NICU Day 36 (TCN 4)

The babies continue to thrive and we are just so thankful for your continued prayers, love, and support.

Yesterday, Peter's mom held the babies for the first time. Maya tolerated the holding much better than Bobby, who nursed better than Maya. She had her physical therapy just prior to our visit, so we think she may have been too overstimulated to nurse and somewhat desensitized to touch, which is why she handled being held and rocked better. Bobby had his PT at 9am, so by the time noon rolled around, he was quite hungry (he took 8cc's at the breast) but when I gave him to Peter's mom, he began displaying signs of overstimulation. She held him only a few moments before I took him back and calmed him, which happened immediately. It was strange, being THE person that could calm him. Strange but oh so nice. (for pics click here)

Today, both nursed and did well (especially considering the "standard" for putting babies to breast is 34 weeks since that is when the suck-swallow-breathe reflex is said to develop and our babies started doing nutrative nursing at 32w3d!). Maya took in 4cc's over 10 minutes (until she lost interest and fell asleep) and Bobby took in 15cc's over 20 minutes. We are so proud of them! They will most likely start the bottle for some feedings on Monday and then come Tuesday, I can try nursing twice a day instead of just once a day.

Today must have been circumcision day in the NICU. We made the decision long ago to not circumcise our sons. A little boy today was screaming and crying and I overheard the nurses say that he'd just had his "circ" done and had gone to the bathroom and was in pain. It broke my heart. I was holding Maya at the time and she would look around whenever he would let loose. I just held her close to me, grateful that both she and Bobby werent having a knife come anywhere near their genitals (or elsewhere!). Well, that baby wasnt the only one. The nurses were sedating a baby who was going for his and I heard them discussing the risks with his parents and told them he'd be very upset when he returned. When he did come back, he was crying and obviously in distress. At this point, I was holding Bobby and I just brought him as close to my heart as possible, hoping that he wouldnt hear the distressed cry and wake from his peaceful slumber. The parents tried comforting their son but he was so upset. The nurse offered to give him something to help him sleep and I think they took her up on the offer because within a few minutes, their corner was quiet.

I wont debate the "to do" or "not to do" of the whole thing, but suffice it to say that it was distressing for someone with the feelings we have on elective circumcision to sit in the room. When the nurse asked if we were having Bobby done, my "hell no" might have been a little stronger than I normally would have said because of the atmosphere. Thankfully, our nurse wasnt pro elective's so that was a breath of fresh air.

All in all, the babies are still doing really well. Gestationally, they hit 33 weeks tomorrow. Wow... Cant believe so much time has gone by! We are getting the house ready for their impending arrival, along with (gulp) discussing upgrading from my Volvo stationwagon to the (double gulp) 7 seat SUV. We're going to see one on Sunday (most likely)... We shall see... We're taking the car seats and stroller so that I can see how I would navigate the SUV versus the wagon.

I'll end on a high note. In moo-cow news, I have now upgraded to the big bottles for my nighttime pump! Yay 200ml's!