I know the best way to kill readership is to post infrequently or never. It’s amazing because the topic I could discuss endlessly is the babies and there’s nothing I enjoy more than spending time with them. If I can’t be with them, the next best thing is looking at pictures of them and talking about them. Despite this, I have been reticent to write about them. I have been a bit frozen in fear for the babies ever since Aubrey’s surgeries, Finn’s NEC, and Lydia’s little scare. I just know that things can do a 180 so quickly and go so poorly. I learned recently that the babies are tested once each month for MERSA. The doctors are always busy, the nurses have great job security, and the surgeons are constantly going from patient to patient. We call it the NICU, but it’s easy to forget that it’s really an intensive care unit. We’re not just there because the babies are small, but because they’re born with severe lung disease, very immature digestive systems, and at risk for thousands of issues.
It’s only been 10 weeks, but if I look back to the first weeks of our time in the NICU, Brise and I really just had no idea.
Now, 10 weeks later, the babies are 36 weeks old (for premature babies, they are aged by how far along they would be gestationally).
They have grown so much and they now look so much more like “real” babies!
Aubrey has grown so much! He has grown from 2lbs, 2oz to 4lbs , 9oz. He has almost outgrown preemie onesies and is wearing newborn clothes. He has had 5 surgeries, gallons of blood products, and the devoted care of doctors, nurses, respiratory specialists, and dozens of others. He has gone from the most supportive ventilator support and is now practicing breathing room air. He has added physical, occupational, and speech therapy to his days. He is great at sucking on a pacifier and is learning to associate the feeling of hunger satiation with the taste and smell of milk.
Lydia has been, and still is, our smallest baby. She has grown from 1lb 7oz to 3lbs 7oz. She is practicing breathing room air like her brother Aubrey. She also sees lots of therapists and everyone expects she will be the first to learn to eat. She has kind of curly hair and is known as Princess Lydia because she is very sassy and demanding. Woe be to the person who disturbs her sleep. At the same time, she brings so much joy because she is extremely active and expressive.
Finn has gained 3lbs since he was born, growing from 1lb, 14oz to 4lbs, 14oz. His loves are sleeping on his tummy and head rubs. One of the nurses remarked that Finn is really laid back unless you try to make him do something he doesn’t want to do, in which case he just refuses. For those of you who know Brise, you can tell who he takes after. At the same time, he is also most sensitive to noise and being disturbed. His muscles are very tense and he is getting some extra massage to help him out. He has very straight, very fine, red hair.
All of them are alive because of skilled medical professionals, countless prayers, and the generous donations of blood. I have always been a blood donor, although I just donate every once in a while. Of the things I have learned in the NICU, the top things are that blood donations are desperately needed and greatly appreciated and that the flu shot really should be a yearly occurrence for all people.
I promise to update more frequently. Even if this experience is scary, I want to share for others who may have similar experiences and so my babies can look back and see how amazing and strong they have been since day one.