Saturday, September 12, 2009

NICU Day 2

I cannot believe the babies are 2 days old. This still seems so surreal. I feel like I should still be pregnant and yet, I'm not... The babies are upstairs... It gets me every time I realize they are no longer inside.

Health wise, I am doing okay. I am low on the pain medication scale, which is good and bad. It's good from an "I dont like drugs" standpoint and from being able to manage my pain for the most part. It's bad in the sense that I am in a lot of pain sometimes. I dont do well with narcotics at all, so taking the meds make me feel sick and knock me out. I have to take an anti-nausea drug to combat the painkillers, so that just adds to the pot. I had a dose this morning, then one at 4:30 when I was in so much pain that I couldnt go to the NICU. I took a nap afterwards and then got my butt to the NICU at 6pm. After half an hour, I started to feel woozy and had to sit down. I left around 6:45 and came back to the room and rested. I think a lot of it was a lack of eating/drinking plus the drugs. I hadnt eaten a lot of lunch because I felt sick from the meds and when I came downstairs, I had to lay down. Peter held me and helped me pump. I felt pretty rotton. At 8:15, he went upstairs for the drop off and I left at 8:55 to get there in time for the 9pm babycare.

When I walked in, the first thing I saw was a doctor and nurse, in sterile wear, standing over Maya, with Peter watching. I nearly had a heart attack. I rushed Peter and asked what was going on, and meanwhile could hear Maya crying. Oh, how it broke my heart. He explained that they were trying to get a PIC line in to replace her IV. Her tears and crying... One of the free nurses brought me a chair and I sat down and just cried. The doctor came over and said that, unfortunately, they couldnt get the line in and would try again later. We went over to her and the nurse said that it was good that she was crying and fighting because that meant she was aware and alert. But it was so hard on us... She gave us a technique to hold her without really being able to (by cupping her head and her feet. I did this and it seemed to calm her as we talked to her. I sat by her isolette and sang lullabies to her until she fell asleep, my hands in this position, and her little hand and foot touching each on my hands and curling around what she could grab. It was heaven, being able to comfort my little girl in this way. Peter went to be with Bobby while I was with Maya. He gave him his pacifier and held him and sang to him, calming him in his frustrations as the nurses cleaned his IV materials. Peter also changed his diaper (and Bobby peed on his clean diaper!) and took his temperature. We waited until he was calm and then said our goodnights. The nurse told us that we could call anytime.

Here are some pictures from today. They are mostly of the babies with their CPAPs but you can see one or two of each without. They are so beautiful and we are so proud of them!

Bobby





Maya





33 comments:

Mommy (You can call me OM) said...

I'm just now learning of your newest arrivals! Congratulations! I will continue to pray that all continues to go well, that your pain is eased, and that love surrounds you all. :) Please email me if you need to, Michele.

Peace, my friend.

Jen said...

They're beautiful. I've been following you here and on babycenter. You are doing so well with all of this. My daughter was in the NICU for a week (she was full term but had some digestive issues), and I know it's so hard seeing them in there. I never walked in on an IV placement, thank God, but even seeing the tubing after it's in place is just scary.

Get better and keep up the great work being there for your babies. It means so much to them!

bankshot said...

My son, who is now 19, spent 4 days in the NICU from not breathing at birth and having such a tramatic birth, and all the tubing and everything was so frightening... 4 days seems like a very short time, but it seemed like an eternity for me, not being able to hold him, and nurse him like all the other mothers got to do.... I know that the road is still long, but your babies sound like they are so healthy, even if not always happy! They are so beautiful and you are doing such a wonderful job mom! try not to be discouraged... we will all be praying for you and your lil ones! how precious that you both sat and sang to them.... bet they love the sound of mommy and daddy's voices! God bless! ~Michelle

k@lakly said...

They look so perfect! I can't vbelieve they are here either. I am thinking of all of you and continue to hold thoughts of an uneventful NICU stay and home, asap.
xxoo

P.S. i always got very sick with pain meds, esp per.co.cet. Vic.o.din seemed a better choice, but only brand, not off label, the generic stuff made me sick too. Also, I had to be sure to be very hydrated and to eat, before and after I took the pills. I also took darv.ece.t and the anti nausea drugs they give chemo patients which made a huge difference. The other biggy,is to take the pain pills regularly so they manage the pain, otherwise you are fighting an uphill battle and your system never gets used to the meds and seems to fight them. Every four or five hours, like clockwork for the first week or even two, then switch to the tyl.enol, (cuz the pain gets worse once you start moving around alot and doing things for the babies).
Be kind to yourself, your body has been through alot, don't over estimate what it can do or under estimate what it needs to recover. Those babies need you to be strong and healthy and that means allowing yourself time to heal the right way, not in a hurry, but resting & eating & nurturing yourself too. Go easy on yourself, this has been an incredibly stressful pg and now you have the next weeks ahead in the NICU...be sure you are taking care of you too.:)Peter too:0)
xxoo

Unknown said...

hugs to you today. i know it must be hard to see them in the NICU. but how amazing that they're here and, from what it sounds like, doing well.
the c-section recovery gets so much better every day. you really need to try to stay ahead of the pain, though, and not wait til you *need* the drugs before you take them. try to keep on top of that for a few days, and you should start feeling a LOT better.

Stace said...

I know it wasn't long ago that I was in the same situation, but reading your post makes it seem like ages. It's amazing how quickly things change. (Definitely for the better in Colby's case!) It's funny how you talk about cupping their heads and legs-- 8 weeks late Colby still loves his "boundries".

I'm just so happy that things are going so well for the little ones. :) They are beautiful and I hope they can get Maya's PICC in-- it definitely cuts down on the number of IVs she'll have to endure. You are so strong for being their as they tried to place the PICC-- I wasn't allowed in the room for blood and IV placements, but I'm not sure I could have handled it. The NICU life is tough, but it definitely makes you stronger and helps you to appreciate the simple things.

I'm thinking of you, Peter, and all your little ones every day. :)

Ruth said...

Just look at your beautiful babies! I'm so glad for their safe arrival, and pray for a good recovery for you and continued growth and strength for Bobby and Maya.

Busted Tube said...

Oh my goodness, I know only too well how narcotics can cause such nausea... I can only imagine how you're managing that on top of giving everything you can to your precious little ones. I'm holding you and Bobby and Maya in my thoughts and prayers.

Michelle said...

There are just so BEAUTIFUL! I am so happy for and I get so excited when I see updates. I hope they just keep getting stronger and stronger and I hope you do too!

My prayers are with all of you!

Anna J said...

Good work Mama!! They are beautiful, and looking great!
Hang in there, prayers for your quick recovery.

Mon said...

I see htey are under bili lights. Do they have jaundice? What are their numbers? We had a bad jaundice for about 8 weeks, and only 2.5 early

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I have been checking my blog every half hour waiting and hoping to hear from you. They are perfect.
I have blown up each picture and have looked at them from head to toe. I have been talking to God all day about your son and daughter. I know you will be better soon. You do need your rest but I know that I would be at their side every moment allowed.
They are doing well, right? Their
size is good and they look fantastic. I feel like a nervous grandmother. I am so happy for you and Peter. I even went shopping today!!!! Yes, I am so excited.
May God continue to bless each of you.

juliane2004 said...

Oh wow! Congratulations! I dont know how I missed your post yesterday, but when I saw today's, and NICU day 2, I was like "WHAT!?!?"

Congrats :)

joshbeth said...

Congrats on your beautiful babies! I will be praying for them as well as for you for a speedy recovery!

Andie said...

Oh my! Away for two days and look what I missed. :)

Happy birthday Bobby and Maya - Michele and Peter you are so strong and doing a wonderful job.

Thinking of you all and sending much love.

Tina said...

I love it!!! Thank you so much for sharing the pictures of your precious babies with us! They are perfect in every way. xx

Krystal said...

You and Peter have very beautiful babies!!!

quadmom said...

Oh my gosh ... I was on vacation so I missed so many updates. I was just coming to catch up on your blogs and see that Maya and Bobby are born!! Congratulations, Michele!! They are absolutely gorgeous! I know it must be hard having them in the NICU but they really are so perfect in every way. I am praying hard for your family. Congratulations!

Mother Knows Best Reviews said...

They are just beautiful. I'm sure you're excited and terrified, all at the same time. Praying that they get better and better.

Anonymous said...

I can only imagine how nervewracking this must be. They are so pink and lovely. My friend had twins at 35 weeks, so I have a bit of recent expereince with preemies,and I can say without qaulification, that they look as healthy as the 35 weekers did.
I hope you start feeling better very soon.

Sprogblogger said...

I'm so sorry you're having such a rough time with the meds. Narcotics don't do me any favors, either, and I know how frustrating it gets, trying to get some relief from pain without adding to your discomfort burden.

Your babies are beautiful. And your whole family is in my thoughts & prayers every day. Don't forget to take care of yourself, too. Thinking of you.

A n T said...

So adorable!

Reba said...

they're beautiful!! i know it's hard to hear your baby(ies) cry, but what a WONDERFUL sound too!! to hear them able to make sounds!!

Barbara said...

They are utterly marvellous and wonderful.

Sending good thoughts.

xxx

Muriel said...

Michele- Your little ones are beautiful. Take care of yourself too so that you will be ready when thee little ones can come home. I am so glad to hear they are doing well. My prayers aer with all of you

Lea said...

Oh Michelle, I am just learning of your beautiful arrivals! They are beautiful... wishing you all nothing but love, strength and positive thoughts.

xo

Anonymous said...

They are SO beautiful!!
Anne

Kim said...

congrats :)

cheryllookingforward said...

Congratulations on your beautiful babies! I thought of you every day while I was away and said prayers for you. I'm so happy Bobby and Maya are doing well. I know you guys will have a long time in the NICU, but they are having such a great start! Wonderful. You'll continue to be in my thoughts and prayers!!

Michelle said...

Oh wow! More photos! And so early too! Thank you. Take plenty of rest when you feel you need it. Even if it's when people come visit. I'm sure they'll be happy to just sit and watch you sleep. I took 6 weeks to recover, 4 weeks to even sit up! So for you to be able to be back and forth from NICU to your bed is already so amazing. And your babies, my gosh they're stunning.

Tanika said...

Oh,I am so happy to hear that the twins are doing so well. They are indeed blessed and I pray that they continue to grow and prosper!
Many blessings to your family!

momto558 said...

Thanks for posting more pictures...they are perfect.They look great for being 12 weeks preterm.What a blessing.Take care of yourself.Hugs,
Michele

Donna said...

Your post has me crying again! (Darn hormones!!!) I'm just so happy that you and Peter get to be there with your babies. They are just so wonderful!

I remember how sick the pain meds made my mom when she was sick a few years ago. The nausea meds didn't do much at all to help her. Just try to keep a little something, even if it's only crackers, on your stomach. That really seemed to help her. I hope you heal quickly!