7 weeks (NICU Day 19; TCN 16)

Happy 7 week birthday, Bobby and Maya! Too bad we couldnt get a picture of the most awesome little moment. I was holding them and Bobby's hand was on Maya's shoulder. Then, he opened his eyes and he brought his hand to her face, then he'd pull it away and watch her move. Then again. And back. And again. And, cute of all cutes, she kissed his hand (I think she was trying to get his thumb to suck!) It was adorable. He fell back to sleep with his hand at her mouth. So cute. But it was dark and we didnt want to turn the lights on for the photo op.

As of 7 weeks... Guess who has crossed the 5 pound mark! Maya has doubled her birth weight and Bobby is on his way there. Maya is now 4lb 9.4 oz and Bobby is (gulp) 5lb 0.8oz. He took 58% of his feeds by mouth yesterday and she took 32%. Bobby is very excited about his milk, while Maya is excited about her beauty rest! But we arent pushing them. Whatever they want to take in is fine. When they tire out, we dont force the rest of the bottle. Tonight, however, she was soooo happy after FINISHING her bottle for daddy that she was still sucking. I had just pumped but started to leak, so she actually finished with the breast. We dont know how much she got, but she fell asleep there! (Bobby left 15 ml in his bottle as he fell asleep, so the poor guy missed out on the boob...)

And speaking of breasts and milk, today was the first day that I noticed significant improvement! I did add the tea tonight at the hospital, although I doubt it worked that quickly. But, I ended up producing 13ml more than they need for the day! (And that was with their feeds being increased over previous days!) I am really hoping that the pumping and herbs are going to make a HUGE difference. But even a small one helps.

I've had questions via email and comments about the SNS and how it works. Basically, you fill a little box with breastmilk (or formula). Two thin tubes then are taped to your breasts. When you put your nipple in the baby's mouth, you also put the end of one of the tubes. (They are tiny.) Then, as the baby sucks, the milk flows through the tube (so they get nourishment, which helps them suck deeper) and your own breast flow is encouraged and released. Eventually, the hope is to wean from the SNS and have just the breast give them milk . So, it will still require me being hooked up to the moochine so that I have milk to give, but I am hoping that it stimulates let down and helps with traditional breastfeeding.

And, speaking of the moochine, my dear friend Chelsea has come up with a name for the "object of my affection". I mentioned that I feel like I am having an affair with the pump and she decided he needed a name (since he is the other "man" in my life). And she came up with... (drumroll please...) Milk Gibson. Say it fast enough and it almost sounds like "Mel". Even though I dont find Mr. Gibson attractive in any sense of the word (sorry, Mom...), I cant argue that naming the pump that isnt funny as all getout... Too bad we couldnt come up with a name that was closer to Daniel Craig... But his name doesnt work with lactation jokes... (I welcome your names for my pump as well... How creative can you get?)