Updates on the Girls

Catie and Carter continue to do well in the NICU. We are getting more and more used to the place. The neonatologist, nurse practitioner and nurses are fabulous, keeping us very well informed and answering any and all questions we have each time we visit the girls. Each day is a new flurry of information, questions, and changes - especially because there are 2 of them and they each have their own unique set of issues that they are working through.

Wednesday morning was really hard for me seeing the girls in their little "houses" with all of the tubes and monitors, especially seeing Carter that way. I think it just hit me of what my little daughters were going through and how long it would be before I could put them in a cute outfit in the comfort of their real home. We are grateful that none of their problems seem to be life threatening and its just a matter of time for them to improve and come home, but it is still hard.

Carter is about the same and still has to wear the CPAP. She is very sensitive and typically gets upset if anyone touches her. However, she really likes for us to let her grasp a finger (especially Daddy's finger). Today, I was able to change her diaper - doing something that simple was great! It was the most hands-on contact I'd had with her so far. We really do not have a lot of pictures of her yet because she generally is on her back with the CPAP and tubes covering her face. We'll have them soon enough though!

Catie is improving greatly. She does not have any breathing issues, although she has a small tube still in her nose to provide a little oxygen to insure she stays that way. She is still very dependent on her fluids, apparently. Her IV keeps coming out and, when it does, her glucose level falls.

Both girls are under light therapy for their bilirubin levels. They look like they are sunbathing with their little "sunglasses" now. They also are now being fed breastmilk (not just getting fluids) every 3 hours. My milk is coming in very well, which is awesome!

Catie "sunbathing"

Sweet Carter "sunbathing"

Most significantly and wonderfully, I have been able to nurse Catie 3 times and will get to do so again at 11 tonight. She latches on great and has some major sucking power for such a tiny thing. I absolutely cherish the moments I get to hold her and nurse her. She can only be out about 30 minutes to an hour at a time because of the photolight therapy she needs, but after she nurses, I hold her close against my chest for some one-on-one quiet time.

We have gotten some freakin' cute pictures of little Catie during the moments she has nursed:

My parents have brought Will by for a few minutes each evening to visit. He is intrigued by everything in my room and generally continues to be a bit confused about exactly where the girls are. Tomorrow, I will be discharged and headed home. Then will come the really difficult part - logistically - of getting down to the hospital to be with the girls while we have a 3 year old who cannot come with us. Its going to be a trying time for the next few weeks, but we'll figure it out - just taking it one day at a time! I thank God they continue to be healthy and improve!