Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers

Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Happy Birthday in Heaven...

July 16, Eleanna spent her first birthday in heaven.

We had planned to go to the cemetery with the boys and release balloons.  The weather has been dreadfully hot, so we didn't go.  I found myself sad most of the day, but was glad to remember her and Ayla. 

I spoke with Ayla's Mom on Tuesday we both were feeling down, but I'm so blessed to have Teresa and Mike on this journey with us.  

 Each day I spend missing her.  I wonder what she would look like.  Would she look like Parker or Jesse.  Would she have had red hair too?  Would she be getting teeth, crawling...  There's part of me that can't wait till I get to see her in heaven.  I hope she knows that even if we didn't do those things for her on her birthday; she is ever in our hearts and always in my thoughts.  

July 18th was the boys due date.  

It's hard to believe that they should just be getting here.  

They both are wearing newborn clothes.  Jesse seems to be filling them out quickly, but I don't think that he's ready for the next size yet.  

They both are eating a lot.  Parker eats between 80-120ml about every 3-4 hours.  Jesse eats 100-200ml every 4-5 hours and has been sleeping from about midnight-2am till 9am.  

Parker's refulx bothers him quite a  bit and he spits up more than Jesse.  

They both hold their heads us really well.  They also are starting to enjoy some time awake.  They like the bouncy seat.  I've also been able to take them on a couple of stroller rides.  In all my years of infertility that was one thing that I was looking forward to the most.  Pushing them in the stroller.    The first time I pushed them down the street my eyes welled up with big crocodile tears.  

Well it seems Jesse wants to eat again...

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

There's no place like home...


We are home.  After 58 days in the Rockford Memorial NICU Jesse & Parker are home.  
7/6/12

What a difference a week makes.  Not long after my last post the boys quickly caught on to eating. And within a few days it was clear that they would be coming home soon.  Parker was the first to have his "light turn on" one night I left and he finished his 60ml bottle and when we came back in the morning the nurses informed us he finished every other bottle that night.  The proceeded to take his feeding tube out and give him a trial run of eating.  Of course the rest of the day he did not eat as well but maintained weight.  The next day he lost weigh, but finally the third day ( also the day Jesse started his trial) he gain weight.  Dr. Headly then said they could both go home.  

Jesse now is the big eater eating sometimes 120+ml per feeding.  He'll go 4+ hours between feedings.  Very nice in the night.  Parker will eat anywhere from 40-70ml every 2-4 hours.  He sure lets you know when he wants to eat... or wants anything else for that matter.  Parker's reflux is worse than Jesse's but both tend to spit up...normal preemie stuff I'm told...Today I'm on my third shirt. 

It's been interesting finding out what works for us as far as a routine.  Since they are on ad-lib feedings it makes it a little difficult.  But, things get a bit easier each day.  

We've had a few visitors since they have come home...

 Great Grandpa Earl
 Great Grandma Parkinson
 Uncle Frank & Aunt Bess
 Grandma Marsh