of her IV today if Dr H says it is okay. Addison is going up in her feedings just as well, she just had to start a little lower due to her size. They are both over their jaundice for now, so no lights.

These pictures were taken the day I left the hospital. I really wanted Daddy to hold both babies, nothing makes it more real that we had twins then holding each little burrito(dad's term of endearment when they are all wrapped up.) Yip and Yap love to lay close, they fall asleep every time they are held together. They get to be in the same bed as soon as they can maintain a constant temp and are off their IVs. So we are going to see them today and will fill you in on any major developments.

Addison and Evangeline's first days

Addison and Evangeline are doing really well. As of now, neither of them need oxygen or help breathing. They were on light therapy for jaundice, now only Evangeline needs it. Jaundice occurs when a baby's immature liver initially cannot dispose of excess bilirubin, a yellow pigment in the body produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells. They look really cute under the light because they have to wear little goggles to protect their eyes, like little superstars under lights and" their futures so bright they have to wear shades." Evangeline also had her IV out for a while because she was doing so well with her feedings, now she is a little dehydrated and will need to have one put back it, but still better then before. Addison has an IV in her belly button, they were talking about putting in another line that involves more of a procedure and will go to her heart. The good news today's is that she has been tolerating her feedings so well, that by tomorrow night she may not need any IV at all. She is also forgetful at times and has to be reminded to breath, for this they are giving her caffeine. Funny how I have to spend my whole pregnancy avoiding caffeine and now it is a treatment for the little ones. Their second night Dad and I got to do what is called "Kangaroo Therapy." This is a skin to skin therapy between the parents and the babies. Being close to the skin regulates the babies temperature and heart rate. It was also really nice for us, very relaxing having them so close. We have not been able to hold them due to the light therapy, so maybe they will come of that and we can Kangaroo them again. I know most of you may be wondering one thing most of all (besides if I have been able to have pudding, Yes of course) and that is when the babies can come home. This is the point where we go back to taking things "one day at a time." If we ask the Dr or nurses when the babies get to go home, they always give the same response, "it depends, but you can plan for them to be home around their due date." You can relate this to when you go into a busy restaurant and ask how long for a table and they say an half hour, knowing full well they can seat you in 15 minutes. The whole under-promise, over-deliver. So we really have no idea when the babies will come home, and that is okay. Just like when I was on bed rest, they are where they need to be. I am sure toward the end of their stay I will be going crazy to get them home, but now they just need to grow and progress. So once they can breath, eat, suck, swallow and breath and once they are putting on weight are the general things that need to happen. So we are being patient with them and boy are they progressing really well. So once again thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. Evangeline and Addison are so grateful for all of the support and prayers. I will keep you updated on their progress.