One thing you have to get used to with the NICU is never knowing what is going to happen when you walk through the doors. Things change constantly with the boys and it is impossible to predict how each visit will go. Some days are pleasantly surprising while others are not quite what we had hoped for. It didn't take long for us to realize that our predictions were rarely accurate, so we now show up expecting just about anything.
While seeing Tyler off his oxygen was a big surprise a few days ago, the news we got yesterday was even more unexpected. On top of each boy's isolette, there was a letter explaining that they had graduated to "Step Down Care." Babies in stepdown usually weigh about 2 1/2 lbs or more, must tolerate milk feedings well, must have no IV, and must be in little or no oxygen. During the babies' time in stepdown, the doctors and nurses will prepare the parents for the day the babies will go home. As a general rule, babies can go home when they weigh about 4 1/2 lbs, maintain a normal body temperature in an open crib, breathe well on their own, feed well from the breast or bottle, and show steady weight gain. Parents are encouraged to visit as frequently as possible during this time so we will feel comfortable providing care when we take them home.
As we were reading the letter, our doctor chimed in and said the boys are moving right along. I asked him if we should still plan on them being in the NICU until their due date (May 11th), and he kind of laughed. Statistically, he said, most premature babies are discharged around 35 weeks gestation (Max and Tyler will be 32 weeks on Monday). Ok, sure, but certainly not for babies born extremely premature at 26 weeks, right? He said the boys are doing exceptionally well and as long as they continue to gain weight and learn to feed well, he thinks they could go home in 3-4 weeks! Ummm, WHAT???? We were absolutely shocked and never would have expected to hear this right now. Because all premature infants progress at different speeds, the doctors and nurses tell you to plan on them being in the NICU until their due date. Then you can be pleasantly surprised if they get to go home early. I'd call going home at 36 weeks rather than 40 weeks a pleasant surprise!
There are obviously plenty of unknowns ahead and we are not quite out of the woods, but the light at the end of the tunnel has suddenly become brighter. There can still be setbacks and we're not sure how quickly they will catch on to bottle feeding, but we are definitely making progress. We were optimistic that maybe the boys would come home at the end of April, but we never would have dreamed of the beginning to mid-April. Looks like we better get moving on the nursery!! Assuming all continues to go well, our baby boys are going to be home in no time!
A few days ago, we were talking about how important it is to live in the present. Just when you think you've got things figured out, life changes. As important as it is to plan ahead and prepare for the future, you have to be flexible when things don't go as planned. Never in our wildest dreams would we have imagined our first pregnancy to go the way it has. But we have been blessed with not one, but two babies, and have discovered an inner strength that only the toughest of situations can bring out. As we prepare for the nearing homecoming of Tyler and Max, we better enjoy these moments. Because life can change in an instant, and believe it or not, we've got it pretty darn good right now.
Here are a few pictures from the past 2 days. We love having Big Jim here and he even got to hold Tyler! (Max should have his turn tonight). Andy finally got to hold both boys at the same time too, which was pretty amazing. We've started our celebration early so Big Jim can take part, so enjoy some shots of Max and Tyler's first St. Paddy's Day. I told them they may not know it yet, but this is their favorite holiday ;) Erin Go Braugh!
While seeing Tyler off his oxygen was a big surprise a few days ago, the news we got yesterday was even more unexpected. On top of each boy's isolette, there was a letter explaining that they had graduated to "Step Down Care." Babies in stepdown usually weigh about 2 1/2 lbs or more, must tolerate milk feedings well, must have no IV, and must be in little or no oxygen. During the babies' time in stepdown, the doctors and nurses will prepare the parents for the day the babies will go home. As a general rule, babies can go home when they weigh about 4 1/2 lbs, maintain a normal body temperature in an open crib, breathe well on their own, feed well from the breast or bottle, and show steady weight gain. Parents are encouraged to visit as frequently as possible during this time so we will feel comfortable providing care when we take them home.
As we were reading the letter, our doctor chimed in and said the boys are moving right along. I asked him if we should still plan on them being in the NICU until their due date (May 11th), and he kind of laughed. Statistically, he said, most premature babies are discharged around 35 weeks gestation (Max and Tyler will be 32 weeks on Monday). Ok, sure, but certainly not for babies born extremely premature at 26 weeks, right? He said the boys are doing exceptionally well and as long as they continue to gain weight and learn to feed well, he thinks they could go home in 3-4 weeks! Ummm, WHAT???? We were absolutely shocked and never would have expected to hear this right now. Because all premature infants progress at different speeds, the doctors and nurses tell you to plan on them being in the NICU until their due date. Then you can be pleasantly surprised if they get to go home early. I'd call going home at 36 weeks rather than 40 weeks a pleasant surprise!
There are obviously plenty of unknowns ahead and we are not quite out of the woods, but the light at the end of the tunnel has suddenly become brighter. There can still be setbacks and we're not sure how quickly they will catch on to bottle feeding, but we are definitely making progress. We were optimistic that maybe the boys would come home at the end of April, but we never would have dreamed of the beginning to mid-April. Looks like we better get moving on the nursery!! Assuming all continues to go well, our baby boys are going to be home in no time!
A few days ago, we were talking about how important it is to live in the present. Just when you think you've got things figured out, life changes. As important as it is to plan ahead and prepare for the future, you have to be flexible when things don't go as planned. Never in our wildest dreams would we have imagined our first pregnancy to go the way it has. But we have been blessed with not one, but two babies, and have discovered an inner strength that only the toughest of situations can bring out. As we prepare for the nearing homecoming of Tyler and Max, we better enjoy these moments. Because life can change in an instant, and believe it or not, we've got it pretty darn good right now.
Here are a few pictures from the past 2 days. We love having Big Jim here and he even got to hold Tyler! (Max should have his turn tonight). Andy finally got to hold both boys at the same time too, which was pretty amazing. We've started our celebration early so Big Jim can take part, so enjoy some shots of Max and Tyler's first St. Paddy's Day. I told them they may not know it yet, but this is their favorite holiday ;) Erin Go Braugh!
Bridget and Max / Big Jim and Tyler
Max with his My 1st St. Patrick's Day bib from Uncle Joe and Aunt Rita and "I'm a Wee-Bit Irish" hat from Big Jim. No one will question whether these boys have Irish in them!
Luck of the Irish!
We even decorated their beds with fabric from Jo Ann's and burp rags from Uncle Joe and Aunt Rita
I think Max likes his new set up
7 comments:
This is great news! I'm so happy to hear that the boys are overachievers and will probably go home early. I love the Irish top hats and you can bet that those will be pictures you'll take out when they're teenagers and they'll say, "Mooommmmmm, you're embarrassing us!"
WOW...that is pretty unbelievable. Exciting and a little scary at the same time. I better start clearing my schedule.
Glad Big Jim was able to be there for their first St. Paddy's Day celebration...looks like too much fun!
Those NICU nurses are going to miss the Jones family, I'm sure!
We'll have to find them some bunny ears for next weekend.
Love, Grandma Linda
we are so happy to hear max and tyler may get to come home soon!!! :) they are 2 beautiful little boys and i can't wait to meet them!
if you need any help getting the house/nursery ready, let us know!
-Megan, Chris & Gabe :)
I'm probably going to be smiling about those mini hats all day! How adorable! What exciting news...it must be the luck o' the Irish!
Congrats on the exciting news!!
EEEEEEEEK! There will be extra celebrating in Indy tonight!!!
I agree with Gretch...those hats are amazing! This is wonderful news on a wonderful day. CONGRATS!
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