The girls have finally gotten over their colds. It took a good 2 weeks. Today they had their first trip to the chiropractor. Miss Isabella is having some trouble pooping so I thought I would give that method a try- nothing else is working.

Emilia gave us a run for our money this week; she turned blue 3x on April 1st. I am not sure if she was trying to play a joke or not.

Overall, the girls are pretty easy going. Some days seem longer than others, but I can't complain.

Sick Girls

The girls had a scheduled appointment for Wednesday, however, they woke up with crusted eyes and stuffy noses. They were having trouble eating- so we went in today. Luckily, it is not RSV... just a cold.

On a good note, the girls gained 13 ounces in 10 days! They weigh exactly the same still... 5lbs. 9 3/4 oz.

More babies???

We are home. I will update some pictures later this week.
Christopher took well to them the first time he saw them. I took some great video too! He didn't think two were enough; he asked for "more babies?" after Joe brought in the second baby.

We are on our own now-- I don't think I will be able to update as much.

Homecoming?

As of 7 this morning, we still do not know if we are heading home or not with the girls.
If they give us the ok, we have a "few" things we have to do.
1) Car Seat challenge- they have to sit in their seats for 90 minutes without any kind of episode.
2) Monitoring class- they will have monitors on them for 6-8 weeks\
3) CPR

We already passed the test for dispensing meds, diapering them, and of course LOVING them!! :)

We will keep you posted.
Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers you are sending our way!

Homecoming

We were informed there is a good chance the girls are coming home on Monday!!!

More info to follow later.

The girls got to be close to one another for bath time on Friday!

2-26-09

Nothing exciting to report. The girls are 1 week today! (I feel like they have been here longer.)
The doctor decreased the girls' intake to 35mL (a little over an ounce).
Isabella is taking to the breast anytime I am there for the feedings.
Emilia is still have too many heart rate drops and spit ups, therefore, I was unable to start her on the breast this AM like we had planned.

Christopher went to daycare today, but tomorrow he is hanging out at the RMcD house with us.
Friday night and Saturday night he is going to go to Nana and Poppy's house.
Sunday and Monday he is hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa.

I am doing much better. I had the staples removed today. (Was not as bad as I thought it was going to be.) I am a little tender, but no major pain.

Be on the look out for 1 week old pictures.

Family Update 2/25/09

Dear Family and Friends,

This is just an update.

We currently are staying at the Ronald McDonald House right down the street from the hospital. http://www.rmhccni.org/content.cfm/rmh_hopehospital It is such an amazing place. They provide EVERYTHING for you. It is definitely a “home away from home.” It allows us some family time with Christopher. Depending on what is on the schedule for the day, Joe will go home and bring Christopher to daycare. Christopher is not allowed in the NICU so at least being here makes it easier for us to alternate going to the hospital. (If Joe kept Christopher all the time at home, he would not be able to see the girls.) We are grateful for the Ronald McDonald House!

The girls are doing ok. Everyone keeps asking us their weight and if that is how they decide if they get to come home. Weight has nothing to do with it. They have to be able to breath on their own, which they are doing, but they are having some heart rate drops , they have to be able to feed on their own—keep in down and not have any residuals (food left over in their stomach 3hrs after they eat.) They check this by using the NG tube that is down their nose- they pull up what is left in their stomach. Two days ago they had to have every other feeding by the NG tube. They also have to maintain their body temperatures. The girls have had a few trials with this and have always been put back in their “luxury boxes” (isolets). Last night there was a chance they were going to go in open air cribs and I haven’t gotten the update from Joe how that went. Last night Isabella did breast feed. The lactation nurse said she was quite impressed. Some of her term babies don’t do that well. Unfortunately, with one step forward, she did take a step back. Right before I left, she had a heart decal that went pretty low and it took her longer than usual to recover. I am anxious to see what the doctor tells Joe today.—Joe just got back. They are changing the girls’ formula to one that is easier on their tummies. They had a few spit ups last night with the formula feedings, but did great when they were given breast milk. They did make it through the night in their open air cribs and the doctor said that I can breastfeed both now!!

The girls are each on three medications: caffeine, reglan and zantac. The Caffeine is for their heart rate. The raglan and zantac is for reflux.

Christopher seems to be doing fine with the jumping around he is doing. It was great finally being able to see him after not seeing him for 6 days. At first, he didn’t want anything to do with me. I guess he was a little angry with me. He got over it pretty quickly. Here at the Ronald McDonald house he has a huge playroom and game room. He loves the open floor plan and he is infatuated with the grand stair case.

The Ronald McDonald house is definitely a place you should check out if you have the time. I know Joe and I will be making it our top charity from now on! It is an amazing service they are doing for families especially for those who have children at the Hope Children’s Hospital.

You can reach us on our cells or via email
Joe’s cell is: 630-248-0933 email: italyjoe@yahoo.com
Christine cell: 708-945-2164 email: costabilefamily@yahoo.com

2nd 2/21/09 Update

I will be staying in the hospital another night. I will get released on Monday, but will be staying close by to be with the girls.

The doctor tried to up the girls feedings to 40mL but they didn't respond well to that. (The nurse even questioned the move... they were just on 30mL.) The extra food caused them to have some heart decels and lots of spitting up. They are back to being fed via the NG tube (through the nose). The were put on air temperature today, but b/c of weight loss and such they are back to having heat pumped into their isolets. Emilia seems to be the one having the trouble now; I guess they are taking turns.

The doctor told us to expect the girls to be there at least another 10 days.

Update 2/21

Emilia

Isabella

Girls didn't do well in the open crib last night. They are back in their suites ($40,000 isolets). They both have feeding tubes again. Joe and I just got back from feeding them and kangaroo care. Emilia ate all of her bottle by herself and Isabella had 8mL to take in the tube out of 35. Not too bad. Joe Kangaroo'd Emilia and she didn't move an inch. Isabella did not like being belly to belly with me. She preferred to be on her side. It took her a little while to get comfortable. I am most likely going home tomorrow. No word on the estimate departure for the girls.

Names- 2/20

Baby A: Isabella Martha 2/19/09 @ 2:26 pm3 lbs 15 oz17.3 inches

Baby B: Emilia Margaret 2/19/09 @ 2:27 pm4 lbs 0 oz17.7 inches

Happy birthday-February 19th

I had my scheduled doctor's appointment today. At the appointment, I was checked and was a 2cm. The doctor decided to send me to the hospital for monitoring and the biophysical ultrasound (if needed!). Once to the hospital, I found out I was contracting 1.5-2 min apart. They checked my cervic 2 hours after the doctor's appointment and I was at 3 cm. No need for the biophysical ultrasound, I was told at 12:30 I would be having the girls!!! They arrived at 2:26 and 2:27.

Dr. Apptointments galore

I had a Non-stress Test (NST) today at the office. Basically it monitors the babys' heart rate and the uterine activity. It definitely showed I was having contractions... the doctor stated if I was dilated at all she would most likely take the babies. (she said I was only a finger tip) But more of a concern was the fact that Baby A had what they called a flat strip- her heart rate didn't fluctuate at all-- they even tried to zap her. So they sent me to the hospital to have a Biophysical Ultra sound (where they score the babies) due to the fact that Baby A had a non reactive NST. Good news is they both scored an 8. Baby B definitely has a lot more room to move around b/c of the amount of fluid she has. Baby A doesn't have nearly as much.

So now, Joe and I are lucky enough to go to the doctors and to the Maternal Fetal Monitoring semi-weekly. So check back every Monday and Thursday for updates!

Contractions

Yesterday was a little touch and go. We drove to my grandma's in Darien and driving there I was getting contractions every 12 min and after a while, they were 5 minutes apart. We moved the car seat for Christopher into my aunt and uncle's car... I ate a sandwich knowing they wouldn't let me eat if I went into the hospital and then the contractions started spreading out again. My aunt recalled the maternal fetal monitoring specialist say that eating, drinking, and keeping your bladder empty all play a part in your contractions........ so... I never ended up going in! I have an appointment around 10 today.

Home Sweet Home

I am now home. I have some restrictions-- not too much walking, rest frequently, no housework, etc. However, I still get to go to work!


On a sad note, when I got home Christopher wanted his Dada... :( I was chop liver!

A Fall and Contractions

A little excitment... I fell going back into work yesterday.(Thursday).. right off the curb into the street. (go ahead chuckle... I do everytime I say it.) I don't think I hit my belly.... my knees and hands protected them I have the proof. Luckily I was out there with a friend (thanks Colleen) and she literally had to help me up and out of the street.

I wasn't going to call the doctor, but I was encouraged due to possibly causing a jolt. Good thing I did. They had me come in for observation. On my way to my aunts I didn't feel anything, but when I left her house (after I shaved my legs ) contractions starting coming about 4 minutes apart. After getting on the monitor, they were coming every 2 minutes and I could feel them. (I never felt contractions with Christopher... even during labor) After they ran some tests and realized that the placentas didn't pull away from the wall, I was given this shot to stop the contractions. They ended up giving me two doses of that. (It helped the contractions and made me feel loopy- my heart rate went up to 157!) Then they gave me a steroid shot for the girls. This is to help their lung maturity in case anything were to happen sooner than later. I was being monitored ALL night and that baby b did not make it pleasant. I think I slept maybe a total 3 hours. I had some kind of ultra sound (bio physical something) this Am- babies are scored and both of mine came to 8/8- which was good news. I am here now until 6 because I need another steroid shot- they give them 24 hours apart. (Ridiculous size needle! in the butt!)

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.

Growing

This week we found out that there is no uterine activity. I was hooked up to this machine on Monday that made me look like a science experience. They had something on each baby and a device on the uterus and then I had to push buttons... (I had two) to indicate each time I felt the girls move.

At the ultra sound today we found out:

• the girls are still breach (doesn't really matter, I am having a c-section)


• they are looking at each other (no pictures again)


• they are estimating that each of the girls weigh 3lbs. 12oz. (that's 7lbs 80z of baby)

They are showing good growth and they are gaining weight nicely!

panic...

We are within 7 weeks of having two more children...

bowling ball vs. beach ball

It is amazing the different comments I get from people. Today alone I had my share.

"You are an attractive pregnant woman." Thank you... but seriously??? (That was a nice comment! Just hard to believe when it is you!)

"You don't look pregnant from behind." I will accept that as a compliment too.

"Wow, there is two in there?" No, I've been lying!

"Not quite a bowling ball or basketball... more like a beach ball." Gee Thanks!

Some think I am small for twins and others just give me that - WOW! you have grown look.

My feelings on the subject... as long as the girls are healthy and growing... that is all that matters. My ultra sounds have all shown growth. My next measurement of the girls is Feb 4th. I can't wait to see how much they have grown.