A Few Good Days...

I know, I know...I haven't updated in a few days. Sorry folks.

Everything is going very well. The girls are doing so well. It's been a busy few days with several visitors and assessments for Abby. In the news...

Natalie:
Natalie is finally off the CPAP and on the nasal canula since Wednesday morning. She is doing great with almost no desats or braidys. Her feeds are increasing daily and she;s tolerating them as she should. She wasn't gaining a lot of weight for several days. I think it was probably due to her failing around. She was practically crawling forward in her bed. But, she seems happier on the nasal canula and seems to be resting better. She's was also moved down to another room - room 7 - which is like a pre-TCN. There are 3 babies to 1 nurse just like the TCN. It means she's very stable, but just not quite big enough. But, her weight has started going up a little so she's getting closer.
Wed - 950g
Thurs - 957g
Fri - 1001g
Sat - 1000g (2lbs, 3 oz)

So Natalie's made the 1000g club! If she maintains it the next few days she can join Abby in the TCN. We are so proud of her!

Abby:
Abigail has been very busy. Where to start...Well, she took several trips this week. Earlier in the week she and Natalie were moved from Room 1 to triage. After only a day or two, she moved to TCN. She's been doing very well there with all her new neighbors.

Thursday was a very big day. Abby and I had a consult with a Lactation Consultant. We praticed what is called "Lick and Learn" or in fancy speak, "non-nutritional nursing". In other words, it's a "dry run" for nursing. She practices latching and sucking, but isn't supposed to get any milk (I pump first). However, there were actually a few drops that she managed not to choke on. I'm not sure if she swallowed them or spit them out. She did very, very, very well. The LC and the nurse were both very impressed. She's a natural! They thought she would probably do very well with breast feeding. She stayed very alert and interested during the session (about 15 minutes). When she started getting a little drowsy, I switched her over to Kanagroo Care. She went right to sleep and Abby and Mommy had a little rest.

Friday, we did another L & L. She wasn't as interested this time. She actually started crying a little. So, we tried the paci instead, and she loved that. The speech therapist was there for this session to evaluate her. She was pleased and Abby received her first chart of "Building Blocks to Feeding" with her first few stickers. She's well on her way.

Friday was also busy with visitors. Aunt Reagan came to visit and we went to lunch. Then my friend from UNC, Jacquelyn, came to see them for the first time. I've been trying to teach the girls good manners about opening their eyes to say hi when people visit, but they aren't listening very well yet. Oh, well. You know kids. They never want to perform on cue!

Abby's weight is finally progressing. The nurse was actually concerned that my milk was watery. The LC took samples and ran tests to see how caloric it is. Turns out it's VERY caloric. My hind milk, the last and fattest milk to come out was 35 calories an ounce. That's very, very good. I was a little disappointed to be honest. The cure for low calorie milk is a high-fat diet. I was really looking forward to those frosty and french fry binges!
Wed - 1081g
Thurs - 1095g
Fri - 1122g
Sat - 1136g (~2lbs 8oz!!!)

So, all is well with the girls. I'll try to post some more pictures soon. They are really getting cute now that they have weight on them!