Lack of sleep.....

but so worth it. My sweet little ones had their monthly check up and Madison weighs 5 lb 10 oz and Jackson weighs 6lb 11oz. Cant believe they are about the size of a normal newborn. My son was out of preemies about a week ago but my little girl is still so tiny and has been able to still wear her preemies clothes but tonight I put on one of her jumpers and it is too short, she was not even able to straighten her legs. Crazy just how quickly they grow so now she is wearing newborns. It was sad, my little babies are already getting so big.

I am new on this preemie thing but since they were born 2 months early they have a chronological birthday (day they were born) and an adjusted age (based on due date). Per Dr. the adjusted age is used when it comes to development but I feel like my babies are not 2 months behind. I feel they are no different then any other newborn. They are already so alert, starting to hold their head up so well, and etc. I guess I will start noticing the difference a little later but its amazing to watch them start to notice things.

As for the night time, they are still on every 3 hr feeding so I dont get much sleep. I am also breastfeeding both (pumping more then breast because they are not that great at it at this point) but by the time I get them changed and fed, I have about an hour to fall asleep and be back up for the next round. My mom and sister are currently staying with me and helping and between them and my husband they are able to take turns. I however had to be up for each one but occasionally I will sleep through one. Cant wait till they are able to sleep longer then the 2 hours but they are suppose to be around 8lbs before that happens. The way they are gaining weight though it shouldnt be too much longer.

To top off our crazy emotional roller coaster of a year, my fatherinlaw passed away last night after a battle with cancer. My poor husband and his family have lost his sister and now his father. He was blessed with twins this year and he feels God took away and giveth. His sister is greatly missed and his father will be as well. They are both painless in heaven and that is a blessing. Looking forward to 2012, a fresh year with many blessing with our little ones. So happy to know the guardian angles in heaven watching over our little ones. RIP John and Jenny.

Where I have been.....

I am so sorry to just now get an update about what has been going on. For those not aware, I was admitted to the hospital November 1st due to my blood pressure. I was diagnosed with Pre clampsia. Every day was a touch and go situation but on 11/7/11 due to spike in my blood pressure they performed an emergency c-section. The only cure for preeclampsia is delivery. Our little miracles: Madison Lynn at 12:52 PM weighing 3 lb 8oz and Jackson Thomas was born at 12:53 PM weighing 4 lb 9oz. I was put on magnesium drip for 24 hrs to get my blood pressure down and unfortunately this kept me from being able to see my babies till I was off. 26 hours later, I was able to see my babies and learned Madison was a little trooper and only needed a little oxygen and some IV fluids which she was completely off within a few days. Jackson had a little more trouble and did require a c-pap for several days but thanks to prayers he was taken off on 11/10/11 and then was put down to oxygen and after a little over a week he was finally off all of it.

We were able to hold our baby Madison by day 3, she was so tiny. She dropped down to 3lb 2 oz. Sadly it was a while before we were able to hold Jackson but after about a week, finally! They were in closed beds for a while and emotionally that was hard because all you could do was go in and look through glass at your babies. Not much hands on and not much snuggling which I needed.

The biggest obstacle was feeding. Due to being 2 months premature they had not acquired the suck, swallow, breath technique and we just had to work with them and work with them. At the beginning we could barely get them to take 2cc once a day but then after a little over a week they both started eating well.

Madison was the first to have her feeding tube removed and went home a few days later. Jackson feeding tube was removed the next day but he staying longer because he was having heart drops. She came home on Nov 28th and he came home on Dec 2nd. almost 4 weeks in the NICU.

We do not get much sleep. Madison came home under 4lb and Jackson under 5lb so they have to eat every 3 hours around the clock. I am attempting breast feeding so not much sleep in between. We are loving every minute of it and love watching them continue to grow. They have gotten so big since the NICU (well as big as a preemie should be). We just let the Dr this morning and Madison weighed 4 lb 12 oz and is 18 in long. Jackson is 4lb 14 oz and 19 in long. Everything looked good for both. They have started staying awake a little more with feeds and already starting with facial expressions.

Poor babies a few days old....
Madison

Jackson

Sweet tiny babies now....