The Journey Continues

As we entered the NICU both Ryan and I had only one thought in own minds, when will we be able to take the girls home. What we (or maybe I) failed to realize is how fearful I would also be as the moment slowly approaches. The girls still have a decent way to go, but Haylee is getting closer and closer to being able to come home with us. This is the best news ever, however, the excited and joy is mixed with fear. At first the monitors and tubes were overwhelming and scary, now they are a sense of safety. I know when something is wrong with either of my girls the alarms will let us know, this will not be the case at home. I know deep down the hospital will not release them until they are ready, but having spent weeks watching them struggle it is difficult to imagine not having the safety of the monitors. This is something that I am sure will decrease over time, and we will get into a routine once home, but the anxiety lingers.

On a much happier note, the girls are still doing great! Haylee is officially up to 1700 grams (3 lbs 12 oz). She is continuing to do well with her bottle feeds (minus her refusal to burp on occasion). I was finally able to bottle-feed her today. We struggled a little bit as mommy is learning, but the RN was great in helping us out. Haylee did give daddy a little scare today while cuddling. She decided to stop breathing for a moment and had a bradycardia episode turning a little blue. She had forgotten to breath, and the nurse had to stimulate her slightly. They say this happens because their brain pathways are still slightly immature and it will correct overtime. But aside from that Haylee really wants to come home and is checking off the list little by little. Not only is she gaining weight daily, but has also been able to control her temperature. Tomorrow they are going to open her incubator and if she regulates her temp for a full 24 hrs she will be moved to a crib. She is just doing so well and we are so proud of her!

Oh and for all those who read the diaper incident, Haylee got mommy today too! As I was changing her she decided that the time to use the bathroom would be when the fresh diaper was on. But, of course she didn't stop there. After giving her a few minutes to finish I changed her again, at which time she began to go again. Three diapers later we had it all worked out!!

Now for Little Ms. Rylee. Today we were told her 48 hr blood culture came back negative, which is great news. The 72 hr results came back negative as well so Rylee is officially off the antibiotics. After talking with the Doctor they believe her episodes were also due to prematurity and should rectify over time. She is still on oxygen, but they are looking to try to wean her off again in the upcoming days. The best news we received today was that she has finally broken the 3 lb mark! She is officially 3 lbs and .3 oz. This is amazing news and we hope that she continues to gain weight with no more set backs.