BABY GIRLS UPDATES

It's hard to believe our little girls are already 2 weeks old. Today when I went up to visit and got their update, Ruby who passed who birth weight the other day passed the THREE pound mark and is now 3 pounds 1 ounce. Charlotte is not growing as fast, though she was bigger to start with. She is up to 3 pounds 9.5 ounces. We are hoping Ruby will catch up quickly so they will be able to leave the hospital together. Everyone keeps asking when they will be able to leave the hospital, and really the only answer I can give you is their original due date, May 25th. If it is earlier, it will be wonderful, but all the staff and Doctors tell us to put that date in our heads, and hope that they are ready to leave at that date.
They are both doing very well. They have some dips in their heart rates which are called Apnea. Basically what it means is that because they are so premature, their little brains are not totally developed to tell their bodies they need to breathe. So, sometimes they get too comfortable (especially when they are on asleep on our chests) and sometimes forget to breathe. It is VERY normal for premature babies and they say they will eventually grow out of it as they develop more.
They are such sweet little things. We have been enjoying the Kangaroo Care at night, getting to hold one each for about an hour. If we are around when they are getting fed (all my breast milk which is great) we get to change their little diapers. Do not be fooled, I could not believe how much poo and mess they could both make. Charlotte had a major explosion right before I went to change her, and Ruby (for the second time) decided it would be more fun to wait until I was mid changing her to explode.
They are growing, but they are still so little (though really long).
I am feeling OK. Physically I am getting more energy and trying to adapt my body into not having as much sleep, or more interrupted sleep by having to get up to pump. I suppose it is great preparation for when they come home. Mentally, Emotionally, some days are better than others. I am careful to watch my emotions for any signs of anything major, but my tears are simply a mixture of hormones and my desire to hold my little girls more, or to have them home with us. It still feel VERY odd when people call me mommy, or mother. Maybe it is because they are not home with us, or just the simple fact that I am still surprised that I am finally a mother.
They really are sweet.. I have made them some matching blankets for outside their little warm homes, and also a bunch of matching little blankets for under them..
The staff are so very wonderful to us and with our girls.. They are all happy with how great they are doing. They have plenty of company at the NICU though Ruby is still the smallest baby in the unit.. They have some more permanent company with a set of triplets who where delivered at almost 33 weeks last week.. Though they were also early they were all over 4 pounds and also doing great..
I love going up to see our girls, but it has been tiring going back and forth. Thankfully we live REALLY close to the hospital and the last couple of days while my husband has been away I have walked either up and back, or got a ride up and walked back. It takes roughly 20 minutes at my current pace to walk back, and its good for me to get out and about and get the exercise.

Thank you to everyone who I know have been saying many prayers for all of us and for everyone's support. We have a long couple months still ahead of us, but thankfully they are doing really well.


Little Ruby and Mommy



Daddy and Charlotte


Our little Ruby Jane


Charlotte and her cute Blanket I made


Ruby and her little soft blanket


Little Charlotte Elizabeth


Ruby Jane


Charlotte Elizabeth


A VERY CUTE Charlotte Elizabeth