13 Weeks in the NICU and Funniest Twin Pics (So Far)

Hazel has been in the NICU for 13 weeks (92 days).  She was 8 pounds, 1 ounce today, which is 5 pounds, 6 ounces over her birth weight.  She's getting to be a big girl!

Since Abs is no longer in the NICU, we don't get a daily weight (which I miss), so I'd have to guesstimate her weight around 7 1/2 pounds.  I'd love to get a scale so we could weigh them; I've heard one pediatrician (not ours) suggest going to the post office to weigh babies there!  Can you imagine how funny that would be?  Definitely don't go during the Saturday morning rush.  :)

Important Safety Tips

...learned so far with Abimus (corrected spelling) at home:

1.  Do not put the Desitin/A&D cream next to a tube of toothpaste.  At 4 am they will look the same, but they are not.

2.  When doing tummy time on the bed, it is important to note that a regular blanket is NOT water proof.

3.  Bouncy seats are a wonderful gift from God.

Back to the Beginning

Dr. Breed called yesterday.  Hazel had another rather major episode in the morning, enough to warrant observation for a few more days.  The doctor left a message, and in it he apologized about three times for thinking that Hazel was almost ready.  I think he felt bad about getting my hopes up.  He really seems like a nice guy.

Big News on the Hazel Front!

Hazel may have her sleep study done tomorrow night, and if she passes, will be discharged on Sunday!  I knew her last episode was June 6, but I didn't realize we were working on an actual countdown.  When Dr. Breed talked to me about it I was surprised!  So, fingers crossed!

Same Old, Same Old

Nothing new to report on the Hazel front.  Dr. McCormick is going to lower her crib (since it has been raised for 48 hours) to see if the rice cereal/prilosec have had any effect on her reflux issues.  She considered taking Hazel off of the Similac Special Care, since the weight gain has gone up, but decided to wait and let Dr. Breed make that decision, since he'll be back tomorrow (Friday - it's tomorrow to me because I haven't slept yet).  Her last sleep incident was two days ago as well, so there may be a correlation.  We'll see.  

"Perpetual Countdown"

That phrase makes me think of Europe's song "The Final Countdown."  Ah, I love that song (much to Matt's chagrin sometimes).  Unfortunately, as Dr. Breed put it today, we are in a perpetual, not final, countdown for Hazel's discharge.  There were no new changes today for her, as the plan is we'll just wait and see if the previous changes (rice cereal addition, raised crib, etc) have any effect.

12 Weeks, Pediatrician Appointment, and A Grandparents Visit

As of yesterday (Monday), Hazel has spent 12 weeks in the NICU.  She measured 7 pounds, 5 ounces, which is 4 pounds, 10 ounces over her birthweight (and she was up to 7 lbs 7 oz today!).  She's getting to be a big girl now!  We are still having problems with brady episodes, though;  Tammy, our nurse, said to stop even worrying about a countdown at this point.  Sigh.  Today (Tuesday), Dr. McCormick decided to add rice cereal to Hazel's food plus raise one side of her crib and see if this helps with Hazel's issues, as the doctor thinks Hazel is exhibiting classic reflux signs.  I fed Hazel this afternoon and the cereal stayed down, but it definitely requires pacing because the nipple is a fast flow.  Hopefully this works, but it does make food time even more complicated now (breast milk plus Similac plus now rice cereal).  

More Pictures, Plus Bath Time

So far, so good.  Matt and I seem to have gotten more of a rhythm with this newborn thing.

Matt visited Hazel last night while I stayed home with Abby and we watched Game 4 of the Thunder/Spurs basketball game.  Well, to be honest, she didn't really watch - she was up for awhile, but finally fell asleep in the 4th quarter.  Even without watching, Abby does have dribbling down (just without a ball). ;)

Hazel, Grande Dame of the NICU, Plus At Home Happenings

Hazel is officially the longest tenured baby in the NICU, as Sara, the previous title holder, roomed in with her parents two nights ago and was discharged today.  Not really something I was hoping either of the girls would achieve, but it is what it is, I guess.  Hazel had an episode today while feeding, so her countdown clock (the three day one) has been reset, and now the earliest she could be discharged is Tuesday.  Apparently it happened right after she projectile vomited this morning (Fri) enough so it went over the crib railing and onto the floor; as Becky the nurse put it tonight, you know Hazel would be impressive in whatever she does, including vomiting.  Dr. Kienstra came by while I was up at the NICU tonight and said it was impressive as well, as she and a nurse practitioner visited right after the vomiting incident.  At least Ms. Long Tenured is making a name for herself, right?  ;)

First Day & Night

Overall, the first day and night with Abby home went well.  Matt and I took turns getting up, and between the two of us handled it pretty well, I think.  Hopefully we get the routine down enough so adding a second baby (next Monday - fingers crossed!) won't be too bad.  I think we definitely have several advantages with this, even though Abby is a newborn (per adjusted age):  she's been on a schedule of eating every 3 hours since she was born, I'm fully recovered from the birth, and I have an established milk supply with plenty in the fridge (so I don't need to be there for every feeding).  Plus, Matt has been super awesome about taking care of her - he volunteers to change the diaper, hold her, stay with her, feed her, etc.  I don't know how I'd manage without him.