Getting Bigger!

Yesterday Renee the babies developmental specialist called to give us an update. Not much was new. She said Carsen had a little higher tone than a week ago. That means his legs and arms were a little tighter than before. She said he still is in the normal range just at the high end. She also said it may have been because he was a little agitated. The nurse had just suctioned his nose out before Renee's visit. This could be the reason why his tone was higher. But it may also be related to his brain issues. He did a little better at tracking this time. His eyes followed her just a little. Renee said for his age and prematurity that it was very normal to have minimal tracking. Carsen has been taking about half of a single feeding by bottle, every other feeding. He is practicing and doing pretty good. When I am up in Ogden we practice nursing as well. He has done very well. The first time a week ago Renee observed him and was amazed at how well he did. She actually started to cry she thought it was so great. She's a wonderful lady. The next day after 20 minutes of decent nursing I attempted to burp little Carsen. The sweet little guy nuzzled right up into my neck with his cute little arm on my shoulder. It was so wonderful to feel him really want to be close to his Mommy. After awhile Brandon got up to take a picture of us and noticed his eyes were wide awake. He lay against me perfectly calm and still with eyes wide open. It was a special experience for me. The babies are rarely awake and not for very long. I felt like all that Carsen wanted was to be in his Mommy's embrace. I was grateful for that experience.

Cierra has done really well with her evaluations from Renee. She tracks a little bit and has really good tone. She does really well on the bottle. Like Carsen her feedings are alternated with a bottle. She is also learning to nurse. The coordination of the sucking, breathing, and swallowing is something they both are trying to learn. Cierra loves her binky and that helps her practice two of the three.

We sure miss our babies. It gets harder to leave when I have more to contribute now to their progress. We love seeing them together in the same crib. I forget what it's like having a singleton baby. Seeing them together seems totally normal now. I forget that twins is not the norm. All I can say is it's quite a treat. It's a wonderful gift. We are grateful.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Sunday the babies hit their 33+ week. We still don't know exactly when they will be coming home but we have always been told to count on or around their actual due date of July 26th. Carsen weighs 4pds.3oz. and Cierra is at 3pds. 15oz. Yeah! We always enjoy hearing about their weight gain.
On Tuesday we got some really fun news. First, the babies nurse told us that they were moved from room one, which is the room with the highest level of care in the nicu, to room three. Second, she said that they are out of their isolettes now and into an open crib TOGETHER! We were thrilled. Especially since we cannot always be up there with them. Now they can keep each other company. It made us feel so good.

Since Carsen was first taken off the ventilater a few weeks ago he has only been back on once. He has been doing really well since he was last extubated. Both Carsen and Cierra have a nasal canula for oxygen support and feeding tubes through their nose getting mommy's milk. No IV's or other tubes.

Carsen has not had a head ultrasound for awhile but the Doctors say his outcome is expected to be the same as before. Moderate to severe disabilities. We continue to pray and hope for the best possible outcome for our little guy. That's all we can do. Thankfully, Cierra has been almost perfect from day one. We are so grateful for that.

We so appreciate the love, support, and prayers from ALL of our friends and family. Thank you.

Journal

6/2/08

This weekend Braden, Grace, and I went to Ogden with Grandpa and Grandma Eskelson to see the twins. Heidi was still too sick to go into the hospital, and I hadn’t seen the twins up close for almost three weeks. It was really good to see them too. They both looked so good, it really did my heart good to see how healthy they both look.

Braden and Grace both got to go back and see them up close. Braden was so proud to see his little brother and sister. He was talking to them and holding their little hands so gently. Grace was really intimidated by everything and seemed apprehensive about everything. But she did like looking in at the babies. We all can’t wait to go back really soon and hang out with them some more.

Carsen & Cierra!