We had our family meeting with the doctors and were able to discuss next steps and goals for the future. They said that the main focus right now is to gain weight and watch their feedings increase. They just need some time to grow before new milestones are reached. The great news is that they said that if they were to look at healthy 28 week twins, Austin and Grace would be them. They are right where they should be and even though we have a lot of ifs, they are on target for their age. The bradies and desats will resolve on their own as 95% of kids with these issues do. We will start working on the sucking and swallowing reflexes at 34 weeks but over the next several weeks, we will start to try breastfeeding and bottle feeding as practice. We will do another follow up ultrasound on their heads before they go home as well as eye exams. Apparently eyes develop predominantly between 36-40 weeks. It was comforting to ask our questions and feel supported by them.
Updates:
Grace
She is weighing in at 2 lbs. 12 oz.s and is really close to 13 oz.s (woo hoo!!) and her feedings have been increased to 23ML! She has some residual which is when she doesn't digest all of her food but they aren't worried about it. She still loves to be on her tummy. The picture I attached was her sleeping today, so soundly.. she looks like she has spot lights on her already. :)
Austin
He is weighing in at 3 lbs. 1 oz., just 1 oz. away from his birth weight. His feedings have been increased to 27ML and he has no residuals which is great. He was showing his Hanson today when he was sleeping .. he has double jointed arms and was on his side with his palm up. I know that is hard to imagine but it was really funny when I saw it and the nurses were perplexed but thought it was funny too. You can see in his picture.. and don't tell Austin that his sunglasses are pink! that is the only color they have..
Our house has been dealing with some illness lately with Tommy on antibiotics for a cough and now Tom is on a Zpack for a cold.. I was the only person at the NICU today. It was strange and bit lonely to go alone. All I could think about was that this will be my life for the next few months and it was humbling. .. learning how to feed them and care for them over the next several weeks will be a journey unto itself.. but I am ready. When Tom is at work, I will be there doing my work. I have never felt more inspired and driven to get something done in my life. These kids will be okay if I have anything to do with it! :) I know Tom feels the same way and I am so grateful to have him as my partner.
Love to all of you,
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