Friday, October 9, 2009

NICU Day 29

Today has actually been the "worst" day for the babies and, even writing that, I feel pretty horrible since their worst day is so mild compared to some. Both had some serious desating due to reflux. (I know, it doesnt even sound that bad). Bobby was setting his monitors off when I arrived and J, his nurse (whom we love) said that he was having some desats/bradys and she held him and burped him (funny, I know!) and he did better, so why didnt I pick him up and just hold him upright for a bit to see if that helped. You dont have to ask me twice! It did help and then I went to Maya for her holding. When she went to breast, she was chomping away- until she got a good squirt of breastmilk when my milk let down. And then she was choking. She coughed and I moved her upright while she sputtered and desatted. She gave me this look of "Mommy, what happened????" I held her upright on my chest and she just grabbed on and wouldnt let go. I held them each for about half an hour before they told us (via their monitors) that they were overstimulated and wanted to go to "the land of night nights" (as we call their beds when they go back to go to sleep). (When they start having desats even when they look fine, we feel like overstimulation has gotten to them and they are ready for bed. When they go back, they usually calm back into the 90s and are fine.)


My dad went with me today. He's so cute around them. He says that seeing them and seeing their pictures makes it "Christmas every day". He has full blown conversations with them when he visits, telling them how he's going to teach them to draw and how he'll get on the floor and play with them. Dad is also stopping smoking, because, in his words, he doesnt want to be thought of as a "stinky grandpa" and, like he told me today (which brought tears to my eyes): "I want to give them something I wasnt able to give you or Jimmy; a hug without them smelling smoke." Knowing just how severe smoke- even smoke that is lingering on clothing- can be to preemies, it really means a lot that he is stopping (all 3 grandpas smoke to different degrees). He is currently down from one pack a day to 3 cigs a day. He smokes them in pieces. Today, I picked him up at 9:45 and he hadnt smoked all morning. (The rule is no smoking before coming to the NICU because Peter and I dont want the babies to have a whiff of that even when they arent being held by anyone other than us.) I dropped him off at 2:30. For a smoker, that is a long day. Yet, he was doing great. He's working really hard at it. He's been teased at work (where a lot of people are smokers) and he told me that he just tells them "It's for my grandchildren."

There is nothing that happens in my day that isnt mitigated by seeing those two beautiful babies. As several bloggers have commented, it is easy to see Nicholas, Sophia, and Alexander in their faces. We know they are never alone. That when we arent able to be with them, their older siblings are...

That is so comforting...

17 comments:

Debby@Just Breathe said...

How sweet of your Dad to quit smoking for them. That is wonderful. I wish him great success. So if they get over stimulated and have trouble what happends when they come home? Will they be over that by then?

Carrie said...

What a true gift of Grandpa! I am sorry for the scarier bits but still so glad the babies continue to thrive!

XO!

Mother Knows Best Reviews said...

I'm so touched and impressed your dad is trying to stop smoking. My mom claimed that she was going to when I got pregnant with Maddie, but never actually put any effort in. My husband stopped smoking about three years ago - it's hard work, and you have to be willing to try. It's so touching that your dad has two such beautiful little sources of inspiration.

ME! said...

That is wonderful you father quit! I will say some prayers for him- that is one of the hardest things I ever did in my life (smoke free for 10 months) I am glad they are doing well, and I love getting your updates everyday even if I don't get to comment everytime.
<3

Alex said...

I think thats great of your Dad :) We didn't ever let smokers around our kids as babies, except rarely my husbands brother. But if he'd just smoked he wasn't allowed to hold them. But one time I smelled the smoke on our childs clothes when he handed her back and I said no more. Not even when his last cigarette was hours earlier. Its just not worth the risk. And mine weren't even preemies. Yay for Grandpa!!

Barefoot said...

Aw, I'm sorry for the tough day. But your Dad's reactions are so cute...and bravo to him for quitting smoking!

Terri Jones said...

I'm so happy to hear your dad is quitting smoking. I pray that he is successful at it. And they'll have their grandpa around for a long time to play with! Love ya!

Where's my miracle? said...

That is really great that your dad is going to stop smoking! That is one of the best gifts he can give them! I wish him all the best! I am sure that your 3 little ones live on each and everyday in Maya and Robert. How sweet and comforting. Wishing you a good day tomorrow. I love the little hat!!!

Tammy On the Go said...

just kissable...

Michelle said...

What a great gift your dad is giving them! I wish him luck!

Babies look so good!

Reba said...

i just love their pictures. i agree you can see their big brothers and sister in them.

Alisha said...

Omg!! They are so cute! Love the green hat. I used to have a heavy let down with my daughter and she would cough and gag too. Once I figured out the problem, I started delatching her when I felt my let down and letting it spray into a recieving blanket or cloth until the flow slowed down. Not sure if you needed or wanted any advice, but just a FYI.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful gift that your children have given your dad...the desire to stop smoking...it is amazing what a grandparent will do for their grandbabies...your kids (all of them) are so beautiful.

Congratulations!
Cheryl

Sophie said...

Your Dad is a sweetheart. Big kisses for him.
xx

Anonymous said...

Alexander, Sophia and Nicholas will always watch over Bobby and Maya, but you and your hubby as well. :)

Lynda said...

What a wonderful Grandpa your dad is. You are blessed. Even on a bad day, your babies look so peaceful. Big hugs!!

MARGARETE said...

Your Dad is a wonderful man. Alot of people wouldn't even care who they were around. Your little one's are so cute! Ana is now 4 and how I miss holding a baby. I would hold them for so long and couldn't put them down. Babies are "addicting". ~smile~
Can I ask you a favor? On my comment I told you where we live. Well, Ed and I were talking last night and he didn't want our home town mentioned on the blog. Ugh! Would you mind deleting that?? I'm sorry. At least when I talk "in code" on my blog, you will know where I'm talking about. ~smile~ I know you understand.
Anyway, Thank you for visiting my blog already and I hope to talk to you many times. Have a great day holding and loving your little ones.