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.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Homecoming
We were informed there is a good chance the girls are coming home on Monday!!!
More info to follow later.
.JPG)
The girls got to be close to one another for bath time on Friday!
.JPG)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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
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
Sunday, February 22, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Update 2/21
+Emilia.JPG)
Emilia+Isabella.JPG)
IsabellaGirls 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
