Thursday, January 1, 2015

2 Months Old

Never trust a preemie!  Have we learned that lesson yet?

At rounds yesterday we made the decision to try Grayson on nasal cannula.  Just before rounds today Grayson had his third major spell since the change and went back onto CPAP.  We had fun in the meantime and were able to get some good pictures showing most of his handsome face!  He also took a couple bottles in those 24 hours with the highlight being the 20 mls (out of 34) this morning.

They had their infant hearing screens today and both passed!  Yay!  I think this is the first

Another change that was made at rounds today was we decided to reintroduce cue-based feedings for Scarlett.  This means if she shows interest in eating we would attempt to breast or bottle feed.  The decision was made that we would never give her two feeding+s in a row.  For example, if she takes a bottle at 6, she won't be given that option at 9, but will have the option again at 12.

At her noon care, she showed some interest so I was able to attempt to feed her for the first time.  Bottle feeding a preemie is not the same as bottle feeding a full-term baby, so we had to get the tutorial and watch the first bottle.  We did this yesterday with Grayson.  So today, the nurse walked me through things step-by-step but I did the work (well, really Scarlett did the work, I just made sure she didn't take more than she could handle.  About 20 minutes later, SHE FINISHED HER ENTIRE BOTTLE!!!  I don't want to get too hopeful in case it is an anomaly, but we've become friends with several NICU parents who have kids that are otherwise healthy, but still have to go through the rigmarole while their kids won't take their entire bottles and need to be fed through tubes.  But I am so happy that her first complete bottle was in my hands, and I hope that she keeps it going!

I tried to give him a pep talk before the transition.

Grayson's first bottle!  He took 4 mls.

Party Animals!  Grayson passed out after drinking straight from the bottle!

Close-up of her dress!

After reviewing the pictures we realized we didn't have a close-up of Grayson's tux, so we took one last night, but the nurse had already taken his outfit off.

Grayson eyeing the baby next door because he thought he heard "Roll Tide."  He calmed down after I explained the baby said "Kole cried."

Scarlett says, "Let's go Bucks!"

Feeding my baby girl! 

She took down the entire bottle!!!

3 comments:

  1. Love the captions! Totally love the pictures! I could look at them all day...beautiful children!

    Thank you, God, for passed hearing tests! Another hurdle down... OK...so a hiccup for Grayson but we pray that he can get off the CPAP again soon. God, we pray for more progress and good tests in the New Year. Thank you for all the blessings of 2014! Mary, our Mother, you know how loved Scarlett and Grayson are. It's a good thing you don't tire of hearing our prayers for them. But tonight, in addition to asking your Son for protection and progress for the twins, we ask you to care for all the babies in the world who don't have as many (or any) people to give them the kind of love Scarlett and Grayson have, And we ask continued blessings on Ethan, Trisha and Tim. Hasten the day when the twins can be at home in their own beds, safe in the care of their loving parents.

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  2. Amen to Sr. Dennis' request that the twins soon be home with big brother, Ethan and mommy and daddy. The babies are too precious. We love the pictures. Even though we haven't seen the babies yet, I feel like I have met them because the pictures are so good!
    What a wonderful beginning for 2015!
    Jesus, continue to meet their every need and watch over them.
    Tim, could you be any prouder of your baby girl? I don't think so.
    Love to all.
    OSU, bring home a win for the Shea twins!! OH-IO!

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  3. What a wonderful way to begin the new year. The pictures are such a blessing. We are able to take this journey with you, and direct our prayers. Thank you for that. Aunt Gina

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