Jen's Fabulous Photos!

Many of you know that my best friend Jennifer is a children's and family photographer who lives in Seattle, Washington.  We feel very special that she flew in town to meet and photograph the twins!  Below is a link to Jennifer's studio journal/blog - with just a few of the pictures she took on Friday.  When Jen has finished going through all the photos, we will send a link to her website with a password to view all the finished photos.  We love Jennifer's photographic style and can't wait to see all the pictures in the coming days!!! (Missy)

Jennifer Winter Studio Journal

A Slew of Updates

Sorry for the lack of posts lately – as you can imagine, we’ve been busy!

Since our last post, things have gone really quite well.  We’ve discovered that the twins seem to be transitioning away from their preemie selves into newborns.  We can tell this because they have fallen out of the habit of sleeping 24-7 and have started to fuss a bit more and tend to be awake at night instead of during the day.  Luke tends to fuss in short bursts all throughout the day, while Lauren is perfectly quiet, then will have one loud, long outburst to compensate.

We have had two pediatric appointments within the last few weeks, and the babies are progressing nicely.  They’ve each gained a pound between the two visits: Lauren currently weighs 6lbs., 12oz., and Luke is hitting 6lbs., 10oz.  Their color has become much better, and the slight jaundice they had initially has all but disappeared, thanks to some sun exposure and vitamin D.  Lauren has taken to feedings extremely well, and while Luke hasn’t had any trouble eating, he definitely is showing signs of indigestion/reflux.  We’re keeping tabs on him and making some slight changes to see how he reacts – we don’t want another case of severe reflux like JJ had at that age.

The nurse practitioner that we’ve been seeing up to this point has recommended that we can now break our feeding schedule of every three hours in favor of simply letting the twins wake us up at night.  This can be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it.  If the babies are satisfied, then they’ll sleep longer, and we’ll get up less – but if they’re hungry, as they were last night, then they will wake up frequently for a period before ‘corking off.’  We’ll see how this progresses – hopefully we can get the babies to last a bit longer instead of having frequent cluster feedings.

Thus far, Missy has calculated that we are going through 112 bottles, 140 diapers, 200 wipes, and 3 cans of formula every week.  Thank God for Costco.  Barney quipped that he would “sure hate to be our trash man.”

We’ve found a great product that we’ve fallen in love with.  It’s the Fisher-Price Newborn Rock & Play Sleeper.  We picked up two of these, and they’re fantastic.  They’re lightweight and easy to carry around and position in different rooms of the house, and they recline the baby at the perfect angle to help them stay upright after a feeding.  The twins seem to be much more comfortable in these bassinets than they do in their cribs for the time being, so we’ve taken to using them quite a bit, and they’ve been sleeping in these at night.

Missy is doing fairly well health-wise.  She has been healing quickly, and had her post surgery follow-up yesterday with the OB.  She is now allowed to drive on her own (after 6 weeks of not being allowed), go up and down the stairs as she pleases, and can take some short walks (which we’ve already done now that the weather is so nice).  The doctor commented that it was really nice to be able to care for Missy for the complete duration of pregnancy, from the first surprise of finding out we were having twins, all the way to bringing them in for a visit.

Today is Missy’s follow-up Hematology appointment with a new doctor.  Her last Hematologist left a little to be desired, but we’re already encouraged by the positive response we’ve received from the new doctor’s staff and their willingness to answer our questions.  We’re really hoping that things turn out well on this front.

Thank you so much to all of our family and friends for the love and support you’ve shown and continue to show us.  Things have certainly been challenging, as we’ve expected, but the meals, words of encouragement, and offers for help have really strengthened us and allowed us to keep forging ahead.

At Home with Luke and Lauren

Quick Video of Luke & Lauren

Our first few days at home with Luke and Lauren have been better than expected.  Because the twins are preemies they seem to mostly sleep from feeding to feeding.  Luke tends to wake about a half hour before feeding time.  When it is feeding time, Luke's fussiness (from getting a diaper change and being hungry) usually rouses his sister.  Luke's fussiness is short lived, but you can count on it before almost every feeding.  Lauren is rarely fussy, but when she is, it takes a longer time to soothe her.  Luke is the Houdini of diapers - wiggling out of them if ever in a gown or pants.  Lauren is the princess of very muddy diapers - you have got to watch out for her or she will get you during the diaper change!  The twins are rarely awake at the same time, but Matthew was able to get this great video of them today (I was on my first trip out in weeks, Target was calling my name).  In the video you will notice Lauren's adorable hiccups - which she consistently had in utero.  You will also notice Luke all stretched out - also as he was in utero.  Luke and Lauren seem to be more and more aware of each other every day!  Its been a great few days at home!!!

Home (Again)

Thursday night marks the first night for all of us to be home together as a family.  Lauren was discharged from Northside this morning - and we went through the familiar car seat tolerance test (it's much more difficult when you're there in the room for 90 minutes with nothing better to do than stare at the numbers to see if they're passing!) and were able to speak with the neonatologist before waiting 45 minutes for an escort to the car.


We were able to pick up JJ from ASP right away, and had the chance to see a few friends in the parking lot before heading home.  JJ is thrilled to have both a brother and a sister, and he has already been the vigilant big brother, watching the twins in the back seat on the way home.

Tomorrow morning is the twins' first pediatric appointment - I'm sure it will all go well.

Thanks to everyone's love and support - it really has been overwhelming!

Tonight's first evening feeding starts at 11pm, so I'd better go get a little sleep before being woken up every three hours for the next six months!

Home!

Please forgive the hiatus in writing - it's been a busy couple of days!  Tuesday we unexpectedly discovered that Missy was going to be discharged.  It was an emotional homecoming for someone who hadn't stepped outside for over three weeks.  It was really nice for Missy to be able to tuck JJ into bed and have one last night of our "old" family as it used to be, at home.

Today was a whirlwind.  The Neonatologist called this morning to say that Luke was ready to go home. We spent the entire day at Northside finishing up things to prepare to leave.  We took an infant CPR class and waited for the 90-minute car seat stress test (Luke had to maintain an above 88% oxygen level for 90 minutes while sleeping in our car seat).  After that, we were sent home!  

Lauren continues to improve and we expect that she will be discharged to come home before the weekend.  It's been a busy and tiring day - who knows what tomorrow brings...

Monday Update

 

Missy and I like to refer to Luke & Lauren's new nursery on the seventh floor as "the day spa."  This special care nursery is the most recent edition to the Women's Center at Northside.  The twins' cribs are in adjacent rooms, which really makes our visits much simpler.

The twins need to do three things to "graduate" from the hospital: 1) maintain their own body heat, 2) breathe on their own, and 3) take in six to eight bottles a day.  Luke & Lauren are accomplishing numbers 1 and 2.  Luke is well on his way to completing number 3, which must be consistent for 24-48 hours.  In contrast, Lauren continues to have one to two tube feedings a day, so she's not quite there yet, but getting close.  She's reducing the number of tube feedings each day.

The twins' fabulous nurse says that they're still a few days away from coming home, and Luke is obviously closer than Lauren.

Missy is doing a lot better during her recovery.  Normally, she would be discharged tomorrow, but her blood thinner levels must be therapeutic before leaving.  This is tricky as we are moving from an IV to injections, to a pill.  She's hoping to be discharged on Wednesday if possible.

Everyone says to get as much rest as you can in the hospital, but this has been close to impossible as we try to manage the healthcare and doctor's visits of three individuals.  Missy's day starts at 6:00am and generally doesn't end until 10:00pm, but as I write this at 10:45pm, we just had a visit from the respiratory therapist.  This doesn't leave very much time for sleep or naps.  Please pardon our lack of responses to email, phone calls, and blog/Facebook comments, but please know that we're really appreciative to have the support of our family and friends!

Sunday, Mar 7

Luke - Two Days Old

Lauren - Two Days Old

Tonight Luke & Lauren were transitioned from the NICU to the special care nursery on the 7th floor, which is a HUGE step toward coming home.  We were told that tonight they will be moved to cribs and their IVs are being removed.  Each of them took bottles well today.  We have not been given a discharge date for the twins, but it will likely be a week or two.

Today Missy transitioned from a Heparin IV drip to Lovenox injections.  When that transition is complete, we will be discharged.  We've not discussed this with her doctor, but we anticipate that Tuesday we will be able to go home.  

We really appreciate the flowers, cards, emails, and visits from friends and family.  They have really helped us get through this tough time.  We feel fortunate to be cared for by so many people.

Late Saturday Update

Both Luke & Lauren have been taken off CPAP and are now breathing on their own.  Of course this can change, but the NICU staff are keeping a great watch over them.  Luke is doing so well, in fact, that he's been taken off his feeding tube and Matt was able to give him a bottle at 8:00pm.

Missy is recovering well and seems to be handling the pain.  She was very mobile today, and took two visits to the NICU.  Her nurses are cautioning her not to overdo it - tomorrow might prove to be a little more painful than today.  She will be moving off of the familiar Heparin drip tonight and will be switched over to Coumadin, which she can take orally.

There are several new photos from today.  All new photos moving forward will be posted to the Picasa Web Album.

Saturday - Update on Luke & Lauren

Luke & Lauren are doing well in the NICU.  They both needed a little help with their breathing, but would have been there regardless due to their age (two hours shy of 35 weeks).  We are eagerly waiting to see them again in person before lunch.  Missy is resting very comfortably, and as soon as she is allowed to get up, we will head straight to the second floor.  Unfortunately they are in two separate rooms at the moment and are not in a spot that is viewable from the windows - even JJ will not be allowed back to see them for the time being.  The next goal is for the twins to relocate to the seventh floor, which is a step between the NICU and a traditional nursery, where they can be together in the same room.  We're going to be recovering in Missy's same room we've been in for the last several weeks, and plan to nap and rest as much as possible while we're not able to have the twins in the room with us.

Pictures

Waiting in Labor Holding...

Lauren

Luke

Lauren & Missy

JJ & Luke

JJ & Luke

Happy Birthday!

We proudly announce the births of Lauren Melissa Bain, 5lbs 13oz, and Luke Hamilton Bain, 5lbs 6oz. Missy did great and is resting comfortably.

It's Really Happening This Time...

Missy called me at 1:15 and said "I think I need you to come in..."  Sure enough, her water broke and she's been having regular contractions.  The doctor on call has looked at all the tests and analyzed fluid to confirm labor - and we're a go for liftoff.  They have taken Missy off of her Heparin drip and she's been constantly monitored.  We've been scheduled in the OR for a cesarean at 9pm!  More to follow later tonight...

Save the Date

Save the date... Luke and Lauren's scheduled arrival will be Friday, March 19th!  The great news is that we have an end date to focus on and we can make plans accordingly.  This also means 2 1/2 more weeks of hospital bed rest for Missy.  We will learn what time the cesarean will take place tomorrow.  While they are operating, the urologist will come in and look Missy over due to her previous issues last week with stones/clots.  She will also need to continue the blood thinner therapy and see a hematologist for at least 3 to 4 months after the cesarean. 

Today marked day 15 in the hospital and we "earned" 4 more parking passes for family!  Missy's dining choices are also being upgraded - oooh!  We have not asked, but were told we would get a more comfy mattress after 15 days - we'll see. 

No More Injections

Missy tried the Heparin/blood thinner shot - yikes!  She tried it in both her side and arms.  This shot gave a terrible burning sensation and kept hurting for 30 minutes - even with Tylenol and a heat pack.  She switched back to the IV tonight.  It’s sort of like starting all over again - with her blood being tested a few times a day to find the right dose.  Missy also gave her best plead to the specialist to go home - but she continues to rest at Hotel Northside. 

The highlight of the day was JJ getting out of school two hours early due to SNOW!  JJ and I came to visit Missy and were able to go with her on both of her daily walks, watch a movie and eat dinner together.  We usually end the day by going to look at the babies in the Special Care Nursery through the window. 

Today marks 34 weeks and 4 days - and two weeks of Missy being at Northside.

Monday brings no changes

Missy's full panel of test results were pretty much unchanged from the same panel from last week.  The new ultrasound found the twins happy, growing and looking great.  The doctors are very happy to see that Missy is doing no worse, one week later, and that the twins still look great.  Today marks 34 weeks and 2 days.  The doctor yesterday thought if we made it to this Saturday, 35 weeks, we could pick a cesarian date.  The specialist today wanted Missy to try to stay until 37 weeks.  The reccomendation for how long to keep the twins "cooking" depends on how Missy's body is doing, but even om the same day two doctors can give two different reccomendations.  This can be frustrating.  We would really enjoy having an "end date' to focus on, but that did not come today.  Missy is very disappointed to continue to be on "hold".  There was an offer to move Missy to a different room with a better (city) view, but we would elect to stay here where we are already.  Missy's blood thinner therapy results came back too high today, so it was lowered.  It will be tested, again, this afternoon.  Missy will then be moved off her IV and on to injections of blood thinner.  This will allow her more freedom to move around and less waking up in the middle of the night.  She will have to moved back to the IV before the cesarian and back to the shots after the cesarian.  She asked if she could go home, becuase she was not on the IV, but the doctors are concerned about the preeclampsia in a twin pregnancy and she was told no, she would not be going home.