Wow, this past week has flown and I can’t believe we haven’t gotten on here to share the drama. As the kids march closer to coming home, we receive a myriad of differing information and dates as to when and what will happen. Additionally, Adam’s parents have been visiting and helping us accomplish many needed things (even putting up and decorating our first Christmas tree).
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/The kids continue to grow. As of last night, they were:
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/Brinlee 4 lbs 13.5 oz
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/Sawyer 5 lbs 8.5 oz
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/Kimball 5 pounds (well, 4 lbs 15.5 oz)
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/The doctors and nurses have really been pushing the kids this past week to up their feedings, progressing too fast, we think. They were all being pretty good eaters, especially Brinlee and Kimball. Sawyer seems to lose interest and go to sleep mid-bottle. While the other 2 will continue to eat while asleep, he doesn’t. He requires more presuading. A few days ago he had two major episodes while April was feeding him and required a little oxygen for one of them. He scared her to death. He let the milk pool in his mouth and gagged when he tried to swallow. His suck reflex is also not as developed. He does short, fast, rapid fire sucks that are not as efficient and require more energy. So he’s getting less milk for more effort.Â
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/They’re talking about possibly sending Brinlee and Kimball home as early as Wednesday (edit:Â Brinlee and Kimball both had episodes last night that have now pushed a release date back to this weekend at the earliest). Sawyer may come with them, or may lag behind a few days. That may change because last night Kimball had an episode while lying in his crib. He didn’t require stimulation. Brinlee had 2 episodes, one while eating, one an hour later in bed. Depending on the doctor and nurse practitioner’s decision, this could restart the clock of when they come home. They have to go 3-5 days with no episodes that require stimulation. 3 days could still be Wednesday, but I would be surprised if they didn’t push it until Friday. By that time Sawyer could also be caught up to them. Of course, it’s all up to the doctor. It’s scary to think of them coming home when they are still having episodes.
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/Grandma and grandpa (Adam’s parents) have been visiting for Thanksgiving. It’s been a very nice visit. They have been able to hold and feed and change the babies. They have helped us do some of the final hings we need to finish up before the babies come home. We’ve made final purchases and organized some things. We even put up our Christmas decorations. We have always travelled for Christmas to see our families, so we never bothered to get a Christmas tree or decorate. We bought our first house this year and we’re staying home for the first time, so we put up a beautiful tree and stockings and the nativity set we received for Christmas a few years ago. Adam’s mom collects them and she bought us a very nice one.
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/We had a very nice Thanksgiving. Linda, Adam’s mom, worked very hard and did all of the cooking, with some assistance from Adam and Robert (Adam’s dad). They made sure that April rested and relaxed instead of wearing herself out. Dinner was delicious. We invited a friend of Adam’s over as well. He and his wife and son just moved here a few weeks ago and weren’t going to be with any family. We all had a very nice time. Good food, good company, good weather. We have a lot to be thankful for.
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/Last Tuesday the doctor started the kids on their shots to help the anemia. It’s one shot a day for 7 days. Tomorrow is the last one. They’ll do blood tests to see how they are improving. This should help with the fatigue during their feeds.
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