We had our first doctor visit with Doctor Christina Collins this morning. Both boys got a once over and are doing well.
Graham: 6#1oz and 19.5" long
August: 5#15oz and 21.5" long
We are going to try feeding ever TWO hours (pumping) during the day 1.5-2 oz and every THREE hours at night to curb their appetite without overfilling their tiny bellies. I also have to go to a strictly bland diet and slowly introduce foods to try and figure out what foods might be upsetting their digestive systems.
So, basically, a great report for the boys, and a tiring and difficult mandate for mom. Thank goodness for daddy....
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Almost.
We are hoping to get discharged today! I got the opportunity to hold BOTH my boys at the same time for the FIRST time this morning!! :) They have been wired to their crib or warming beds the entire time we've been here, but this morning the nurse let me unplug them so that I could attempt to tandem feed them. What an experience! ha... we're going to need some practice, but if there is one thing I'm certain of, it is that we will have PLENTY of practice nursing.
We've thought it all along, but now know without a doubt, Graham is Matt Sergent made over!! Oh my... uncanny resemblance. Nana sent us some of Matt's baby pictures this morning, and my jaw dropped. Still not sure where August's features come from, but his features are not as filled out as Graham's yet.
The car seats are mounted back in the truck, mommy and daddy are checked out of the hotel, our bags are packed, and we're just in a holding pattern. About to have some 11 o'clock smack down (they are lip smackers when they nurse or bottle feed), and hope to hear from the doctor soon.
We've thought it all along, but now know without a doubt, Graham is Matt Sergent made over!! Oh my... uncanny resemblance. Nana sent us some of Matt's baby pictures this morning, and my jaw dropped. Still not sure where August's features come from, but his features are not as filled out as Graham's yet.
The car seats are mounted back in the truck, mommy and daddy are checked out of the hotel, our bags are packed, and we're just in a holding pattern. About to have some 11 o'clock smack down (they are lip smackers when they nurse or bottle feed), and hope to hear from the doctor soon.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
chugging along
So far, so good. Graham has not had an episode of apnea since 7pm Aug 15! (thank goodness!!) The boys have been able to maintain their body temperatures on their own for a couple of days now. Co-bedding has been the most wonderful thing for them. They've gained weight, slept more soundly, and been overall happier babies since they've been snuggled in together.
Doc says we can most likely go home Friday! Boys are getting their hearing tests, circumcisions, car seat test, pictures taken and footprints made today and tomorrow. So long as Graham does not have any apnea, we are most likely homeward bound day after tomorrow!
This experience has proven very educational. The NICU here in Tupelo is a great learning hospital. We have taken an infant CPR class, have a newborn care class later today, have met with two different lactation specialists, and the doctors and nurses have really taken time to show us how and why things are done. We have learned so many good tips on caring for these little guys. The doctors and nurses here really try to build relationships with you. They are sending us home feeling far more confident in caring for these guys than we were when we got here.
Love and prayers.
Doc says we can most likely go home Friday! Boys are getting their hearing tests, circumcisions, car seat test, pictures taken and footprints made today and tomorrow. So long as Graham does not have any apnea, we are most likely homeward bound day after tomorrow!
This experience has proven very educational. The NICU here in Tupelo is a great learning hospital. We have taken an infant CPR class, have a newborn care class later today, have met with two different lactation specialists, and the doctors and nurses have really taken time to show us how and why things are done. We have learned so many good tips on caring for these little guys. The doctors and nurses here really try to build relationships with you. They are sending us home feeling far more confident in caring for these guys than we were when we got here.
Love and prayers.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
ups and downs of preemie world
We received good news yesterday morning that the boys not only were going to move into a step down room here in the NICU, but were also going to be placed in a single crib together! We were so excited to have the opportunity to put the boys back together again!
Our first obstacle was going to be monitoring them to see if they were able to maintain a constant body temperature on their own. Sounds simple, but for a tiny thin body can be a real challenge. Graham seemed to do okay at first while August consistently dropped a couple of points on the thermometer each hour. Graham eventually started loosing heat also. We had them in fitted body suits covered in cozy footed pjs, sandwiched between heated blankets and wrapped in a crocheted blanket each and still they lost heat. Some of this probably happened between changing diapers (cannon poops and tt spouts requiring clothing changes), but overall they simply struggled with it. I even nursed them each skin-to-skin wrapped up with them in warm blankets to bring them up to my temp, but by the time they were back in their crib an hour later their temps would have dropped some.
Another obstacle that has come up for Graham is a common breathing issue many preemie babies face; called apnea. Basically, he will forget to breathe for 20 seconds or more. When this happens, the monitors will go off and the nurse stimulates him and he remembers to breathe. The doctor tells us that apnea is 100% of the time outgrown and very common; for us not to worry too much. Graham simply has to mature some in order for the issue to stop. We were told that Graham MUST go for at least 5-7 days without any signs of apnea before we can be discharged. Last night he had one spell early in the evening. So we wait and pray and watch.
To work on the temperature situation, our doctor has decided to keep them in their crib together, but has placed them under a warmer. We tried warming them just for awhile to get them up to temperature and see if they just needed a fresh opportunity, but that attempt did not work. The doctor decided that he was more interested in them keeping their calories and adding weight rather than using them up trying to keep their temperatures steady. He says they'll get the temp thing down with a little more maturity. And the boys seem to love being in the crib together un-swaddled and undressed. They are so adorable! They curled their arms around each other and appeared the most content that we've seen.
Ups and downs. That's the rule of each day here in the NICU. When we were moved to another room, we lost the privilage of having a "suite" to ourselves. We are now sharing the same amount of space with another baby on the other side of our room. That means we are down one "chair bed," but what is sleep anyhow? (ding, ding, bong, whaaaa, huh?) We're keeping positive, learning as much as we can from the amazing staff here, and praying for our boys to be mature and strong enough to come home soon.
xoxo
Our first obstacle was going to be monitoring them to see if they were able to maintain a constant body temperature on their own. Sounds simple, but for a tiny thin body can be a real challenge. Graham seemed to do okay at first while August consistently dropped a couple of points on the thermometer each hour. Graham eventually started loosing heat also. We had them in fitted body suits covered in cozy footed pjs, sandwiched between heated blankets and wrapped in a crocheted blanket each and still they lost heat. Some of this probably happened between changing diapers (cannon poops and tt spouts requiring clothing changes), but overall they simply struggled with it. I even nursed them each skin-to-skin wrapped up with them in warm blankets to bring them up to my temp, but by the time they were back in their crib an hour later their temps would have dropped some.
Another obstacle that has come up for Graham is a common breathing issue many preemie babies face; called apnea. Basically, he will forget to breathe for 20 seconds or more. When this happens, the monitors will go off and the nurse stimulates him and he remembers to breathe. The doctor tells us that apnea is 100% of the time outgrown and very common; for us not to worry too much. Graham simply has to mature some in order for the issue to stop. We were told that Graham MUST go for at least 5-7 days without any signs of apnea before we can be discharged. Last night he had one spell early in the evening. So we wait and pray and watch.
To work on the temperature situation, our doctor has decided to keep them in their crib together, but has placed them under a warmer. We tried warming them just for awhile to get them up to temperature and see if they just needed a fresh opportunity, but that attempt did not work. The doctor decided that he was more interested in them keeping their calories and adding weight rather than using them up trying to keep their temperatures steady. He says they'll get the temp thing down with a little more maturity. And the boys seem to love being in the crib together un-swaddled and undressed. They are so adorable! They curled their arms around each other and appeared the most content that we've seen.
Ups and downs. That's the rule of each day here in the NICU. When we were moved to another room, we lost the privilage of having a "suite" to ourselves. We are now sharing the same amount of space with another baby on the other side of our room. That means we are down one "chair bed," but what is sleep anyhow? (ding, ding, bong, whaaaa, huh?) We're keeping positive, learning as much as we can from the amazing staff here, and praying for our boys to be mature and strong enough to come home soon.
xoxo
Friday, August 13, 2010
Catching you up on some behind the scenes...
Our water broke at 6:20 a.m. Monday morning August 9th. I stood up out of bed and there was absolutely no mistaking what was happening. Matt, Madison and I went about getting things together and getting us out the door (Madison to school, and us to West Point). We got to the hospital and were admitted by 7:20 a.m. Doctor Magnussen told us to get ready, that we would deliver that morning.
By 11:24 a.m., Graham Carson Sergent was pulled into the world weighing 5lbs 9oz and 19 inches long. A minute later at 11:25 a.m., August Matthew Sergent was pulled into the world weighing 5lbs 4oz and 18 inches long.
Both boys scored 9s at birth (which is wonderful) and seemed to be doing very well with exception of Graham requiring an oxygen hood to help keep his oxygen level where it needed to be. Doctor Watson, the Pediatrician, wanted to observe him overnight and see where we stood the next morning. He told us there was the possibility that he needed to continue the treatment, which would hinder our ability to get him nutrition and thus require us to send him to the NICU in Tupelo. Doc Watson also wanted to send August if this happened so that both boys could continue to be observed together. This is what happened.
The next morning, while waiting for the word from Doc Watson, Matt helped me make my way up and out of the bed and down the hall to the nursery viewing window to take a peak at our babies. Standing was really tough after surgery, but I had serious motivation to say the least. I had the opportunity to bond with August the day before and even try to nurse him, but I had not done more than kiss Graham's newborn cheek on his way out of the delivery room. Knowing that Matt was so attentive and by both boy's side as much as possible made this much easier. Soon after, we made the call to have both boys transferred to the NICU in Tupelo via baby ambulance as soon as they could arrange for transport. The team from Tupelo were there within an hour or so, and brought both boys to see me before they left. This was the first time I actually got to touch and look at my baby Graham. I was tearing apart inside, but the nurses with him were so incredible and helped us to feel very confident in what was happening.
Matt followed the boys and my mom came to my side. He'll have to give you the day's events once they got to Tupelo that day... As for me, I wept mostly. The separation anxiety was overwhelming. Determination, loving family and friends, and the most amazing husband combined to help keep me focused. I was told by Doc Mag that I should stay in West Point and gain a bit of strength. I also had to pass gas in order to leave the hospital. Nothing has EVER weighed so much on a fart! I was really sore and really swollen. To keep the swelling and pain down I had to take pain meds and lay down with my feet up. To pass the gas, I had to walk. Each were counter productive to one another, but the gas won because I wanted OUT of there asap. So that's what I did. I walked. I paced the floor. I rocked on all fours.. you name it... all with painful tears and frustration.
FINALLY, the next morning I got discharged and mom and I took off for Tupelo! I could hardly stand the drive. When we got here, Matt met us and brought us straight up to the boys and my heart melted to the floor. I still weep when I think about that moment. Just being reunited with my guys was overwhelming. Only one missing was Madison. There were plugs and cords and lights and bells, but all I saw was perfection.
So, that's how we started. So much has happened since then, I might have to do another 'behind the scenes' update, but we've just been so absorbed in what's going on up here that blogging is just not even a consideration. This break is rare.
::::::::HERE IS THE SKINNY ON WHAT IS GOING ON TODAY AS OF NOW::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Graham is now weighing about 5lbs 4oz and has been through the most back and forth monitoring of care. He is not on oxygen, and actually hasn't been since he got here. He's holding good oxygen levels on his own (awesome!). He is no longer on an IV for antibiotics because his blood cultures came back good. He had some fluid in his lungs and they were concerned about an infection, but he was clear. They removed his feeding tube because he finally had taken well to feeding, but last night had to have it put back in because he wasn't getting enough nourishment in on his own in a timely enough manner. They only use it for back up when he doesn't take the bottle or breast well enough. He has also been placed under a photo therapy light today. He's basically got a bright light shining on him and wears these gauze style shades that wrap around his head. He gets to come out from under the light and take off the shades when eating (thankfully). He still needs some motivation to finish his bottle in a timely manner, but some of that has to do with bowel movements and such. He did not take well to the breast at first, but this afternoon he latched on like a champion!
August has truly not had any real issues so far. He is only weighing around 4lbs 10.2 oz, but is holding steady and seems really relaxed and happy. He has NO problem eating. Bottle or breast, he's not picky.
We have been told that the boys will likely both be ready to move to a step down room soon. The pediatrician told us he is expecting days not weeks here for them. Every feeding, every diaper change, every moment is something a little different than before, but all is progress in the right direction, so we are thankful.
As for mom and dad.... we are holding steady. Matt is the beacon of light that keeps us all motivated and going. He has been so amazing and attentive. I am pretty sure I heard him say he was going to tell Doc Magnussen to unstitch me and put me back together so we could get started on having some more....... GASP.... ha!
Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and good thoughts. We are grateful for every one of them. More than you know. I'm drained, so I hope that most of this makes some sense.
Oh, a word on visitors... not happening. While we would love to see you, you just cannot come up. Mom, Dad, Sister, Grandparents. That is it. We hope to be home soon and look forward to showing off our little men to each of you! They are SO DIFFERENT!! OMG. They are NOTHING alike as of right now. Perfectly different little individuals. So neat!
LOVE YOU ALL.
karen
By 11:24 a.m., Graham Carson Sergent was pulled into the world weighing 5lbs 9oz and 19 inches long. A minute later at 11:25 a.m., August Matthew Sergent was pulled into the world weighing 5lbs 4oz and 18 inches long.
Both boys scored 9s at birth (which is wonderful) and seemed to be doing very well with exception of Graham requiring an oxygen hood to help keep his oxygen level where it needed to be. Doctor Watson, the Pediatrician, wanted to observe him overnight and see where we stood the next morning. He told us there was the possibility that he needed to continue the treatment, which would hinder our ability to get him nutrition and thus require us to send him to the NICU in Tupelo. Doc Watson also wanted to send August if this happened so that both boys could continue to be observed together. This is what happened.
The next morning, while waiting for the word from Doc Watson, Matt helped me make my way up and out of the bed and down the hall to the nursery viewing window to take a peak at our babies. Standing was really tough after surgery, but I had serious motivation to say the least. I had the opportunity to bond with August the day before and even try to nurse him, but I had not done more than kiss Graham's newborn cheek on his way out of the delivery room. Knowing that Matt was so attentive and by both boy's side as much as possible made this much easier. Soon after, we made the call to have both boys transferred to the NICU in Tupelo via baby ambulance as soon as they could arrange for transport. The team from Tupelo were there within an hour or so, and brought both boys to see me before they left. This was the first time I actually got to touch and look at my baby Graham. I was tearing apart inside, but the nurses with him were so incredible and helped us to feel very confident in what was happening.
Matt followed the boys and my mom came to my side. He'll have to give you the day's events once they got to Tupelo that day... As for me, I wept mostly. The separation anxiety was overwhelming. Determination, loving family and friends, and the most amazing husband combined to help keep me focused. I was told by Doc Mag that I should stay in West Point and gain a bit of strength. I also had to pass gas in order to leave the hospital. Nothing has EVER weighed so much on a fart! I was really sore and really swollen. To keep the swelling and pain down I had to take pain meds and lay down with my feet up. To pass the gas, I had to walk. Each were counter productive to one another, but the gas won because I wanted OUT of there asap. So that's what I did. I walked. I paced the floor. I rocked on all fours.. you name it... all with painful tears and frustration.
FINALLY, the next morning I got discharged and mom and I took off for Tupelo! I could hardly stand the drive. When we got here, Matt met us and brought us straight up to the boys and my heart melted to the floor. I still weep when I think about that moment. Just being reunited with my guys was overwhelming. Only one missing was Madison. There were plugs and cords and lights and bells, but all I saw was perfection.
So, that's how we started. So much has happened since then, I might have to do another 'behind the scenes' update, but we've just been so absorbed in what's going on up here that blogging is just not even a consideration. This break is rare.
::::::::HERE IS THE SKINNY ON WHAT IS GOING ON TODAY AS OF NOW::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Graham is now weighing about 5lbs 4oz and has been through the most back and forth monitoring of care. He is not on oxygen, and actually hasn't been since he got here. He's holding good oxygen levels on his own (awesome!). He is no longer on an IV for antibiotics because his blood cultures came back good. He had some fluid in his lungs and they were concerned about an infection, but he was clear. They removed his feeding tube because he finally had taken well to feeding, but last night had to have it put back in because he wasn't getting enough nourishment in on his own in a timely enough manner. They only use it for back up when he doesn't take the bottle or breast well enough. He has also been placed under a photo therapy light today. He's basically got a bright light shining on him and wears these gauze style shades that wrap around his head. He gets to come out from under the light and take off the shades when eating (thankfully). He still needs some motivation to finish his bottle in a timely manner, but some of that has to do with bowel movements and such. He did not take well to the breast at first, but this afternoon he latched on like a champion!
August has truly not had any real issues so far. He is only weighing around 4lbs 10.2 oz, but is holding steady and seems really relaxed and happy. He has NO problem eating. Bottle or breast, he's not picky.
We have been told that the boys will likely both be ready to move to a step down room soon. The pediatrician told us he is expecting days not weeks here for them. Every feeding, every diaper change, every moment is something a little different than before, but all is progress in the right direction, so we are thankful.
As for mom and dad.... we are holding steady. Matt is the beacon of light that keeps us all motivated and going. He has been so amazing and attentive. I am pretty sure I heard him say he was going to tell Doc Magnussen to unstitch me and put me back together so we could get started on having some more....... GASP.... ha!
Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and good thoughts. We are grateful for every one of them. More than you know. I'm drained, so I hope that most of this makes some sense.
Oh, a word on visitors... not happening. While we would love to see you, you just cannot come up. Mom, Dad, Sister, Grandparents. That is it. We hope to be home soon and look forward to showing off our little men to each of you! They are SO DIFFERENT!! OMG. They are NOTHING alike as of right now. Perfectly different little individuals. So neat!
LOVE YOU ALL.
karen
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
They're HERE!
We will give more details and updates tomorrow on our journey thus far... but, as for tonight...our family (with exception of big sister) is finally reunited after a looonng day and a half. Mom and dad are holding up well, with MUCH THANKS to Grandpa Sergent and MiMi. Both Graham and August are adjusting well and making impressive progress. They each lost a little weight but are seemingly getting into the groove of eating now. We are able to stay by their sides 24-7. The NICU here is amazing. They are in the same room and share a nurse who is always standing guard. They each got to try nursing from the breast today, and both latched on really well. We'll get to do that once during the day and once at night until the doctor feels comfortable they are getting as much nourishment as they need. They are having breast milk from the bottle at their other feedings. We're on a schedule and feel really good about the care we are receiving.
More to come... thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts.
More to come... thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts.
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| August Matthew Sergent |
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| August |
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| Graham Carson Sergent |
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| Graham |
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
33 weeks 3 days
We went to see the doc today. Despite feeling terrible, being stressed out, and painfully tired, she said I was doing great! Go figure. Last week I felt fine and she said I might end up in the hospital. My blood pressure was still higher than my normal, but well within a healthy range. I lost a few pounds rather than gaining any more fluid. There were still trace amounts of protein in my sample, but overall she said I was doing great. The boys' heart beats were good. My contractions apparently are to be expected, despite how strong and frequent they have been. All is great news... but I just feel whipped. Oh, and I now measure 42 weeks!
We go back next week (Wed) for another u/s. She believes we will end up scheduling the delivery before I actually go into labor, and she's hoping for the end of August. I think I gasped a loud breath of air when she said something about possibly August 27th... as in... Please, say it isn't so... I can't possibly.... Still, her optimism is a good sign, and I want the best for the babies. I'm just feeling whipped. As we left her office today, I promised to keep my chin up and try to not whine about my discomfort and growing lack of patience. She just nodded at me as we walked out the door and said she'd see me next week with an all-assuring smile.
We go back next week (Wed) for another u/s. She believes we will end up scheduling the delivery before I actually go into labor, and she's hoping for the end of August. I think I gasped a loud breath of air when she said something about possibly August 27th... as in... Please, say it isn't so... I can't possibly.... Still, her optimism is a good sign, and I want the best for the babies. I'm just feeling whipped. As we left her office today, I promised to keep my chin up and try to not whine about my discomfort and growing lack of patience. She just nodded at me as we walked out the door and said she'd see me next week with an all-assuring smile.
Monday, August 2, 2010
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