Can you believe it's been over 2 weeks already?

Wow, time flies.

I met with our neonatologist and the NICU social worker on Friday to discuss the boys' status and our long-term plans for child care, etc. The boys are all in the category of what they call "growers and feeders" now. As of this weekend, Joey's nutritional IV came off - so now all 4 are getting all they need from breastmilk. Gestationally, they are just over 30 weeks old, so we've got a few weeks yet before they will instinctually learn to swallow (that usually happens around 32-34 weeks). At that time, we'll start trying to introduce bottle feedings. Until then, the doctor said we shouldn't anticipate any major changes in their conditions or their care. This is all good news.

Of course, having said all that, we're not completely out of the woods. They'll still be watching the boys very closely for any digestive or breathing issues that are out of the ordinary. So far, everything is going very well (as Henry's monsterously poopy diaper last nigh would prove). Tom & Sam's lungs are still showing improvement and will most likely "fix" themselves over time. Two of the boys are on regular flow cannulas and two are on high flow with varying levels of oxygen support - all within the normal or expected range. The boys' feedings are all gradually increasing and Joey is slowly catching up with the others. (The pressure is on Mommy to produce lots and lots for them to eat!) Here are their current weights:

Tom: 2 lbs 8 1/3 oz
Henry: 2 lbs 11 2/3 oz
Sam: 2 lbs 14 oz
Joe: 2 lbs 7 1/3 oz

Later this week, we'll start working with the nurses to put the boys thru a physical activity program. It's all about massage and movement to help them with their physical development. I'm looking forward to getting a little more "hands on" time with them.

On Thursday night, a leak developed in the skylight in our room in the NICU. So on Friday afternoon, they moved all the babies from that room to other spots in the unit so the drywall and paint repairs could be made. We're now in a smaller room without much space to maneuver. But on Saturday, our nurses found a way to make the most of our tight quarters. The boys' isolettes are paired up across the aisle from each other. And each pair shares a common pole for their oxygen support. That means each pair can be taken out of their isolettes for DOUBLE KANGAROO (skin-on-skin) holding between their isolettes. We loved being able to re-introduce them to their brothers (though they all pretty much slept thru it) - and really enjoyed being able to hold 2 at the same time. Here are a few pictures of some serious kangaroo action over the weekend:

Sam with his arm around Joey in my arms. (Their nurse Valisa had the clever idea for the arm bit. Too cute!)


Sam with Daddy. Both Sam and Joey sneezed when they first encountered Dad's hair chest. :)


Henry and Tom hanging out with Mommy.


Joey hiding in Daddy's shirt.


Henry and Tom with Daddy.


We've got a busy week ahead of us. Today Great Aunts Honey and Dorothy are coming to meet the boys and this afternoon Mom and Dad have an interview with the South Bend Tribune. Daddy will be busy with telecommuting and spending some time at the office and Mommy will be busy with catching up with phone calls, making some appointments and having lunch with family and friends throughout the week. But most importantly, much of our time will be with our boys in the NICU. That's definitely where we want to be!

Oh - how could I forget? A big warm thank you goes out to Mike & Kate for their help this week. While Tim was out of town for work, Mike & Kate (with the help of the kids) were my "babysitters". Thanks for carting me around town and for helping out around the house. Thanks, too, to Pat and Don for their help this weekend. And thanks to "uncle" Ed Donnellon for stopping by to meet the boys over the weekend. And thank you to all of you for your continued support and prayers.

Lots of love,
Kristin & Tim