Journal History
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Monday, January 27, 2014 7:50 PM CST
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I know. I know. It's been a long time since I updated this page. I figured it was time to share what's going on with the girls.
All is well. They are your typical tween girls having turned 11 last October. They are in the 5th grade. I can't believe we are halfway through the year already and then it's on to middle school. I was recently looking at some old photos of the girls when they were in the NICU and had one of their little pre-preemie diapers. At times it seems like so long ago, but at others, it seems like just yesterday.
I love the people they are growing into. Of course, we have the normal tween challenges, that's for sure! But I'm excited for them and looking forward to seeing them grow and mature.
They are both in the same class again this year and have a wonderful teacher that they adore. They are great students and they come home and do their homework without having to ask. They are adamant about getting it done, so that's one battle I'm glad I don't have to fight! If you asked what their favorite class is, Lindsey would say Music and Sydney would say Art.
Lindsey is a couple inches shorter than Sydney right now. She is not happy about it. She thinks that since she's older SHE should be taller. I've told her that she may or may not catch up. Although Sydney seems to be going through a growth spurt and hormonal change right now. Lindsey isn't quite there yet, so I guess we'll see.
Last year the girls were both in their school musical, Seussical Jr., and really had a great time! It was four months of rehearsals that resulted in a fantastic show! I was so impressed and proud. They are gearing up for this year’s production with auditions this week. Lindsey is going for a lead and Sydney has decided she just wants to be in the chorus. I'm so excited for them!
The girls also sing in King's Kids which is the kids choir at church. Both girls are doing solos next month. Lindsey also sings with me in the adult choir. She really enjoys singing and has a beautiful voice. Last summer, she also auditioned and performed in a summer production of Beauty and the Beast. I think choir and musical theater may be a constant in her future.
Both girls had been in karate last year, but we had a little snafu at their dojo that I really don't need to go into. Thus, they are not going anymore. They spend a lot of their time outside in our neighborhood which is filled with kids their age. I love that they can just play, use their imaginations and make forts out of cardboard boxes! We are definitely not one of those overly scheduled families and I'm glad. Kids need time to just play.
We've been in Las Vegas now for almost three years. Since then, we've made trips to San Diego and also the Grand Canyon. Every summer we road trip on back to Minnesota and spend much of the summer visiting family and friends and stopping different places along the way.
We've found a wonderful church home and spend a lot of time there volunteering and taking part in activities and ministries. I'm so happy to have found such an amazing church family.
One of these times, I'll probably stop with the stats but for now, I'm still making a note. Sydney is about 4' 8" tall and around 65 pounds. Lindsey is 4' 6" and around 59 pounds. Still petite, but they fit right in with their peers...and there is a BIG range with their peers right now!
That's all for now. We hope the New Year brings you many blessings!
Kim, Brian, Lindsey, Sydney and Brewster!
Saturday, May 26, 2012 10:57 AM CDT
Good morning!
Hello from Las Vegas, Nevada! Yes, you read that right. A lot has happened over the past 1.5 years since I last posted.
Long story, short, Brian lost his job, was off work for 10 months, did some consulting in the interim, then got offered a new job back with his old company...but in Las Vegas. After much discussion, we decided to make the move. It was an extremely hard decision. Everyone has adjusted well and the girls are just finishing up their first year here. They've had a great time at school being 3rd graders (can't believe I will have 4th graders now!). That seems so old to me!
We live in a great neighborhood, right across the street from the school. The neighborhood is filled with girls their age and I love having a houseful of kids here, listening to them play, create, imagine and giggle.
The girls are second year Brownies this year and will be bridging to Junior Girl Scouts soon. We also found a new gymnastic club when we moved here, but they decided after one session that they didn't want to participate in gymnastics anymore. Sydney has been taking piano lessons and has now expressed an interest in taking violin as well. Lindsey was taking guitar lessons, but has now switched back to piano. They both were in an Instrument Ensemble at school this spring and they both have been taking an extra-curricular Spanish class all year.
School has been great for the girls. They've made friends and are getting straight A's. They both love to read (Sydney more than Lindsey) and play animal games on the computer (Lindsey more than Sydney). When not doing those things, you may find them swimming in the pool!
We've found a church we absolutely LOVE and the girls have been singing in the Kid's choir there. It's really been a joy finding a church such as this.
As any preemie mom does, I'm ever vigilant in watching for something to crop up, but nothing has. They are both still quite petite, but definitely fit in with their peers. They are not even the smallest in their class anymore. Sydney is about 50" tall and 52 lbs. and Lindsey is just a little smaller at 49" and 50 lbs.
We've been trying to enjoy all that this area has to offer, sightseeing, Red Rock canyon, great shows. We're only an hour from Mt. Charleston, so if we want to get out of the heat and go play in the grass and mountains, we can head there. We're only about 3-4 hours from Los Angeles if we want to go to the beach or Disneyland and we're about four hours from the Grand Canyon.
So, that's a quick update from all of us! Come and visit!
Love, Kim and family (including Brewster, our mini-Schnauzer and the two new fish!)
Friday, December 3, 2010 1:18 PM CST
Happy Holidays!
My time flies...
...when you have 8-year old twins!
Yes, yes, the girls are eight! They celebrated their Golden Birthday this year by having a weekend of celebration! Dinner out on Friday (their birthday), EIGHT friends that came to their birthay party held at the gymnastic club on Saturday, dinner out and a friend overnight that night, and then the grand finale FAMILY birthday party on Sunday afternoon! It was a day to remember!
I'd like to update you on the girls individually, but will have to come back in a bit as I'm running out the door. I just wanted to get something out here to say that we are all doing well! The girls are enjoying 2nd grade.
Bottom line...the girls, as of right now, are experience no long term effects from their prematurity at all. I AM, however, ever vigilant and watchful, especially now they are in school, and as we micropreemie parents all know, things can crop up at anytime.
But, we just wanted to wish you all Peace, Love and Joy this Holiday Season and many Blessings to you in the coming year!
All our love,
The Niehauses
Brian, Kim, Lindsey, Sydney and Brewster
Friday, May 15, 2009 1:53 PM CDT
Hey everyone!
Just thought I'd pop on and say hi! We are all doing great, enjoying the springtime here in Minnesota. In fact, the girls right now are outside sitting at the bottom of the deck stairs very quietly watching two robins feed worms to their newly hatched babies that live in a nest under our deck. That kind of stuff just fascinates the girls. The love animals and nature and would watch Animal Planet 24/7 if I let them!
Lindsey and Sydney are 6.5 now and just finishing up their kindergarten year. They loved it! Even though it was a bit rough the first month due to splitting them into different classes (which I asked for), but they've really blossomed and I love when they come home and tell me about their "own" day. Really, that little bit of time is the only time they are not together, so it's nice that they have something of their own.
They are both reading, doing math, addition and subtraction, all the normal kindergarten stuff. They are involved in gymnastics and just tested into the next level of advanced beginners. I love hearing about their progress and interests, since when I think back to when they were born, we would just wonder what the future was going to hold, if they'd be able to run and jump, read or write, or even just BE here! What a blessing!
Lindsey had eye surgery for Strabismus last December. We had done about all we could with the glasses and patching. It was a success and she hasn't need any drops or patching since then. She'll still need her glasses as she is far-sighted.
They are both still petite little things, but not the smallest in their classes or of their peers. Niether are over 40 lbs. yet and they are around 44"-45" tall.
They are such great helpers. Lindsey was helping me dust today and they both like to help unload the dishwasher and put things away. At other times though, it's like pulling teeth to get them to do something. So, we definitely have our moments.
We're looking forward to summer and just having some fun times before they are full time students in first grade. (Our Kindy is all day/every other day.) We don't have a lot planned this summer. Gymnastics, soccer, swimming lessons, VBS and hopefully some trips to the zoo and park and lots of hanging at home, playing in the yard and riding bikes.
No summer vacations planned at this time, but you just never know with us.
We just finished up with our sixth walk with the March of Dimes. It was a huge success! Our team raised over $3800 which puts our cumulative total at about $19000!! WOW is all I can say! It was a great day and everyone came out in support.
Oh, and we have another addition to our family...Brewster, our new family dog. He's a miniature Schnauzer that we rescued. He's a little over two years old and the girls ADORE him! He's such a great dog! Well, with the exception of his barking, but we knew that, and are working on it a bit. Isn't he cute?
I'll post a couple more pics in the photo section.
Brian's busy with work, playing softball, gardening and yard work, that sort of thing. I'm busy with a bit of work and my fragrance business with Gold Canyon. If anyone is interested in amazing fragrances, you should check out my website at http://www.mygc.com/kimniehaus
Happy Spring!
The Niehauses
Saturday, March 8, 2008 11:58 AM CST
Hello!
Wow, almost a whole year since I've updated our page. I did post some new pics awhile back though.
We are all doing well, doing just ordinary everday things.
Some highlights of the past year:
- Last summer, the girls and I went to Mackinac Island, Michigan for a little vacation with friends. It was lots of fun and a great roadtrip.
- The girls turned five in October. We had a nice party.
- We went to Disney World in October and loads of fun. The girls want to go back (me too!).
- Lindsey & Sydney are in pre-K and are having fun with their friends and learning all sorts of new things. They'll be heading off to Kindergarten this fall.
- Lindsey is still having her eye patched for Amblyopia, but has had major improvements. We just went for her annual checkup and got a new prescription for her glasses that should help even more with correcting the Amblyopia.
- Sydney has an annual checkup each year for her ASD and that all went well. We'll go back again this August.
- We've had a few boughts of sickies here, but nothing too major, some colds, the flu, but nothing respiratory wise. I still can't believe how nothing has affected them that way.
- We just got back from our annual trip to Florida and had a very relaxing time, as usual.
- The girls are growing, still petite, but following their own curve. Sydney is almost 42" tall and about 34.5 lbs. Lindsey is just over 41" tall and about 31 lbs.
- They both participated in a dance class called "Just for Kix" this year and performed for over 500 people at their Holiday Show in December.
We are also Marching for Babies again this year. It's our FIFTH year and we are very proud to do it again. Please help us reach our goal by donating what you can. We greatly appreciate the support! Just click the banner below.
Keep checking back! I may not update often, but I'll still keep updating!
Thanks for checking in on us and please leave a comment if you are still reading! We'd love know who is checking up on the girls.
Kim
Monday, March 26, 2007 8:06 AM CDT
Good Morning!
Wow, it's been so long since I've updated! Lots going on, but just every day living. I've posted some new pictures in the photos section. Check them out!
Lindsey & Sydney are doing well. They love going to school, their teacher, Mrs. Palla, and all their friends. They are going three mornings a week, and one or two times a month, they go for the whole day. They think that is pretty cool when they get to eat lunch there and have rest time.
They had their Preschool screening last month. Lindsey was sick, but I took Sydney. She was being a little stubborn, but I did find out she's talking like a six year old. They were amazed at her sound articulation. Sydney is very sports minded. She loves riding her bike, bouncing and catching, dribbling and kicking the ball.
Lindsey is very much into writing, painting, drawing, coloring. She's starting to sound out and read words! So FUN! She got glasses in January. 
I had started to notice her one eye turning in. Apparently, one eye has become much worse than the other, thus the glasses. We've already had one follow-up appt and her eyes are already improving. We will keep monitoring her eyes. It is possible that she may have to have drops or have it patched, but as long as they are improving, there is no need. Here's a picture of her with her new glasses. She does really well with keeping them on. We only have to remind her occasionally.
Both girls love to be outside, playing in the dirt or with the neighbor girl. We've had unseasonably warm weather recently, 70's! Not usual for this time of year.
We went on a vacation to Florida (Marco Island & Panama City Beach) in February. It was a great trip. We drove and the girls are such awesome travelers. We even drove straight through on the way back from Panama City Beach, 21.5 hours! Here is a link to some vacation pics. Florida Vacation Pics
Brian, Lindsey, Sydney and I will gain be walking for babies at the annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica! It is our fourth year walking with The Niehaus Twins Team. If you would like to join us walking, we'd love to have you. We'd also appreciate any donation, large or small, for our efforts to save babies! Please see our walk page to make a donation. Donate Here to Save Babies! The coolest thing this year is we have been selected as the Ambassador Family for our walk location! What an honor!
I hope you all are out enjoying the spring! It has definitely sprung. Thanks for checking in on us.
Kim and family
"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. I will not refuse to do something I can do." ~ Helen Keller
Thursday, October 12, 2006 8:56 AM CDT
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY GIRLIES!
It was Lindsey & Sydney's birthday this past Sunday and we celebrated by having a small family cookout at our house. Grandma & Grandpa Niehaus and Aunt Jane made the drive over and it was great to see them! Thanks for coming! Grandma Gloria & Grandpa Dean, Aunt Kristy & Uncle Darren, cousins Chelsea & Dylan, Uncle Kippy, Brandon & Brenda, Ryan & William and Jesse & Beth all were here to celebrate, while others that were not here, were here in thought!
The girls got lots of nice things. They love their new Leapsters and their new dollhouse, as well as, all the other fun toys. I just need to get a few more Leapster games for them. They got the Dora one and Nemo.
Lots new around here. First off, we sold our home in Wisconsin and moved to Minnesota. It all went very quickly. Our house sold in three weeks and our new house just sort of fell into place. We closed on our old house on 8/15 and on the new house on 9/1. Inbetween, we took a summer vacation out west staying in the following cities, Cheyenne, WY, Salt Lake City, UT, Brian Head, UT, Las Vegas, NV, Albuquerque, NM, and Wichita, KS. We travelled 4,385 miles through 12 states in 11 days! QUITE the road trip! Good thing the girls are such veteran travellers. They did awesome! Here is a link to photo album of the highlights of our trip! Summer Vacation 2006
Lindsey & Sydney are in preschool now. They go three mornings a week from 8-12. They are really enjoying it. It's a small private Lutheran school (grades PreK-8). It's the same school that their niece, Chelsea, goes to, and they really enjoying seeing her each day they are there. They've gone on a couple field trips to the Apple Orchard and one to the Sheldon Theater to see a play. I volunteer serving hot lunches on Thursday's and the girls get to eat lunch at school then which they think is really cool!
I also enrolled the girls in a dance class on Thursday nights. They look so stinkin' cute in their little leotards. I'm not sure if I will be keeping them in the class though, as they don't participate a whole lot with the group. Many time I come in after the class and they are sitting on a chair on the side. They learn and know the dance and song, but just don't want to do it with everyone else. This week, we are going to try to split them up, as there are two classes for their age group. I think Sydney may still like to do it, but isn't because Lindsey doesn't want to. If that's the case, I will keep taking Sydney and Lindsey can stay home with dad. I'll keep you posted.
Brian has been working around the house, organizing the garage, stuff like that. I've been trying to make a decision on flooring and countertops for the kitchen/dining room and I think I've finally made a decision. We're hoping to have that done by sometime in November.
I've been working out at the shop one or two mornings a week while the girls are in school. It's been fun! I always enjoy spending time with my family.
Brian was in Vegas for work at the end of September and I flew out for the weekend. We really had a nice time. It was too short though. I wasn't ready to come home! LOL! What was really neat is that I ran into two of my twin mom friends (they live in Seattle & Charlotte) who happened to be there the same weekend! We had a really nice afternoon and evening together.
Thanks for checking in with us and please leave us a note to let us know you are still reading! I've added a few new pictures in the Photos section. Check them out! God's Blessings to you!
Kim
EDITED to add the girls stats. Lindsey is 37 1/2" tall and 26.5 lbs. Sydney is 38" tall and 28.5 lbs.
Thursday, October 12, 2006 8:36 AM CDT
Just making a record in the journal of their 1st Birthday Poem...
Happy 1st Birthday Lindsey & Sydney
OCTOBER 8, 2003
by Kim Anderson Niehaus
A year has passed since the two of you
Were ushered into this world anew.
Sixteen weeks early you arrived
So small and frail, would you survive?
Your daddy and I; we did not know
What to expect, if you would grow...
Into the beautiful girls that we knew you would be.
Your amazing accomplishments we were yet to see.
You're both so strong and you've come so far.
Tough challenges you've overcome, and here you are...
About to turn one; time's gone so fast.
We all remember the days gone past.
The road was rocky and all uphill,
But with God's help you're with us still.
So active and smart, such cute little girls -
We thank God each day for our precious miracles.
We love you! ~ Mommy & Daddy
Thursday, June 8, 2006 9:32 PM CDT
Good evening!
A few months have passed so I thought it was time for another little update. We are all doing well here. Lindsey and Sydney are thriving! We are having so much fun watching them grow. What have we been doing since February? Hmmmm....
Well, our Music Together class ended and I signed the girls up for a Tumbling class at the YMCA. Sydney did great and really enjoyed it. Lindsey, well, Lindsey never really participated. She pretty much didn't want to do anything! LOL! Guess that's not her thing. They have a summer Music Together class that's only seven weeks long and I've been thinking about doing that. We also go to an hour long Playgroup once a week. They enjoy that and get to play, sing, do an activity and have a snack!
They LOVE, LOVE, LOVE singing. I think we sing half the day! LOL! And of course reading...they are not so much into writing though. They are very close to knowing all their letters by sight. I'd say probably 90 percent of them. They get a few of them mixed up. And they know what sounds each of the letters make too.
We are enjoying the wonderful summer weather that we've been having. They love to be outside, riding their bikes, playing on the slide or just whatever! We went to a parade last weekend and they've been asking about going to another one! Good thing there is no shortage of small town festivals during the summer! You could hit a parade every weekend, if you wanted to.
We took a long weekend trip to the Wisconsin Dells and stayed at our timeshare. It was off season, so we didn't go to hit any waterparks, but just enjoyed some time at the pool, made a side trip to Chicago area for a big birthday party for our friends, Calvin & Brooks, and actually met some new friends from my hometown who were staying at the Dells too! What a coincidence!
OH, the big news is that Sydney is potty trained. She wears underwear 100f the time, even for naps & bedtime. This has been going on for a couple months. Lindsey does really well too, but has more frequent accidents. She's in underwear all the time, except for naps and bedtime.
They are growing taller and gaining weight-little by little. I can't believe that 3 1/2 years have gone by already since they were born! We attended their 4th NICU Reunion in April. That is what the picture on the home page was for; for the NICU Quilt Square. The quilt is on display outside the NICU each year.
Time is just flying by! They want to go to school so badly and ask me nearly everyday, especially when they see the school bus! They are little sponges!
Our third annual March of Dimes Walkamerica was a huge success! Thank you SO, SO much to those of you donated to this very worthy cause! It is apprecated so much!
I've posted a few new pictures. Check them out and some new videos too. Check them out here.
We hope you are enjoying the summer and your families! That's what life's about, isn't it?
Thanks for reading and please feel free to sign our guestbook and let us know that you are still around checking on our beautiful girls.
Love,
Kim and family
"The most important things in your home are people." ~ Barbara Johnson
Friday, February 17, 2006 11:45 AM CST
Wintery greetings to you all!! It's is frosty outside today, but with sunny, blue skies, it's not so bad!
Things around here are as busy as ever with two three and half year olds!! It is just talk, talk, talk with them. They are coming up with the cutest stories nowadays. They play so well together and are always concerned about the other. Very fun to watch them develop and interact!
The other day, I heard Sydney say a big word that I was sure I must have misunderstood. There's no way she could say that! So, I came out into the living room and asked her about it, and she said it again...METAMORPHOSIS! WHOA! I asked her where she heard that, and she told me that the Little Einsteins say that! Then I asked Lindsey if she knew what metamorphosis did and she proceeded to tell me that it's when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly!!! They absolutely love The Little Einsteins, and obviously, they are learning from it. It's a great show where the characters go on adventures. Each show also highlights a classical musician and an artist.
We are currently in the middle of a music class called Music Together. I have to tell you, it is so fun!! I enjoy as much as Lindsey & Sydney do. They are so into music and I thought this was a great way to introduce it to them in a little more structured way. It's 45 minutes a week for 10 weeks, and they are learning about rhythm and beat. We sing, dance, and play instruments. They LOVE it! This session is on Bells. I hope we are able to fit the next one into our schedule and budget too!
The girls are right on track developmentally. They know their colors and learning their letters. They know some of them by site and know their sounds. They still love reading and got Leap Pads for Christmas, which I thought maybe they were too young for, but they really like them and can use them well. They are into coloring and drawing too.
We are in the midst of potty training. Sydney does really well nakey butt, but still hasn't quite gotten it while wearing underwear. Lindsey, well, I keep trying every couple weeks, but no go yet. I'm not too worried as I know they will not be going off to college in diapers.
They are still quite petite, but are growing and as of their last weigh-in, Sydney actually hit 26 pounds! She's officially in the "normal" category for BMI now! Lindsey is gaining to and is at her highest weight of 24 lbs. 4 oz. Lindsey is 36" tall and Sydney is a half inch taller.
I've been busy getting their old clothes together seeing what fits and what I can sell. We still struggle trying to find pants that are long enough for their little waists. Summertime is so much easier with shorts and dresses! I've been buying 4T's now for summer in shirts and dresses, otherwise they are just too short. 3T's still work too. But for pants, they are still around 18m - 2T, and I could probably go smaller for Lindsey!
We are signed up to walk for the annual March of Dimes Walkamerica!! It will be our third year walking as the The Niehaus Twin Team! It's such a great cause. Last year, we were the Top Team at our walk location and seventh in the state of Minnesota of all family teams, all thanks to you!! Please help support us if you can. You can make a donation onlie at our Walkamerica page. Lindsey & Sydney's Page Thank you SO MUCH!
I have some cute videos posted at this site. Check them out if you have a moment. Videos
I posted some new pics as well. Please leave us a note and let us know you are still around! We hope your are staying warm and healthy this winter!
Love from all of us!
Kim and family
"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is about." ~ Angela Schwindt
Monday, October 17, 2005 6:58 AM CDT
Good Morning and Happy Fall! We've just had some gorgeous weather here lately. I love this time of year! Check out a few new pictures of the girls. We went to the park last week and the colors are just beautiful. They sure had fun playing in the leaves.
AND we now have Three year olds! WOW! Time is sure going by quickly. Lindsey & Sydney had a little birthday party on the evening of the 8th. We had family and friends over for a cook-out, burgers & brats and my mom's potato salad. It's legendary! Of course, we had a DORA cake too! Lindsey & Sydney LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Dora!! They received some great gifts and they enjoyed seeing everyone, as we did too.
I just realized that I never updated after Sydney had her heart cath. It went very well, no problems. I got to back with her while she went to sleep. That was SO HARD, but I'm glad I was there. I sung Rock-A-Bye baby to her as she drifted off. The procedure took about two hours and then we got to be with her in recovery! She was taped to a board and she was having NONE of it! She was straining to get up and I think she was just so uncomfortable. They finally gave her a few tiny doses of morphine and she fell asleep. Sweet thing. Eventually, we got moved to the PICU. She didn't need to be in the ICU, but it's the only place they had room. We stayed overnight and she got an EKG, chest x-ray, and echocardiogram the next morning and we were discharged by noon! Even now she'll tell you that she went to the hospital, the doctor fixed her heart, and she got to watch Bambi! Here is a link to a few videos of the girls. The one on August 31 is from her surgery day. Videos We go back to the doctor after six months and a year for a check-up, and each year for three years. After that, we'll see.
Sydney and Lindsey are so fun these days. They are really interacting with each other, asking each other "will you play with me?" Their imaginations are budding, and they make up stories and songs. They still love music and we sing a lot and we are ALWAYS reading! I hope that I am cultivating a love of books and reading like I had and do.
We do get our share of time-outs, but for the most part, they are just a joy to be around. They play with other so nice, they don't get into things, aren't destructive, and are pretty mild mannered. Yes, we have some whining now and then, that sort of thing, but it's really not that bad at all. Hopefully, I didn't jinx myself now! LOL!
We got their three-year pictures taken too. They turned out so good! I'll have to get some of the shots scanned and post some next update.
Thanks for checking in with us! Drop us a note and let us know you were here!
Love, Kim
"Reflect upon your blessings, of which every man has many--not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. ~ Charles Dickens
Monday, August 8, 2005 1:42 PM CDT
Greetings to you all!
I've been getting some grief about not updating the girls page, so I figured it was time! I've also uploaded some recent pictures, so take a look! The one at the top of the main page was taken at Dollywood on our family vacation to Tennessee. It was a great trip. We drove and we are so fortunate to have such good travelers! We left around 5 a.m. and stayed our first night, right outside of Louisville, KY. We usually try to go as far as we can the first day, thus resulting in a shorter trip the next day. The next day we drove to Pigeon Forge, TN, where we stayed at our timeshare for two nights. We spent the day at Dollywood the following day. It rained a lot, but we still had fun!
The following day, we drove down to Chattanooga, where we were meeting up with several other families of twins. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Choo-Choo and went out to dinner the first night with a few families who came in on Friday. On Saturday, we went to the Children's Museum which was fun! In the evening, we ALL went to Sticky Fingers for dinner. We had reservations for 41, which included 25 kids! It went well!
On Sunday, we headed home, and we were going to stop somewhere part way and stay over, but decided to drive straight through. Sixteen hours and a severe thunderstorm later we arrived home at 1:30 a.m. It was nice to have that day at home to recover before getting back into the regular routine!
Lindsey and Sydney's new favorite is DORA THE EXPLORER! We are doing everything like Dora, and we sing Dora all day long. It's so cute! We sing a lot around our house. They love to sing and know all the words to so many songs! It's amazing!
They're getting better with knowing their colors and are beginning to recognize some letters as well. Counting is good too. They love to READ! We read books all day. They just keep bringing them too me..."Read this one, Mommy!" I truly hope this continues and that they will have a love of reading like I do.
As you may remember, Sydney, has a heart defect called an ASD or Atrial Septal Defect, which is a hole between the two upper chambers (atriums) of the heart. We have known all along that she will need this repaired. After her annual appointment with the cardiologist in July, we were told that we can go ahead with the procedure/surgery any time, that she is big enough. So, we went ahead and had it scheduled for 8/31/05. She will not have to have open heart surgery. They do what's called a catheterization, going in through an artery in the leg and they will put in a device called an Amplatzer to close the hole. Can you believe that it is only an overnight stay? The technological advances are just amazing to me! Sydney's recovery should be relatively easy, especially compared to the alternative of having open heart surgery. Anyway, if you all could send some prayers and positive thoughts our way, they would be appreciated. It's still very scary and nerve-racking for us.
We've just had normal summer things going on around here. It's been very hot! Lots of family gatherings & reunions, playing outside, and a few trips to the park and zoo. The girls are 34 months old today! I can't believe that they will be three years old in just two months!
I also wanted to say Congratulations and Best Wishes for a long and beautiful marriage to Liz and Luke Rasmussen! Liz was the girls' primary nurses when they were in the NICU and is a very dear friend.
We hope you all have had and continue to have a great summer! Please, sign the guestbook, and give a shout out if you're still checking the page! We'd love to hear from you.
Love, Kim and Family
"Enjoy the detours and side trips of life. They are what make the journey interesting."
Tuesday, May 10, 2005 10:15 AM CDT
Happy Spring!
We are doing well here! We survived the winter. It seemed like a rough year with the flu and lots of colds, but we made it through with no major breathing problems or medications, just the one ER visit!
Lindsey & Sydney are just growing and changing right before our eyes! They are SUCH talkers and it's so good to hear. Many twins have speech delays. We just had their two year follow up with the NICU yesterday and they reported that they are doing well. For their speech they thought they may even be a little ahead! The scored around the 33 month level! GREAT JOB GIRLIES!
They also assessed their cognitive and motor skills. They scored around 30 months for cognitive and 25 months for motor skills. They said they weren't behind, but due to the long test, Lindsey and Sydney refused to do some of the things that they knew they could do, thus scored lower. That, and they also said that due to their extreme prematurity and petiteness, it's quite common to be slower with the motor skills.
As for their stats, they are now on the full term chart for height & head circumference, Lindsey was in the 5th percentile and Sydney the 10th! So they are catching up to their actual age. They are still way low for weight, less than 3rd percentile. The doctor explained that that makes sense as the weight is the last thing to catch up. They usually expect them to make strides somewhere between two and five years. They may just always be petite. Nothing wrong with that! So, overall, it was a FABULOUS report! We don't go back to the Follow-Up Clinic until they are 4 1/2.
Lindsey and Sydney just ADORE singing and can be heard singing many of the following songs:
"I Love you, you love me..."
"A B C D E F G..."
"Row row row your boat..."
"Itsy Bitsy Spider, went up the water spout..."
"Mr. Sun, sun, Mr. golden sun, Please shine down on me..."
"Twinkle, twinkle little star..."
...and on and on, of course, with the actions too. They are such a joy!
And Sydney has identified her very first letter!! Can you guess what it is? 'W'...and she says it so CUTE!
They are both counting, very consistely to ten and pretty consistent to 20.
They love to play outside, swinging mostly, but love to go for walks in the stroller too. I wish we could have several nice days in a row around here. I guess they will be coming soon.
Their new favorite show is "Blues Clues"! They still love Barney and enjoy Sesame Street too. Oh, and Strawberry Shortcake!
Of course, with all these wonderful things about them, they have also entered the world of TIMEOUTS! Hitting, pushing, those type things get timeouts immediately. They get them for behavior issues as well, which fortunately, haven't been that bad. Lindsey is definitely the more strong willed child these days.
They are still sleeping GREAT, from 8 p.m. - 7 a.m. each day and they generally nap from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. every day! Good sleep certainly makes happier, well behaved children!
Lindsey, Sydney and I and the whole NIEHAUS TWIN TEAM completed the March of Dimes WALKAMERICA on Sunday, May 1st! It was our second year walking and even though it was a cold and dreary day, we all had a great time. I am so proud of our team! Through their fundraising efforts, we raised over $3,500 for the March of Dimes! We were awarded TOP TEAM! I, personally, raised over $1250 and was awarded TOP WALKER for our location. This year our team consisted of: Grandma Gloria, Great-Grandma Marcy, Aunt Kristy, cousin Chelsea, Aunt Sherri, cousin Sandy, friend Lisa, friends Liz & Catherine! THANK YOU ALL!
We are gearing up for graduation, as Lindsey & Sydney's older brother, Brice, graduates from high school this June. He is planning on attending UW-Stout this fall. We are so proud of him and the girls adore him!
Guess that's all for now. Check out the new pictures and please, sign the guestbook, and let us know you are still checking on our precious daughters! Thank you and God Bless!
Love, Kim
"The most important thing she'd learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one." ~ Jill Churchill, writer
Monday, February 28, 2005 3:44 PM CST
Greetings to you all! I hope the winter has been good to you and you've been able to stay healthy. That's not been the case for us! We've had several bouts of sickies around here, and are just finishing up a doozy! Both Lindsey and Sydney came down with some GI flu last Friday which included several days of vomiting, thus resulting in dehyration. We ended up heading to the ER yesterday to get some IV fluids. They were pretty wiped out, and Lindsey seems to be really on the mend. I think Sydney should be too. She just seems to need a little more rest yet.
We just got back from a winter vacation to Florida! It was so fun. We ended up driving and the girls were so good! Thank goodness for DVD players! By the return trip, it was on quite a bit more! We left on 2/10 and drove to Ft. Campbell, KY, the first night where we stayed with a high school friend of mine and her family. We really enjoyed the visit even though it was quick. We drove to Alpharetta, GA, the next day, where we stayed with an online friend of mine, Tracy and her family. Another online friend, Tanya, and her family, were able to come over to visit too! It was a great night and the Culloms were wonderful hosts! On Saturday, we drove on to Marco Island, with a stop in Ft. Myers to pick up Brice at the airport, who flew down for a few days. We stayed with my parents at their condo. We spent one day at the beach and one day at the pool. Great-grandma Marcy and aunt Sherri were able to be there part of the time too! We also celebrated my dad's, Grandpa Dean's, 60th birthday while we were there! Brian and Uncle Darren were able to golf a couple times, and we spent one evening at Darren & Kristy's timeshare grilling out. Lindsey and Sydney love to spend time with their cousins, Chelsea & Dylan! We stayed until the following Friday, and then we drove up to Panama City Beach to see Brian's parents, Grandma & Grandpa Niehaus! We were able to spend two nights there and took the girls out on the beach. It was a little cooler than the 80 degree weather we had in Marco, but still really nice! We left on Sunday morning and drove to Paducah, KY, where we stayed overnight and then back home on Monday. It was a very memorable trip. Check out the new pics!
The girls are just doing wonderfully, aside from being sick. They recently had an evaluation from the county and are right on track for their actual age! Such fabulous news! They are quite good communicators and talk a lot now, sometimes in 4-5 word sentences. The areas they scored the best in were communication and problem-solving. I need to be more diligent at writing down some of the funny things they say, because right now, I can't seem to remember them. But they sure crack us up!
Lindsey's pulmonogist appt in January went well, and she doesn't have to go back. Yay!
Brian had to go to Vegas for work twice now this year, for eight days in January, and five days in February. He was really upset about it....YEAH, RIGHT! I, too, was able to get away for a long weekend in January, and met him there. We got to see a Celine Dion show. It was AWESOME! It was very nice to spend some alone time together. Thanks Lisa and Darren & Kristy, Chelsea & Dylan for taking such good care of our girls while we were away!
We are looking forward to spring, so we can get outside more and go for some walks. I don't mind winter, but always look forward to the change of each season.
Thanks for checking in on us! We hope you keep doing it and please, sign the guestbook, and let us know you stopped by!
PEACE!
Kim and family
"There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million." ~ Walt Streightiff
Monday, December 27, 2004 8:29 PM CST
Merry Christmas to you all!
Sorry for the delay in updating our page! We've had a round of the flu here. First Sydney, then Lindsey, and myself. Thankfully, my brother & SIL took care of the girls overnight two nights so that I could recover! It was awful.
We had a fairly quiet Christmas as I've been battling a head cold as well. The girls had a little cold too. Brian & Brice seem to have avoided it all so far. It was so much fun watching Lindsey & Sydney open their presents this Christmas morning. It was much different than last year and I imagine next year will be entirely different too! They got so many nice things. Everyone was so generous. We have toys galore!
Things are going pretty good developmentally for the girls. They are really talking in sentences now. It's such a treat to really be able to understand what they are saying. They give each other "high fives", and then they burst into giggles. It's so cute! They love music and want Brice to play his guitar. They will call for him, "Brice, gee-tar, play gee-tar!" Just adorable. They are interested in videos/DVD's more and more. They've recently discovered Barney, so I had to run out and buy a DVD so they have at least one! They also like Elmo, the Teletubbies, and of course, The Wiggles!
They had their eye checkups this past month and passed with flying colors! The doctor said that she doesn't have to see them again until 1st grade!! WOW! Seems a long way off to me, but it will go fast, I know. I can't imagine them being that old. Of course, their regular doctor still needs to screen them each year to watch for anything that might come up.
Lindsey has a pulmonologist appointment next month, but I have a sneaky suspicion that we won't have to go back to see him anymore either. They've really had no lung issues since coming home from the NICU. Let's pray that continues to be the case.
In November, the girls and I made a whirlwind trip to Milwaukee to visit their cousins. We stayed overnight, attended cousin, Ashley's, birthday party, and then the next day we drove to Chicago to meet up with some other twin mommies. We ended up driving home that afternoon. It was a long day, but they handled it so well! Good preparation for our drive to Florida in a couple months!
We will be off to Marshfield this weekend to celebrate Christmas with the Niehaus'. We would like to thank you for your continued support, prayers, and well wishes for Lindsey and Sydney. Please feel free to continue following their journey. God's blessings to you all in the coming year!
Friday, October 8, 2004 7:33 AM CDT
HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY SYDNEY & LINDSEY! WOW! I can't believe you are TWO years old!
Time has gone by so fast. They are growing and changing every day. They are so curious and full of hope, wonder and inspiration. They amaze me each and every day as they learn new things.
We have just been having fun this fall, enjoying the weather. I LOVE this time of year. Yesterday, we went to the apple orchard, rode on a wagon being pulled by a tractor, and got to play in a big straw pile. It was a beautiful day and they had a lot of fun!
We have an official 20 pounder now! Sydney weighed in a week ago at 20 lbs. 1.5 oz. and Lindsey isn't far behind at 19 lbs. 12 oz. We are gearing up for a round of checkups with the doctors, the pediatrician, ophthamologist, and pulmonologist, throughout the coming months. Hopefully, they will have nothing to tell us!
Sydney & Lindsey have been talking a LOT! Lots and lots of new words and sentences. Half the time we can't understand the long conversations they have, but can figure out a word here and there. The little short two word sentences we usually can understand. It's just sweet to hear them!
Lindsey has been our climbing monkey lately. She climbs on everything, the couch, kitchen chairs, whatever. We've had a few falls too, and then Sydney is right there to give a hug and a kiss. It's very sweet! She is such a love bug. Lindsey is too, but it's when SHE wants to be!
They both still love to read and look at books. And besides the Wiggles now, they are enjoying Elmo and Sesame Street. But the Wiggles songs are still number one and we do an awful lot of dancing and wiggling around here!
Their birthday party is on Sunday for family and friends. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful day!
That's all for now. I hope you all have a wonderful fall. Peace to you all! Please sign the guestbook when you check in on us. Just a note to say hi would be fine and so neat for the girls to read as they get older.
Love, Kim and family
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Monday, August 16, 2004 8:09 PM CDT
Happy August! What a chilly one it has been. Yikes! Sydney and Lindsey are 22 months old now. I can't believe that in a couple short months they will be TWO!
Things are going pretty good around here. Lindsey & Sydney are saying more and more words that I understand these days. It's so cute listening to them repeat stuff. Today, I said, Oh Shoot! Of course, then I heard a little shoot out of Lindsey's mouth.
One of the main things that I hope to pass on to my girls is my love for reading. If how they are now is any indication, I think that it's already happening. They bring me book after book throughout the day, both crawl up in my lap and I proceed to read the entire story! And they listen to the whole thing! I'm amazed by that! Their favorite at the moment is called "Angel Babies" and something interesting is this is the book that I used to read to them in the NICU, among a few others, but I wonder if they recognize it somehow. Lindsey also likes "Curious George Goes to a Movie" and Sydney has been bringing me a book about "Corduroy".
The picture above was taken during our vacation in northern Minnesota in July. We spent a very relaxing and fun week and had pretty good weather too. We did some visiting with friends, but mostly just hung out at the resort.
Lindsey had her MRI done last month on her "dimple". We got the report back the following Friday that all was normal, so nothing to worry about! A relief!
We received a letter that our pediatric cardiologist is moving to Seattle for another job, so now we'll have to find someone new to pursue the procedure that she needs to have done to close her ASD. I've pretty much come to the conclusion that her poor weight gain is most likely from the heart issue. I looked back in the records and since the end of April, she has only gained 15 oz. while Lindsey has gain almost 2.5 pounds during the same time frame! They are only an ounce apart now as of the last weight check.
We are a WIGGLES family! They listen to the Wiggles CD all the time at home and in the car. They ARE IN LOVE with the WIGGLES and are singing all their songs and doing the hand motions and dances. Lindsey's favorite is Hot Potato and Sydney's is The Monkey Dance (she prefers the elephant). They both like Joanie Works with One Hammer. We do have other CD's that they listen to too. They just love to dance!
Oh, and as of last Friday, we are officially down to the One-Nap-a-Day Club! I guess that means they are growing up!
Some other things they are doing:
* I have taught them a few signs which they use very well, as well as say the words. They sign eat, drink, more, please and thank you. They are doing really well with the please and thank you and often say it without prompting!
* We were at a parade yesterday which Lindsey TOTALLY got into! She was waving and saying hi to EVERYONE! She even got a special kiss on the forehead from the clown! She LOVED the parade! I think she would have watched it the whole day!
* They are trying to learn how to jump. They think it's the coolest thing when mommy jumps, but they haven't quite gotten it yet.
* They like playing with their board puzzles and are quite good at it now. I think I need to get some more!
* I'm guessing they have 50 words or so, at least that's what the OT wrote when she came out to check on them last week. She thinks they are catching up to their actual age developmentally too. That was nice to hear, especially because I don't think they ever will in their weight!
* They are also telling me when they have pooped and then they point at their butt and say, "BU!". Then Lindsey will squeeze her nose and say, "P U!"
* Sydney likes to sing the ABC's. She's starting to say some letters in order and some numbers too. Lindsey's more into animals and their sounds.
Hope you all are having a fun summer! Enjoy the rest of it!
Love, Kim & family
"It isn't the greatest pleasures that count the most; it's making a great deal out of the little ones." — Jean Webster
Thursday, July 8, 2004 12:37 AM CDT
Hello to all! Lindsey & Sydney are 21 months old today! WOW! Time sure goes by fast!
A few things are going on around here. Sydney had her annual cardiologist appointment last month and while the doctor is pleased with her weight growth, he doesn't feel that it's kept up with her height, and has to consider than her heart condition could be a cause. So, we had an echocardiogram done which showed a large ASD, approx. 12mm in size. He sent a letter to our pediatrician asking that her nutritional diet be critically reviewed and if nothing further can be done, then she needs to be referred back for early ASD closure. This is really nothing new, other than the procedure may happen a little sooner than anticipated. We've always know that she will need this repaired.
So, partly because of that, we have decided to send the girls to the Feeding Clinic at Children's. I'm not sure how long it will take to get in, as I have to fill out a mountain of paperwork first.
Lindsey is having an MRI done at the end of July to check out a "dimple" that she's had forever. It's just a precaution and no one expects to find anything, but we want to check it out to be sure.
The summer has been soooo cool! I have all these cute sundresses and the girls can't even wear them! We had a great time at Uncle Tom & Aunt Karen's on the 4th of July! What a fun party and the girls were in their second parade already!
We are heading up north for a weeks' vacation soon and are really anticipating a nice getaway. I'll even be able to meet up with another twin mom friend, who I met on the internet. She'll be about 40 minutes west of us. I'm really excited to see her again (we met in Las Vegas last year) and her three boys, Aaron & Blake, and new baby, Evan.
Lindsey and Sydney are running all over the place and talking in their own "twinspeak" these days. Lots of new words too, but many I have NO CLUE on what they are saying, but it sure sounds good.
That's it for now...have a beautiful summer!
Kim
"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children." ~ Charles R. Swindoll
Thursday, May 27, 2004 2:35 PM CDT
Happy May! Or should I say Happy June, as it's almost here!
We are all doing well. Brice is anxious for the end of school and Brian is busy with work. I've been working at a part time job for a few months, just two evenings a week, about 6-8 hours. It's been nice to get out of the house a little bit.
Lindsey & Sydney are doing so well! We've been outside some this spring, but recently it's been so wet and rainy, it's hard to get out! They love to swing in the new toddler swings we put up. They're not quite sure of the grass yet! Let's see...what else is new? Well, since the last update, they've each had four molars come in, so Lindsey now has 12 teeth and Sydney, 11. Naps are still going good, two a day, as well as the night time sleeping.
Lindsey is officially over 18 lbs.! WAHOO! So, we have two 18 pounders now. They had a good gain over the past two weeks. They are done with the baby food and just eat table food. They will eat a lot of different stuff, it's just the volume that is lacking. Lindsey drinks a lot and eats a little, while Sydney eats more and drinks a little!
Sydney is saying a lot of words now and she's so interested in stacking things, and putting them in bowls, etc., stuff like that, as well as, reading books. Lindsey does all those things too, and she says a lot, but nothing that I understand much of. She sounds like she's talking a foreign language. I am starting to figure some things out though. About a week ago, Lindsey had climbed up into the rocking chair and was standing on the seat, and I was telling her to "Get down". Then I heard Sydney saying, "G-duh, G-duh". I'd been hearing her say that for quite a while and I finally figured out she was saying Get down, which I do say a lot to Lindsey, as she is the climber around here!
Oh, I did get their portraits done a couple months ago and they turned out pretty good. I went with them by myself and they were fine when we got there, laughing and giggling out in the reception area. But as soon as we got back to take the pictures, it was lots of crying, especially Lindsey! She would hardly let go of my shirt! We did manage to get a few good shots. Here is the link to a few of the pictures. Lindsey & Sydney's 18m Portraits
Also, a HUGE THANK YOU to all who supported us in this year's March of Dimes Walkamerica! Unfortunately, Lindsey, Sydney and I did not get to participate. I was VERY disappointed. Sydney ended up getting the flu (fever, vomiting) on the Thursday before the walk and it lasted until Monday. It's the same thing that Lindsey had had about 10 days prior, but they both made it through. The good news is that my mom, Gloria, and my sister-in-law, Kristy, were able to make the walk for the The Niehaus Twins Team AND The Niehaus Twins Team was awarded Rookie Team of the Year! Thanks to all of you we raised just under $1,500! THANK YOU!
We're looking forward to some warm, nice weather soon! Hope you all can get out and enjoy it! Check out the new pictures!
Kim and family
"Regret for wasted time is more time wasted." —Mason Cooley
Wednesday, April 7, 2004 9:49 AM CDT
Good Morning! In one more day, Lindsey & Sydney will be 18 months old! Can you believe it? I can't. Time is just flying by.
We are all doing well here. Lindsey and Sydney survived their very first cold EVER in March at 17m old! I actually was sicker than they were. Go figure!
They are so fun to play with and watch them play. They are still quite talkative, although I can't understand hardly anything they say. I do know they understand though. I can ask them simple questions, like "Can you bring mommy that book?" and they will respond. I can ask where their belly is or where their toes are and they point or pat to their bellies. It's so cute.
They are WALKING all over and have been for about a month now pretty consistently. In fact, they get going pretty fast...almost running. They are quite adept at figuring out how to put things on the floor in order to climb up on the couch or the chair too!
They are still quite petite. Lindsey is around 17 lbs. and Sydney about 18 lbs. They've grown about an inch since January. Lindsey has eight teeth and Sydney has seven, and that eighth one is right there ready to pop through.
They are SO into music. We listen to music all day and sing and dance a lot around here. They like Itsy Bitsy Spider and really enjoy the Wiggle's songs too. We rarely watch any TV, but on occasion, I put in videos, usually music ones. Yesterday, we ran to Old Navy to check out the clearance rack and it was so cute when we came into the store. They were in the stroller and music was playing and it's pretty upbeat, peppy music. Lindsey & Sydney started holding out their hands with pointed fingers and bouncing in their seats to the music. They thought it was great! We read and look at books a lot too. They play really well together.
We still work on the whole feeding thing. They do eat much better than they used to, but it still doesn't seem like very much. I'm guessing it will probably always be an issue. They have their 18m well baby check at the pediatrician next week. AND we are done with RSV shots for the year! YIPPEE! They sleep really well and still sleep together in the same crib at night, although, they do sleep separate for naps. We are still napping twice a day for about two hours each and they sleep 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. at night.
We're getting portraits taken tomorrow, so hopefully I'll have some more pictures to show you all at my next update.
On another note, I wanted to ask you all for your support for the March of Dimes. This organization is instrumental in helping save babies' lives. Lindsey, Sydney, and I as, well as other family members have formed a team and we are participating in WalkAmerica 2004 on May 1! We're really excited. Please, if you feel it in your heart to do so, give what you can. You can pledge online at our WalkAmerica website: www.walkamerica.org/lindseyandsydney Thanks for your support!
We're looking forward to the spring and summer and hoping to get out a little more. Hope you all are enjoying each and every day!
Kim
"Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things." ~ R. L. Stevenson
Tuesday, February 17, 2004 10:08 AM CST
Hello, Hello, Hello!
So sorry for the delay in getting you all an update! No excuse.
Things are going well here at the Niehaus'. Lindsey and Sydney continue to amaze us with their good health, immune systems, and development! No sickies, although, Lindsey did have a fever over the weekend, but we are chalking it up to teething.
YES, we are finally getting some more teeth! They each had three on the bottom for the longest time, but now Sydney has popped one of her top ones and Lindsey has two coming in on top. It really helps with the eating, that's for sure. And on that note, things are going well, too! Both have really stepped up the volume of solids. They still will gag if they get too much in their mouth and without many teeth, they can't eat a lot of table foods yet, but we are experimenting with lots of different things. I've also started weaning them down on formula calories. We were at 30 cal which included 3 cals coming from a substance called Polycose which I added to their formula. I have stopped that, so we are back down to 27 cal. We have also switched from the preemie formula to regular formula. Once we can get down to 20 cal, then we think about moving to some sort of regular milk. We are making progress!!
They are so fun! They are so good-natured and play so well. We play with them a lot, but they are also quite content to play together themselves. They can just sit and page through books, like they are actually reading them! They still don't say any words (that I can understand anyway), but they "talk" a lot and they recognize many things. They have both started taking steps on their own. They can string about five or so together before sitting down. Lindsey has been doing it more on her own, without any encouraging. Guess it won't be long and we'll really have TODDLERS on our hands! They are pros at climbing the stairs, but don't go down yet. They REALLY enjoy music and will clap and bounce to the music any time I have it on, which is all the time. They like playing patty-cake and singing Itsy Bitsy Spider.
We had the 0-3 program evaluation and they did really well, right on target for their adjusted age. So, the OT is no longer coming out for therapy (play), but she will still stop out every other month or so to monitor them. I have scheduled their 12 month eval at the NICU Follow-Up Clinic for March 8. They usually do pretty well, but it is unfamiliar surroundings.
I started volunteering for Parents for Parents which is an organization that supports current NICU parents. I had my first visit last Saturday and it went really well. I went with a veteran volunteer this first time. I felt really good after leaving there having talked with some families. Next Saturday, I will be helping host the monthly Pizza Break.
I've also started a part-time job, just 10-15 hours a week. I'll be working two late afternoon/evenings a week. I will be taking Lindsey & Sydney to Aunt Sandy's house at 3 p.m. and Brian will be picking them up at 5 p.m. She really enjoys having them and they have a lot of fun over there too. Check out the picture of them playing the piano! That's what they get to do there!
Brian went on an overnight ice fishing trip in January. He didn't catch much, but I think he enjoyed his time fishing, card playing, etc. We also went to Grandma & Grandpa Niehaus' a couple weeks ago. We all had a nice time there and the girls sure enjoy seeing grandma & grandpa!
As for weights, their growth is slow, but steady. They were weighed two weeks ago and had a great weight gain. Lindsey was 16 lbs. 6 oz. and Sydney was 17 lbs. 8 1/2 oz. They are getting weighed again today. I'll be interested to see how they are doing. I measured them recently standing against the wall too. Lindsey was 28" and Sydney was 28 1/2".
Guess that's the news for now. Check out the few new pics! I'll let you know the new news in another month or so!
Have a great day!
Kim =)
"The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for." ~ Joseph Addison
Monday, December 29, 2003 2:49 PM CST
Holiday Greetings to you all! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
We had a really wonderful time with Lindsey and Sydney and all our family! Christmas Eve was spent at my aunt & uncle's house (Sherri & Andy). L & S enjoyed all the action. They got to see their 2nd cousin, Ryan, who is 4.5 months old now and weighs just as much as they do! They are still quite a bit taller though, but probably not for long as his dad, Brandon, is like 6'5" or something like that! They had fun playing with their cousins, Chelsea and Dylan, as always. They even ate a little mashed potatoes and turkey! And of course, they got lots of great gifts too! It really wore Lindsey out though and she fell asleep in Grandma's arms!
We opened presents at home on Christmas morning and just enjoyed spending the time with Lindsey & Sydney at home! We planned on staying home all day, but went back to aunt Sherri's and uncle Andy's for some leftovers and visiting. It was a fun day!
This past weekend, we went to Aunt Karen's and Uncle Tom's house in Marshfield. Aunt Tammy & Uncle Bob came over to visit too. Then on Sunday, it was off to Aunt Alice and Uncle Steve's house for more Christmas celebrating. We ate and opened gifts. Lindsey and Sydney also got to visit with Aunt Jane, Uncle Paul, Aunt Bev & Uncle Jim, and Grandma & Grandpa Niehaus, as well as, a bunch of cousins too! We listened to the Packer game on the drive home and got ANOTHER Christmas gift when they won and the Vikings lost! GO PACKERS! What a great day!
It's hard to imagine where they were at one year ago. Both of them were barely 3 1/2 pounds and Sydney had just had laser eye surgery on Christmas Eve, and we were preparing for the fact that Lindsey would probably have it on New Year's Eve! Lindsey had just come off the ventilator on Christmas Eve! What a wonderful gift that was! We are so blessed to have these two little miracles in our life! We are thankful for all of our family and friends who were there to support us during a difficult year, and thankful also, to all the unknown people who kept our little girls in their prayers. It was those prayers and the knowledge that there were so many out there thinking of us that kept us going! Thank you all!
Lindsey & Sydney are thriving! In fact, the OT that comes to see them every other week, has said that it really isn't necessary for her to come anymore, as they are just amazing! I think they the county will check on them, as they are still "at risk", but they won't officially be in their program. What wonderful news! I think both Lindsey & Sydney are standing and walking around stuff more than they crawl these days, and BOY, do we have a little climber! Lindsey is climbing up all the steps, and quite fast, I might add! We have a box next to the couch, too, and she just climbs right up on that and up onto the couch too! They love to walk when you hold their fingers and I've seen them stand alone for about 10 seconds at a time. The volume in the house is going up too, as they are talking up a storm. No real intelligible words...well, except for Sydney does say NO pretty good!
They had a check-up with the pediatric ophthamologist earlier this month and all looks great. They are at risk for problems in the eye so they will always have a thorough eye exam every year. We also have their 15 month check-up with the pediatrician coming up in a week or so. They are still quite petite, but I don't worry anymore. They are so active and have such curious minds. Lindsey is about 15 1/2 pounds and Sydney is about 16 1/2 pounds.
They both really like music and move to the beat. They like when I sing. They got Hokey Pokey Elmo as a gift and it's a big hit! Sydney gives kisses now...I love getting them and it's so cute watching if you tell her to give her dolly kisses! Lindsey gives hugs...especially to daddy! She is always waiting for him to come home!
That's my update for now! Enjoy the Christmas pictures! Please, drop an e-mail or sign the guestbook. We still love hearing from you!
Also, for those of you who give to charitable organizations, especially now at year-end, please consider donating to the March of Dimes in honor of Lindsey and Sydney. The link to their virtual bands are near the bottom of the page. Another wonderful organization is Caring Bridge, the ones who have allowed us to have this free website. There is a link at the bottom for Caring Bridge as well. Thanks!
Happy New Year!
Kim
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us."
—Joseph Campbell, writer
Friday, December 5, 2003 9:36 PM CST - UPDATED
Happy December! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE DARREN! Hope you have a great day!
Well, another month has passed and lots has happened with the girls. Lindsey is now walking all around furniture and is even standing alone for quite a few seconds. Won't be long and she'll be taking her first steps! So amazing! Both her bottom two teeth have now popped through. She is still go-go-go, but loves to be cuddled too! She is about 15 lbs. now.
Sydney is also crusing around furniture, but she's a little more tentative. She is doing the regular crawling now, but still flops back to her army crawl at times. She really enjoys music and seems to try to sing and dance to it. Sydney is a little over 16 lbs. now.
They both love books and will sit and look at them and turn the pages by themselves just as if they are reading them! They are starting to give kisses to momma! They kind of come at you with open mouths. It's so sweet! They sure know when it's time for daddy to come home and look right over at the top of the stairs when they hear the door at night.
The eating of solids continues to be a struggle, but we will just keep plugging away! There's not a whole lot more we can do than that.
We stay pretty much close to home these days because of the RSV season. We are really enjoying just watching Lindsey & Sydney grow and learn right before our eyes! I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately on where we were a year ago during this time!
Brian went hunting during the opener of deer season. He also went the day after Thanksgving too. No luck though.
We had somewhat of a somber Thanksgiving, as my grandfather passed away on 11/23, whom I was very close too. He was a very special man who loved and provided for his family and he will be greatly missed by many! Please say a prayer for my grandma as she develops a new "normal". They were married nearly 58 years.
Today, I attended a training class on being a volunteer for the Parents for Parents Network at Children's Hospital. As a volunteer, I will be spending time in the NICU and visiting with parents who currently have a child in the unit. I'm looking forward to this opportunity and feel it will be quite rewarding. I am also going through online training to become a volunteer with a national organization called, Sidelines. This organization provides one on one support to women on bed rest due to a high risk pregnancy. It's a one on one match and I will communicate through e-mail.
We sure are looking forward to Christmas this year. We don't have the tree up yet, but we do have the outside lights up and they look great! I plan to work on my Christmas cards this weekend and have been playing lots of Christmas music.
May you all have a Blessed Holiday Season! Thank you so much for being a part of our lives and for all your support, prayers and well wishes! Please feel free to continue following the progress of Lindsey & Sydney!
Merry Christmas!
Kim
P.S. Don't forget to check out the NEW PICTURES!
"In a moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing to do. The worst thing you can do is nothing." ~ Theodore Roosevelt
Monday, November 3, 2003 10:40 AM CST
Happy November! Guess what? It's snowing here right now! The first real measurable snow of the year! I think it's beautiful, but of course, I'm not driving in it these days very much! Most of us "northerners" LOVE the first snowfall anyway; it's the ones in February, March, and even April, that we are ready do away with!
The girls are doing great! They have a little runny nose right now, but we're not sure if it's a cold or just from teething, as I know that can happen. Sydney has her two bottom teeth coming in! I uploaded a picture in the album for you all to see. There is also another of the cows and one of Lindsey.
They are getting their second Synagis shot this week. I'm so grateful that they are getting it for a second season! I'd hate to think what could happen without it. Pray for them to continue to be as healthy as they have been!
Their weight gain has definitely slowed down, but I'm not as anxious about it as I have been in the past. I know that as long as they continue to grow and follow their own curve, they are doing just fine. As of last Wednesday's check, Lindsey was 14 lbs. 2 oz. and 27 1/2" long and Sydney was 15 lbs. 5 1/2 oz. and 28" long.
Lindsey is a crawling all over still, pulls up to her knees, and yesterday, pulled up to standing for the first time! Sydney is content to do the army crawling thing, but she goes just as fast as her sister! She is quite the vocalist as well! They are just so fun and we have the greatest time during the day...singing, dancing and playing! Oh, and napping!
The sleeping has been going so much better. I've adjusted their nap times a little earlier and it's made a tremendous difference. They are sleeping from 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. with very little night waking and they have been doing that for some time. They nap usually about 1-1 1/2 hours in the a.m. and usually about 2 hours in the afternoon.
Their eating has been going better too. I've adjusted the times they eat and it's definitely made a difference. Some days are definitely better than others, but they are getting the hang of it. They eat well, it's just they don't eat very much.
I took a little trip last month for a weekend. It was short, but great fun! I flew to Las Vegas to meet some other twin mommies that I met on an internet bulletin board. There were 18 of us that made the trip from all over the country. It was so neat to meet everyone and we're already starting to think about next years' trip!
This month we also have a follow-up for Lindsey at the NICU. I think they will be pleasantly surprised at her progress, as last time in June, they thought she was behind! HA HA!
I also wanted to point out two new links at the bottom. The March of Dimes has committed to a five-year campaign to help fight prematurity. I've created virtual bands in Honor of Lindsey & Sydney. Please donate in their name, if you feel the urge. Thank you!
Guess that's if for now! Drop us a note in the guestbook or an e-mail sometime! We'd love to hear from you! Don't forget to check out the pictures!
Kim :-)
"To be in your child's memories tomorrow, be in his life today." ~ Unknown
Wednesday, October 8, 2003 1:03 AM CDT
HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY LINDSEY & SYDNEY!
What joy these two precious girls have brought to our lives!
I just went back and read my early journals about how everything evolved one year ago today...Brian and I were so scared and we just didn't know what to expect. We talked to doctors and practitioners during the day and it seemed pretty doom & gloom to us. BUT...we had faith! We knew there was a chance that everything would work out and that is what we held on to! Praise God for the precious gifts he's given us!
We had their birthday party this past Sunday with 15-20 friends and family members attending. It was a beautiful day! We had snacks and munchies along with cake and ice cream. Lindsey and Sydney weren't too interested in the cake. They pretty much just spit it out and mushed it around. Lindsey preferred the paper plate! They got lots of clothes, some toys, books, and CD's. It was so fun to watch them with the cake and with the wrapping paper! I did put three new birthday pictures in the Photo Album.
We had their one year well baby visit today and I thought they were going to get their shots. That didn't happen because there is a WI law that says they have to be one year old. So, they wouldn't do it, even just one day shy...I wish they would've told me that when I made the appointment! They'll go back in on Friday.
The home health nurse came out today and gave them the first Synagis shot of the season. The girls will get one each month through April and hopefully this will protect them from RSV.
Lindsey is really crawling well. She is soo tiny, but so cute! She is pulling up on things too, up on her knees. We've had to lower the crib mattress as she was pulling up in the crib. Sydney is still just content to roll and pivot around on her tummy. She can get where she wants to go...I guess that's what counts.
I had my multiples meeting in RF tonight. It was great to get out and visit with the other twin moms. We always have a lot to talk about and really enjoy the company.
Thanks again to everyone who has been following the girls' progress and for the continued prayers that they stay healthy, continue to grow well, and stay on track developmentally. They are such miracles!
Kim
"Out of difficulties grow miracles. ~ Jean De La Bruyere
Thursday, October 2, 2003 10:43 AM CDT
Hello! I meant to post a couple days ago, but didn't get around to it. One year and two days ago, I was admitted to the hospital for pre-eclampsia. I've been thinking a lot lately about the past year and all that happened a year ago. How totally clueless I was about the seriousness of pre-eclampsia and how dangerous it was for me. The days went by so slow in the hospital and oh, how I wish that the girls' wouldn't have had to be born so early! It was such a rough start for them. Thankfully, they are doing so well now.
We are having a party for them on Sunday to celebrate the miracle of their birth and their accomplishments this past year! I think it will be really fun! I know they won't have a clue what's going on, but they'll love the pictures when they get older.
We are still struggling with weight gain, but they are eating really well. They are happy and active, so I try not to worry. As of last week, Lindsey was 13 lbs. and Sydney was 14 lbs. 7 oz. I guess that's pretty good weight gain, when you consider they only started at a pound! They really aren't interested in solids much, but we keep trying. They get cereal and fruit in the a.m. and fruit and veggies in the p.m. We're lucky if they take 5 bites! Some days are definitely better than others!
As of yesterday, Lindsey is CRAWLING! For the past few days, she's been moving her knees, but then falling forward. Yesterday she finally strung it all together and crawled to me. She goes a little ways, then collapses and then gets up and goes some more! She is so strong! She's got to be the tiniest litte crawler you've seen! I think she's taking an interest in beginning to pull up on things too.
Sydney isn't interested in crawling yet. I think when she sees how her sister is getting around, she'll catch on. She is rather good at sitting unsupported now though.
We had their one year portraits taken last week and I will get them back tomorrow. When I scanned the proofs in, they didn't turn out too well, but I will put some up here soon. I think my scanner is crap.
I'm sure you are all wondering why I haven't updated the pictures in the other albums. Well, I've reached maximum capacity they will allow, unless I pay more. So I have to either delete some pics or find somewhere else to put them and I haven't done that yet. I will put a couple new ones in the caring brige album.
I got everything worked out and the girls will receive the Synagis shot to protect them from RSV this year. It was looking like our insurance wasn't going to pay, but we got it all worked out. So they will be getting their first ones on 10/7. They get one a month through April and the home health nurse comes out to do it. They will also be having their one year check on 10/7 and getting the one-year shots that day too! Poor babies!!
I guess that's it for now...I'll try to update again next week after their birthday.
Enjoy the fall! Don't you just LOVE the change of seasons?!
Kim
"The wise man must remember that while he is a descendant of the past, he is a parent of the future." ~ Herbert Spencer
Thursday, September 4, 2003 7:50 PM CDT
Okay people...I am so sorry for not posting an update sooner! I really have no excuse, I just need to make it more of a priority. I do intend to keep updating regularly. I guess HOW regular will be the question!
Well, since the last update, things have been going well. The girls had their final appt with Dr. Miller, their eye specialist. All looked great and now they will just see a pediatric ophthamologist starting at age one. We have a referral for that. They will be able to tell us exactly how well they see and if they will need glasses. Dr. Miller just looks at the eye and retinas and tells us if everything looks normal.
We have still been dealing with a lot of feeding issues. It has gotten better since July, but they still aren't gaining good weight. They are happy, active and doing well developmentally, so they must be getting just enough nourishment. I took them to a pediatric GI this week and we now have a prescription for a powder than I can add to their formula that will add calories, but not thicken. We have also stopped adding the cereal to their bottles as of this week. They are doing really well with it. We continue to work on the spoon feeding. So far they have tried sweet potatoes, squash, peas and carrots. Now that I've stopped the cereal in the bottle, I am going to try cereal w/fruit in the a.m. and see how that goes. I think it just takes practice. At the doctors office on Tuesday, Lindsey weighed 13 lbs. 2 oz. and was 26 1/4" long and Sydney weighed 14 lbs. 4 oz. and was 27" long. However, today the PHN came out and on THAT scale, Lindsey weighed 12 lbs. 10 1/2 oz. and Sydney weighed 13 lbs. 12 1/2 oz. We'll just keep working on these issues.
Today, Lindsey had a follow-up appt. with Dr. Shreve, her pulmonologist. It was a good check and she will see him again in 5-6 months. I did find out that both the girls should receive the Synagis shots again for this year. YAHOO! This is awesome news!
We have them in the Birth-3 program in our county. The occupational therapist comes out once a week to work with them on motor skills and feeding. Their motor skills are really good and more than likely we will re-evaluate how often she comes. They have made such great progress in the few weeks since she started working with them. I think last time I told you that Sydney had rolled from back to tummy and Lindsey was close...WELL, they are WAY past that now!! They are rolling ALL over the house!! And now Lindsey is really close to belly crawling! They both can turn around on their tummies, but Lindsey is starting to hold herself way up on her arms and try to get to her knees. Sydney won't be far behind, I'm sure. Sydney is much stronger in the trunk area and can sit well while supported and for a bit without support. Lindsey does well too. They both love standing now too. We have also been working on clapping and they can do that too! It's so cute! Patta-cake, patta-cake! They are also really starting to babble and loudly! Sydney make a lot of Da da da dee dee sounds! Brian comes a runnin'! They smile all the time and are just really good babies! I really think a tooth should be popping soon. They are drooling buckets and gnawing on everything!
We just got back from vacation...to where you ask? Las Vegas, of course! It really wasn't your traditional vacation. We really went there to visit friends and show them the girls. Brice flew out for part of the time too! We stayed at our timeshare, The Cancun Resort. It's a wonderful place! The girls did soooo awesome on the plane. We received lots of comments about how good they were! They also received their First Flight Certificates! We mostly visited people, but did find time to get down to the pool a couple times. It was Lindsey & Sydney's first time in the pool and they really loved the water! We had these little floaties that they could put their feet in. They would kick some too. Sydney fell asleep both times! She was either really tired or really relaxed! We had such a wonderful time! Thanks to all our friends for visiting and having us over! We loved seeing you all!
In August, I also took the girls shopping for the first time with my friend, Liz. We checked out the new outlets at Albertville and got a couple things for the girls. We also made a trip to Marshfield to see Grandma & Grandpa Niehaus. It was a hot one, but we had a great day!
As for our home projects, Brian has pretty much finished up the flagstone patio and it looks wonderful! We just have to figure out what to do around the edges and put in steps. The patio door is finally finished too. I guess we just have a few things left and then do some fall seeding.
The girls have a new (2nd) cousin, Ryan Scott, born on August 9th. They got to see him a couple weeks later and he was cute! Congrats to new parents Brandon & Brenda! Welcome to the family little Ryan!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COUSIN DYLAN on the 9th! Have a great day!
I can't believe the girls are almost 11 months old! Soon we'll be planning a birthday party! And what a special one it will be!
Oh, I did put three new pictures in the caring bridge album, where it says click here to see the photo album.
Enjoy the cooler weather! Good night!
Kim & family
"The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children." ~ G. K. Chesterton
Thursday, July 31, 2003 7:46 AM CDT
My my my...almost another month has passed. I can't believe July is over! Just thinking back to a year ago - I was right in the middle of my short five weeks where I actually felt half way decent and wasn't on bedrest. We had just moved back from Las Vegas and were getting settled in our home. So much has happened this past year...all the anxiety with my pregnancy and then the early birth of our daughters - what a long journey that was - until they came home to us in January. Now, they are almost 10 months old and doing wonderfully! Brian and I have so much to be thankful for!
Let's see...what has happened since July 6. The girls have been having some feeding issues, especially Sydney which in turn, has affected their weight gain somewhat. They are still gaining, just has slowed down. At the end of June, we switched to rice cereal as thickener and that's when the problems w/Sydney's eating started. She has been put on Prevacid like here siter, for reflux, but it hasn't really made any difference in her volume. Therefore, I have an appointment with a pediatric GI, but we couldn't get in until September 2! As of last Saturday, I switched from rice to oatmeal and it seems to have made a little bit of a difference. Syd is back to eating about eery four hours again. They've also had ther nine month well baby check and are still doing fine for their adjusted age. They had a feeding evaluation done yesterday with the county occupational therapist. Lindsey didn't mind touching around her mouth/in mouth/etc., but has a bad gag reflex. Sydney didn't have much of a gag reflex, but really didn't like anything around/in her mouth. The OT thought that may be why she stops eating after a point, she just may not want the bottle in her mouth anymore, even though she is still hungry. The solution is to touch around her mouth at non-eating times to get her over her aversion. We had started them on cereal about a month ago, but I stopped because of all these feeding issues and I didn't want it to take away from the limited amount of formula they were eating. We will be starting again soon, but with veges. Their weights yesterday were: Lindsey, 12 lbs. 6 oz. and Sydney, 13 lbs. 7 1/2 oz. They are around 26" long.
Developmentally, they are pretty much right on track for their adjusted age of six months. They are grabbing rattles/toys and shaking them in order to make noise. They both can make a lot of noise too...babbling! Sydney has rolled from back to tummy now and Lindsey is soooo close! Sydney is really close to sitting up herself and both of them can sit for a few seconds propped by themselves. They are fascinated with their feet and like to suck on their toes. They like to sit in the exersaucers and play with all the toys. It's so fun to see them smiling at each other! They eagerly await when their daddy comes home from work at 5:00 p.m. and have tons of smiles and giggles for him!
What else...We made a tirp to Menomonie for a day to visit a friend. Great-grandpa & grandma Knoblauch and G-Aunt Sherri came for visit one day. The women planted some flowers and G-grandpa played with the girls making them giggle! We are anxiously waiting for the birth of the girls' first second cousin! We don't know if it's a boy or girl yet!
Our landscape project is coming along...thanks to Brian and Brice! They have been spending time laying and leveling the flagstone. It's hard work; they don't like it much, but it will look so good when it's done! Thank you guys!! I worked a little bit in the stone flower bed once my SIL, Kristy, got it started. We have our new patio door in now too, just needs to be trimmed. What a difference that makes! Looks great! We are saving the re-seeding until fall now.
Last weekend, we celebrated, my parent's 40th anniversary, by having a little surprise dinner for them! It was quite fun and they were surprised. Their actual anniversary was July 20. Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!
That's it for now...I did put some more June pictures in the album, but am still trying to get the July ones uploaded.
Drop us a line or note if you feel like it! Hope you all are having a great summer!
Kim
"Life is a series of moments, to live each one is to succeed." ~ Corita Kent
Sunday, July 6, 2003 11:34 AM CDT
Oh my goodness, I'm just so terrible about updating these days. I apologize.
A belated Happy 4th to everyone! Hope you all have had a nice long and enjoyable weekend!
Well, since our last update here is what's happened:
On Tues., June 17, I took the girls in to Daddy's work for a visit. They had all been very patiently waiting to see them and we had told them not until RSV season was over. They loved seeing everyone and had smiles galore to share!
My cousin, Debra & her husband Dan, visited from Oregon June 21-29. They came over to our home on the 22nd. We had a nice visit.
On June 23rd, we took the girls to the NICU Follow-Up Clinic. Both did very well. Lindsey did score below the number for motor skills, so does qualify for services. If you remember, the county already did their evaluation and did not qualify. The hospital is asking for them to re-evaluate her. I don't think it's that big of a deal. She is a little weaker in her arms and trunk than her sister, but is still doing well. I haven't heard from the Birth-3 program since they were evaluated. They are contining to monitor monthly. Sydney passed with flying colors and will not return to the follow-up clinic until January. They want to see Lindsey again in Sep/Oct.
We attended an evening picnic on June 27th for Debra & Dan and we also took the girls to a retirement party on the 28th. They are very social, love smiling and being around people.
Sydney had been getting so close to rolling over from her back to her tummy and on Sat. June 28th, it became official. She did it several times!! Yay Sydney!! Lindsey rolls to her side too, just gets caught on her arm. They have both been rolling tummy to back for a couple months. Lindsey is also chewing on her toes now. One day, Brian ran for the camera, but missed the picture, because Lindsey had half her foot in her mouth!
Friday, July 4th, we headed to the 16th annual Cherry Street Bash and the girls rode in their first parade! We took some pictures with them holding their flag. I will upload them when I can. My computer has been on the blink and will get returned tomorrow. I'm using the very slow laptop now.
The girls continued to get weighed weekly by the public health nurse. She was out last Wednesday and their weights were: Lindsey, 11 lbs. 8 1/2 oz. and Sydney, 12 lbs. 12 1/2 oz. They were up a few ounces each, really not that good, and it's been nerve-racking for me. They have been having some feeding issues beginning about a month ago. They have continued to gain weight, but are just not eating well. It's been awhile now for Sydney, just recently for Lindsey. It had seemed to get better, but then I changed from the Simply Thick to rice cereal as the thickener and it's seem to get worse again. We think Sydney may have reflux too, so I had her pediatrician prescribe Prevacid. That is the same medication that Lindsey has been on since the NICU. She's been on it for almost two weeks now and I really haven't seen any improvement in her eating. We have their 9 month well baby check on Tuesday, so hopefully we can get some answers. Just last week, I have started feeding them rice cereal via a spoon. I just try it once per day and they seem to do okay. I really don't feed them too much because I don't want it to take away from their formula. Everything I've read says that solids aren't suppose to replace the formula at this age. It's really just so they can learn to eat.
Yes, can you believe they will be NINE months old on Tuesday? I can't. It's just going so fast! They are five months adjusted age now and they act like 5-6 months olds! We are really having a wonderful time with are smiley, happy, and content baby girls!
Guess, that's it for now. I'll really try to be better at updating. Once I get back my other computer, I can post some new pictures.
Have a great summer! Keep cool!
Kim and family
"I don't regret anything I've ever done as long as I enjoyed it at the time." ~ Katharine Hepburn, 1907-2003
Sunday, June 15, 2003 9:00 AM CDT
Good morning and a Happy Father's Day! It is a beautiful day here in Wisconsin, sunny and warm. I think it's the nicest day of the summer so far...not a cloud in the sky. Brian opened his Father's day gifts this morning, a picture frame (w/picture) for his desk that says "Daddy's Girls" and a gift certificate for golfing. He and Brice are going golfing later today!
A lot has happened since my last update. Syndey had her follow-up swallow study to see about getting off the thickened feedings and she passed! However, the following day I switched both of the girls to thin liquids and their volume decreased in half, so I put them back on the thickened. It is half the consistency it used to be and I will continue to gradually wean. They may just not be ready for such a big change. Sydney also had her check up with the cardiologist for her ASD (atrial septal defect) and VSD (ventricular septal defect). For those who don't know (or don't remember) what they are, the ASD is a hole between the two upper chambers of the heart and the VSD is a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart. She had a chest x-ray, exam and an echocardiogram that day. The good news is that her VSD has closed! Yay! The other news is that the ASD is still there and is quite large. It is quite likely that she will have to have it corrected at some point, probably between 2-4 years old. On a positive note, they do have a new procedure that isn't like surgery where they insert a catheter with a balloon type thing that will plug up the hole. It sounds much less invasive and it looks like she's a good candidate for it. She has no signs of any heart problems now and shouldn't after the procedure either, no limitations. Her doctor said that if you know your child had to have a heart defect and you could choose which one, this is the one you would pick. Still scary though!
We attended one of Brian's softball games and the girls were so good! They just sat in their car seats (in the stroller), looked around and played with their toys. It was a fun evening out!
Uncle Tom and Aunt Karen, cousin Ryan, and Uncle Bob and Aunt Tammy all came for a visit a week ago Friday. We ordered pizza, chit-chatted, and played with the girls. We also got some electrical advice! Big brother Brice even stopped by to say hi (he has his drivers license now, you know). We all had a great time! The following day, Brian & I and the girls went to the New Richmond Craft Fair where the aunts & uncles were displaying & selling their goods! It was cloudy all day, but we had a good time hanging out with them. I also made a few purchases!
We had the county early intervention evaluation and the girls did sooo well! We received great news and are overjoyed! They were not recommended for their program because they are not experiencing any delays for their age. But they will continued to get monitored once per month. In fact, they were quite amazed at the girls and said they are in a big minority as the majority of babies born at such extreme prematurity usually have some delay for their adjusted age. The girls are even starting to do some catch up already and in some things were performing at the 6 months level and everything else at their adj. age!! WOW! So they said not to let the NICU tell us otherwise! We have the NICU Follow-up Clinic on June 23.
We are in the midst of our big landscape project. The deck is finished now and Brian is putting the rock around the shrubs at this very moment! Our next step is the flagstone patio...should be VERY interesting!
Thursday, I spent the day at the office, giving my mom a day off to do something. It was nice to talk on the phone and do a little work. The girls spent the day at Aunt Kristy's playing with her and cousin Chelsea. She took some great pictures of the girls. I'm in the process of getting them in the albums right now. Check it out!
Yesterday, we went to one of our nieces, Kari's, graduation party...lots of great food and conversation. The girls got to see Grandma & Grandpa Niehaus and Aunt Jane! It was a beautiful day and evening! Congrats on your graduation, Kari!
The girls continue to get weighed weekly. Their latest weights are: Lindsey, 10 lbs. 13 1/2 oz. and Sydney, 11 lbs. 15 1/2 oz. They are back to eating fairly good, but only 4-5 times per day. Soon we will try some rice cereal...then the fun begins! They are such happy and content babies and it's amazing to watch them. They seem so intent and engrossed in everything going on around them. They love when they are read to, watching Baby Mozart and Baby Bach, and playing with their toys. And of course, being held and talked to!
Well, that's the latest news! Enjoy your day and your summer! I'll continue to keep you all posted!
Kim
"Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures." ~ H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Sunday, June 1, 2003 9:56 PM CDT
Happy June and a "Good Neighbor Day" to you! It's Good Neighbor Days here in our town. My mom & dad came up for a visit and we all walked/strolled down to the fair/park to look around. There were lots of people, rides, food, etc. We took part in the food! It was nice to get out and about!
Lindsey and Sydney are doing fabulous! Their eye appointment went well and we do not have to go back for another check for three monhts. After that, if all is well, we will be referred to a pediatric ophthamologist for their regular eye care and checkups. Sydney has an appt. this week with the ped. cardiologist and a swallow study to see about getting off the thickener. That will be nice! We also have the evaluation with the county occupational therapist this week to see how they are doing developmentally. We have one at the hospital in a few weeks too, but this one will give us something to compare too.
Their weights have been going pretty good. As of last Wednesdsay, Lindsey was up to 10 lbs. 8 1/2 oz. and Sydney was 11 lbs. 13 oz. I suspect this week, Sydney will be over 12 lbs. and maybe Lindsey might hit 11. We shall know in a few days.
Sydney had now officially rolled over (tummy to back) too! They are both grabbing their toes now and they are really good at grabbing rattles or teethers, holding them with both hands and bringing them to their mouths. They will take out their soothies (pacifiers) and put them back in themselves. It's fun to watch them play with them. Sometimes they still cry though, when they can't get it back in!
I've started "nap training" with the girls. I don't know if it's really training, but that's what I call it. It's been about three weeks now that I've been doing this. Prior, I used to just let them sleep whenever, wherever. Now I am putting them down in their crib for morning and afternoon naps whether they are asleep or awake. They are napping anywhere from 1-2 hours each time. It's been going really well. By evening you definitely can tell when they don't nap well during the day!
Last week, I went to help my mom in the office and I dropped the kids at my sister-in-law's (Kristy). They slept for three hours in the afternoon and Kristy called to see if she should wake them up? How did she do that? They must really like her bed! Kristy's house is literally feet away from the shop, so it wasn't really a big separation from the girls.
Last weekend we went to Marshfield for one of our nephew's graduation party. The girls slept most of the way down. They were really good at the party. They got to see LOTS of aunts and uncles and cousins, even one of the other twin cousins (there are two other sets on Brian's side). Samantha & Josh came from Milwaukee area, along with their big sister, Ashley! She really like to see her new little cousins, Lindsey & Sydney!
Brian has started softball again and has his games on Thursday nights. If the games are early enough, the girls and I may try to attend one or two and cheer on daddy!
We've started a MAJOR landscape/home improvement project at our house this past week. We had a load of black dirt brought in and then we had someone come with the skidloader and reshape our yard, fill in holes, etc. It looks good; now we have to re-seed. That will be the final thing done. Saturday, I got a bunch of shrubs for around the sidewalk and front of the house. Brian and Brice planted them all, got the edging and fabric down, and we also have the lights in. Hopefully, we'll get the rock this week! We are also having a deck put on this week and after that, we will be laying a flagstone patio and retaining wall with flower beds off the lower level. Whew! I'm tired just writing about it! Thanks to my honey, Brian, for all his hard work on the project this weekend, and for his patience while I make up my mind on the shrubs! You know us women, always changing our minds!
Guess that's all the news for the moment. There are just a couple new pictures in the May album and feel free to drop us a note in the guestbook, just to say hi!
Have a great day!
Kim and family
"Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know." ~ Daniel J. Boorstin
Saturday, May 17, 2003 8:51 AM CDT
Good Morning to you all...AND a HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY to big brother Brice!! Yea Brice!! Hope your day is special!
Sydney and Lindsey are doing great!! The baptism turned out well. It was a rainy and bleak day. Our power went out in the wee hours of the morning and we were worried because it wasn't coming back on. Thought we may have to go to mom & dad's to get ready, but at 6:20 a.m. it flickered on! We still rushed around, but we made it to the church on time (an hour away at my hometown church). The girls were perfect angels and looked it too! Afterwards, we had brunch at my mom & dad's for about 30 people. Thank you to the girls' godparents, my brother, Darren and his wife, Kristy and Brian's sister, Sandy and her husband, Paul. We are so thankful for you and to everyone for celebrating the miracle birth and life of our daughters!
The girls were weighed yesterday...Lindsey is at 9 lbs. 15 1/2 oz. (sheesh, can you get any closer to 10 lbs?) I thought she'd make it. Sydney is 11 lbs. 3 1/2 oz. Good job girls!
Lindsey has ROLLED over (from tummy to back) and it's not a fluke, because she's done it several times. I think Sydney will just skip that and go to back to tummy. She is so close. They really hold their heads well and can hold them up while on their tummy. They are playing with rattles and teethers now. The teeth are a-comin'...drool everywhere and they are just gnawing on their hands and fingers. Sydney is quite the talker...and she is loud! Lindsey talks too, just not as much! She is our little smiley girl!
We have an appt. with the eye doctor this week, just a routine follow up. Then, no more until June. Lindsey will have a follow-up with the lung doctor and Sydney has one with the cardiologist to check on her ASD & VSD. We are also scheduled for the NICU follow-up clinic on June 23.
It's going to be a beautiful weekend here in Wisconsin. We may try to stop over at the art fair in Stillwater for a while. It will be fun to get out & about a bit. And of course...singing Happy Birthday to brother Brice...maybe we can fit a few birthday spankings in there too!
I did get the scanner to work FINALLY and you can see their picture now on the website. I've also added more pictures in a few albums. I've tried to consolidate everything to the one account, justkima. There are new pictures in the April & May album and the Baptism album.
Almost time to feed the girls and get ready...have a great weekend everyone! ~ Kim
"If there is light in the soul,
There will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person,
There will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house,
There will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world."
~ Chinese Proverb
Wednesday, May 7, 2003 3:06 PM CDT
Good afternoon to you all...
...and HAPPY 7 MONTHS to our darling daughters tomorrow, May 8th!
Sorry I've been so remiss in keeping up the updates. I do want to thank all of you who continue to follow the girls' progress. I know there are a bunch of you even if you don't drop a "hi" in the guestbook!! We appreciate all the positive thoughts and prayers!
Let's see...
My overnight at the Twins Mom Workshop was a lot of fun!! My girlfriend and I think it will be an annual affair. I saw some other women that I know too, and it was nice to touch base.
Brian was off last weekend Friday - Sunday for the fishing opener, so us girls just hung out! They were pretty good and I had fun with them, as usual. Grandma Gloria and I went to the NICU Reunion on Saturday afternoon. It was fun to see others from the NICU and some of the nurses. So good to see you April & Liz. We missed you Pam! We also made a stop at the unit. There was cake, crafts and entertainment. It's put on by the Parents to Parents volunteer group. They did a great job!
Last Thursday, the girls were weighed and Lindsey made a BIG jump! Way to go Lindsey! She was up 7 1/2 oz. to 9 lbs. 3 1/2 oz. and Syndey is just steady and sure, up 4 1/2 oz. to 10 lbs. 6 1/2 oz. I think they are getting weighed tomorrow. They were supposed to have their "official" evaluation from the Birth-3 program tomorrow, but I got a call today that said the OT broke her foot/ankle so we are having to reschedule. Norma will still be out for a visit and I think she's bringing the scale, because Deb can't come.
I got the girls pictures back that we had taken at Target. I'm trying to get them scanned in so I can show you all, but my darn scanner is crap! It's about 5-6 years old, which as you all know in the computer world, is archaic. Hopefully, I can get it to work!
We're having the baptism on Sunday, so I will be busy on Saturday helping my mom get ready for that. We're having a little brunch at my mom's afterwards.
I went to my local Twin mom meeting last night. It was fun. We are just a small group, very informal and it has been fun to meet some new people in the area. Being a transplant from Minnesota, I don't know too many people around here!!
The girls are so much fun! They are really starting to interact with each other...smiling and laughing when the other one smiles and laughes. It's pretty cute to watch! They just beam and have beautiful smiles! Too bad they disappear when the camera comes out!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Grandpa Niehaus on Saturday!! Hope you have a great day and we can't wait to see you on Sunday!
May is quite a busy month for us...Brice's birthday is coming up next week...OH and also his driving test!! Uh oh! We have our anniversary a few days after that and this year we have two nephews and a niece graduating! Busy, busy, busy!
Take care everyone...I'll let you know when I get the pictures on the website!
Love from all of us Niehaus'!
"We cannot lead someone else to the light while we are standing in the dark." ~ Unknown
Thursday, April 24, 2003 3:44 PM CDT
Hello...and a good day to you all!
Today is Lindsey & Sydney's 3 month (adjusted) birthday! Happy day! They are both taking a little snooze now, so mommy has a VERY short moment to update you all again.
I did get new pictures in the 'Niehaus Twins' album. So check them out!
Norma, from the Birth-3 program, was out yesterday for a visit and said the girls are doing really good! Great head control, even when on their tummies, holding rattles, excellent eye contact and following, and they smile soooo much! I've noticed that I have a hard time getting them to finish eating because they start smiling and then the milk runs out the side of their mouth!! Too funny!
Deb was here to weigh them today. DRUM ROLL PLEASE...we have a 10 pounder now!! Sydney weighed in at 10 lbs. 2 oz. Way to go Sydney!! Little Lindsey is keeping right up too at 8 lbs. 13 1/2 oz. They both gained 6 oz. this past week! Excellent!
I'm heading to the Twin Mom convention tomorrow night with my girlfriend, Sue. We are both looking forward to it, maybe spending a little time in the hot tub! There are keynote speakers both Friday & Saturday and workshops on Saturday as well. I'm not worried...the girls and their dad are having a little party themselves tomorrow night! Lucky them! They'll have such a good time! I'll be the one missing out!
Well, I think we may try to get outside today...either a stroll OR I may make a run to a couple garage sales!
Take care all...and I'll keep you up-to-date!
Kim and family
P.S. Just wanted to add a VERY BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my beautiful niece, Chelsea, on Saturday! We are looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!
"Love starts when another person's needs become more important than your own." ~ Unknown
Monday, April 21, 2003 2:45 PM CDT
Hi everyone! I am so sorry that I have not updated recently! There is really no excuse! I have a bunch of pictures to add to their album that I haven't done yet, and I keep telling myself that after I do that, THEN I'll update. Well, I don't have it done, but I'm giving you a quick update anyway!
Boy...is it windy today! It feels like the house is going to blow over! No strolling today, even though it is sunny.
Happy Easter! We had my immediate family over to the house yesterday (mom & dad and my brother & family). We had a wonderful day...eating a ton, but it was so good! Thanks mom and Kristy for bringing some items! That helped a lot! As you can see from the new picture on the website, our little Easter bunnies are getting bigger. The Easter bunny brought them baskets with books and a toy and candy! Can you believe the Easter bunny brought jelly beans for Brian and chocolate eggs for me? What a smart bunny!
At last weeks weight check, Lindsey weighed 8 lbs. 7 oz. and Sydney weighed 9 lbs. 12 oz. They will get checked again on Thursday. I'm so anxious every week, as I want them to be gaining a good amount. Other than still monitoring their weight, our appointments are winding down. Only one in May on the 20th, although we should have the NICU follow-up clinic sometime end of May. Then Sydney has a few appointments in June, a repeat swallow study and with her cardiologist to check on her ASD & VSD. We are also going to the NICU reunion on May 3. Should be fun to see everyone!
We also have their baptism coming up on May 11. I've been looking for dresses...I didn't realize how expensive they are. I do have the one I wore...my mom brought it up yesterday after doing a wonderful job getting it cleaned up...had a lot of stains on it. Thanks mom!
Well, I guess that's it for my short update. I'll try to update after their weight check on Thursday and maybe I'll have the new pictures in their album by then. It takes so long to upload them in the size I take them in, so I resize them all smaller. Ah well...
Have a wonderful week!
All our love...
The Niehaus'
"Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling." ~ Margaret Lee Runbeck
Tuesday, April 8, 2003 8:48 PM CDT
HAPPY 6 MONTH BIRTHDAY TO OUR DARLING DAUGHTERS!
I just had to come on and give another update tonight as it's been six months since these beautiful little girls came into this world! It sure was a rough start, but we are moving forward and just focusing on the future! Thank you Lord for all the blessings you have bestowed on our family! We are so grateful!
So, can you believe a second update in the same week? (I posted the last one on Saturday...lots of info there.) This update won't be too long.
We had their six month check with the pediatrician. They received their shots. Lindsey's stats were: Weight - 8 lbs. Length - 21 1/4 inches Head Circ. - 37 1/2 cm. Sydney's stats were: Weight - 9 lbs. 2 oz. Length - 21 5/8 inches Head Circ. - 38 cm. They are doing really good.
Lindsey is stopping her neb treatments today. We were told to just finish what we had and then we could stop. Yippee! Hopefully, we won't need to start them again.
We are having the girls baptised on May 11 (Mother's Day). What a great day that will be!
We are looking forward to spring, Easter, Chelsea's birthday party...all kinds of new and fun things for two little girls!
What a joyous day!
Oh, and I added two more new pictures to the ones that I added on Saturday.
Have a great week!
"The family is one of nature's masterpieces." ~ George Santayana
Saturday, April 5, 2003 7:24 PM CST
Good evening!
We are doing wonderful here! Sleep is going well and really haven't had any bad nights in the past week. The girls are continuing to sleep from after the 8 p.m. feeding to about 4 or 5 a.m. Although, most of the time we do have to get up and reposition them and put their pacifier in around 2 or 3 a.m., but then they fall right back asleep.
Kristy and the kids came on Tuesday and spent some quality time with Sydney. I took Lindsey to Dr. Shreve, her pulmonologist, that day. All is well...he said she is doing great! We will go back again in another two months. Then Lindsey and I went to Michael's and I picked up a couple frames for the girls' pictures. It was the first time I took either of them to a store. She slept the entire time.
On Thursday, Deb came to weigh them and they are doing good. Lindsey is up to 7 lbs. 11 1/2 oz. and Sydney is up to 9 lbs. 2 1/2 oz. They are both around 21 inches long. We have a 6 month check and shots with the pediatrician on Monday, so will get all measured and weighed again.
On Friday, they had an appointment with Dr. Miller (eye doctor) and all checked out well again. Their eyes look great, retinas in the position they are supposed to be. We will go back again in six weeks. After the appointment, we stopped at the NICU and visited with some old friends...docs and nurses! They kept saying how good the girls looked and they sure do! After that, we went on one of our rare outings to our friend, Liz's, house. She made treats, cookies and chocolate covered strawberries! Yum Yum! It was so fun for the girls and I to spend the afternoon with her. Thanks Liz!
I went to the twin sale last Friday and made quite a haul...getting playards, high chairs, gates, strollers, clothes, and toys. My friend, Sue & I, were also able to get a bite to eat and a drink too! It was a great evening and Brian enjoyed spending it with the girls. They have such a great time and whenever I see the girls with him, they always seem to be looking at him so adoringly!
Saturday, Grandma Gloria and Aunt Sherri came for a visit and spent the afternoon. It had been a few weeks since they had been here and did they ever notice a difference! Also, my friend, Lisa, stopped by to see the girls. It was a fun day!
I also went to a twin meeting on Tuesday night right here in my neck of the woods in Wisconsin. It was great to not have to drive into the cities and also meet some new people in the area. We'll be meeting once per month.
Brian and I sure have some happy, content babies who love to smile and talk. They are sure making lots more noise now, almost laughing sometimes. The four of us had a great evening Thursday night, all hanging out on mom & dad's bed watching Survivor! Good thing we have a king size bed!
Well, guess that's the news for now! I've added some new pictures in a new album, The Niehaus Twins. Check it out and see our smiley girls.
Blessings to you all...
The Niehaus'
"What lies before us and what lies behind us are very little compared to what lies within us." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Friday, March 28, 2003 8:45 AM CST
Good Morning!
I can't believe another week has passed since giving an update. Time sure flies by!
Things continue to go well in sleep department around here. They go to bed in their crib after their 8 p.m. feeding and awake around 4 a.m., sometimes earlier, once in awile later. Usually if they wake earlier, we put their pacifier in and they fall back asleep. It certainly is much better than the first month, that's for sure! I also put them in their crib off and on throughout the day. They seem to sleep so much better when in the crib.
They are smiling so much now, practically laughing and it's so fun to see. They are also beginning to be aware of what's going on around them so much more as well. Sydney was in her Kick & Play bouncer seat the other day and I had it on the setting that it only plays music when you kick. Before she was too small and it didn't do anything and now she can make it make noise! So fun...plus she was just staring away into the little mirror that's attached. Lindsey has been practically giggling sometimes. She sure looks like Brice when she smiles. They are starting to coo and babble a little which has been fun! They are such good babies, rarely cry and are sleeping so good now during the day between feedings, etc. I think that Lindsey's reflux is just that much improved that it's making such a difference. I think before her tummy just hurt all the time which made her so irritable. She is like a different baby! They are truly blessings and a joy to be around.
Deb was out to weigh them yesterday and Lindsey was 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 20 inches long! Sydney was up to 8 lbs. 11 1/2 oz. and 21 inches long! They are both doing really well. They are two months old now adjusted and we are nearing six months old actual. We have several appts in the next week, a follow-up for Lindsey with her pulmonologist, a follow-up with the eye doctor for both of them, and their six-month well baby check, where they'll get their shots. Then that will probably be it for awhile!
We had our first public outing last weekend and short car trip too. We went to Marshfield, WI for Brian's sister's wedding reception. It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive for us and the girls did great, slept the whole way, hardly a peep out of them. We spent some time at Grandma & Grandpa Niehaus' and a bunch of family that hadn't seen them got to see them. We went to the reception early and only stayed a little while and then we headed back home. Of course, they got quite a bit of attention! We're so glad we were able to make it! And Best Wishes Tammy & Bob!
I'm going to a Twins Mom sale tonight and meeting my girlfriend, Sue, another mom of twins. Should be fun and I hope I get some good bargains!
By the way...there's a few new pictures I took today.
That's the news from the Niehaus'...have a great week!
"Your children need your presence more than they need your presents." ~ Jesse Jackson
Thursday, March 20, 2003 7:11 PM CST
Good evening to you all! May I just say...
God Bless America! Please support our servicemembers and the civilians that are supporting them. Pray for our leaders so that they can make the best decisions in support of our country and in support of our world. Pray for the families that have sent their husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and friends off to fight this battle. Let us pray this war ends swiftly and with minimal casualties. Thanks for listening!
As for the girls, they are doing wonderfully! We have even had some longer night time sleeping. They usually go to bed after their 8 p.m. feeding and have slept anywhere from 6-8 hours! Yahoo! It's been a good thing for us to get some more sleep. At first we were getting up checking on them anyway.
The girls had their swallow studies done on Monday. Lindsey passed to thin liquids, but Sydney did not and we have a follow-up appointment in three months. After we got home, Lindsey seemed to still have trouble with the thin milk after about an ounce, so I called. We are now gradually weaning her off the 'honey' consistency. We've gone down to a 'nectar' consistency and she is doing very well with that. So, I should probably buy some stock in the Simply Thick company as I'm sure buying a lot of it.
It was beautiful here in Wisconsin last weekend and we took the girls out for their first stroll! How fun! They enjoyed it and proceeded to fall right asleep. I think the fresh air did them good. I added three new pictures to their album. So cute!
The public health nurse came today. Lindsey was only up 3 1/2 oz. to 6 lbs. 15 1/2 oz. and Sydney was up 9 1/2 oz. to 8 lbs. 6 oz. WOW! Awesome for Sydney, not bad for Lindsey. I called the pulmonologist and it could be a plateau from coming off the oxygen and burning more calories. We'll just have to see. She's still eating really good.
The home health nurse came out yesterday and gave the girls their 3rd RSV shot. They will get one more next month. They handle it so well, hardly a peep out of them.
I went to a Moms of Multiples meeting in St. Paul last Thursday night. It was a lot of fun. Brian held down the fort and did a fine job as usual! I just found out there is a twin group that is meeting in River Falls (a bit closer) that I may check out next month!
That's my update for now. I'll try to be more regular. Today I've just been glued to the TV with all that's happening in the mid-East.
Happy Birthday Sandy!
Love from the Brian Niehaus family
Where there is great love, there are miracles." ~ Willa Cather
Wednesday, March 12, 2003 5:49 PM CST
And a good evening to you all!
Today is a day of celebration! We have great news to share! Lindsey is off her oxygen and Sydney can ride in a regular car seat! Wahoo! The tests went well. We were at the hospital this morning at about 8:30 a.m. and it took about five hours to get the good news! We will have a follow-up appointment with Lindsey's pulmonologist in a couple weeks. Afterwards, we stopped by the NICU to see all of our old friends! Everyone couldn't believe how big they are getting! Of course, they got passed around a little bit. It was a great day and now we are able to take her downstairs and she can be in all areas of the house. That darn 25 ft. tubing just wouldn't reach that far! Next up, is both of the girls' swallow study on Monday. This will tell if we can take them off thickened feeds! Send good thoughts our way!
Let's see...what else has happened this past week? Well, Grandma Gloria and Grandpa Dean came for a visit last Sunday and were they surprised at how big the girls were! Especially Grandpa...he hadn't seen them since the day after discharge and they were about 2 lbs. smaller then. We had a nice visit.
Kristy, Chelsea and Dylan came to visit last Thursday and may come again this week. We always have such a great time and we're so glad they can make it up here. It's been such fun and helpful too. I think Darren might try to make it this time too. We'll see.
Yesterday, Deb was out to weigh the girls and they are doing so good! Lindsey is up to 6 lbs. 12 oz. and Sydney is at 7 lbs. 12 1/2 oz. WOW! That is the best thing that can be happening to them...getting bigger!
Dare I say that Lindsey's reflux is getting a bit better. She seems to have less spit ups and is more comfortable after feeding. They are both taking about 3 oz. per feeding, sometimes less if they're tired. We don't push it. They seem to be sleeping a little bit better overall, even though some nights are worse than others. Most of the times, it seems like we can get a couple good four hour stretches during the night now, not always, but it's getting better.
They have the greatest expressions and are just so darn cute! It sure is fun interacting with them, watching them change every day. Some days are really good, things seem to go really smoothly and others it just seems like they are never sleeping at the same time or eating near the same time and crying all the time and all I have time for the entire day is feeding and changing diapers! But that part is definitely getting better! And sometimes it's nice to have one sleeping and the other awake and then I get to spend a little one on one with each of them.
HAPPY WEDDING DAY TO AUNT TAMMY AND UNCLE BOB! They are getting married on Friday morning in beautiful Hawaii! Too bad we couldn't all be there, but I think it's just a little too soon for a trip. Would love to be there though!
I also wanted to ask you all to say an extra prayer for my Grandpa K. He was admitted to St. Mary's/Mayo Clinic in Rochester last week for tests. He was discharged yesterday, but they can't find what's wrong and there is something wrong, so keeping our family and him in your prayers would be appreciated. I'm excited about all that's happened today as now I feel like we can be a bit more mobile. I'd like to take a trip to see Grandpa as he has only seen his Great-granddaughters in pictures.
Well, guess that's it for now. Safe journey to those traveling to Hawaii for the wedding. I'm looking forward to spring and getting out more with the girls. Their stroller came last week (UPS). I LOVE internet shopping! Maybe this weekend...suppose to be warming up! Oh, check out the new pictures in their album!
Good night!
Love from the Niehaus'
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away." ~ Unknown
Life's a journey - enjoy the ride.
Tuesday, March 4, 2003 6:45 PM CST
Hi everyone!
Well, things have been going fairly good around here, other than the sleepless nights. That's the same. Some are worse than others, but we know that it will get better.
Brian's sister, Sandy, was over for a few hours last week and Kristy and the kids were here last Friday. The help is much appreciated and is nice to have a little break during the day. Kristy took some pictures which I am putting in an album. Friends, Jack & Diane were here yesterday for most of the day. Had a good time holding and feeding babies and visiting too!
My mom and dad are back from Florida and my mom came up on Saturday with my aunt Sherri and her daughter-in-law, Brenda. Brenda is expecting in August. It was a fun afternoon, even with Sydney spitting up on Brenda...breaking her in I guess. It will be neat to have second cousins around the same age! Mom thought the girls were quite a bit bigger and that's because THEY ARE! We realized that the last time they had seen them was the day after discharge and they were only 4 lbs. 10 oz. and 5 lbs. 11 oz. then!
Speaking of weights, the girls are thriving! Deb was here this morning to weigh them. DRUM ROLL PLEASE....Lindsey is up to 6 lbs. 4 1/2 oz. and Sydney is up to 7 lbs. 3 1/2 oz. YOWSER! That is so awesome and we're so pleased with their growth! I think it's okay for me to quit worrying about their feeding now.
We sure appreciate all the thoughts and prayers from everyone even now as the girls are home and are continuing to grow. We are looking forward to our appointments next week where Lindsey will hopefully be getting off oxygen and Sydney will be out of the car bed and able to ride in a regular infant seat! I will feel like we could maybe get out once in a while then.
What else can I tell you about the girls? Well, they are GASSY! Yikes! Brian says they sound like little motorboats some days...I'm thinking like a chain saw! I think they've smiled, not the gassy smile, but it's unconfirmed so we'll just wait and see.
I'm almost done with the pumping! Thank goodness! Down to once per day now.
Well, I'm off to read my emails. Drop us a line if you want. I read all my emails, just don't always have the time to respond!
Peace and prayers to you all...
"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything." ~ Anonymous
Tuesday, February 25, 2003 7:12 PM CST
Good evening!
Thought I would post another quick update and let you all know that there are new pictures in 'The Girls are Home' album! These are the first ones taken of Brice and his sisters!
Things are going fairly well, challenging, that's for sure! I keep thinking to myself that if we had just one baby, it would be a piece of cake! It would still be challenging, but less so, I'm thinking. As they say, though, two is twice the work, but also twice the fun and twice the love. We are very blessed! Blessed by having these two darling daughters and also wonderful family and friends to support, encourage, and uplift us each and every day!
Some days (and nights) are certainly better than others. Sometimes the girls will sleep longer in the night which is very nice for us, especially when they BOTH sleep longer. So far, I've had some help during the day most days...sometimes is just Deb, the PHN, stopping by to weigh them and she'll hold one for an hour. Yesterday, my Grandma Marcy and Aunt Sherri came for the day! It was wonderful for me, the girls and for them! Thank you! Even just having someone come for an hour or so is a nice break for me during the day. The girls don't sleep at the same time very often so I don't usually get any naps in during the day. What am I saying? I NEVER sleep during the day...always thinking of something else to do for that half an hour, plus I'm not a very good napper...takes me too long to fall asleep! Sounds like Kristy and the kids are coming on Friday! That will be fun! Also, I'm looking forward to having my parents back home again from Florida. They've been gone for a month! I bet they will be able to see a change in the girls!
Speaking of a change in the girls, they were weighed today and Lindsey was the STAR again! She is up 8 oz. to 5 lbs. 12 1/2 oz. WOW! She'll be catching up to Sydney before you know it. Sydney is doing fine too! She is up to 6 lbs. 9 1/2 oz. Deb will be back next Tuesday for another weigh in.
Have a great evening! I'll keep the updates and pictures coming!
Kim and family =)
"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'" ~ John Greenleaf Whittier
Saturday, February 22, 2003 11:48 AM CST
Happy Saturday!
The girls are napping and Brian is holding down the fort, so I am online cleaning up my 250 unread emails and updating you all! I do check my emails to see if there is anything important, but usually it's a bunch of junk!
Things are going good here. Some nights are better than others. Just two nights ago, both girls went to bed about 9 p.m. and then woke around 1:30 a.m. We fed them and they went back to bed and woke up at about 5 a.m. It worked out pretty good. The hard part is when one doesn't go back to sleep right away. We've been doing a lot of sleeping on the couch with them.
Well, my first week with Brian at work went well as I had help each day at least for a couple hours. That was REALLY nice!! I don't have lofty goals of getting things accomplished anymore...my usual goal each day is to take a shower! Sounds like I will have some help this coming week too. I think my grandma and Aunt Sherri are coming on Monday and possibly Kristy and the kids one other day. I'm feeling better about handling everything...I'm not sure if it's because the girls are doing better or if it's because I'm just handling it better! Probably both!
The girls were weighed on Tuesday and Lindsey was the star...gaining 4 1/2 oz. since the past Thursday which puts her at 5 lbs. 4 1/2 oz. Sydney only gained an ounce, but she had the diarrhea a little longer than Lindsey. She's at 6 lbs. 5 oz. Hopefully she will show a gain this coming Tuesday.
The girls had their second Synagis shot on Wednesday. A nurse came to the house to give it to them. This immunization protects them from a serious respiratory infection called RSV. Anyone can get RSV, but in most of us it will result only in a cold, however, to these little girls, it could be very serious...serious enough to land them back in the hospital. The shot won't prevent the infection, but hopefully if they did get it, it would be less severe. They will get a shot each month throughout RSV season (April). We are practicing strict handwashing in this household. It's the best thing that one can do, besides not expose them to crowds of people.
The girls had their follow up eye exams on Friday. Brian took the day off and we loaded them up and drove in to St. Paul. All is good! Their eyes continue to look resolved, retinas in good position and they should have excellent vision. We will have another follow-up appointment in six weeks.
Now we are just waiting for the rest of their appointments in March, so Lindsey can get off her oxygen, Sydney can get out of her car bed, and they both can come off thickened feeds! I hope March is a great month!
I am slowly weaning down on my pumping. I knew right away that I would not be able to keep up with that after bringing the girls home, feeding them both and then pumping didn't leave me much time in between feedings. Hopefully, I will be through with that in another week or two. I am doing it very gradually.
The girls have been awake more during the day and sleeping more at night, I think. It's becoming more and more fun interacting with them each day. Challenging, too, especially when they are both fussy at the same time or wanting to eat at the same time. I haven't managed to feed/burp them together yet. Maybe when they get a little bigger, I can put them in the bouncy seats. They are quite strong and hold their heads up for quite long periods of time already. I'm amazed every day! What little miracles we have!
Well, that's it for now. I do have some new pictures again, and hope to get them up soon.
Love from the Niehaus'
Thank you for all the continued prayers and encouragement!
"It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has." ~ Henry Ward Beecher
Monday, February 17, 2003 2:56 PM CST
Good Day!
Well, it's my first day with Brian back to work full time! I've been so worried about it and now my sister-in-law and my niece & nephew came to help me today! Awesome! They are here right now which is what is allowing me a moment to update you all. Kristy has helped feed them and is now cleaning downstairs. Chelsea is just loving holding her little cousins and is so gentle with them. She is even asking to change their diapers! Dylan has been quite gentle with them too. Maybe they'll be wanting a new little brother or sister?? Or maybe not...I think they're getting a dog! I told them a dog is more work! I sure am grateful for their help. I should be napping though. Thanks to Brian who is the best! He helps sooo much and is always willing to give me a break! He gets all my bottles ready each day and night so I just have to grab one out of the fridge. He is the greatest!
This past Friday, Lisa and Joe came over for a visit and held babies. They brought cookies too! They left and came back in the evening with pizzas and we played some cards. It was a great night! Lack of sleep sure makes everything seem funny!
Then on Saturday, my Grandma Marcy and Aunt Sherri came to help around the house. They did a bunch of cleaning, vacuuming and cooked a couple hot dishes for freezing, as well as helped me feed and hold babies! They also brought lunch with dessert!! My grandma just loved that! She said she'd help everyday if we lived closer! And it was even my Grandma & Grandpa's 57th wedding anniversary that day! Happy Anniversary! Brian got a good afternoon nap in too. We're so grateful to them for coming for the day! Thank you!
I'm having a couple other friends come this week to help and am thankful for that! Looking forward to seeing them and I think they're looking forward to seeing the girls too!
We didn't have much of a weight gain last week for either of the girls. The public health nurse, Deb, was out on Thursday. The girls had had a bit of diarrhea last week and that's why I don't think they gained anything. Sydney stayed the same at 6 lbs. 4 oz. and Lindsey was up a couple oz. to 5 lbs. 1/2 oz. Deb is coming again tomorrow.
The girls have sure been keeping us on our toes. Lindsey is still such a feisty little girl, still keeping her nick name from the hospital. She doesn't sleep much and cries a bit more than Sydney. I think her reflux just makes her more uncomfortable a lot of the time. Sydney has been pretty good, sleeping for longer stretches through the night and goes back to sleep fairly quickly after eating. Brian usually takes Lindsey at night and I, Sydney, but I think we'll have to switch around as Lindsey keeps him up a lot more than Sydney.
Well, guess that's it for now. I'll try to update fairly regularly and get some new pictures too. Have a great day!
"Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have." ~ Louis E. Boone
Wednesday, February 12, 2003 11:14 PM CST
Good evening!
Well, we are adjusting to life with two little babies! It is hard work! I'm so thankful that Brian has been able to be here to help me. He has been so awesome and is wonderful with the girls. But it's back to work for him full time again next week...not sure how I'll manage, but I know I will. We are getting some sleep, not a lot, but some. We are trying some different things. We've tried taking shifts and now we are both getting up and each taking one so we can get done and back to bed. Seems to be working so far. The girls wake about every 3-4 hours through the night. We wake one when the other wakes.
The girls are doing well. Lindsey had her appointment with the pulmonologist (lung doctor) on Monday and her lungs sound great! He had us stop her diurel (diuretic) and she will have her sleep study on March 12. That will determine if she can come off the oxygen. Sydney also had her appointment with the pediatrician on Tuesday and all was fine with her. The public health nurse, Debbie, will be coming to weigh them again tomorrow. I am anxious to see how they are doing as they have been having some pretty loose and regular stools this week.
I do have the pictures in a new album now. Check them out! There is an adorable one in their Children's Hospital sweaters. Actually, these sweaters came off the teddy bears they received at Christmas. Too cute!
Next week we have an appointment with the eye doctor for a follow-up and that's it until March, not too far away.
Hope you are all staying warm! Drop us a note if you feel the urge! We'd love to hear from you.
Love,
The Niehaus'
"Enjoy the blessings of this day." ~ Jeremy Taylor
Saturday, February 8, 2003 2:18 PM CST
FOUR MONTHS OLD TODAY!
Finally! A moment to update...Sydney is home again! We brought her home on Wednesday afternoon. She is doing great! Her feedings are going really well and she has not had any more episodes. In fact she is sitting on my lap right now as I'm typing. I'm giving her the basics really early! :-) After her swallow study and upper GI on Monday, they determined she was aspirating thin liquids so she is now on thickened feeds like Lindsey. She did not show any reflux, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have any.
We are doing okay here, two words...NO SLEEP! Of course that is what we expected, but still doesn't make it any easier. Brian as been so wonderful...I'm not sure how I'm going to do it without him when he goes back to work. He was off this week and half days next week.
There have definitely been some frustrating times already. Lindsey just has such a terrible time with her reflux and makes her very irritable. We've made a couple changes so hopefully this will help a little. Lindsey had her well baby check on Tuesday and got her four month shots. She also weighed in at 4 lbs. 12 oz. on the clinic scale. Sydney received her four month shots on discharge #2 day and was 6 lbs. 3 oz. that day. The public health nurse came to our house last Friday and weighed them and again this Friday. On 1/31 they weighed, Lindsey - 4 lbs. 6 oz. and Sydney - 5 lbs. 12 oz. and this Friday Lindsey - 4 lbs. 14 oz. and Sydney - 6 lbs. 4 1/2 oz.
So they are growing...part of the reason is because I changed their formula/breastmilk recipe. After I got home and started mixing the stuff myself, I realized that the thickener we were told to use added volume so in other words, it was "watering down" the formula so the girls were not receiving the appropriate amount of calories. I told the practitioners at the NICU about this and they were going to bring it up in their next big meeting with all the appropriate parties present. I'm sure they'll get it resolved. I've made a few other suggestions too and am hoping that by doing this there will be some positive changes made at the NICU, not that they aren't wonderful there already!
We have Sydney's well baby check next week as well as Lindsey's check with her pulmonologist. And also the PHN (public health nurse) will be coming back again on Thurs.
I am still working on getting some new pictures on the website. I have to resize them so the files aren't so big and take so long to upload.
Hoping this note finds you all well. We are just trying to stay healthy and grow our baby girls! Keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming!
As always...
"Fear less, hope more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours." ~ Swedish Proverb
Tueday, February 4, 2003 9:53 PM CST
Just another quick note...that's all I have time for these days and am not on the computer too often! Seems pretty strange for me!
Anyway, it sounds like Sydney may be discharged tomorrow. Her feedings have been going really well so as long as she has a good night, they will probably let her go. Yippee! We are really missing her! The swallow study and upper GI showed that she aspirated thin liquids so she is on thickened feedings now too. She did not show any reflux, but may still have it as the x-ray is just a point in time and may not catch it. It's probably not as severe as Lindsey's.
Lindsey is doing good. She went to her first pediatrician appt. today and was weighed and measured. She also had her 4 month shots and took it like a champ, hardly a cry out of her. Sydney will get hers tomorrow morning in the hospital so that I can keep them on track.
Darren, Kristy, Chelsea and Dylan came for a visit last night. It was wonderful for Chelsea and Dylan to be able to see their cousin for the first time. We only wish Sydney would have been there too. She'll be so different by the time they see her again, after they get back from vacation.
I do have some new pictures to put up, but haven't had a chance to download them from the camera yet One day soon I hope to get to that.
That's it for now...
Love from the Niehaus'
"I will love the light for it shows me the way. Yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars." ~ Og Mandino
Sunday, February 2, 2003 1:41 PM CST
Good afternoon!
Thought I best get an update out to you all...
The girls are fine, however, we did have a couple situations come up with Sydney her first two days home. She had a couple spells that were fairly serious, one on Wednesday and another on Friday. So on Friday I called the pediatrician who said she preferred we take her to Children's, so I called one of the practitioners at the NICU who thought we should bring her in. So, on Friday night we made the drive back in to St. Paul and the Emergency Room. They were great there and had me stand away from everyone else and helped us right away. Sydney has now been readmitted to the hospital. She's back in the NICU as of Friday night, basically for observation and she's haveing a few tests done on Monday, a swallow study and an upper GI. They expect some sort of reflux like Lindsey has and we'll maybe have to use some other type of bottle or nipple or possibly some medication, all depending on what they find. But she is doing really good and hasn't had any other serious spells since being readmitted. And even at home between those two spells she was doing really good. We sure do miss her though and I'm getting ready to go in there for awhile. Brian stays home with Lindsey. Sydney could be discharged as early as tomorrow, but may be a day or two after that depending on the outcome of the tests. Sooo, that's what's been going on here besides changing diapers and lack of sleep!
I don't have a lot of time here, but also wanted to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone at Skyline who participated in the baby shower given for us on Friday! All the gifts were wonderful and appreciated and the food was great too!
I'll keep you posted on what's happening with Sydney. Oh, and when she got readmitted her weight was up to 2730 grams or 6 POUNDS! Yikes! That's awesome!
Peace to you all and thank you for your continued prayers!
We miss you at home Sydney!
"A well-spent day brings happy sleep." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci
Friday, January 31, 2003 at 07:48 AM (CST)
Good day to you all!
Just a quick update to let you know that all is well at the Niehaus'. Of course, we are lacking in sleep, but that is to be expected. I'm sure we'll have days (or should I say nights) that are better and worse than others. Last night was a pretty good night. Brian and I did shifts so we each could get a block of sleep. The first night that did not happen!
Grandma and Grandpa Anderson came for a visit last night. They brought goodies for mom & dad! Lots of frozen food for the freezer and sweets too! Thanks Mom, Sherri and Grandma! It won't go to waste! I know Kristy will be bringing some more food when their family comes for a visit too! Thank you!
People have been calling to check on us...which is so nice. A woman from the Apnea program at Children's called to check on Lindsey and her reflux. Also the Public Health Nurse called and will be coming today to check on their weights. We have our first appointment with the pediatrician on Tuesday.
That's all I have time for now. Just wanted to say that we are doing good and enjoying ourselves despite the lack of sleep! Thank you all for your continued prayers and well wishes!
"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." ~ Alexander Woollcott
Wednesday, January 29, 2003 at 09:19 PM (CST)
Happy Homecoming Day to you all! What a wonderful, blessed day this is...bringing Lindsey and Sydney home after 113 days. We wouldn't have them if it wasn't for the greatness of our God! He has provided and He has guided us and all the doctors, nurses and everyone involved in the care of our girls. We will be forever grateful for the wonderful care the girls received at Children's Hospital - St. Paul. We can't say enough good things about everyone there...doctors, nurses, practitioners, RT's...EVERYONE! Most especially we'd like to thank our primary nurses...love from Lindsey and Sydney to April, Pam and Liz! We'll miss you! I wish we good name every one of you who've had a hand in the care of the girls. Please know that we truly appreciate all you've done.
It was a busy day today. We finished up some final preparations at home and arrived at the hospital around noon. We were there for rounds, then went and picked up the car bed for Sydney. We picked up prescriptions and headed back the NICU...went over final instructions and signed papers. Liz helped us pack and walked us out. It was hard saying good bye to everyone and I teared up quite a few times. After getting them all packed in along with the gear...off we were for our drive home. It went great and we arrived around 3:30 p.m. We've just been spending the rest of the day getting organized and doing all the wonderful things you're suppose to do with your baby...feed them, play with them and change their diapers! Hopefully we'll be able to fit in a few winks of sleep!
I didn't get the gram weights on the girls, but they went home today at: Lindsey - 4 lbs. 10 oz. and Sydney - 5 lbs. 11 oz.
It has been an amazing journey and I'm so glad that you all have been able to share it with us! But like I told Brian today...it's been a long journey for us to get to this point, but in reality, it's only just beginning! I will continue to update this website with news on the girls and photos. I'm not sure how often yet, maybe not daily, but we'll see...it's become a habit. I hope you all will continue to leave your thoughts and words in the guestbook as well. We have thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every entry and it always gave us such joy, comfort and encouragement reading them.
Thank you!
Brian, Kim, Brice, Lindsey & Sydney
"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that makes happiness." ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Tuesday, January 28, 2003 at 11:18 PM (CST)
On the eve of our departure from the NICU...bringing our baby girls home...Can you believe it's been exactly 16 weeks today? I can't. Seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital on bedrest, getting pumped full of mag4 and developing pulmonary edema! From what I understand though, that was a good thing for our little girls. Stress on the mother before delivering tells the little babies that..."hey, I may have to come out sooner than expected, so I best start developing quicker!" I think that may be part of the reason that Lindsey and Sydney are doing so well. Well, that, and the power of prayer! We all know what that can do!
Brian and I are hopefully going to get a good night's sleep tonight and going to the hospital later tomorrow. I expect we will be home later in the afternoon. I'm still pinching myself and I'm nervous and scared and excited that we will finally be able to snuggle up with our girls in the comfort of our own home!
Lindsey's weight was unchanged today at 2075 grams or 4 lbs. 9 oz. and Sydney was down 10 grams to 2565, still 5 lbs. 10 oz.
We have some final preparations to make yet tonight and this morning so I will sign off!
Sleep tight baby girls. Get good rest! Are you excited as we are?
"To have joy one must share it. Happiness was born a twin." ~ Lord Byron
Monday, January 27, 2003 at 09:48 PM (CST)
And a good evening to you all...
Well, we are on for Wednesday as our discharge date! Probably could have been tomorrow, but the girls have their eye exams so I wanted them to stay. Otherwise, we would've had to trot back into St. Paul on Friday for them. It's best just to stay an extra day.
Lindsey gained weight again today, up 25 to 2075 grams or 4 lbs. 9 oz. She did great bottling all day. Not much else to report on her.
Sydney had her repeat car seat trial today and she failed, but she did fine in the car bed, so that's what she will be coming home in. I'm not sure how long she'll have to be in that, but I'm guessing she'll have some follow-up appointment sometime to test again. She's really getting the hang of the bottle and doing a great job! Her weight was up 75 to 2575 grams or 5 lbs. 10 1/2 oz.
I brought in new outfits for them this morning and they had their pictures taken, each separately as well as together. They turned out pretty good! Now we just have to decide what packages to order! Tough decision.
We wanted to say a little thank you to the Secret Stork at Skyline! I guess I have to be careful what I write in this journal. I just mention something...like an Ocean Aquarium and VOILA, it appears! Thank you so much, whoever you are! The girls will just LOVE it!
Brian's working on putting the changing table together. I think that's going to get a LOT of use in the near future! Just a few things left to do around here before the girls come home!
Have a great day!
Good night sweet angel baby girls!
"Blessed be childhood, which brings down something of heaven into the midst of our rough earthliness." ~ Henri Frederic Amiel
Sunday, January 26, 2003 at 07:53 PM (CST)
Just a day or two more and the girls will be home...
During rounds today, the doctor said he thought it would be Tuesday or Wednesday. They are not trying to push us out the door, and we said that's fine. We want them to come home and stay home! When you've been there this long, a few more days doesn't matter! We're just making sure that Lindsey is doing all right with her feedings and that she is able to gain weight. She did gain 40 grams and is up to 2050 or 4 lbs. 8 oz. She is on the 24 calorie formula and will stay on that for a while. We discussed giving her some Zantac today for her reflux. It won't help stop the reflux, but will possibly help her feel better when it does come up, help with some of the acid. The doctor rounding this week will make that determination.
They turned off Sydney's monitors today so she is entirely wireless, cordless...nothing attached. April took her and walked around the room. Such a great feeling to be able to be mobile with her! I was there for two of her feedings by bottle today and she did so good! Such a difference from just yesterday and like a different baby from Friday. I think she is really getting the hang of it, taking her own breaks to breathe and pacing herself. She is up 25 grams to 2500 or 5 lbs. 8 oz.
I think Lindsey missed her daddy after he left. She is going to be daddy's girl. After he left this afternoon, one of the nurses commented how she just gazes at him so intently. I've noticed that too, she just adores him. I think it's the other way around as well!
Both the girls have these crib attachments that have fish floating around in them. They just LOVE them! I think Fisher Price still makes them, but they are bigger now and I think called Ocean Aquarium or something like that. I'm definitely going to have to get one! They are quite content watching them.
Guess that's it for now...hasta mańana...
Good night all and good night to our little peanuts!
"Where we love is home, Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
Saturday, January 25, 2003 at 11:04 PM (CST)
Good evening!
Well, we may be braking a little bit at the moment. It's possible Monday may not be the day...it still may, but it might take a few more days to get the girls on track.
Lindsey lost weight this week and we just want to make sure she is going in the right direction before she goes home. Last night they thought she was kind of lethargic and wasn't eating so they ordered a blood workup and urine culture. Everything looked good and there doesn't seem to be any problem. She bottled fine today. They did change her to all 24 cal formula for now, just to see if it makes a difference. She was down 60 grams to 2010 or 4 lbs. 7 oz.
We are also hoping Sydney gets the feeding/bottling thing down better in the next couple days. She does pretty good, but still has desaturations during feeds. We use the slowest flow nipple that they have. She was up 25 grams to 2475 or 5 lbs. 7 oz.
Big brother Brice visited the girls this afternoon. He hadn't seen them since New Years. What a difference a few weeks has made! Grandma Gloria and Aunt Sherri also came to visit. Sherri got to hold Lindsey and Grandma fed Sydney. It was a great visit!
I went out to Babies R Us this afternoon and picked up a few things for the girls' room...changing table/dresser, swing, and DIAPERS! I've been doing some calculating and we definitely don't have enough of those! Then Brian and I went out for a nice dinner tonight...to Ciatti's. I even tried something new! It was delicious and we had a really nice time.
I put several new pictures in the Niehaus Twins album. Enjoy!
Good night baby girls. Sweet dreams...
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." ~ William Jennings Bryan
Friday, January 24, 2003 at 09:58 PM (CST)
HAPPY DUE-DATE DAY! Today is the girls' due date. As for adjusted age, it's like they are 1 day old. We will be using the adjusted age for a few years...for example, they are actually 3 1/2 months old, but adjusted they are just a newborn.
Just a couple more days...and our girls will be coming home! The plan is still on for Monday, early afternoon! Yikes! We've got stuff to do! We're so excited, nervous, scared, and happy...we've waited and waited and now it's all going so fast!
Today...
Nothing much happened with Lindsey. She's ready to go. They d/c'd (discontinued) her monitors. Boy, that was difficult. You really find out how much you rely and look at them all the time. Dr. Coleman said this will be a good trial over the weekend to get used to NOT having the monitors. So, she is just about free of cords and wires, everything is gone but her oxygen cannula now. Yeah! Changing diapers should be a piece of cake now...should be able to do them in our sleep...OH, that's right, we WILL be doing them in our sleep! We discussed changing her to an every four hour feeding schedule and then she'd eat more, but I expressed concern that with her reflux it wouldn't be good to have more so we're leaving it the same. She was down in weight to 2070 grams or 4 lbs. 9 oz. They've got the prescriptions all ready. We have three for her...pulmicort for her neb treatments, her diurel (diuretic) and eye drops.
Sydney passed her scan last night. She had some desaturations but were all during feeds. They decided to leave her monitors on overnight, but those will probably be d/c'd tomorrow. She failed her car seat trial. She had one spell where she needed oxygen. We are going to repeat the trial on Monday, but even if she fails, it won't hold her up from coming home, but she will just need a car bed instead. Her weight was up to 2450 grams or 5 lbs. 6 oz. You can definitely see and feel a difference between her and Lindsey! We met with an RN from the cardiologist's office today. She brought us a packet of info on her heart defects...sounds like nothing to worry about. The cardiologist will be around on Monday and we'll get a follow-up appt in a few weeks. As for Sydney's meds, she's off everything except her eye drops.
So...Brian and I are just going to be finishing up some things around the house this weekend...cleaning and getting the stuff in their room together. Hopefully we'll be able to fit a nice dinner out in there somewhere as I think we'll be quite occupied for awhile.
Until tomorrow...
Love to you little ones...God is watching over you!
"The greater the difficulty, the more the glory in surmounting it." ~ Epicurus
Thursday, January 23, 2003 at 10:20 PM (CST)
We are getting so close!
We had all our education classes today on the oxygen and nebulizer and also reflux and infant CPR. We also met with the nurse practitioner regarding Lindsey's lung disease or BPD (Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia). Lindsey also had her car seat trial and hearing. She passed and would be good to home tomorrow, but we are waiting for Sydney. We talked about it in rounds and it looks like MONDAY may be the day depending on Sydney's tests! They had started her scan this afternoon and she'll have her car seat trial and hearing test tomorrow.
Sydney is eating well. She bottled all her feeding last night except for the 3 a.m. one. I breastfed at 9 a.m. and at 3 p.m. today. In rounds they wrote for her to breast or bottle feed as tolerated. Sydney also had a follow-up echocardiogram today. This was to check on something that was spotted very early on in her life, like in the first two weeks. She had an echo back then from which they determined that she has a ventricular septal defect (VSD). What it is is a very small opening between the two lower chambers of the heart. No one seems to concerned about it and thinks it will probably close on it's own. But what also was found was an atrial septal defect (ASD). This is an opening between the two upper chambers of the heart and will have to be followed closely as she gets older. It can still close on it's own. Just one of those things that need to continue to be followed.
Lindsey was up to 2090 grams or 4 lbs. 9 1/2 oz. and Sydney was up 5 grams to 2380 or 5 lbs. 4 oz.
Tomorrow will be another busy day! More tests for Sydney and we also meet with the cardiologist tomorrow. We're really winding down now...Brian and I need to get our last minute dinners out, etc. in this weekend.
Well, I'm really needing some sleep tonight, but will keep you all posted on the discharge date!
Have a great one!
Sleep tight little ones!
"We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." ~ Winston Churchill
Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 10:47 PM (CST)
Well, we are just moving right along...
Lindsey has officially passed her scan. She will be coming home on oxygen. We have some training tomorrow on that, as well as, reflux and infant CPR. She was supposed to have her car seat trial today, but will have it tomorrow instead. The plan was for her to come home on Friday, but today in rounds, Dr. Coleman asked me if I wanted Lindsey to come home without Sydney and I said no, that I'd rather have them come home together. He said it wasn't a problem holding her off for a few days and then we can push Sydney a little bit with her feedings, challenge her...and then maybe they can both come early next week!!! Yea! Much better plan, I think! After 3 1/2 months, a few more days isn't going to matter! Lindsey is still taking all her feedings by bottle and doing marvelously! She still is not gaining weight very good which I just can't figure out, because she's always been on a higher calorie mixture than Sydney and lately she's been eating more than her too! It must be her metabolism as she's awake quite a bit more than Sydney each day. She's also pretty active...doing her crib aerobics all the time, burning up those calories! She dropped 45 grams today to 2055 or 4 lbs. 8 oz.
Sydney is bottling now and I'm still trying to breastfeed too. She bottled at 9 p.m. last night and at 3 a.m. I breastfed her at 9 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. and she got bottled at 6 p.m. So she is making great strides! She has been weaned off just about all her meds...she's just on a little iron supplement and her eye drops which will stop around Feb. 4. Her weight was up to 2375 grams or 5 lbs. 3 1/2 oz.
We are so excited about bringing them home! The countdown is really on.
Have a great day everyone!
God bless you little girls. Sweet dreams!
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 08:52 PM (CST)
Another day drawing to an end...We are still on track for Lindsey to go home by the weekend. WOW! She is getting another scan tonight, because like I said yesterday, the one she had done on Sunday was messed up. Hopefully she will pass that. She is still taking all her feeds by bottle and her amounts have been increasing. She is having a little more spitting up going on, and we're not sure if it's from the greater volumes or her reflux, maybe a combination of both. We have some education type classes on Thursday morning...regarding her reflux and her O2. I also brought in the car seats today. I'm not sure when the car seat trial will be, probably Thursday as well. Her weight was up 5 grams to 2100, still 4 lbs. 10 oz.
Sydney breastfed once today at 9 a.m. She was awake during the night again. She did take one bottle and did okay with it. She had two spells, but I'm not sure how awake she was and I suppose she could've been startled as it's different than breastfeeding. I hope it goes good tonight. They will bottle her as tolerated. I'm hoping this will allow her to sleep better at night and possibly be more awake during the day. As soon as she gets this feeding thing down, she could come home too! Her weight was up 30 to 2325 grams or 5 lbs. 2 oz.
The girls had two visitors today, my friend, Lisa and a coworker of Brian's, Nancy. They sure enjoyed seeing them.
I can't believe how close we are to bringing the girls home. I have to pinch myself. Their due date is this Friday, Jan. 24. It's quite a feat for these two, born at only 24 weeks gestation and for how little they weighed to be coming home this close to their due date. We are truly grateful for such wonderful blessings and our praise and thanks go to God.
Good night baby girls. Sleep tight. We'll see you soon.
"The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts." ~ Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 11:32 PM (CST)
Unbelievable news! We are discussing discharge plans for Lindsey!! Possibly by the end of the week!! Who would have ever thought that Lindsey would go home before Sydney? It's been an exciting day!
Lindsey had her scan yesterday. I didn't hear the results today. There was some sort of error on it, so it may have to be repeated. I'm not sure. She has been taking all her feedings by bottle for over 48 hours now. Good job Lindsey! The Care Manager spoke with me today regarding her discharge plans. I was in complete shock. I guess things move quite quickly when we get to this stage. I have to bring in their car seats tomorrow so they are there when they need them. Besides the scan, the girls will also have to pass a car seat trial and they also have a hearing test before going home. Lindsey will be going home on oxygen. Both girls are getting their first Synagis shot tomorrow. This is the shot that helps protect them from RSV as we are in the midst of the season. They will get a shot each month through April. Lindsey was up 20 grams today to 2095, still 4 lbs. 10 oz.
Now Miss Sydney is quite the sleepy girl and I'm having such a hard time getting her to wake during the day. We had good breastfeeding session at 9 a.m. and one at 9 p.m. I have given the okay for a night time bottle. I hope it helps her to sleep between feeds a bit more and maybe she'll be able to wake during the day. She shouldn't be too far behind in coming home. It just depends on the feeding. I will continue to try to breastfeed, but may be introducing more bottles in a effort to bring her home soon. Her weight was 15 grams to 2295 or 5 lbs. 1 oz.
The girls had several visitors today. My friend, Sue, came to say hello...another mom of twins and a great support to me. Also, my brother, Darren and sister-in-law, Kristy and the kids, Chelsea and Dylan came for a visit. It's Kristy's birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT KRISTY! Both Darren and Kristy held Sydney for a bit. The kids cannot come into the NICU, but I had them stand by the doorway and we held up the girls so they could see them! Then a little bit later, Brian's brother, Jim and sister-in-law, Bev, came by. They are from northern WI, but here in the Twin Cities for a couple days! Bev had a great time holding Sydney. We're so glad they were able to see the girls.
Thank you to Nurse April for the cute magnets she made for us! That was so sweet and they are just adorable!
Well, I am exhausted tonight and have to get to bed. I hope I didn't forget anything important.
Good night sweet baby girls...and hugs and kisses to their sweet angel brother, Seth, in Heaven. We remember you today, sweetie, on your 1-Year Heavenly Birthday!
"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." ~ John Wooden
Sunday, January 19, 2003 at 09:29 PM (CST)
WOW! What a great day! The girls coming home is becoming more and more of a reality.
Miss Lindsey is just accelerating! I think she is determined to beat her sister and come home first. We hope that they can come home together, but it just depends on how the feeding thing goes. As you know yesterday, her orders were changed to bottle as tolerated. Well, guess what? She bottled every feeding for 24 hours from 5 p.m. yesterday! WOW! It doesn't mean that she'll always take a bottle from now on, but what a start! So today on rounds, we discussed making her "ad-lib" feedings, eating when she wants, but decided to keep her on an every three hour schedule. We did, however, change the amounts to ad-lib, meaning we'll let her eat as much as she wants. She had been at 38 cc's, but today took 40, 45 and 50 cc's. She is also RIGHT NOW undergoing a CR scan. This is like an MMU scan which they are required to pass before coming home. Her heart rate, respirations and oxygen saturations are monitored for approximately 12 hours along with documentation of her movements, for example, if she is bottling. Orders were also written for a consult with the pulmonologist (lung doctor). She is having this because of still requiring oxygen and more than likely she will come home on oxygen. That's the scoop on Linds! She dropped a little weight today - down to 2075 grams or 4 lbs. 9 oz. I guess she's burning a few more calories doing all that eatin'!
Now Sydney is still plugging along...steady and sure as she has always been. We had one good breastfeeding session today, but then she was sleepy all the other times and I was unable to wake her. I'm still thinking about bottling at night and will probably give the okay for that soon. Her weight was down 5 grams to 2280, still 5 lbs.
Great-grandma Marcy and Grandma Gloria came for a visit today. It was such an exciting day for all! Great-grandma got to hold the girls for the first time and Grandma Gloria fed Lindsey her bottle after I gave her her bath. Then I bathed Sydney and Daddy showed up to help get her dried off and dressed too! It was a group effort! PLUS we got some great new pictures!! Check them out in the Niehaus Twins album.
Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement during the past three months and before! We appreciate it so much and the girls will love reading this when they are older. God bless you.
Good night little ones!
"In youth we learn; in age we understand." ~ Von Ebner - Eschenbach
1/20/03: Happy 1st Heavenly Birthday to our angel son, Seth, born asleep 1/20/02. We love you and miss you! ~ Mommy & Daddy
Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 09:42 PM (CST)
Good evening! We had a pretty good day at the NICU! We're home now and I'm just doing some laundry for the girls.
Not too much new...Lindsey had orders changed to bottle as tolerated. Basically this means she still follows the every three hour schedule, bottling every one if she's awake. She had bottled four times by the time I left at 8 p.m. Great job Lindsey! Her weight was up 5 grams to 2115 or 4 lbs. 10 oz.
Sydney breast fed successfully two times today. Way to go Sydney! I'm still considering the bottle for an evening feed, but not ready to make a decision about it yet. Her weight was up to 2285 grams or 5 POUNDS! Woo hoo! I was just looking back in the journal and can you believe it was only 16 days ago on Jan. 2 that she hit the 4 pound mark?
Brian and I spent lots of time today holding the girls and talking with them. He held them both a lot. They sure do like their play time with daddy. I've added a few more pictures to their album. Cute!
That's it for now...
Good night little ones...God bless you.
"Not I—nor anyone else—can travel that road for you. You must travel it yourself." ~ Walt Whitman
Friday, January 17, 2003 at 11:48 PM (CST)
Hi everyone!
Not much new today...girls are just growing! We like that! Lindsey weighed in at 2110 grams or 4 lbs. 10 oz. and Sydney is up to 2240 grams or 4 lbs. 15 oz. Lindsey is still getting a whiff of oxygen through the nasal cannula and Sydney is still on room air.
We had been bottling Lindsey twice daily and then yesterday they wrote orders for three times daily. Today we decided she could do every other feeding as tolerated. So she bottled at 2 a.m., 8 a.m., and 2 p.m. prior to me leaving. She's doing GREAT! Yesterday I was only able to breastfeed Sydney once as I had an appt. Well, remember how Brian said she was wide awake? Guess she was wide awake ALL last night too, like from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. Needless to say, she slept all day and I was unable to rouse her for any feeding attempts today! We definitely will need to work on this "night owl" situation! I've been debating about allowing them to give Sydney a bottle once during a night feeding...it's really not a question of "IF" to give her a bottle, but, "WHEN" to give her one. I do not plan on exclusively breastfeeding, so she will get a bottle eventually. I just want to make sure that she can breastfeed fairly well before giving the bottle. Such decisions!
Nurse Liz was back to take care of the girls today and Pam too, came to visit them! Liz took new footprints of the girls and we compared them to the first ones. Oh my gosh! Quite amazing the difference. I will try to get a digital picture of them together. We also got Lindsey's hand prints, and will do Sydney's tomorrow. Thanks Liz!
I am pooped! Brian and I just got back from dinner out. I hope the girls like Filet Mignon!
Good night baby girls...love you lots!
"We know what we are, but know not what we may be." ~ William Shakespeare
Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 10:20 PM (CST)
DAY 100! Can you believe it? Some days I can and some I can't!
The girls are doing great! Not much new today. I breastfed Sydney at 9 a.m. and bottle fed Lindsey at 11 a.m. Both did well. I left about 1 p.m. to spend the afternoon at my parent's business helping them with some year end stuff. Brian came up at noon time and then again in the evening. He bottle fed Lindsey again at 5 p.m. He said I missed a good chance with Sydney as she was WIDE awake for hours! They had good playtime together.
Candy, one of the nurse practitioners, said that they are OFFICIALLY boring. It's just feeding and growing now!
Lindsey weighed in at 2005 grams, up 25, or 4 lbs. 6 1/2 oz. and Sydney was up 25 grams to 2190 or 4 lbs. 13 oz. The only other change today is that they wrote orders that it is okay to bottle Lindsey during the night shift, as tolerated. So basically - if she's awake. That's a total of 3 times/day for her.
God bless you all and goood night.
Sleep tight baby girls...Mommy and Daddy love you!
"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons." ~ Ruth Ann Schabacker
Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 09:59 PM (CST)
Back from a day in the NICU, day 99. WOW!
It was a pretty uneventful day.
Lindsey bottle twice today at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. She is doing such a great job and the speech person came down at her 11 a.m. feeding to see how she was doing. Her weight was up to 1980 grams or 4 lbs. 5 oz.
Sydney breastfed twice today. We gave her an additional 12 cc's one time because she just didn't seem full a little while later even though she had fed for 25 minutes. One of the nurses said it could be because the 20 cal breastmilk doesn't fill her up like the 24 cal HMF fortified breast milk. ???? I don't know. We'll just keep plugging away at it. Her weight was up to 2165 or 4 lbs. 12 oz.
The girls had their awake times today. Sydney and I hung out in the mid-afternoon for awhile and Daddy and Lindsey got to have playtime in the early evening. Oh, and the occuapational therapist came down to see them and said they are doing great!
That's about it!
Have a good evening! God bless you all!
Sweet dreams baby girls!
"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open." ~ John Barrymore
Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at 09:12 PM (CST)
Just a few things happening in the NICU...
We tried to bottle feed Lindsey at 11 a.m., but she was sleepy and we couldn't wake her. She did, however, take almost all of her 2 p.m. feeding by bottle. We didn't supplement any. Her weight was down to 1945 or 4 lbs. 4 1/2 oz. Her feedings were increased to 38 cc's every three hours. Nurse Liz is going to try to bottle her one more time this evening if she's awake.
I breastfed Sydney at her noon and 3 p.m. feeding and we did not supplement at all. It drives me crazy not knowing how much she's really getting. Just have to read her cues whether or not she's satisfied and I guess if she loses weight tomorrow, we'll know she didn't get enough! Her weight was up to 2140 grams or 4 lbs. 11 oz. Her feedings were increased to 44 cc's every three hours.
Dr. Miller came to examine their eyes today. We have great news!! Their retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is resolved! They're cured! Dr. Miller will continue to follow them, but their next exam won't be for TWO weeks. This is nice as they've been getting weekly exams since early November and the girls don't like them very much.
Brian and I have been having so much fun interacting with the girls. They have so many more awake moments now and you can tell they know our voices and respond accordingly.
Have a great evening!
Good night baby girls!
"Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction." ~ Annie Sullivan
Monday, January 13, 2003 at 09:35 PM (CST)
Here we are...another day closer to bringing the girls home! We are mostly working on feeding as we will be until we go home.
Lindsey took two bottles today, pretty much her entire feeding. We did not supplement them. She took one of them for her daddy at 5 p.m. Then her & daddy have play time...she just looks at him so adoringly! Her hemoglobin was a bit low today but they are going to take a wait and see approach and see if she can't bring it up herself. She's just a tootin', poopin', burbin' machine! Good girl Lindsey! Her weight was up 50 grams to 1970 or 4 lbs. 5 oz.
Sydney took her morning feeding by breast and we tried again at 3 p.m...too sleepy and then at 6 p.m. Seemed like she didn't get much, was sort of sleepy then too, so we gave her the full feeding. She may have gotten more than we thought as she had quite a big spit up about 45 minutes later. We think she's got reflux too, even though it hasn't been diagnosed yet. Her weight was down 5 grams to 2110 or 4 lbs. 10 oz.
The girls have their regular eye exams tomorrow.
Nurse Liz took care of them today, but nurse Pam came over to visit a couple times. Liz and I had a good conversation about Jimmy John's and Cookie Dough ice cream! I'm sure the girls will love cookie dough as much as I do!
That's all folks! Time again for some more sleep. I need to get it now while I can!
Love you baby girls!
"Amazing isn't it, how some people see the basket half empty and others see it half full. Some see life hopeless, others hopeful. Even when things are less than perfect, if you can think of the good, the beautiful, the hopeful, you'll be more than sustained...you'll conquer." ~ Unknown
Sunday, January 12, 2003 at 09:55 PM (CST)
Not much to report today...
We bottle fed Lindsey two times today. I tried once this morning, but she was sleepy. She did, however, take 15 of her 35 cc's so she only gavaged 21. Daddy fed her a WHOLE bottle at 5 p.m. She did so good and we are so proud of her! Then she was wide awake and her and daddy had some nice play time together. We also read a story! Sydney was sawing logs through all this. She had her wide awake time earlier in the day from noon to about 3:30 p.m. Grandma Gloria and Grandpa Dean came to visit the girls and Grandma was so excited because Sydney was AWAKE! She held her the whole time and Grandpa Dean held little Lindsey for a bit. He rocked her right back to sleep. I took a couple pictures and will have them in their albums tomorrow! I promise! I breast fed Sydney at noon and she took her whole feeding, no supplement. I tried again at 6 p.m., but she was a sleepy girl. Her feedings were increased to 42 cc's today. OH and WONDERFUL news...Dr. Miller stopped by this morning to check on Lindsey and said her eyes looked great!! No plus disease and we could change her O2 limits. Praise the Lord, what awesome news! The girls will still have their regular exams on Tuesday. It was also bath night tonight...Brian and I gave Lindsey a bath before we went home. Sydney was still digesting her 6 p.m feeding so we didn't get a chance to do hers, but next time! She was sleepy, sleepy anyway.
Lindsey was down 30 grams to 1920 or 4 lbs. 3 1/2 oz. which is due to her lasix yesterday. Good to get rid of that extra fluid! Sydney was up 40 to 2115 grams or 4 lbs. 10 1/2 oz. Way to grow girls!
Mommy's tired so off to bed. Hope you little ones have a quiet night! Sleep tight! We love you!
"It is in rugged crisis, in unweariable endurance...that the angel is shown." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 10:41 PM (CST)
Hi all!
It was a busy day today! The girls had a few visitors. Grandma and Grandpa Niehaus came to see them. It had been quite some time since they had last seen them and couldn't believe the changes! Also, Grandma Gloria and Aunt Sherri stopped to say hi too! Took a couple pictures that are in the new Niehaus Twins album.
Lindsey was up a little in her O2. We thought she may have a little extra fluid on board so she got a chest x-ray and then a dose of lasix. That sure helped as she had a 96 cc diaper right after that! I tried to bottle her at 11 a.m., but she was just too sleepy. April (nurse) gave her a bottle at 5 p.m. and she took the whole thing! She's still at 35 cc's every three hours using the thickened breast milk. Her weight was up to 1950 grams or 4 lbs. 4 1/2 oz., but a lot of this was fluid as she had gained 90 grams yesterday!
Sydney took her entire 9 a.m. feeding at breast! We did not supplement it! Way to go! Her feedings were increased to 40 cc's every three hours. Her O2 was fluctuating up and down, but not really far down. It seemed to happen mostly when she was feeding. April thought she may have some reflux like Lindsey. She brought it up with the practitioners and they will address it tommorrow in rounds, possibly ordering a swallow study. April fixed her side of the crib so it was more elevated to help with the reflux. Her weight was up to 2075 grams or 4 lbs. 9 oz.
Brian and I left the hospital a little earlier today. We took the advice of some of the nurses and went out for dinner. It was very nice...something we hadn't done since my birthday in November. I still have some things to get for the girls before they come home. I guess I better fit that in my schedule before too long.
Thanks everyone for all the prayers over the past three months (and longer!). It means so much to us! We love reading all the encouraging words in the journal each day! God bless you all and our little girls!
"A candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle." ~ Kelly
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 09:30 PM (CST)
A good evening to you all...
Today Lindsey had her voiding systogram done to check her kidney/bladder function and all looked perfect! So just another thing to check off our list! She tried bottling two different feedings today, one she was too sleepy and they other she took the whole thing except for 5 cc's! I think that April (primary nurse) is going to try this evening too. Lindsey's weight was up to 1905 or 4 lbs. 3 oz.
Sydney and I had our 9 a.m. appointment today. She did okay, but fell asleep right away so she got her full feed. We tried again at 3 p.m. and the same thing happened. Oh well, maybe tomorrow. She weighed in at 2040 grams or 4 lbs. 8 oz.
The girls had a visitor from Brian's work today, Angie. She really enjoyed getting a chance to see them. Then the three of us went down to the cafeteria for lunch.
I wanted to thank all the nurses who have taken care of our little girls, espcially April, Pam and Liz, who are their primary nurses! Today April brought in these papers she made up on the computer that say...Sydney's Leaping Along and Lindsey's Leaping Along. It has a spot on the paper for the three "tests" they have to pass to come home, plus a place to write their birth weight and their weight when they come home. Then she got froggy stickers to put on them when they pass! It's so cute and such a great idea! We posted them at their bedside. Thanks April!
Today was also great because we got to see, Joan, one of the neos. She is technically gone for 3 months, but was back working on call tonight! It was so nice to visit with her. We miss her! It was so nice to have the consistency of her being there all the time. Although, I'm sure she's enjoying the time off doing her research.
That's it for today...we'll just continue to work on all the feedings with the girls. As soon as we get that accomplished we'll be almost home!
Good night little ones! Sweet dreams!
"Do not think you are on the right road just because it is a well beaten path." ~ Unknown.
Thursday, January 09, 2003 at 08:05 PM (CST)
Time is just flying by now...another whole day spent at the hospital. We're really working hard on the feeding thing. This pretty much will determine when we can bring the girls home.
Sydney had two great breastfeeding sessions today. The first one at 9 a.m., we only gave her 1/2 her feeding through her tube after the breastfeeding session. And at her 3 p.m. feed, we decided not to give her any of her feed through her tube. It's kind of hard to tell how much she gets, but we go by how long she's at the breast. She's quite content after her feedings. Also today, her feeds were increased to 38 cc's every three hours and she was on room air (or I should say less than .025 of oxygen, basically room air) all day. So at the end of the day, we took her cannula totally off. It was still off when I left at 6 p.m. Her weight was up 5 grams to 2010 or 4 lbs. 6.75 oz.
Lindsey had another great day with her feeds too! She had taken another bottle feeding last night after I left and she did two feedings today by bottle too! She did get tired towards the end and had 5 cc's left one time and 10 cc's another. Really not too much. She may get another bottle feed tonight depending on if she's awake and what the nurse thinks. Her every other day lasix treatments were stopped today. She has a voiding systogram (sp?) tomorrow to check out her kidney/bladder function. This is just a follow-up because she had a urinary tract infection at one time. Pray that all comes out well. Lindsey's weight was the same 1815 grams or 4 lbs. Hoping for a little increase tomorrow!
A lot of the nurses are thinking that it won't be long now before the girls come home. One said today that we better whoop it up this weekend because we might not have the chance to that for very much longer! I said oh no, it won't be that quick! Now everything seems to be moving so fast, it's overwhelming! We are excited about bringing them home! I better get crackin' and get the rest of the things I need!
I met another twin mom the other day. She has identical twin girls too! They were born at 32 weeks so they are almost the same size as Lindsey and Sydney now. It's been fun chatting with her. Her and her husband just moved back from California. We thought that was interesting as we just moved back from Vegas. They are originally from Green Bay.
That's all the news for today.
God bless you little girls. Sleep tight!
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do." ~ Mark Twain
Wednesday, January 08, 2003 at 10:35 PM (CST)
Another exciting day at the NICU...HAPPY 3-MONTH BIRTHDAY BABY GIRLS!
Little Lindsey is just determined to catch up to her younger sister! This morning the speech people came and tried the bottle feeding again. This time it was much quieter and she did SO well. She took her entire feeding by the bottle, which is 35 cc's!! Great job Lindsey! During rounds, they were told what she had done and now said she can take 2 or more each day. They are leaving it up to the nurses to determine if she's okay to bottle feed. Yahoo! This is great progress! At the 2 p.m. feeding, she took the entire amount by bottle again! Not too much else new with her. Her weight was down 5 to 1815 or 4 lbs.
Sydney had a great breastfeeding session at 9 a.m. We weren't sure if she how much she got, but at her noon feeding she had 10 cc's residual (and she never has any residual) so we know she got more at 9 a.m. than we gave her credit for. She did a great job! We tried again at 3 p.m., but she was sleepy. Her weight was up 35 to 2005 grams or 4 lbs. 6.5 oz.
The girls each had an evaluation done by an occupational therapist today. I think all turned out fine. She will continue to see them and watch their progress. She was just checking on their movements, etc.
Brian and I gave them baths tonight for the first time. Well, it's not THEIR first bath, but the first time we gave them one. Sydney sure liked having her hair washed, just like her mom! I love that head massage! They looked so cute afterwards in their new little preemie outfits! Then they each got fed and Brian held Lindsey and I held Sydney until they fell asleep. They were both awake for quite awhile though.
All in all, it was a great day! We have so much to be thankful for! God bless you all! Good night!
Good night little ones! Sweet dreams!
"We attract hearts by the qualities we display; we retain them by the qualities we possess." ~ Jean Baptiste Antoine Suard
Tuesday, January 07, 2003 at 08:54 PM (CST)
Good evening!
Today was a pretty good day for the girls.
Sydney and I had our 9 a.m. breastfeeding date. She's doing okay...what is expected of her. The lactation consultant is going to work with us tomorrow. Her weight was up 15 grams to 1970 or 3 lbs. 5 oz.
Lindsey tried her first bottle feeding today with the thicker breast milk. She didn't too to well, but they will try again tomorrow. She did take 10 cc's by mouth, but was desatting so they stopped. However, a new baby was being moved next to the girls right at that time and there was A LOT of commotion. The speech person thought that it could have been too much for her. We'll see what happens tomorrow. She does love to suck on her pacifier. Her weight was up to 1820 or 4 lbs.
The girls had their eyes examined today. Dr. Miller said that Sydney's looked wonderful! It's much improved from last week and almost totally resolved. Lindsey's looked really good too, but still had some plus disease in the right eye. They are going to keep her oxygen sats up for the next week to help with that. I asked how Lindsey's compared with how Sydney's were last week and he said, "Better." Hopefully the extra oxygen will help get this reolved. With this successful surgery he said that the girls should have better than 20/40 vision which is good. You can still pass your drivers license test with 20/40 vision. They will get checked again in one week.
That's all for this evening. Brian took a picture of me with the girls which I put in their album.
Have a good one.
Good night baby girls. We love you.
"If you ever find happiness by hunting for it, you will find it as the old woman did her lost spectacles - on her own nose all the time." ~ Josh Billings
Monday, January 06, 2003 at 10:20 PM (CST)
Hello!
Here is the news for today...
Sydney and I are working on the breastfeeding, as you all know. It may take awhile...I just have to find her waking moments! Her weight was up to 1955 grams or 4 lbs. 5 oz. Nothing else new with little Sydney. Good job!
Lindsey was taken off the "blender" today and put on a regular nasal cannula like her sister. She is requiring a little bit more O2 than Sydney, but not too much. She had her esophogram done today. A suck and swallow study was also ordered. For this they had her suck out of a bottle, liquid and then they watched on X-ray to see if it aspirated, meaning that it didn't go where it was supposed to. It did aspirate. This was with thin liquids. Next, they tried it with a thicker liquid, sort of like honey, and she didn't aspirate with that. What this means is that she will be able to try bottle feeding with breast milk that they thicken with something called Simply Thick or something like that. We'll try this tomorrow. We will still expose her to the breast after pumping so she is familiar with it. She will get a follow-up study next week to see if there are any changes. They also checked out her esophagus and everything looked perfect! It did show that she had some reflux which is VERY common, probably 90% of preemies have some reflux. It's just something she'll have to grow out of and we'll learn how to deal with it as she eats more by mouth. Her weight was up to 1815 or 4 lbs. Keep it up, Lindsey!
The girls have their eye exams tomorrow. Pray for continued healing of their eyes. We're hoping that Sydney's bleeding has resolved and that Lindsey's surgery did the trick!
Basically, they are really doing well and it's so fun to see them in the crib together and be able to pick them up when we want! We took some pictures yesterday with Grandma and today of the girls together. Check out the new album! Can you tell them apart?
Have a good evening!
Good night little ones! Sleep tight!
"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards." ~ Unknown
Sunday, January 05, 2003 at 07:31 PM (CST)
Good evening! Bet you all are falling over because I'm putting the update on so early, huh!
The girls are doing very well. I was there this morning for rounds. Not too much new news to tell.
Remember yesterday they turned Lindsey's "flow" down to 2...today they turned it down to 1. She's had to have a little higher O2 because of it, but not much. They really don't know how much O2 she's getting, it's set at around 40-50%, but it's also mixed with air, so it's really a lot less. Hopefully if she does okay with the 1 liter, maybe we'll be able to get rid of the "blender" this week and then she'll be on the low flow cannula like Sydney. Lindsey's tolerating her feedings well, although, she had a couple spit ups during the night. Not sure if it's related to the higher calorie fortifier, maybe the esophagus or maybe she was just trying to go poop! Tomorrow is her esophogram. Hopefully I will be there when she gets it done, unless it's done before 9 a.m. Her weight was up 24 grams to 1784 or 3 lbs. 15 oz. She had no spells.
I tried breastfeeding Sydney again at noon and 3 p.m. Noon she was sleepy, but at 3 p.m. she was kind of awake and she made a little attempt. Hopefully tomorrow a.m. will be better. It seems she is awake during the night and sleeps all day! Guess I'll have to pull a night shift here soon! Ha-ha! I'm sure there will be many "night-shifts" once they come home. She's tolerating her feedings well and had no spells. Her weight was up 40 grams to 1935 or 4 lbs. 4 oz.
Grandma Gloria and Aunt Kristy came to visit today. Grandma got to hold Lindsey this time as she held Sydney on New Years Day! They both commented on the difference in mood where we are now on the "convo" side vs. the critical care side we just came from. It's much calmer, less intense. Kristy had a great time holding the girl's hands! They've got good grip, huh, Kristy!
I wanted to say a special thank you regarding the baby shower that I forgot yesterday. To my niece, Chelsea...she is so very patiently waiting for the day she can see her cousins in person. She was such a great help to her mom preparing for the shower and at the shower, she took peoples coats and presents. After the shower, she helped clean up and carried all the gifts out to the car and loaded them all up! And I'm sure there are many other things she helped with that I'm forgetting, too! I have such a special niece and it is such a joy spending time with her! I know she and her cousins are going to have a great time together and be best of friends! Thank you Chelsea!
Well, that's all for today. Pray that all turns out well with Lindsey's esophogram tomorrow.
Love you baby girls. Sweet dreams.
"If you want a happy ending that depends, of course, on where you stop your story." ~ George Orson Welles
Saturday, January 04, 2003 at 09:51 PM (CST)
Happy Saturday!
Brian and I went to the hospital early. I wanted to try breastfeeding Sydney before her 9 a.m. feeding. It went pretty good. It's just going to take a little time. Brian held his little Lindsey during this time. It was so fun to see her in the bassinet. Brian got her all dressed up in a little sleeper gown and cap. Cute! Check the pictures in her album!
I went to the baby shower in the afternoon. The girls received so many nice things. Thank you all so much! I had such a great time and it was great to see you all. Kristy, Sherri and Lisa, thanks for hosting the shower. You all had such great ideas from games and decorations to the food!
I went back to the hospital for the evening, but missed her 6 p.m. feeding. I held Lindsey for awhile since Sydney had Mommy time in the a.m. They are in a crib together now. What a great step! Check the pictures in the new album!
Lindsey weighed in at 1760 grams or 3 lbs. 14 oz. She had the flow on her "blender" turned down from 3 to 2. It will be great if we can wean her off that. Sydney was up 15 grams to 1895 or just about 4 lbs. 3 oz.
Time for this mommy to get some sleep! Hope you baby girls are getting some good sleep too! Love you! Sleep tight!
"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all." ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder
Friday, January 03, 2003 at 09:32 PM (CST)
Another exciting day in the NICU!
I arrived around noon today and made my call from the phone outside the door. I said who I was and they said, "Did you know that your girls moved to convo?" I said no. They said, "Yes, they're on the left side on wall with all the murals." I said, "Really? No way!" But it's true, so it's been a very exciting day for the Niehaus'. After 12 1/2 weeks in the same spot, we are now on the left side of the reception area or the "convo" side. This is a VERY big step! We even have a secluded corner spot. It's so much quieter, kind of hard to get used to.
Let's see...what else happened today? Sydney tried breastfeeding again. She's doing well for a little tyke. We can try two times per day now. At one point when I was holding her, she really got the pouty face going with her bottom lip sticking out. And then it started quivering. I thought, oh no, she's getting that perfected already!!
Oh, and very soon, the girls should be sharing a crib becaaauuuusssee...Lindsey is out of her isolette as of this evening and into a bassinet too!! They will see how she does in the bassinet and then if all goes well, into the crib they both will go! How exciting, huh! Also today, the girls had their final head ultrasound. I didn't receive the results, but hopefully tomorrow. Pray for a good result. Also, on Lindsey, some sort of x-ray was ordered on her esophagus. If you remember, early on they thought there might be a problem because her feeding tube wasn't going in very good. They determined that the tube did get to her stomach and that since it was in the right place, they wouldn't worry about it then. And when she got bigger they would check it out. She's bigger, so it's time. She's getting that done on Monday. Brian came after work and held his girl, Lindsey. They have quite a good time together.
Guess that's it. Lindsey weighed in at 1740 grams or 3 lbs. 13 oz. and Sydney is up to a whopping 1880 grams or 4 lbs. 2 oz. She looks bigger than Lindsey. But Lindsey is making such tremendous strides...I can't believe all that has happened with her THIS week, and after surgery too! She is determined not to be left behind! She's saying...watch out Sydney, here I come!
There are a couple new pictures in Lindsey's album from yesterday and one of Sydney in her bassinet. Guess I'll have to get one of Linds in her bassinet now too, before they get into the crib.
Thanks for checking in! Good night little ones!
"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die tomorrow." ~ James Dean
Thursday, January 02, 2003 at 09:33 PM (CST)
Well...a hello to you all!
Another great day in the NICU! The girls are making such great progress. It's so neat to have some of the nurses and/or nurse practitioners come up to us and say how much they enjoy seeing Sydney in a bassinet or Lindsey off the vent. Then they say, "Did you ever think it would happen?" or "I bet you're starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel now." Yes, we are.
Today I went to the hospital late morning and spent some time with the girls, changed Sydney's diaper and JUST as I taped her up I heard something...wet sounding! Checked again...full diaper! Changed her again! We didn't try the breastfeeding thing at the noon feeding...I had planned on the 6:00 p.m. feeding as that's when she's been awake. Brian came during lunch and held Lindsey. My girlfriend, Christy, came to visit the girls and took some pictures. She couldn't believe how big and cute they were! Then she and I went to lunch and ran out to Babies R Us and I picked up two car seats, a gift from my parent's. What a deal too! I got a "twin discount" for buying two! Or I should say, mom did. Anyway, I got back to the hospital about 4:00 p.m. and hung out. I tried breastfeeding Sydney and she's doing really good, latching on and I'm sure she got some this time. They had me only pump for a few minutes earlier so I wasn't empty. But then she fell asleep pretty quickly. That's hard work, huh Sydney!
The big news today is regarding Lindsey. When I got there this morning, the nurse was putting her on the "blender" with just a nasal cannula, like Sydney had been on. During rounds they had said we can start doing that for two hours each day. Well, she's just been a star, because we went longer than two hours and then they decided to just keep her off and see how she does! Yahoo! So, she's just on nasal cannula now too. She does get a little bit more flow than Sydney was getting, 3 liter vs. 1 liter for Sydney. Also for Lindsey, they have increased the breast milk fortification to 26 calorie. Hopefully that will help with some weight gain. She was down another 25 grams today to 1650 grams or 3 lbs. 10 oz.
Sydney is still doing great in her bassinet and on her cannula. She receives a pretty low flow of oxygen. Her weight was up 20 grams to 1830 or 4 POUNDS! It's official! She's not having many spells either, none for today as of the time I left.
I'm a bit tired tonight so am off to bed. Good night all and good night to our sweet baby girls. We love you.
"The world owes us nothing, we owe each other the world." ~ Ani Difranco
Wednesday, January 01, 2003 at 08:54 PM (CST)
Happy New Year! We are looking forward to the days when our girls will be coming home. We are getting closer. Like I said yesterday, that Sydney would be moved to the "convo" side...she was officially listed as "convalescent" status today. It's documented in her chart! What a great milestone! She will stay with Lindsey until Lindsey catches up though...shouldn't be too long, as feisty as she is!
Lindsey is really recovering quickly from her eye surgery. We arrived late this morning to find her already extubated and back on her CPAP! She had been really active and basically telling them if you don't get this tube out, I will! She is back on her feedings, starting out at 15 cc's every three hours and she goes up 5 cc's every other feeding until she's back to 35. Her oxygen needs have been in the upper 20% range. Her IV was taken out this evening. Brian held her today and she liked that very much! Her weight dropped to 1675 grams or 3 lbs. 11 oz.
Sydney looks so cute in her bassinet! She's doing wonderfully, keeping her temperature up well. She had been on what they call a "blender" for oxygen that mixes air with oxygen and delivers it along with flow, sort of like CPAP. Today she was changed to the low flow meter which delivers the oxygen at micro levels. She's not using much about .05 this evening. Her weight was up 20 grams to 1810 which is 3 lbs. 15.75 oz. We are sooooo close to that 4 lb. mark! Maybe tomorrow! It's so nice to just be able to pick her up out of the bassinet ourselves.
Grandma Gloria and Grandpa Dean along with cousins, Chelsea and Dylan came to visit today. The kids couldn't come in, but sent hugs and kisses with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma got to hold Sydney for the first time! I got a picture and is in her album. There is one new one of Lindsey and Daddy too.
We hope that 2003 brings you all good health and much happiness. We are so thankful for everyone sending us such positive thoughts, encouragement and prayers! And also for our daughters' wonderful caregivers at the hospital...doctors, practitioners and the awesome nurses! We are so grateful! God's blessings to you all!
Good night little ones! XXOO
"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wednesday, January 01, 2003 at 12:00 AM (CST)
Good morning and a Happy New Year to you all!
It was a pretty good day at the NICU. Lindsey had her eye surgery this morning and that went well. We will know next week if it was successful. She is back on the ventilator temporarily...I think she may surprise us all and get back off it sooner than expected. We'll see I guess. It seems kind of like a set back, but hopefully not for very long. Her eyes looked great upon coming back from surgery. It didn't seem like they were swollen at all like Sydney's were. Her weight was up to 1740 grams or 3 lbs. 13 oz.
Sydney just had a fabulous day! She got moved out of her isolette into a bassinet! Basically, she's doing really well and would probably be in the convo side, but they like to keep the girls together until they both can get moved. Unless they absolutely need the space, they won't move her until Lindsey's ready. We appreciate that as it would be much more difficult if they were in opposite ends of the NICU. We also tried breastfeeding today and she is going to be a champ. She did sooooo well. I'm so proud of her. We will be trying this once a day and then gradually increase that as we go along. Now that she's in an open crib, we can dress her in regular clothes. So I brought in a couple sleepers and I got to put one on her along with her new cap and booties. She just looked adorable. Daddy held her for awhile tonight too. She was so content and wide awake. He had such fun interacting with her. I sat next to them and read a story about Courderoy. Her weight was up to 1790 grams or 3 lbs. 15 oz. Can't believe we are almost to the 4 lb. mark! Way to go, Sydney!
We had a surprise visitor tonight as well. Pastor Iver stopped by. We had a short, but nice visit.
Guess that's it for now.
Happy New Year little girls! Soon it will be time to come home! Sweet dreams!
"A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he knows something." ~ Wilson Mizner
Monday, December 30, 2002 at 07:16 PM (CST)
Good evening! I am able to update early tonight as we were to the hospital earlier because the girls were getting their eye exams. We are asking for prayers for the healing of their eyes. Lindsey has crossed the threshold and is having laser surgery tomorrow at 9 a.m. as expected. Sydney's eyes are still healing, however, Dr. Miller said he saw some bleeding. The want her oxygen sats to be between 95%-100% so they are giving her more oxygen to keep them there for the next 72 hours. This is supposed to help bring more oxygen to the eye so that the bleeding can stop. Dr. Miller said this can definitely resolve itself and he expects it to, it's just that she's not out of the woods yet.
The girls had their feedings increased today. I guess at rounds much of the discussion was about getting them to gain weight. They are going to try this first and if the weight gain isn't satisfactory to them, then they will supplement my breast milk further making it 26 calorie. Sydney was increased to 36 cc's every three hours and Lindsey to 35 cc's every three hours. They are tolerating their feedings very well.
They are such good babies. They have been so alert and are having much longer awake times now. They have such big eyes. The nurses always comment on that and how cute they are or how much cuter their becoming. It's such a joy to interact with them, hold them, and watch all their little expressions.
Sydney weighed in at 1730 grams or 3 lbs. 13 oz and Lindsey was at 1705 grams or 3 lbs. 12 oz. If you remember, Sydney was having a constipation problem yesterday which has resolved so it's possible that her weight is a little high.
Well, the girls will be 12 weeks old tomorrow. We can't believe we've been there in our little spot in the NICU for 12 weeks! Time is flying by...and crawling like a turtle.
Good night little girls. Mommy and daddy love you.
"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." ~ Edith Warton
Monday, December 30, 2002 at 12:30 AM (CST)
What a long day! We're tired! Just got back from the hospital...holding our girls, couldn't go to sleep without saying goodnight!
Brian and I left early this morning for Marshfield to spend the day and celebrate Christmas with the Niehaus family. It was a great turn-out, eight of the ten kids and families were there and his mom and dad. It was great to see everyone, most who we haven't seen for quite awhile. The girls received so many nice presents. Thank you all. We got back home about 8:30 p.m. and then went to the hospital.
Sydney and Lindsey are doing great! The big news today is that they decided to take Sydney off CPAP so she's been off since 8:20 a.m. on nasal cannula and doing beautifully! She's having a little constipation, so hopefully that will get taken care of soon. Her weight was us 40 grams to 1670 or 3 lbs. 11 oz.
Lindsey is doing good and I think adjusting more to CPAP. Her oxygen needs are a little up and down, but she's always been that way. I think they are talking about trying to take her off to nasal cannula for short periods of time, maybe tomorrow. Her weight was down 5 grams to 1675 or 3 lbs. 11 oz.
We are anticipating their eye exam tomorrow, but we're not for sure, could be on Tuesday. We'll keep you posted.
Guess that's it for tonight. I'm pooped. Thank you all for your continued thoughts, prayers, and encouraging words. We love reading the guestbook and knowing that you all are following the girls' progress. Have a great week!
Good night little ones. We love you.
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave." ~ Calvin Coolidge
Saturday, December 28, 2002 at 08:38 PM (CST)
Another short, not much news update. The girls are doing fine.
Brian held Lindsey again for about an hour. We enjoy being able to hold them so much and see them respond to our touch and our voices. They have put a different nose piece on the girls that is more like a mask than the one with prongs. It gives their little noses a little break. Lindsey was up 10 grams to 1680, still 3 lbs. 11 oz.
Sydney was down 30 grams to 1630 or 3 lbs. 9 oz. They had her off CPAP just on nasal cannula for almost 4 hours this morning, but then started getting stressed. She had a couple spells then too. So, they are just going to have her off for an hour each shift. I held her tonight for an hour with the cannula. She did good.
Grandma Gloria, Great-grandma Marcy and Aunt Sherri visited this afternoon. They've grown a lot in the couple weeks since Grandma Marcy had seen them. We were holding them at the time so they could get a really good look and both girls opened their eyes every now and then. They pretty much settle in when we are holding them!
Ah, another day done and closer to bringing the girls home!
Good night babies...Sweet dreams.
"Life is not made up of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, of which smiles and kindness and small obligations, given habitually, are what win and preserve the heart." ~ Sir Humphrey Davy
Friday, December 27, 2002 at 10:05 PM (CST)
Just got home from the hospital and all is well...Not too much new today. The girls are 36 weeks now (gestational age).
Lindsey is doing fine on CPAP other than she doesn't like it. We are now past the 36 hour mark! Daddy held her tonight and boy, did she settle right in! She had lasix yesterday and her weight stayed the same at 1670 grams or 3 lbs. 11 oz.
Sydney's eyes looked much better today. Much of the swelling is gone. She got her IV out. She is taken off CPAP for an hour each shift now. I held her this evening while just on nasal cannula for almost two hours and she did great! She really got some needed rest! Her weight was up to 1660 grams or 3 lbs. 10 oz.
The girls had special visitors this afternoon, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Paul came to see them. It was Paul's first time seeing them and Sandy saw them the night they were born. Quite a change since then...
Oh, and they have also increased their feedings to 32 cc's every three hours, up from 30.
That's all the news for today. Hope you all have a great weekend!
Sweet dreams little ones! See you tomorrow!
"We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit." ~ Robert H. Shaffer
Thursday, December 26, 2002 at 10:18 PM (CST)
Greetings!
Both Lindsey and Sydney had a pretty good day. Sydney is staying in mostly room air (21% O2), but is still on CPAP. Brian went up at lunch and held her for awhile. She was just on a nasal cannula then. It sure makes a difference when we hold them. Her eyes still seemed kind of puffy, but I guess they just take a little time to heal. She's getting drops and ointment to help with that. She was up to 25 cc's every three hours and will go up another 5 cc's at 6 a.m. tomorrow which will bring her up to full feeds again. She lost some weight yesterday and is at 1610 grams or 3 lbs. 9 oz.
Lindsey is just a wild child! She does not like CPAP and has already figured out how to get it off. She is just content as can be when it's off, even though she needs it. Her nurse was getting frustrated, I think, because she is constantly getting it out of her nose. I said maybe it would be good if I held her. We hadn't held her since she'd gone on CPAP. They didn't want to stress her by getting in & out of the isolette. So I held her for about two hours and she was quite calm most of the time. We both enjoyed it. Her nurse said there's nothing like a mother's touch. She was up to 1670 grams or 3 lbs. 11 oz.
Oh, and both girls are back on breast milk with HMF (fortified to 24 calorie).
That's it for today. Hope you all were good bargain shoppers today!
Good night sweet baby girls. Mommy and daddy love you!
"Treasure each other in the recognition that we do not know how long we shall have each other." ~ Joshua Loth Liebman
Wednesday, December 25, 2002 at 11:19 PM (CST)
Merry Christmas!
Lindsey is still doing fine on CPAP! She's requiring oxygen in the 20's which is very good for her and she's still at her full feedings of 30 cc's every three hours. We didn't hold her today...giving her time to adjust to this new contraption and we're so excited about how well she's doing. She weighed in at 1650 grams or 3 lbs. 10 oz.
Sydney is still recovering from her surgery. Her eyes were quite swollen yet, but hopefully will be better tomorrow. We held her today and took some pictures of her in her stocking (cute!). She had been struggling all day with remembering how to breathe so as of this evening she is back on CPAP, for how long we don't know. I think she just needs the extra stimulus of the continuous air flow to help her remember. She has mostly been at room air (21%) for oxygen though, which is really good. They have started her back up on feedings at 10 cc's every three hours and will gradually increase. She weighed in at 1650 grams or 3 lbs. 10 oz. also.
Brian, I and Brice spent the day with family and took some pictures. I have put them in a new album along with pictures of the girls. We continue to pray for the healing and growth of our girls and we know you all are too. Thank you. May God continue to bless and enrich your lives!
We love you Lindsey & Sydney!
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men." ~ Luke 2:14
Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at 10:42 PM (CST)
Merry Christmas to you all!
Sydney's surgery went very well. She was a little trooper, getting her eye drops this morning, her IV and then off to the operating room. We will know at her eye exam next week if the surgery was successful or not. When she came back, she was quite cold so went back in the isolette, but I suspect she will be in a bassinet again by tomorrow. She was also intubated for the surgery, but the plan was to get the tube back out sometime tonight. They wait until the anesthesia wears off and they are moving around quite a bit before doing that. Her weight was up to 1640 grams or 3 lbs. 9.75 oz.
We were at the hospital early today so was there when they rounded. Remember when I said that Lindsey told Santa that she wanted her tube out for Christmas? Well, she got her wish! They decided to extubate Lindsey! It happened about 10 a.m. this morning and so far she is doing good. Please pray that her lungs are strong enough and continue to heal. She weighed 1670 grams or 3 lbs. 11 oz.
It was an eventful day for the Niehaus' at the NICU! We went to Grandma & Grandpa Anderson's this evening and had a wonderful time with our family. Lindsey & Sydney received such nice gifts, one in particular, was a rocking horse that used to be big brother, Brice's. Then it was given to nephew, Dylan, on his 1st birthday. Now it was given back to the girls, but spiffied up a bit. It's been painted and has their names, pictures and the story on it. I will take some pictures of it soon and put in their albums. It's a very special gift. Thank you Darren, Kristy, Chelsea and Dylan!
Again, Merry Christmas...to all of you and our baby girls! We love you so very much!
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." ~ Luke 2:10-11
Monday, December 23, 2002 at 10:57 PM (CST)
Well, well, well...another day is almost done. I had quite a surprise when I got to the hospital today. Little Sydney was in a bassinet...out of her isolette!! What a great feat...and she was doing really well, holding her temperature. She looks so cute all bundled up in the bassinet AND she's wearing a little preemie sleeper which, of course, is still way to big for her! Now for the not so good news, she had her eye exam today and the ROP has progressed to stage 3, so she is having the laser surgery tomorrow at 8 a.m. Please pray that the surgery goes well and will correct the problem. She weighed in at 1600 grams today or 3 lbs. 8 oz.
Lindsey, is well, Lindsey...everyone at the NICU knows who she is, because, well, she makes herself known! She is just very active and wants that tube out of her mouth so badly, but it's just not her time. We were told today that her eyes have progressed to about where Sydney's was last week, so that we shouldn't be surprised if she has to have surgery next week. So, we are preparing ourselves for that. She weighed in at 1625 grams or 3 lbs. 9 oz.
The girls had special visitors today. Aunt Tammy, Aunt Karen and Cousin Corrie drove up from Marshfield just to wish them a Merry Christmas! Tammy had seen them when they were first born and thought they had changed quite a bit. The girls were a bit sleepy during their visit but tried to peek open their eyes a few times!
Better get some shut-eye as we have to be to the hospital early tomorrow. God's blessings to you all!
Sweet dreams little ones. We love you.
On This Day:
Fight for a principle.
Express your gratitude.
Overcome an old fear.
Take two minutes to appreciate
the beauty of nature.
Tell someone you love them.
Tell them again, and again.
Sunday, December 22, 2002 at 11:30 PM (CST)
What a great day in the NICU! God is good!
Both the girls had a really good day! PLUS they got to see their Uncle Darren and Aunt Kristy! What a special treat that was...and I'm sure they felt the playful vibes of their cousins, Chelsea and Dylan, coming their way from the family/waiting room. I also held Lindsey and Sydney today. What angels they are! And Sydney we tried at the breast again, and she just latched right on this time! She knew just what she wanted.
Lindsey is still not extubated and doesn't look like she will be any time in the next few days. Her x-ray was worse today, so they stopped her theophylline. Not sure when it's going to happen. She's just on her own time schedule...
Sydney had another great day with minimal spells. I just adore looking at her and all her facial expressions. I did have another dimple sighting and this time it was on the left cheek. Looks like we may have a pair of them! She got an extra dose of lasix today. I asked about when they come out of their isolettes and sounds like Sydney could come out anytime. I guess they were just concerned about their weight gain and keeping oneself warm burns a lot more calories and they didn't want that taking away from her gaining. But the nurse practitioner made a note to have them discuss at rounds tomorrow, so maybe we'll have some news.
Both the girls weighed in at the same today, 1635 grams or 3 lbs. 9.5 oz. Grow, girls, grow!
That's it folks! Have a great week! Merry Christmas!
Love you baby girls...
"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." ~ Thomas Jefferson
Saturday, December 21, 2002 at 08:42 PM (CST)
Only 4 days until Christmas...do you have all your shopping done? Not I...maybe tomorrow or Monday. I'd rather shop on the weekdays!
Mommy got her hair done today in Cannon and then Grammy Gloria and Aunt Sherri came up to the hospital with Mommy to see the girls. Daddy was already there holding little Sydney. She had been working so hard all day and was POOPED out! She had been having a little constipation yesterday and last night, but thankfully, got that taken care of and was tired because of it. I held Lindsey then. She was pretty tired herself. I guess they had been pretty active last night.
Lindsey did not get extubated. The chest x-ray showed about the same as yesterday, not much change, so like I said before...it will be a day to day thing. Her weight was up to 1595 grams or 3 lbs. 8 oz. Nothing new for Sydney. Her weight was up to 1575 grams or 3 lbs. 7.5 oz.
There are two new pictures in the albums; ones taken with Grandma Gloria. Can't really see the girls, but you can see their Christmas hats! You'll just have to take my word that they are adorable!
Have a great night everyone. You, too, baby girls. Mommy & daddy love you!
"Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way." ~ Unknown
Saturday, December 21, 2002 at 12:18 AM (CST)
My update is late...I'm so tired tonight. I took a little nap after I got home from the hospital. The girls are doing great! I was at the hospital through the afternoon and held the girls and Brian came later in the evening and held them both then. What a treat for all of us!! Brian had quite good conversations with the girls this evening, telling them about their families and their big brother, all kinds of things.
Lisa and Joe came to visit today, as well as, Sue. They hadn't seen the girls in about a month! What a difference a pound makes on these little peanuts! Lisa brought two little Packer hats for the girls...so cute. We put them on their teddy bears for now. Sue and I went out to dinner at Sidney's on Grand and had a very nice time. I haven't had too many outings recently.
Lindsey is still on the vent. We are taking it one day at a time. She had another chest x-ray this morning and it was improved from yesterday, but not well enough to attempt extubation. She will get another x-ray tomorrow. Her weight was up 30 grams to 1540 or 3 lbs. 6 oz.
Sydney is still doing fine on just the nasal cannula. They said today on rounds that it's okay to try breastfeeding with Sydney once per day. We really don't expect her to actually feed, just to start being exposed. So we tried today and she did fine for her first try. We'll keep working on it. The lasix really did the trick for her and she is down to 1510 grams or 3 lbs. 5 oz.
They also talked about going back to the breast milk. They are going to stay on the formula for two full weeks to get some good data, but if the growth isn't really significant, then we're going back to the breast milk, probably fortified to 27 calorie.
Guess that's it for now. Off to bed for this mommy...daddy's already sleeping! Sleep tight baby girls!
"A smile happens in a flash, but the memory of it can last a lifetime." ~ Unknown
Thursday, December 19, 2002 at 10:17 PM (CST)
Back from the hospital and all is well with the girls.
Lindsey did NOT get extubated today. When I called this morning to check on her, they said that her chest x-ray didn't look very good, so no-go on the extubation...maybe tomorrow or the next day. It will be a day-to-day thing depending on her x-ray. She's having another x-ray tomorrow. They also increased the vent setting that they had decreased last night. Normally, they would keep the setting, trying to wean the pressure, but because they are going to put her on a higher pressure on the CPAP there is no need to wean her now. She was also increased to 30 cc's every three hours, the same as her sister. She did lose 40 grams yesterday which puts her at 1510 grams or 3 lbs. 5 oz. She and I had a nice time tonight! She was quite content for the hour that I held her.
Sydney is just hanging out, growing good. It looked like she was breathing a little harder this morning so they gave her a dose of lasix, which really helped. She was much more restful and breathing better when I got there this afternoon. It's such a joy holding them each day. Sydney is so funny, her expressions, she smiles...and makes cute expressions with her mouth. She was holding her bear and the nurse got a picture with the regular camera. Can't wait to see it. Sydney's weight was up to 1590 grams or 3 lbs. 8 oz.
The girls will be 35 weeks (gestational age) tomorrow, which means they could be home in as little as 5 weeks if we stay close to the due date goal. With the fact that Lindsey is still not off the vent, I'm fairly certain we will be bringing Sydney home before her.
Guess that's it for now. Merry Christmas to all...and to all a good night! XXOO little girls!
"Arrange whatever pieces come your way." ~ Woolf
Wednesday, December 18, 2002 at 10:47 PM (CST)
Here I am! I got home from the hospital a while ago and tried to get on this page, but I think the caring bridge site was down. I was worried I wouldn't get the update on!
We have BIG news too! Lindsey is going to be extubated tomorrow morning! Oh, how we hope and pray that she is able to stay off the ventilator for good! She got a transfusion today to help beef up her blood and they changed one of her vent settings in preparation for the event tomorrow. She is also getting some steroids. She will be put on bubble CPAP again. Her weight was up 60 grams to 1550 or 3 lbs. 6.5 oz. She did receive lasix today so we'll see if that holds tomorrow. I kangarooed her tonight and she was quite calm most of the time. Sometimes I think when she gets to moving around, she just wants to turn her head to the other side, or something like that. Hard to do with that tube in. Hopefully, tonight will be the last night for that! Please pray for little Lindsey!
As for Sydney, Brian held her and she was quite content. Not any new changes on her. She's doing well on the nasal cannula with minimal spells. She is up to 1560 grams or 3 lbs. 7 oz. She is such a cutie! It's so fun to be able to see her alert and see her expressions. I can't wait to see the same with Lindsey once she gets all that tape off her mouth!
I forgot to tell you yesterday we hung up their stockings in their isolettes. Grandma Gloria had gotten them stockings with their names on it. I will have to take pictures soon. They are just adorable and exactly the right size for them.
That's all for this evening.
Good night to you. Sweet dreams baby girls.
"You have to count on living every single day in a way you believe will make you feel good about your life -- so that if it were over tomorrow, you'd be content with yourself." ~ Seymour
Tuesday, December 17, 2002 at 09:53 PM (CST)
Hello and good evening to all!
HAPPY 10-WEEK BIRTHDAY BABY GIRLS!
Just got home from the hospital. We had a holiday party with pizza and ice cream for all the NICU families. The pizza was good (from the Green Mill) and they had too much, so they said we could take one home. We got a cheese! The girls also got their picture taken with Santa. Boy...did they like that! Lindsey told Santa she wanted her tube out, not for Christmas, but by Christmas! Check their albums for the picture with Santa! HO! HO! HO! They each received a Boyd's bear from Santa!
The GOOD news today is that Sydney was taken off CPAP! It happened after rounds this morning. Pray that her lungs are strong enough and she's big enough to do this herself with just some help from a little oxygen. She's done really well since coming off, good breath sounds, etc. I held her tonight all bundled and got to give her a neb treatment too. The formula seems to be working well. She was up to 1500 grams or 3 lbs. 5 oz. and her feedings were increased to 30 cc's every three hours. OH, and other big news is we've had a dimple sighting! I think that as their little cheeks start pudging out a little we will have more dimple sightings. You would think that both girls would DEFINITELY have dimples since both Brian and I have them. Time will tell I guess.
Now for Lindsey...she is growing good too, weighing in today at 1490 grams or 3 lbs. 4.5 oz. They changed her orders and she now gets her lasix treatment every other day. They are still talking about extubating her again, maybe later in the week. I'll keep you posted. Brian kangarooed her tonight (held skin-to-skin) and she really liked that. She's been having some residuals in her feedings. It may be nothing or she might not be tolerating the formula as well. They will be watching it.
As for their eye exams, they are both still the same, Stage 2 Zone 2, but Sydney is just a little bit more advanced than Lindsey. So, still good news. We will continue to pray that it doesn't get any worse.
Again, Brian and I would like to say how much we appreciate all the support, cards and prayers. We sure enjoy reading the entries in the guestbook and hope you all continue to drop us a note if you feel the urge. God bless you and your families.
Good night little ones. We love you.
"Prayer is not the least but the most we can do for another human being." ~ Unknown
Monday, December 16, 2002 at 11:15 PM (CST)
Here I am! And it will be another short entry as the girls are doing really good!
Sydney's time off CPAP was increased to one hour each shift and I held her tonight while she was off. She did great! She still hates the CPAP, but loves her little "binky" (pacifier)! They increased her feedings to 28 cc's every three hours. Not much else new. She was up 30 grams to 1450 or 3 lbs. 3 oz. and she is 16 inches long!
As for Miss Lindsey, they stopped her antibiotics today. They are talking about when to try extubating her again, probably one day this week. We might know something tomorrow. I held her bundled tonight for the first time. It was sooo great to be able to look at her face! Her weight was also up 30 grams to 1480 or 3 lbs. 4 oz. and she is also 16 inches long.
They have their eye exams tomorrow. Please pray for healthy eyes! We hope there is no further progression of the ROP.
We are also having the NICU holiday party tomorrow evening with pizza and ice cream! Yum! Santa is also coming to the NICU in the afternoon.
That's it for today. Hope your week has gotten off to a good start!
Good night baby girls!
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sunday, December 15, 2002 at 10:42 PM (CST)
Happy Sunday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
Tonight's entry will be short! For some reason, I've just been exhausted the past two days and I need to get to bed early!
The girls had a great day today! Both are doing well. There are no changes other than Sydney is getting taken off CPAP a half hour each shift. She did marvelously when I held her and she was just on the nasal cannula. She was so relaxed and just loved it. I took some pictures of her after we put her back in the isolette before putting her "gear" on again. They turned out really good. Check out their albums; there are a couple of Miss Lindsey too! Lindsey is back to her old self again...moving and shaking! She practically crawls out of the isolette. She's like that sometimes while holding her too! I think she just wants to get in a different position or turn her head over. Sydney weighed in at 1420 grams or 3 lbs. 2 oz. and Lindsey weighed in at 1450 grams or 3 lbs. 3 oz. I sure hope it's the formula and not extra fluids!
Grandma Gloria and Grandpa Dean came to visit today. They said you were tired, but that's okay...you were probably just resting! Then they came to Mommy & Daddy's house to bring some sleepers for you! Betcha can't wait to wear them. Plus they wanted to see your room! They said it looked wonderful!
That's it for tonight! The following is something I read to the girls quite often when we weren't able to hold them yet.
Good night all! Good night sweet baby girls!
A Wish, a Hope, a Prayer
I wish that every one of your days will dawn with a sense of hope streaming in with sunlight, a sense of strength woven into the winds, and as many things to be thankful for as there are stars in the evening sky.
I hope that the distance between where you are and where you want to be grows shorter every day. I'll never stop wishing that your journey through this world will be touched by kindness, inspired by wisdom, graced with understanding, and kept safe from all harm. I hope you have a charmed existence, and that your heart will always be an open window to a joy so lasting and deep.
And I pray that you will always have an angel watching over you, there to trace on your wonderful face a smile that you can keep.
~ Douglas Pagels
Saturday, December 14, 2002 at 09:50 PM (CST)
Ahhhh...another boring day at the NICU! How wonderful! This shall be a short entry, well, short for me!
We went to the pizza party at the NICU today. I talked with several who had been where we are. Maybe not exactly where we are, but close. I even met someone from Ellsworth and we know some mutual people. It truly is a small world. I love that statement because it's been proven true to me over and over again.
As for our darling daughters...they were both having a great day! There really isn't anything new to tell. Brian held Sydney for a bit. They took her off CPAP while holding her, but didn't put on a cannula. He didn't get to hold her too long as she definitely needs SOME oxygen. Later, Brian and I tried to calm her down because she was having a fit with the CPAP! I felt sooo bad for her. April (nurse) did talk with Dr. Coleman and got the okay for taking her off during her shift. So, she put the cannula on and Sydney was loving every minute of the 20 that she was off the CPAP. She did wonderfully! Hopefully, she will be off that darn thing soon! She weighed in at 1365 grams or 3 lbs. Let's keep it up!
I held Lindsey for an hour. Her old self is returning and she was awake today as well as being much more active. We're very happy about that! She's still on antibiotics for a couple days...just in case. She weighed in at 1375 grams or a little over 3 lbs. I talked to Dr. Coleman about the weight thing. It's not that they are so behind, it's just they really want to see some CONSISTENT growth on them. They should be gaining an average of 1/2 oz. each day. Hopefully the formula will do the trick and we will know that we have to beef up my "diet" breast milk, if that turns out to be the case.
Guess that's it for tonight. Have a great one!
Night night little girls. We love you!
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." ~ Hebrews 13:2 (NKJV)
Friday, December 13, 2002 at 08:23 PM (CST)
Another good evening to you all...
Happy Friday the 13th! A pretty uneventful day for the girls, which as you all know, we like very much.
Sydney is still on CPAP and doing fine, requiring minimal oxygen most of the time. If she would just stop squirming around in there, she'd maybe keep the things in her nose better. But you know, if I had those long prongs in my little nose, I'd be trying to get them out too! When I was in the hospital, I was on oxygen for quite a few days with just a regular nasal canula and after the first day, that was irritating to me and I kept repositioning it so it would barely be in my nose and sometimes I'd take it off. I guess she's just doing the same thing. Nothing grew out of the cultures for her, so they are stopping her antibiotics tonight. Her weight was up to 1350 grams or 2 lbs. 15.5 oz. Really, you could call it 3 lbs. if you round up. I was surprised especially after that diaper yesterday!
Miss Lindsey is still quite inactive. They really want to see her old rambunctious self back. Even though nothing grew out of her cultures either, they are going to continue the antibiotics just in case. It's possible she has something viral and will just have to run it's course. I held her skin to skin this evening. Well, we always hold them skin to skin or Kangarooing they call it, unless I've told you otherwise. Only Sydney I've held twice just bundled up. Lindsey was pretty calm and her O2 needs were low. But it was quite funny...because April (their nurse) and I were talking a couple different times and each time Miss Lindsey would drop her O2 sats and we'd have to turn her up. She just didn't like us talking and made it known! As soon as we'd stop, she was fine again. She is definitely Miss Sensitive! She weighed in at 1380 grams or 3 lbs. 1/2 oz.
As for Brian and I, we gave blood at the blood drive at his work. I drove in around 1 p.m. and received quite a reception from the office! It was very nice and everyone was asking about the girls. I met some of the people who have signed the guestbook. It's wonderful to know so many people care and are praying for our little ones. They are truly special people!
Tomorrow we have a pizza party at the NICU family room sponsored by the Parents to Parents Network. It's the group of former NICU parents who support current parents! I've talked to a few people before and it's great to hear stories of their little ones who are, for example, four years old now! It will be nice to volunteer one day.
Guess that's all the news for today...I even got it on here pretty early! Hope you all have a great weekend!
Love you baby girls! Sleep tight! May God's angels be watching over you!
"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention."
Thursday, December 12, 2002 at 10:10 PM (CST)
I can't believe how fast December is going by, well, the whole year actually, but in particular, this month. It seems like it was just Thanksgiving yesterday and now it's only 12 days until Christmas. So many things yet to do...I did finish my Christmas cards today though. My goal was to have them done by this past Monday, but other things took precedence. I hope you are all taking a moment now and then to reflect on this holiday season and the past year, remembering times spent with family and friends and people who have touched your life, if but for a moment.
Lindsey and Sydney...
They put Sydney back on bubble CPAP early this morning. She had been having more of those spells last night and so they decided to see if this would help. She hasn't had any since, but they also gave her a transfusion, so it's possible that really helped her spells. She is NOT happy with the CPAP. She kicks and flails her arms and cries, trying to get the thing out of her nose, which she DOES some of the time. She is quite a little houdini. I'm not sure what the plan is for how long she'll be on it again, but I would suspect it won't be too long. Her oxygen needs are quite low and her chest xrays have been good. So far, nothing as grown out of the cultures that they took on her. She had gotten a dose of lasix after her transfusion today and boy...did it kick in! Her urine output up to that point total for the day was 51 cc's and that diaper alone was 66 cc's!! Plus she wet through all her bedding! So, I held her all bundled for 45 minutes while Brenda changed her bedding and Sydney got fed. She calmed right down and was out like a light! Her weight was 1320 grams or 2 lbs. 15 oz.
Lindsey's cultures were growing something, but the antibiotics should take care of it. She was still very lethargic and tired all day today. It was until later in the evening that she was pepping up, peaking her eyes open a little bit. Her feedings were increased to 28 cc's every three hours. Her weight was up 60 grams to 1390 or 3 lbs. 1 oz., but don't celebrate yet as she got lasix also, and she has a lot of extra fluid on board. Hopefully, she'll drop a couple ounces tomorrow. Brian arrived about 6:00 p.m. and held his little Lindsey for 90 minutes or so. She was pretty quiet. But it has been good to see her perking up!
I read a couple books to the girls, trying to settle Sydney and while Brian was holding Lindsey. One is a cute story called "Angel Babies". I like to think of their brother, Seth, as an angel baby watching over them in Heaven.
Well, I'm quite tired and I should get some sleep. I'm giving blood tomorrow so I need my rest! Brian is too.
Have a great Friday!
Hugs and kisses to our baby girls! Sweet dreams!
"When you can't have what you want, it's time to start wanting what you have." ~ Kathleen A. Sutton
Wednesday, December 11, 2002 at 10:03 PM (CST)
Well, as you know from my update to yesterday's journal, little Lindsey had to be reintubated this morning. She made it just shy of 24 hours. I guess she was just working sooo hard to breathe and her little lungs just couldn't do it anymore. She was VERY tired today. They ended up doing a septic workup on her, as well as culturing her ET tube. No results yet. They did it because she wasn't her active self and she also had a temperature. Part of that could be she's just worn out, but her blood pressures were low too, so they did start her on antibiotics just to be safe, in case there is an infection. They did put in the larger ET (endo-tracheal) tube and she has no air leak now. Hopefully, this won't cause any greater damage to her airway. They are talking about trying to extubate her again in another week or so. They may do some sort of study (scans) on her airways and lungs to get a better handle on what the pressure should be set at on the CPAP. She has been at a pressure of 7, which is a substantial pressure, but she may need even more than that. Brian held her today and she was zonked out! She is doing fine on her oxygen and her lungs sound good. She will get there, we know. She's just on her own schedule.
Sydney was having a significant amount of spells today. Remember a spell is when one drops their oxygen saturations and heart rate. She really hasn't had that many, so this could be a sign of several things. She, also, had a septic workup done to check for infection and was started on antibiotics just in case. Her hemoglobin is on the low side, so it's possible she'll get a transfusion tomorrow, especially if the spells continue. As preemies get older, they should be starting to produce their own red blood cells, so doctors aren't always as quick to transfuse. They want to see if they can get their red blood cells up themselves. Her hemoglobin had risen from the day before. I held her this evening for a couple hours. She was very restful. She was quite alert for some of the time and then fell asleep. It is such a joy just being able to hold them and rock.
They are also a little bit concerned with their growth (mostly weight) not following their growth charts. So, we are stopping the breast milk feedings for 5-7 days and giving them straight 24 calorie formula. This is just to see if it makes a difference...if they can gain some good weight. Right now, my breast milk is being fortified with formula to make it 24 calorie or what we think is 24 calorie. An assumption is made that breast milk is 20 calories, but obviously, ALL breast milk isn't the same. So this is a way to know for sure they are getting 24 calorie/oz. My breast milk can always be fortified more if this makes a difference. Hopefully, they will continue to tolerate the straight formula as they have the breast milk. That is one thing that has been going really well. Candy, one of the nurse practitioners, said to me today, "You didn't know you had diet breast milk, did you?" Too funny! I said, "I don't drink diet pop! I can't understand why I have diet breast milk!" Guess you had to be there. It was pretty funny.
Anyway, they both gained the exact same amount of weight! How does that happen? They were at 1330 grams or 2 lbs. 15 oz.
Thank you all again for continuing to pray for our little girls. This is such a long and winding journey...your support means so much to Brian and I.
Good night baby girls! Sleep tight! Don't let the bed bugs bite! (That's what my dad always said to me when he tucked me in.)
"Joy is not in things! It is in us!" ~ Benjamin Franklin 1706-90
Tuesday, December 10, 2002 at 08:59 PM (CST)
Good evening! We're nine weeks old today! Happy birthday to Aunt Tammy and cousin Ashley! Hope you had a great day!
Well, everything went according to plan this morning and Lindsey was extubated and put on bubble CPAP. She is doing wonderfully! Her oxygen needs are in the 30% range which is very good for her. She is such a feisty little girl that they are giving her some mild sedation to settle her down. We want her to rest and not exert so much energy! Later in the afternoon, they switched her from the bubble CPAP to the regular one called Aladdin. With the bubble CPAP, the object is for it to bubble and sometimes that can be a problem as it was with Lindsey. Instead of fighting with the gear all the time, they decided to just switch to the regular one. I think (we all think) it will work much better for her. The head gear is a little different and it seems to stay on better, which is good, because she needs it! I asked Joan (Dr.) if she was more optimistic this time and she said she was. She thinks she will make it. I hope so. We're continuing to pray for strength for little Lindsey to breathe on her own!
Sydney and I spent a couple hours today...rocking and talking. She pretty much slept the whole time. She sure likes her little "binky" (pacifier) and just is sucking away at it! She is alert so much more these days, actually, both of them are. It's fun to interact with them and see their expressions. This is day 2 for Sydney being off CPAP and she's doing awesome! She's requiring VERY minimal oxygen. Now she just had to feed and grow! The next big step for her is learning to breastfeed and gaining weight! We should be starting the breastfeeding soon.
The girls are at 26 cc's every three hours now. Such big girls get more num-nums! They sure get antsy before feeding time! They weighed in at exactly the same today 1270 grams or 2 lbs. 13 oz. They had their eye exams this evening and their eyes have progressed to Stage 2, Zone 2. This is still good, but we don't want it to progress any further. All we can do is wait, pray and see. They have another exam next week. We're so thankful that they watch this so closely as that's the key...catching the progression early!
We want to thank everyone for all your support over the past nine weeks! Sometimes it seems like it's gone by so fast and other times it seems very long. We still have a long way to go. It sure lifts our spirits and warms our heart when we come to the website, check the guestbook and see the latest words of encouragement or prayer or note from a friend.
May God bless you all...and our precious daughters, Lindsey and Sydney.
A Whisper of Angel Wings
Today I stumbled and once again
Was lifted up by an unseen hand.
What comfort and joy that knowledge brings
For I hear the whisper of angel wings.
The guardian angels God sends to all
To bear us up when we stumble and fall.
Trust Him, my friend, and often you'll hear
The whisper of angel wings hovering near.
~ Anonymous
UPDATE 8:00 a.m. 12/11/02: Well, we got the call about a half hour ago. Lindsey was requiring more & more oxygen and was desatting, so they have reintubated her. I'm very sad and disappointed. I know she will get there evenutally, but it's just hard. Please continue to pray for her. Thank you.
Monday, December 09, 2002 at 08:59 PM (CST)
"It's the most wonderful time...of the year..."
What a great day! Brian went to see the girls at lunch and held Sydney for an hour. When he got there he found Sydney with just the nasal canula on. She had been off CPAP from 8-9 a.m. and she was just fighting it terribly when they went to put it back on, so when they came through on rounds, they said to just leave it off! So, she is now on just the canula, minimal oxygen! Yahoo! What a big step! She is doing wonderfully! They also switched her feeding tube from her mouth to her nose. It's such a joy to see her face. When I got there this afternoon, April had her out of the isolette all snuggled with blankets and was holding her. So she gave her to me and I got to hold her like a real baby...looking in her eyes!! It was the best feeling! She just went right to sleep. She is about the same in weight today, 1255 grams or 2 lbs. 12 oz.
Now the BIG news on Miss Lindsey is that they are going to extubate her tomorrow morning before rounds! She will go on bubble CPAP! OH, how I hope she has gotten strong enough to make it this time without being reintubated! Let's send all our positive energies to Lindsey tomorrow so she can share all our strength! I just looked back and she has gained about 185 grams since a week ago Sunday, which is about 6 1/2 oz. Hopefully that will help her! She and I had a lovely chat while I was holding her this afternoon...she was pretty sleepy, but hopefully her subconscious picked up on my positive affirmations. I KNOW she wants that tube out of her mouth! As for her weight today...1305 grams or 2 lbs. 14 oz.
They are getting to be so big, but are still tiny to most people. They are a shade over 15 inches long now. They also have their eye exam tomorrow, so I will update on that tomorrow night.
I ordered the crib mattress today. So soon the room will be presentable and I'll get some more pictures to post in the albums.
That's it for tonight! God bless you all and our little girls! Good night!
"Give your troubles to God; He will be up all night anyway."
Sunday, December 08, 2002 at 09:26 PM (CST)
HAPPY TWO MONTH BIRTHDAY LINDSEY & SYDNEY!
Mommy and daddy have enjoyed watching you both grow and change over the past two months. We are so proud!
The girls had an awesome day today! Maybe they knew that they were two months old today...time to turn another corner in their growth. Lindsey was needing fairly low oxygen amounts, 30's. That's low for her. Sydney was in room air most of the day. That is awesome!! I held Lindsey first this afternoon. She was zonked out and so snuggly! Grandma Gloria and Great-grandma Marcy visited right about that time. Lindsey went back in her isolette and then I held Sydney. She did wonderfully AGAIN with just the canula! The grandmas have so much fun interacting with them. Lindsey was wide awake for a lot of the time they were there.
The girls made a step/change in their care today. They are now getting fed 24 cc's every THREE hours instead of two and are also getting their vitals checked every three hours.
Lindsey is staying a tad bit ahead of her sister in weight at the moment. She is at 1320 grams or 2 lbs. 14.5 oz. Sydney is at 1250 grams or 2 lbs. 12 oz.
Another new doctor will be rounding this week. That changes each Monday and with every new doctor comes a different philosophy and potential change in the plan. It will be interesting to see what happens with Lindsey and getting her off the vent. I'm pretty sure they will try it again this week.
Brian put together the crib today and it is beautiful! It looks great and matches our wood trim nicely. Now I just have to order the mattress. I'll try to get that ordered this week.
You know, my eyelids are getting a little droopy right now. Guess it's time to take a nap.
Thanks, everyone, for all your continued thoughts and prayers. It's wonderful that so many people are following the girls progress and Brian and I enjoy reading all the thoughts and comments in the guestbook each day!
Sweet dreams Lindsey & Sydney! We love you.
A house is built of logs and stone,
Of tiles and posts and piers,
A home is built of loving deeds
That stand a thousand years.
~ Victor Hugo
Saturday, December 07, 2002 at 10:29 PM (CST)
Hello!
We got back from St. Paul a while ago. Before going to the hospital, we drove out to Richfield to Babies R Us to pick up the crib. I ordered it on Monday and got a call today that it was in! They had originally said 7-14 days so that was fast! After that, we went to the hospital and held the girls for and hour+. It's just so amazing to me how strong they are getting. They pretty much almost turn their heads over themselves...picking them right off our chests!
They both had a really good day. Lindsey's hemoglobin was low today so she got a transfusion. They both got their first batch of immunizations as they are TWO MONTHS OLD tomorrow! Wow! They received four shots each, but they handled it well. Tough little girls already! I put another picture of Sydney in her album. You'll have to check it out to see what she's doing! She's so smart! Oh, and they've increased Sydney's time off CPAP to twice per day, an hour each time, so morning and evening. She is doing so well when off CPAP! Tonight she was off while I held her, so a little over an hour and then they kept her off about another hour and a half! Which is really good because the CPAP is so hard on her nose. They've started putting some hydrocortisone cream on it now. Guess it happens all the time though.
As for weights...Lindsey passed her sister up for the second time in two months! She weighed in at 1280 grams or 2 lbs. 13 oz. and Sydney is 1240 grams or 2 lbs. 11.5 oz. Shouldn't be long now and they'll reach that 3 lb. mark!
Brian put together my rocker-glider today. It looks great and glides so nice too. Once he gets the crib together, I'll take some more pictures of the girls' room.
Hoping you are all having a good weekend!
Good night sweet daughters!
"Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily."
Friday, December 06, 2002 at 10:28 PM (CST)
Greetings!
Lindsey and Sydney are getting so big! That's what all the nurses keep telling us. All of us in the NICU have a strange sense of what is "big". A lot of the nurses there say they see a full-term baby that weighs 6-7 lbs. and they think it's HUGE! It IS compared to our little 2 pounders. Once in awhile there's a full termer in there and it seems very strange.
I really have nothing new to tell you all tonight. Brian held Sydney this evening, while I held Lindsey. They both handled being out of their house with mom & dad wonderfully! Sydney did not have even one alarm the whole time. She is doing so good when just on the nasal canula (just oxygen). She weighed in at 1220 grams or 2 lbs. 11 oz. Now I'm going to tell you Lindsey's weight, but we're not sure if it's right. They weighed her on a different scale last night and it took this HUGE jump. Okay...1230 grams or 2 lbs. 11 oz. That's almost 3 oz! It will be interesting to see what it is tomorrow. I hope they weigh her on the same scale again.
That's it! Life for the girls is about feeding and growing, so Lindsey can get bigger and get off that darn vent and Sydney can get off the CPAP! It's getting so sore around her nose and she cries now when they put it back on her after having it off. I'm sure it hurts. Poor thing.
Well, I am off to work on my Christmas cards. Brian and I will be doing some holiday baking this weekend too! Fun!
Sleep tight baby girls. May God's angels continue to watch over you!
It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere." ~ Agnes Repplier
Thursday, December 05, 2002 at 09:49 PM (CST)
Happy Birthday Uncle Darren! Hope you had a great day!
Another day is nearly over and we are closer to bringing the girls home. They both had a pretty good day today, according to nurse Stephanie. I forgot to tell you that yesterday, Lindsey was moved on the other side of Sydney so now the nurse will have them both! Before they didn't want one nurse taking care of both because it was too much...they are ringers and Lindsey was 1:1 for a long time. So this is a big step.
Sydney only had a couple spells today. It's so strange to hear her little cries now after not hearing anything for 8 weeks. It makes me feel so bad though as I can't really do anything for her. She was crying a bit when I got there today and was squirming around. I took her little purple "binky" and put in her mouth and she started sucking on it and settled right down. A while later, I changed her diaper, getting her ready for her time out of her house! We were waiting for Daddy to get there so we could each old them and he was stuck in traffic. So I changed Lindsey's diaper then and just as I got the new diaper under her, she peed again, THEN pooped too! Probably won't be the last time that happens! Finally got her all cleaned up and then daddy arrived. Dad held Lindsey and I held Sydney for about an hour or so. They both did well. Sydney is doing so good when she's just on the canula! I think today was one of her best days.
There weren't any changes in orders for either girl. Sydney was up to 1235 grams or 2 lbs 11.5 oz. and Lindsey was down to 1148 grams or 2 lbs. 8.5 oz.
We got our first picture taken of all four of us tonight! Now with Lindsey moved it means we can sit together with the girls. How exciting!! So, I've put a couple more pictures in their albums tonight. Enjoy!
I enjoy so much talking with the nurses each night. They are truly special people taking care of our precious children. We are so fortunate and thankful to have such a great children's hospital, doctors and nurses to care for our girls. May the Lord continue to guide them and give them wisdom in all they do.
I've been imagining "future" things with Lindsey and Sydney; things such as going Christmas shopping with them and picking out a gift for Daddy, baking Christmas cookies together, teaching them how to make lefse along with grandma's help just as my mom and grandma taught me...all these things we have to look forward to. It brings joy to my heart.
Ahhh, what a nice thought to leave you all with...I shall sleep well tonight and dream of little girl things.
Good night all. Good night little ones. God loves you and so do we!
"Love without ceasing,
Give without Measure --
Who can exhaust
God's limitless treasure?"
~ Malcom Schloss
Wednesday, December 04, 2002 at 10:41 PM (CST)
Good evening friends and family!
I don't have much news to report on the girls tonight. They are doing good!
Lindsey is now up to 16 cc's every two hours just like her sister. Finally she's caught up...probably not for long. I'm sure Sydney will have to jump ahead again soon. I guess eventually they will switch to a larger amount every three hours. They made some changes to Lindsey's vent settings. It's been nice that they've been doing it a little more gradual. I think she's tolerating it better. I spoke with the doctor who is rounding this week and asked about when they thought they'd be extubating Lindsey again. She said she liked to see her get bigger before they try again, maybe around 1300-1400 grams. So, no specific date...just wait and grow. Lindsey weighed in at 1192 grams this morning or 2 lbs. 10 oz. She's staying real close to her sister. I took a picture of her tonight after I got done holding her. Check her album! She's such a sweetie!
Sydney had a couple more spells today. It's very common at her age and is something all preemie babies go through and have to outgrow. Lindsey will go through the same thing once she's off the ventilator. I can't remember if I explained it before but basically they just forget to breathe and their heart rate will drop. It will continue until their central nervous system develops more and matures. We took her off CPAP again for an hour and I held her. She did excellent until the end! She was just tired and that's her way of telling us that! They are talking about taking her off for two hours a day now. Maybe tomorrow. Sydney did drop a few grams to 1205 or 2 lbs. 10 oz.
I am tired and need to get some sleep. Sleep tight little girls. May God's angels watch over you tonight and always. We love you.
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." ~ Helen Keller
Tuesday, December 03, 2002 at 09:36 PM (CST)
Hi!
I can't believe it's been 8 weeks already. Happy 8 week birthday girls!
I just got home from the hospital awhile ago. Brian was there earlier today. Both girls are doing fine. I held each of them tonight for about an hour. It's so wonderful to have that snuggle time. I got a good picture of Sydney with just the nasal canula on! Check her album. No picture of Lindsey today. I'll get one tomorrow. The girls had their 3rd eye exam today. Sydney's eyes were the same, stage 1, zone 2 ROP. Yea! That's good, no worse. Lindsey showed stage 1, zone 2. She was just immature last time, but like I said before, it's to be expected for how early they were born. Let's just all pray that it doesn't progress any further!
Sydney did great the hour she was off CPAP! She only had two spells today. Good job Sydney! Her weight was up to 1220 grams or 2 lbs. 11 oz. They gave her lasix, so it's possible tomorrow she will lose. We are nearing the 3 lb. mark! Oh, and I forgot to tell you yesterday that she had gone up to 16 cc's every two hours on her feeds.
Lindsey just slept away while I held her. I held her after the eye exam so that probably pooped her out...all the stress from that! Her weight was up to 1175 grams or 2 lbs. 9 oz. Likewise for her, I forgot to tell you that she is up to 15 cc's every two hours.
So that's my update for this evening. Have a great week!
Good night baby girls! Love you!
"No longer forward nor behind
I look in hope or fear;
But, grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here."
~ John Greenleaf Whittier, 1807-92
Monday, December 02, 2002 at 10:12 PM (CST)
Happy December!
Lindsey is doing fine. She is back on the ventilator, but is doing good. They still have her on weaning type settings, but not quite as aggressive as before. She was doing good with her oxygen needs today. It didn't seem as if she was up and down as much. She just needs to grow a little more...maybe in a few days or a week, they will try to extubate her again. I held her for about an hour and she did well. She has an awful lot of oral secretions and was drooling on me. The nurse was suctioning her mouth and said most of it seemed to be on me. I told her that I'm sure this won't be the last time that happens! Her weight was down today...1117 grams or 2 lbs. 7 oz.
Sydney is doing fabulously! She is up to 1180 grams or 2 lbs. 9.5 oz. She's been doing so well with taking her off CPAP each shift that they have stopped the 10 min/shift and now they have her just on nasal canula (just oxygen) for an hour each day. So tonight I got to hold her for an hour with just the canula in!! What great progress!! She did excellent...no desats and no drops in heart rate. In fact, she had only one documented spell today and it was self resolved. We're so proud! Now watch, tomorrow she'll have 10, just because I said that!
Tomorrow they will be 8 weeks old! Most of the time I feel like it's gone by fast, but other days it seems like forever.
Good night! Sweet dreams baby girls!
"Any child can tell you that the sole purpose of a middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble." ~ Dennis Fakes
Sunday, December 01, 2002 at 09:45 PM (CST)
What a big day at the NICU today! Lindsey was extubated this morning to CPAP and is doing GREAT! She's really trying to catch her sister...now she's breathing on her own too! Her first two blood gases weren't very good, but the last one they drew at 6:00 p.m. was very good. She was 1134 grams today or 2 lbs. 8 oz. I didn't hold her today as it was an adjustment day for her. I am pleasantly surprised at her progress. She's actually taking longer, deeper breaths than Sydney. Pretty soon, I'll be able to hear her little cries like Sydney too. Sydney's are getting louder.
Sydney had a great day today! She is just doing so well. I held her today for 1 1/2 hours. I feel so bad for those prongs in her nose. As you can tell from the pictures, it's bigger than just a nasal canula and it makes the area under their nose and inside their nose really sore. But I think it's better than a tube down your throat. She was wide awake when I left. April, her nurse, thinks she's just going to fly...she's doing so well. They started weaning her off CPAP now too, 10 minutes each shift, she's taken totally off and just has a little oxygen blown in her face. She's been doing great each shift and April said she did if for about 20 minutes today and she did fine. She said that she just gets cuter every time she sees her. Of course, I have to agree! Sydney also has some goop in her eyes, so April cultured it and now Sydney's getting some eyedrops. They won't know what grows for a couple days but they prescribe the antibiotic right away just in case. Her weight was up to 1160 grams or 2 lbs. 9 oz.
The girls' cheeks are starting to plump out a bit. They're starting to get a little fat on them! I can't believe how much they've changed recently. Guess I better get that crib ordered! They are technically half way to coming home if you figure them coming home around their due date. My original due date was January 24, 2003. It still seems so far away, but I think the second half will go much faster than the first. It seems once they get off the vent things can go quicker.
Grandma Gloria and Grandpa Dean went for a visit today! The girls were excited to see them and grandma and grandpa were surprised to see Lindsey off the vent too!
Hoping everyone had a great weekend! We sure have a lot to be thankful for!
Good night to you...Lindsey & Sydney, our sweet baby girls! Mommy and daddy love you!
"The scenes of childhood are the memories of future years." ~ The Farmer's Almanac, 1850
UPDATE: 5:30 AM (CST) Lindsey crashed. We got a call in the middle of the night to tell us that they reintubated her. Her little lungs were just working too hard. So she's back on the vent at her normal vent settings. As I said before, I wasn't as optimistic for her as she's been so much sicker, but I did have hope. They were being pretty aggressive the past couple days. She just needs a little more time. I know she'll get there, but it's still sad. Just wanted to update everyone right away. Praying for baby Lindsey!
Saturday, November 30, 2002 at 09:19 PM (CST)
Another day brings us closer to bringing our girls home! I can't believe it's December tomorrow!
Sydney is still doing well on the CPAP! We are so proud! We just continue to pray that she gets bigger and stronger, so that she has the strength to keep those lungs working and breathing on her own. Her weight was down 5 grams today to 1120 or 2 lbs. 7.5 oz. I asked April (nurse) if she's using up more calories now that she has to work harder and breathe on her own and she said absolutely. She's still at 15 cc's every two hours.
Now her sister, on the other hand, was having a little more difficult time today. They really want to get her off the vent too, so they made some more aggressive changes to her vent settings in order to start weaning her. So today Lindsey was trying to adjust to these changes. She doesn't tolerate change too well, but hopefully as the evening goes on she'll do better. Not that she's doing badly, it's just that they made some rather dramatic changes. They also ordered steroids, four doses over the next 48 hours. This is also in preparation for extubation. I think it may happen on Monday. It will depend on how she does the next 48 hours. To be quite honest, I'm not as optimistic on the extubation of Lindsey as I was of Sydney. Her little lungs have been sicker and she's so much more sensitive than Sydney is. But who knows, she may surprise us all. It's possible getting that tube out will make a world of difference. As for her weight, she was up to 1159 grams or 2 lbs. 9 oz.
We did not go get the crib today. Fortunately, I decided to call the store to see if they had one in stock before we drove all the way out to Richfield. They did not. I can order one over the phone and it will be at the store in 7-14 days.
Brian held Sydney today for 1 1/2 hours today. She did really good and looked so comfy. I'm so mad though as I wanted to take a picture of Brian and her and my batteries had gone dead in the camera. I guess I need to charge them every night just to be safe. I was going to hold Lindsey, but she had a little episode right before we were going to take her out. Then her nurse explained to me about all the changes and we decided it was best for her to just rest and try to adjust to the changes. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to hold her.
The girls also had visitors today...Grandma Gloria, Great-grandma Marcy, and Aunt Sherri came today after their afternoon shopping. It's been good for them to come see the girls each weekend so then they can go shopping! Such bargain hunters they are! Great-grandma was commenting on how much longer they are getting and their big feet! They have grown about 4 inches or so and more than doubled their weight!
Well, that's it for tonight. I decorated the Christmas tree today and have some other decorating left to do...or maybe I'll just wait until tomorrow.
Good night baby girls! Good night all!
"Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, but only one mother in the whole world." ~ Kate Douglas Wiggin
Friday, November 29, 2002 at 09:47 PM (CST)
Good evening!
We hope you are all recovered from eating too much yesterday. Maybe you walked it off while shopping today.
I have a small, small update today. The girls are just fine and growing.
Sydney is still doing well on CPAP. Her oxygen needs have been good, but her respirations have been a little higher. They will watch that as they don't want her to breathe too fast. Hopefully she'll be able to take longer, deeper breaths and slow down her breathing. I held her this evening for about an hour. It was my first time holding her with the CPAP. She was just pooped and slept the whole time on my chest. When we went to put her back, she made a small cry! It was the first time we heard her! It sounded like she wanted to cry. We could hear it after she was back in the isolette too! I felt so bad...I know she just wanted her mommy to hold her! They can't really cry much yet until their vocal chords heal from the vent being in there. Anyway, we gave her a little "binky" or pacifier while she was getting fed to help them associate sucking with eating. She would suck periodically while feeding. She did good! Her weight was up to 1125 grams or 2 lbs. 7.5 oz.
Lindsey was pretty much just hanging out today. Some days she's very restful and others...kind of restless. Today she was restless. I think she's doing much better as far as going up & down on oxygen though. Her weight was up to 1105 grams or 2 lbs. 7 oz.
Brian put up the valance in their room today. It looks terrific! I think we MAY go and get the crib tomorrow so he has some time to put it together. We'll see.
We took two new pictures of Sydney today that I've added to her album. It's the first ones of her without the tape on her mouth. We can see her mouth now, but not her nose! The tubes cover it all up!
Guess that's all for tonight. Have a great weekend!
Good night baby girls! Sweet dreams!
"A picture memory brings to me:
I look across the years and see
Myself beside my mother's knee."
~ John Greenleaf Whittier
Thursday, November 28, 2002 at 10:41 PM (CST)
Here we are, Brian, I, and big brother Brice...back from the hospital and from a happy day spent with our family.
Both the girls are doing fine, good, great! Sydney is doing so well, breathing on her own with the aide of the CPAP machine. Her oxygen needs have been way down in the upper 20% range. Sometimes she goes up, but that's normal. We are so excited for her and so happy with the wonderful progress she is making. Her weight dropped to 1080 grams today or 2 lbs. 6 oz., quite a big drop, but her nurse said it was probably good because she was having some poor breath sounds and she sounded better today. It was probably extra fluid.
Lindsey had her tube put in further as they said it wasn't in far enough, but then she was having a lot more problems with her oxygen saturations and oxygen needs. So they did another chest xray and found that it was put in too far, so they had to take it out a little bit. After that she did much better. I held her for about 45 minutes tonight. She REALLY loves to be held. I think it's very calming for her. She weighed in at 1076 grams today or 2 lbs. 6 oz., also down from yesterday, but not as much.
We were surprised with little cards with the girls footprints on them from Sydney's primary nurse, April. The cards said on the top..."Happy Thanksgiving Mommy & Daddy!" And on the bottom it said..."I'm thankful for my little feet." I took a picture of each card and put it in their albums. Now I know you all will think that their feet look big, but they are only 2 inches long. Although that seems big for their size. Maybe Aunt Sherri is right and they're going to be tall and grow into their feet!
I gave love, hugs, and kisses to the girls from all their family today! We are so thankful for our wonderful little blessings that have been given to us. We are also thankful for all our family and friends! We have been blessed! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hugs & kisses to our baby girls. Mommy & daddy love you.
"He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart."
~ J.A. Shedd
Wednesday, November 27, 2002 at 09:47 PM (CST)
Hi everyone!
Today has been a great day! Sydney was extubated this morning at 8:30 a.m. and put on the CPAP. After about an hour, Joan said they were very close to reintubating her, but they didn't and she did marvelously since then. She started out on about 80% oxygen. When I talked to them about 11:30, she had weaned down to around 50%. When I got in there around 2:00 p.m., she was down in the 30's. Her sats were good and there wasn't as much of the up & down like she used to do. She does have times where they have to go up on the oxygen, but that's normal. She's been doing great. Even if she has to be reintubated, they said that this is great progress...for however long she can stay on the CPAP. We're so proud of her! I left about 6:30 p.m. and that marked 10 hours breathing on her own!! Way to go, Sydney! She is up to 15 cc's every two hours and she weighed in at 1175 grams or 2 lbs. 9 oz. She is so cute! It was wonderful to see her without all that tape on her face. Although her face is still somewhat covered as the tubes are quite large that run to her nose. But we can see her mouth now!
Lindsey was all snuggled in a nest when I got there. She seemed to really like it and looked so comfy. Carol said that she's a lot less up & down when she's comfy like that. I held her today for about 1 1/2 hours. She loves it when we hold her and I love that she is so awake and really seems to know my voice. She is up to 14 cc's every two hours and she weighed in at 1105 grams or 2 lbs. 7 oz.
We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving day! We have much to be thankful for! God bless you all.
We love you baby girls.
"Salute the day with peaceful thoughts, And peace will fill your heart; Begin the day with joyful soul, And joy will be your part." ~ Frank B. Whitney
Tuesday, November 26, 2002 at 09:59 PM (CST)
HAPPY 7-WEEK BIRTHDAY LINDSEY & SYDNEY!
We're home from the hospital with not a lot of news, but a little.
We spoke with Joan, one of the doctors, and also Candy, a practitioner today regarding the results of their head ultrasounds. Both girls had what they called a teeny tiny area that was "bruised". I guess Dr. Mammel said it's not even enough to call Grade 1. They wouldn't really call it a bleed. So that was REALLY good news, because it's quite a high percentage of babies born before 28 weeks that have some sort of IVH (intraventricular hemmorhage or bleed) or PVL (cysts on the brain) and our girls have had none! They will probably do one more follow up ultrasound before they are discharged. What they were really looking for in the ultrasound was the cysts as sometimes it takes 4-6 weeks to show up. Good news, good news!
WARNING, BIG NEWS TO FOLLOW: The other info we got from Joan today was that they are going to attempt to extubate Sydney tomorrow (Wednesday) morning and move her to CPAP!! WOW! We really have no idea how she'll do. She could last 5 minutes or 5 hours or 5 days or just fly. If she doesn't tolerate it, they will have to retube her, and try her again at another time. CPAP (I think it stands for Continuous positive airway pressure or something like that) is a canula that goes in her nose and it delivers a continuous pressure of air as well as oxygen, but she has to do all the work herself as far as inhaling and exhaling. It just gives her some help with keeping the lungs open with the pressure. That's it. So, please say extra prayers for Sydney, that she does well with her extubation and is strong enough to breathe on her own. It would be so awesome if she can do this and not have to be reintubated.
The girls also had their second eye exams today. Sydney's eyes are showing Stage 1 Zone 2 ROP (retinopathy of prematurity) and Lindsey's still just show immature eyes, no ROP yet. This is NOT a surprise. It is something that we expected, we just have to wait and see how serious it is. 85% of babies born < 28 weeks have some form of ROP. As of right now, Sydney's is not serious and would probably correct on its own. They will continue to have weekly eye exams. They key is to catch it early as soon as it becomes more serious. If that happens, they would have laser eye surgery to zap the abnormal blood vessels. We just have to wait and see how they develop as there is nothing that can be done to stop it, only try to correct it once it's happened...AND we have one of the best ophthamologists! He has been doing this for 20+ years and this is ALL he does. Candy said if a baby came in and needed some other sort of eye surgery, he wouldn't do it. He only works with retinas. We're so fortunate to be getting such great care!
ALSO today, Daddy got to hold Miss Lindsey for the first time! He was pretty happy! I've uploaded a couple pictures. Miss Lindsey LOVES being held. Brian held her for about two hours and she did awesome! I held Sydney for about an hour. She did really well too. She's always trying to grab that tube. If only she knew that by breathing with the CPAP she wouldn't have to have that tube in.
And lastly, I'll report their weights...Sydney up to 1155 grams or 2 lbs. 8 1/2 oz. and Lindsey up to 1087 grams or 2 lbs. 6 oz. A good weight gain for them now that they are full feeds and increasing would be 15-45 grams/day.
That's it for today. That's a lot! Sweet dreams little girls. We love you!
"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." ~ W.T. Purkiser
Monday, November 25, 2002 at 08:57 PM (CST)
Here we are...another day closer to bringing our daughters home. Candy, one of the nurse practitioners, said they were very good girls today, very boring. I spent almost an hour talking with her about lots of things...she showed me their growth charts that they plot each week. They have a curve that they want them to follow and certain points they should be at based on their gestational age. They measure their length, weight and head circumference. Both the girls are doing really good. They are following the curve which is just what they want to see.
The girls were started on some new medication today to help with the ups and downs of their oxygen. I think it was working pretty good while I was there. While holding Lindsey today, she was down to 26% for quite a while. We just kept having to turn her down and down. Then the air leak started acting up and we had to turn her up again a bit. She did so well and enjoys being held SO much!! She was wide awake and looking around before we took her out and then she just fell asleep on my chest. When I held Sydney, she did really good too and slept the whole time. Like I said yesterday, her oxygen needs are much less than Lindsey's. The medication did make their heart rates increase and if that continues, they will have to discontinue the medication or try a lower dose. Both girls had head ultrasounds today. Their first two have both been normal and if this one comes back normal, it will be their last one. We should know something tomorrow.
As for their weights, Sydney is up to 1130 grams or just about 2 lbs. 8 oz. She was increased to 14 cc's every two hours. Lindsey is up to 1080 grams or 2 lbs. 6 oz. Candy said that feeding and growing is what will get them out of there and home. So GROW GIRLS GROW!
So, that's the rub for today. Good night baby girls!
"When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves." ~ William Arthur Ward
Sunday, November 24, 2002 at 11:30 PM (CST)
Well, the deer hunters have returned with no deer. My sis-in-law, Kristy, told me this nursery rhyme. I should have written it here yesterday.
Bye Baby Bunting
Daddy's gone a hunting,
He's gone to get a rabbit skin,
To wrap his baby bunting in.
Although, I should replace the one line with "He's gone to get a buck skin." No buck skin this weekend for babies bunting.
My brother, Darren and his wife, Kristy, came for a nice long visit this evening. I was holding Lindsey at the time and they sat by us and took some great pictures (which I will put on the website as soon as she emails them to me). It has been a while since they had been to see them and couldn't believe how much they've changed! They are really starting to fill out the mini-preemie diapers. Soon we'll be able to use the regular preemie diapers. Stephanie, Lindsey's nurse, had put little bows in her hair. They were so cute! You'll see them when I put the pictures in her album.
Both girls had a very good day today. They do alarm off quite a bit, up and down, but their oxygen needs seem to be a lot lower than they used to be. For a couple days now, Sydney has even made it down to room air (21%). She is consistently in the mid to upper 20's. Lindsey is a bit higher, sometimes in the 30's, but more often in the 40's. Their weights were up again...Lindsey to 1022 grams or 2 lbs. 4 oz. and Sydney to 1085 or 2 lbs. 6 oz. No other changes. Just hopefully, a continuation of boring days, and before we know it, they'll be coming home!
Well, I just checked my email and Kristy has sent the pictures so I am uploading them now to her album. She's so cute!
Thank You, Lord, for giving us our two beautiful baby daughters to love and care for. We ask that You continue to bless them and keep them safe in Your care. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Good night!
"Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile." ~ F.P. Jones
Saturday, November 23, 2002 at 08:28 PM (CST)
Good evening!
It was a great day today! Spent time with my girls...I held them both today and they did so well, especially Sydney! I can't begin to describe the feeling on being able to hold them each day! It's awesome!
Grandma Gloria and Great aunt Sherri came for a visit today. They can't believe how much they've changed and everyone always comments about all their hair! After they left, my good friends, Barb & Dave, visited for the first time and were in amazement over our two little miracles! That is exactly what they are!
Lindsey had a minor vent change done today. Her weight was down to 955 grams or 2 lbs. 2 oz. Sydney was down to 985 grams or 2 lbs. 3 oz. Guess they are getting rid of all that extra fluid.
Neither of them can stand a wet diaper. They started sticking their little tush up in the air and squirming around. Once changed, they settle right down. They can do some unbelievable acrobatics, sticking their legs in the air. I can't believe how strong they are! They've got some muscles going already!
Have a great night everyone! Good night, sleep tight, baby girls! Mommy and daddy love you!
"Thus, for the parent's sake, the child is dear, And dearer is the parent for the child."
Friday, November 22, 2002 at 09:19 PM (CST)
Here I am with not much news again.
Brian and I headed to the hospital early today. He and Brice left for the weekend hunting this afternoon after Brice got out of school. So, we spent some time with the girls. They gave Daddy a big send-off and told him to get a big buck!
Both the girls were getting blood while we were there. Sydney provided some excitement for the NICU this morning. She is soooo strong. She just scoots herself down in the isolette, you think she's just going to crawl right out of there. Anyway, she had done this this morning and when that happens, her head along with the ET (breathing) tube gets all out of whack and she extubated herself (basically pulled the tube out!) SO, quickly the nurse called others to come and help and got her stabilized and another tube put back in! Always some excitement for our girls!
We left, but I came back later in the afternoon and spent an hour holding little Miss Lindsey. She is sooo good when I hold her and rarely rings off her alarms! It's been such a joy the past two days...being that it's taken this long to get to hold her. After that I took her temp and changed her VERY wet diaper! Good girl! Lindsey was down to 997 grams this morning or 2 lbs. 3 oz.
Then I spent some time with Sydney. I helped her nurse change her bedding, lifting Sydney up while she fixed up the bed. Sydney was awake and looking at us. (My friend, Sue, came for a visit.) We were making Sydney a little nest so she wouldn't climb out of the isolette!! Sydney was down to 1015 grams or 2 lbs. 4 oz. Guess their lasix treatments are working at getting rid of that extra fluid.
Thank you all for all the continued well wishes and prayers! We appreciate it so much!
We love you baby girls! Good night!
"I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something;
and what I should do and can do, by the Grace of God, I will do."
Thursday, November 21, 2002 at 10:48 PM (CST)
What a truly joyous evening this was!!
I GOT TO HOLD LINDSEY FOR THE FIRST TIME! And she did so good! Her alarms went off a few times, but they were high (which are good alarms)! ALSO...Brian held Sydney at the same time!! Gail, Lindsey's nurse said after they get off the vents, we can sit together and hold each of them. Something to look forward too. Sydney did really well too. Brian held her about an hour and I held Lindsey for an hour and a half. Brian and I could look across at each other and we were just smiling! Brian was especially smiling when Sydney was farting and then proceeded to fill her diaper.
There is absolutely no other news to report. I just have weight updates...Sydney down 5 grams to 1060 or 2 lbs. 5 oz. and Lindsey is up 36 grams to 1045 or just about 2 lbs. 5 oz. They are just feeding and growing. While we were holding them, they swapped out their isolettes for new ones. They change them every two weeks. Oh, and Lindsey is up to 13 cc's every two hours, the same as her sister.
We took a couple new pictures of Lindsey that I added to her album.
So, it's off to dream of my daughters and all the fun things we're going to do when they come home. Good night! Sweet dreams little girls!
"Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third." ~ Piercy
Wednesday, November 20, 2002 at 10:45 PM (CST)
Ah, the joys of having nothing to write...
Sydney weighed in at 1065 grams today or 2 lbs. 5.5 oz! The made a minor change on her vent settings and that's about it! I held her tonight for about an hour. She did so well and the alarm rarely rings off. What a good girl!
Lindsey was up a whopping 130 grams! Must have been something wrong with yesterday's as she was down 71 grams yesterday. So, she's at 1009 grams or 2 lbs. 3.5 oz. Not really anything new here either. They stopped her antibiotics as her cultures came back negative. We were discussing getting to hold her, possibly tomorrow. It really depends on the nurse and how they think she's behaved during the day.
I ordered some pictures online of the digital pictures I've been taking. I've tried printing some off my own computer, but I just don't have a good enough printer. I hope these turn out good. I'll keep ya'll posted.
Just a reminder, that I've changed the links to the girls' albums, but the first albums can still be accessed by clicking on More Albums or on the link on the first picture in each new album.
Well...it's nighty night for mommy here. Sweet dreams little ones!
"It is good to have an end to journey towards: But it is the journey that matters, in the end." ~ LeGuin
Tuesday, November 19, 2002 at 08:57 PM (CST)
Good evening!
HAPPY 6-WEEK BIRTHDAY LINDSEY & SYDNEY!
Another good update...Joan, one of the doctors, said she just doesn't have anything new to tell us. They just need to grow some more and then we can get them off the ventilators.
Both the girls had their first eye exam today. Neither Brian nor I watched. They put this little paper clip looking thing in their eyes to hold them open. They did really well, handled it well. The doctors said their eyes are immature which is what we expect. He said sometimes at this point you can already tell that correction might be needed, but the girls are right where they should be. He'll check them again in a week. What he's checking for is called ROP or retinopathy of prematurity. What it is is when blood vessels in the eye grow abnormally. Usually they will correct themselves, but sometimes laser surgery is needed.
Sydney was up 4 grams to 1020 today, still 2 lbs. 4 oz. Her feedings were increased to 13 cc's every two hours. She's still getting her antibiotics. That's about it.
Lindsey really dropped the weight today! Down 81 grams to 879 which is 1 lb. 15 oz. Her nurse, Melissa, said that she has been having heavy diaper after heavy diaper! She's been going to the bathroom so well that they are holding her lasix treatment tonight. She looked so comfy in her bed tonight. She was all cuddled around her purple body pillow. I got a good picture of that one. She's on an antibiotic now, but probably only for a couple days. Her culture on her ET tube came back negative.
I've added quite a few new pictures. I've also separated their albums into two, one for their first month and a second one. The link below will take you to their new album, but you can always access the first album once you are there by clicking on More Albums or I've added a link on the first picture in each album that will take you to the first album as well. Check them out!
I'm quite tired. Good night baby girls. Mommy & daddy love you.
"All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today."
Monday, November 18, 2002 at 10:08 PM (CST)
I'm home from the hospital and the girls are doing fine.
Not too much new...both will be on antibiotics now. Lindsey is going start tonight as they think she may have an infection too. She had some blood drawn to see what's growing. She was reintubated today because her ET tube (tube she breathes with) was almost out, so they put a longer one in. Her weight was up to 960 grams or 2 lbs. 2 oz. They are just in the growing mode right now. Good girls!
Sydney had some vent changes done and that's about it. She's just eating and growing! Her weight was up to 1016 grams which is just about 2 lbs. 4 oz. It just doesn't seem possible. I'm sure it's too much. It's probably from extra fluids and maybe she'll go down tomorrow.
Every time I look at them, they just amaze me. I can't believe how much they've changed in such a short period of time. They'll be six weeks old tomorrow. They are so strong and such little fighters. They have just about doubled their birth weight, well, actually Sydney has! And their HAIR! Oh my gosh, it's so long already! It's starting to flip up in the back.
I put up a wallpaper border in their room today. Little by little I will get this done. It's quite a feat for me! Usually I have someone else do things like this. This was my first time doing it all by myself. Turned out pretty good and I can't believe it ended just perfectly in the corner I started with. Go figure. Now to just hang the valance, get the crib, and a few more touches, we'll be done.
Hope you all have a great day!
Sleep tight little ones. We love you.
"A happy family is but an earlier heaven." ~ Sir John Browning
Sunday, November 17, 2002 at 08:50 PM (CST)
Here I am with the update! The girls are fine. I held my baby girl, Sydney, again today for an hour and a half. She did well again. We just rocked & rocked. What a little sweetie!
Sydney was having a lot of extra secretions today and her chest xray didn't look as good as the day before. So they ordered some of the secretions to be tested and it came back positive for a little infection in her lungs. They started her on some antibiotic that she gets every eight hours. Other than that, she's up to 960 grams or 2 lbs 2 oz.
Older, little sister, Lindsey, is doing her darndest to catch up (and probably will before too long!). Her chest xray looked better than the previous one, so they made a vent setting change. Her oxygen needs have been a little lower. They stopped the extra nutrients as she's up to full feeds of breast milk now, 12 cc's every two hours. The breast milk is also being fortified, making it 24 calorie, like her sister has been getting. I thought her weight was a fluke yesterday, but she's up again today to 943 grams or 2 lbs. 1 oz.
They are just growing like weeds! We are pleased and thankful! God is good and we are truly blessed!
Good night all! Good night sweet daughters!
"Oh my son's my son till he gets him a wife, But my daughter's my daughter all her life." ~ Eliza Farnham
Saturday, November 16, 2002 at 08:30 PM (CST)
Here I am early, early, early! We spent the late afternoon and evening with the girls and I got to hold my beautiful baby, Sydney, for two hours! What a Joy! We had a wonderful time cuddling together and she did so well. She looked cute as a button all snuggled up with her mommy with her little hat on.
Sydney's only big changes today were a minor change on her vent settings AND she was increased to 12 cc's every two hours. What a big girl! She is up to 940 grams which is 2 lbs. 1 oz. She was up quite a bit from the night before so we'll see if it sticks.
Our little peanut, Lindsey, was about the same as usual. She is up to 10 cc's every two hours and if all goes well will be increased to 11 cc's at midnight. Daddy was keeping her occupied while mommy was holding Sydney. I think they had a pretty good conversation. She was up to 915 grams today which is 2 lbs., but I'm not convinced as it was way too much weight gain for one day. We'll see.
Grandma Gloria came for a visit. She sure enjoys seeing them each week and the girls enjoy seeing her too! They may have some visitors tomorrow too. Not sure yet, though.
That's the news I have to share this evening. All is well. The girls are growing and we are so thankful for the wonderful care they have received and are receiving. We are thankful for all of you - who are following their progress and praying for them each day! God bless you and our little girls! Good night!
"It's the little things we do and say, That mean so much as we go our way. A kindly deed can lift a load, From weary shoulders on the road." ~ Willa Hoey
Friday, November 15, 2002 at 11:59 PM (CST)
They are 30 weeks gestational age today!
You know, I had such good intentions of updating the journal earlier tonight, but when I went to do it, the server was down and I couldn't log on!
I went to see the girls earlier today and so I was home earlier. The girls had visitors today too, Jack & Diane, the parent's of my very good friend, Auntie Lisa. So if Lisa is like an aunt to the girls, that must make Jack & Diane like another grammy & grampy! Anyway, the girls were behaving for their visitors today.
The "B" word was getting used again (boring). Let's all keep praying for a string of "boring" days.
I have nothing new to report on Sydney, other than she is up 5 grams and still 2 lbs. Oh, and that she is so cute!
Lindsey is trying her darndest to catch up to her younger sister. She was up to 8 cc's every two hours and will go to 9 cc's at midnight. At this rate, she should be at full feeds by midnight on Sunday. She is now getting her meds orally vs. through her IV. The stopped her dopamine today. Hopefully her urine output will continue to be good as well as her blood pressure. She was down to 872 grams today, but still at 1 lb. 15 oz. That's the news for this baby girl. Oh, and she's cute too!
I think Grandma Gloria is coming for a visit tomorrow.
Looking forward to tomorrow baby girls! Love you both!
"O heavenly Father, protect and bless all things that have breath; guard them from all evil, and let them sleep in peace." ~ Albert Schweitzer
Thursday, November 14, 2002 at 09:44 PM (CST)
Good evening!
Well, what to write today...the girls are doing great! Candy, one of the nurse practitioners, said, "They're almost boring!" That is exactly what we want to hear!
New news today is Sydney is up to 900 grams which is so close to 2 lbs. that the nurse said they would call it 2 lbs. So, I guess she hit 2 lbs. today!! Wahoo! Way to go Sydney! All is going good with her. Loreen, her nurse today, had her all snuggled up in her isolette. She had rolled up a cloth diaper and Sydney was using it like a body pillow, laying on her side. She looked so cute!
Lindsey was up to 6 cc's every two hours and will go up to 7 cc's at midnight as long as she's tolerating them. Her weight today was 885 grams or 1 lb. 15 oz. She had a transfusion today and her nurse, Melissa, said that she seemed much less up & down on her oxygen since getting the blood. She's still on some fentanyl but is being weaned. She gets some every 12 hours right now. They also decreased her dopamine. She looked all snuggly too and was very restful. Her oxygen needs seemed to be a bit lower as well. She was down in the 20%'s for quite a while this evening.
I went out to lunch today with my mom, grandma, and my sister-in-law, niece & nephew today. We had a very nice time. It's really been my first outing in a very long time since before bedrest time in August.
So, now I'm off to rest a little. I've been very tired today. Have a good night!
Sweet dreams baby girls. We love you.
"Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you." ~ George Mueller
Wednesday, November 13, 2002 at 09:06 PM (CST)
Wow! I'm writing my update early tonight! That's because I went in to see the girls early as Brian and I went out to dinner tonight for my birthday. Yep! I'm another year older today. Brian gave me a beautiful card. I cried.
Lindsey and Sydney are doing fine. No big changes from yesterday. I guess the only thing really is that Lindsey had her feedings increased to 4 cc's every two hours from 3. She will have it increased again at midnight to 5 cc's. That's the word anyway. Her weight was down, thank goodness. I know it wasn't right yesterday. It was 859 today or 1 lb. 14 oz. Sydney's weight was up another 5 grams to 885, still 1 lb. 15 oz. Let's take some bets...will she make 2 lbs. tomorrow or when??
We're so happy that there is nothing to report. The girls look great and have really changed over the past month. We will just continue to pray that all goes well and progresses just as they're supposed to. We thank you all for all your continued thoughts and prayers too! God Bless you and your families!
We love you baby girls! Good night!
"We never know the love of the parent until we become parents ourselves." ~ Henry Ward Beecher
Tuesday, November 12, 2002 at 10:00 PM (CST)
Another sun has risen and set...
The girls had a good day today. I hope I can write that from this day forward.
Sydney has gained another 20 grams up to 880 which is 1 lb. 15 oz. Sooo close to that 2 lb. mark. Not much new with her, oxygen needs have been about the same as well as feedings are still at 11 cc's and she's tolerating well. Today (as you will see in the pictures), she had the death grip around her tube. I thought for sure she was going to yank it out! And she also had her thumb in her mouth. It was quite cute.
Lindsey had some minor changes done on her vent. She went up in feedings to 3 cc's every two hours. She must have A LOT of extra fluid as they said her weight was 895 grams, which I know can't be right, especially compared to Sydney. You can SEE that Sydney is bigger. That is about 1 lb. 15.5 oz. Don't think so! We'll see tomorrow. They also increased her dopamine (for blood pressure) as they've found that she has good urine output when her blood pressure means are in the 40's.
I asked about their first eye exam again and it sounds like it will be sometime next week.
I had a very nice visit with the NICU chaplain. Her name is Dee. We talked for quite awhile about my experience at the hospital and NICU and about the girls and their progress. She said a beautiful prayer for them. I hope to see her again. She's around during the day and I was there in the afternoon today and am so glad that we were able to meet.
Yesterday, Brian and I visited with one of the Parents to Parents volunteers. It's a group of former NICU parents who volunteer and talk with current NICU parents if requested. She had a 24 weeker two years ago. We had a really nice visit.
Getting a little sleepy so will say good night! Sweet dreams baby girls!
"Miracles happen to those who believe in them." ~ Bernard Berenson
Monday, November 11, 2002 at 10:03 PM (CST)
We just got back from the hospital a little while ago. Both the girls are doing good...just what we like to hear.
Lindsey had a couple settings changed on her vent today. She had an extra lasiks treatment today (makes you urinate). Her weight was up to 829 grams or 1 lb. 13 oz. Could be the reason for the extra treatment. She seemed very restful.
Sydney had a good day too. They started a treatment with a little massager thing that they use to loosen the secretions in the upper lobes of her lungs which have been clogged up. She gets that every six hours. She was up another 10 grams to 860 or 1 lb. 14 oz. When we got there we looked in her isolette and she was way down toward the bottom kind of at an angle with a leg hanging over the side. She had scooted down there herself. April, her nurse, moved her back, but we think she liked where she moved herself! Then she was wide awake with both eyes open, so we were talking to her and I hummed my little lullaby and put my hand on her butt/back.
They sure love being on their tummys with their butts in the air. I just love watching them sleep, looking at their little noses, faces, thinking of the day when we'll be able to see ALL of their face and not with tape covering half of it. What a great day that will be!
Time for this mom to get some shut-eye. Good night all and good night sweet baby girls.
"A single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer." ~ Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Sunday, November 10, 2002 at 10:25 PM (CST)
Day 33...
Lindsey had a relatively good night and day. They started her back up on breast milk feedings at 2 cc's every two hours. So far on her blood cultures after 24 hours, nothing has come up which is a good thing. Her weight was down today (another good thing as it's mostly fluid) to 798 grams or 1 lb. 12 oz. Her urine output has been good. There's not a whole lot more to report.
Sydney is just feeding and growing right now. Her oxygen needs are staying consistent. Her feedings were increased to 11 cc's every two hours. She was up another 10 grams today putting her at 850 grams or 1 lb. 14 oz.
They are both doing really good right now. We are so proud and pleased.
They had a visitor today, my friend, auntie Lisa. She couldn't believe all their hair! She said if I would've still been pregnant, I'd sure be having a lot of heartburn! Is that an old wives tale or what??
That's all the news for today. Night, night baby girls.
"Children...they string our joys, like jewels bright, upon the thread of years." ~ Edward A. Guest
Saturday, November 09, 2002 at 09:48 PM (CST)
Another day is in the books...32 days old.
The girls had visitors today, generation #1 and #2, Grandma Gloria and Great-Grandma Marcy. I'm excited for the day when we can all get a picture of the four generations of women. I guess Lindsey was quite rambunctious when they were there and Great grandma thought she was going to crawl right out of the isolette!! She IS quite active, which is good in some respects, but not in others. We want her to be calm so she can rest, grow, not be so up & down on her oxygen.
Lindsey is still up and down and they stopped her breast milk feedings today at 2 p.m. She had been up to 7 cc's every two hours, however, she was having a problem with urine output again and had diahrea. So, they drew a bunch of blood to do some cultures. They haven't started her on any antibiotics yet, but are thinking that she may have some infection again. She also was getting some extra maintenance fluids to help with the output. Guess all of it worked as she a couple WET diapers while I was there. Good girl! I spoke with Dr. Coleman who thought she might be able to start back up on the feedings again tomorrow. She may have needed just a break for the kidney's to catch up with the stomach. I guess we'll see tomorrow. She's finally weaned off the fentanyl drip, but she is still getting doses of fentanyl and ativan to help sedate her. She was up to 816 grams today or just about 1 lb. 13 oz. Must be fluid.
Sydney is doing great! Her oxygen needs today again were mostly in the 20's percentage wise. Although, she does get bumped up when the nurse is doing cares (when they take vitals, change diapers, feed, etc.). All is going good. She was up to 840 grams today which is about 1 lb. 13 1/2 oz. It was quite a bit from yesterday, could be some fluids. At this rate, she'll be to 2 lbs. in no time. She does move around like Lindsey does, but not as much. It seems like she moves when she is awake and doesn't when she's sleeping. I'm not sure Lindsey sleeps at all the way she is.
I can't believe how much hair they have! It's amazing! It's starting to stick up all over and sort of curl up at the nape of their necks. I talked to their cousin, Chelsea, today on the phone and told her I may have to borrow some doll barrettes or bows or something. They might work in their hair!
Mommy and daddy love you baby girls! Sleep tight!
"We can't give our children the future, strive though we may to make it secure. But we can give them the present." ~ Kathleen Norris
Friday, November 08, 2002 at 11:08 PM (CST)
One month old today! The girls are doing well!
Sydney did so much better today with her oxygen needs. She still goes up and down, but was consistently in the 20%-40% range. The vent setting changes must have done the trick. Her weight is up and is now at 1 lb. 12 oz. or 790 grams. She got a blood transfusion today as her hemoglobin was low. Her feedings are still going excellent and she was increased to 10 cc's every two hours.
Lindsey is still up and down too, probably will be saying this every day for quite awhile. Her oxygen needs are higher than Sydney's on average, 50%-60%. The goal is to get to 21% which is room air, what we all breathe. She also got a blood transfusion today. Her weight is up too, and is now at 1 lb. 11 oz. or 770 grams. Her feedings were increased to 5 cc's every two hours and will go up again at midnight and again at noon tomorrow. It sounded like she was to be increased every 12 hours until reaching full feedings or if for some reason she wasn't tolerating it. But she is doing very well. Dad changed another diaper today...lucked out, no poopy.
We can't believe a month has passed already. In some respects, it has just flown by, but at the same time, it's been a long, rough month. It seems strange that it can feel like that at the same time. We know we have a long road ahead, but are just focusing one day at time. Our baby girls are so blessed to have all of you thinking of them and praying for them. We are too. Thank you.
Good night! Sweet baby girls, we love you.
"The sweetest flowers in all the world - A baby's hands." ~Swinburne
Thursday, November 07, 2002 at 09:54 PM (CST)
The girls had a visitor today...their big brother, Brice, and were they excited to see him! (I think he enjoyed seeing them too!)
Sydney was still up and down all night on her oxygen, so the doctor made quite a few ventilator changes this morning. They also gave her a little sedation. The nurse said she seemed to be a little bit better after that, but it was still up and down. A couple of the nurses said that it's the age, something they have to grow out of. Sydney is still tolerating her feedings really well. She was up another 5 grams making her 1 lb. 11 oz. today. Lindsey is about the same, just a tad less. It's cute watching Sydney rest, she's a nostril flarer, that cute little nose just gets a goin'.
Lindsey had her feedings increased to 3 cc's every two hours and is doing good with that. She's still being weaned off the fentanyl and she has her ups & downs on the O2 as well. She sure seems a lot calmer than before the oscillator, maybe because she's still on the fentanyl, we'll see. She had her eyes open right before I left, actually both girls were awake then. I don't like it when they're awake when I leave and they're looking at me, it makes me feel bad, like I'm leaving without them. It's nicer to have them all snuggled and snoozin'.
That's all the news for today. They're officially one month old tomorrow and would have been 29 weeks gestational age. They still go by that throughout their stay in the NICU. I was asking about when they'll have their first eye exams and no one could tell me exactly, but they said that it would probably be in the next two weeks. They'll start getting checked for ROP (retinopathy of prematurity). They watch it as they grow and hopefully it will correct itself. I'll explain about it another time.
Good night! Sleep tight! Don't let the bed bugs bite!
Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 10:34 PM (CST)
Good evening!
We just got back from the hospital a little while ago. Happy to say, that we have nothing major to report! The girls are doing great!
A few minor things such as Lindsey finally decided to let the waterworks go and really fill those diapers!! That's good, she was up another 50 grams which is definitely not right! I expect when they weigh her tonight she will lose. They are also continuing to wean her off the fentanyl.
Sydney has been doing fine, just keeping the nurses hopping. Her alarm for O2 sats just goes off all the time. She goes up & down, up & down. They thought the probe was wrong so they put a new one on, but it didn't help. Then when we were there, we really noticed what they were talking about. It's very strange. The nurse practitioner checked some of her other vent settings and found out that they had changed something this morning on rounds, so she changed it back. I hope that helped. We left shortly after that so will find out tomorrow if it made a difference or not.
I read them each a book tonight and held their hands. Dad talks to them and they seem to calm right down. We took a couple more pictures with Brian's ring. I'll get those on the website tomorrow. I hope they turned out.
That's all for today. God bless you all and our little girls. May His angels watch over you both!
Tuesday, November 05, 2002 at 09:52 PM (CST)
Good evening!
Did you all vote?
Happy 4-week birthday to our little girls!! Someone tell me, is being 4 weeks old the same as being a month old?
Brian went to the hospital on his lunch today. He called afterwards to give me a report and told me that Lindsey had started feedings at 10:00 a.m. today. They started her at 2 cc's every two hours. Basically both girls were doing well.
I went in later in the afternoon and Lindsey had continued to do well with her feedings. However, she was not going to the bathroom! Urine output kept going down and by the time I left they decided to increase her dosage of dopamine (to help with output). Hopefully that will do the trick. I get kind of worried that it may have something to do with her kidneys, but I guess only time will tell. Lindsey seems so much more calm since being off the oscillator. I guess that big ol' machine was just too much stimuli for her. I sat with her tonight and let her old my finger. It was such a treat after not really being able to touch her for awhile.
Sydney is doing fine too. The bump that was on her arm was a staph infection. They changed her antibiotic today. The good news is that the infection is localized to just her wrist/skin. It has not entered the blood. She looked so cute tonight - she had her little hat on and was all snuggled up on her tummy.
I took pictures of each of the girls and will get them on the website tomorrow. I checked their weights today. Sydney is 750 grams or a shade over 1 lb. 10 oz. and Lindsey is 725 grams or a tad under 1 lb. 10 oz. She's probably a lot of fluid though, since she isn't going to the bathroom.
I said to one of the nurses that the girls were a month old today. He said that was great - that means their one month closer to going home!
THANK GOD FOR KIDS
Written by Eddy Raven
If it weren't for kids have you ever thought,
There wouldn't be no Santa Claus,
Or look what the stork just brought
Thank God for kids.
And we'd all live in a quiet house
Without Big Bird or a Mickey Mouse
Or Kool-aid on the couch
Thank God for kids.
Thank God for kids there's magic for a while
A special kind of sunshine in a smile
Do you ever stop to think or wonder why
The nearest thing to heaven is a child.
Daddy, how does this thing fly?
And a hundred other where's and why's
I really don't know but I try
Thank God for kids.
When I look down in those trusting eyes
That look to me I realize
There's love that I can't buy
Thank God for kids.
When you get down on your knees tonight
And thank the Lord for His guiding light
And pray they turn out right,
Thank God for kids.
Thank you God for our little girls...
Monday, November 04, 2002 at 09:24 PM (CST)
Oh Joy, oh joy, oh happy day! Guess what? Lindsey got off the oscillator today!! AND she's doing really well! What a surprise to see when we got there this evening...not to see that big noisy thing there. This is great news! It means her little lungs are on the mend. So she's back on the conventional vent and her oxygen needs have been good, blood gases good too. She has not started breast milk feedings yet, but they have talked about it. They were going to place the feeding tube tonight, so it would be ready to go when they give the word to start feedings again. They are slowly weaning her off the fentanyl. I guess it's not a drug that you stop cold turkey. She's still on the dopamine to help with fluid release, but she's been going to the bathroom well. It was wonderful to be able to see her face today. With the other ventilator, she was always turned the other way (towards the vent so you couldn't see her) and today she was opening her eyes and moving around again. Such a strong little girl...thank you for all the prayers!
Sydney was having a pretty good day too, until she started getting larger air leaks. So when we got there, her nurse, Jenna and the nurse practitioner were getting ready to retube her with the larger tube again (3mm). That took a few minutes and when they got the tape off her face before putting the new tube in...WE GOT TO SEE HER FACE! She's so cute, if I do say so myself. After all that...she was pooped out, but she'd still open her eyes every now and then to look at mommy & daddy. She's also a nostril flarer. We were just chuckling at the way she flares her nostrils. No leaks after getting the new tube and she came back down on her oxygen needs.
That's really all the news today. But it was some big news! Oh, and I added three more pictures in Sydney's album tonight.
Time for beddy bye for me...good night little girls! Sweet dreams and may God's angels be watching over you!
Sunday, November 03, 2002 at 09:57 PM (CST)
Today was a great day! We have hardly anything to report!
Grandma Gloria and Grandpa Dean made a visit to the girls. I'm sure they enjoyed it and I know they could feel that their grandparent's were there!
When we got to the hospital, Sydney's nurse, April, said that she was doing so good. Her oxygen needs were lower. She's still eating well. Surgery did come today and lanced the bump on her arm. Actually, they poked it with a syringe and drew out what was inside. I guess it was filled with pus. They sent it to be checked out, but definitely figure it was an infection. Her arm looked much better today and she must feel better too. I hope once this infection is taken care of and she is a bit more stable, we'll be able to hold her again.
Lindsey had as good a day as yesterday. Her oxygen needs continue to fluctuate a bit, but are still much lower than a few days ago. They are continuing to tweak her vent settings. Her blood gases have been fairly good. Her chest X-rays show improvement. They were giving her a little bit more fentanyl because she is such a mover & shaker and she needs to be calm. She still had the catheter in. They started her back up on the dopamine to help with the release of fluids. When we were leaving this evening, one of the doctor's was trying to put an arterial line in (a line in an artery to draw blood from). They were working on it when we left, so I don't know yet if she got it in. I hope so, because they are having to poke her in the heel each time they need to draw blood and they draw it more often when you are on the oscillator.
I asked about the weights and both girls weighed in at 690 grams today. Wow, exactly the same. So, technically they are a tad over 1 1/2 lbs. Although, I'm not convinced that Lindsey is really that weight as she is definitely carrying some extra fluids. Sydney's gains have been more gradual.
I had a really nice chat with Lindsey's nurse, Terry. They are all so nice and helpful, always willing to answer any questions or explain things.
So, that's it for now. I'm really tired so am off to bed shortly.
Hugs and kisses to you baby girls! All our love and prayers we are sending you.
Saturday, November 02, 2002 at 09:53 PM (CST)
What a great day! Both girls did really good today!
Lindsey's nurse said that she did even better today than yesterday with her oxygen needs. They also have been adjusting her ventilator settings slightly, slowly weaning her. The only change today was right before I left this evening she got a catheter put in. This was due to her having a lasiks treatment (makes you pee) at 3 p.m. this afternoon and then she took three hours before she went and it wasn't hardly anything. One of the reasons this could be happening is because of the fentenal(sp?) she's on which could cause the not urinating problem. It was kind of funny when they put the catheter in because Lindsey wasn't liking it much and kept pushing it out. The nurse was calling her a little stinker. I think they finally got it taped or something and then put her diaper back on again too.
Sydney was doing well with her oxygen needs. The big excitement today was very early this morning they did an xray to make sure her ET tube was in the right spot. It was not...so they were untaping it to pull it up just a hair and whoops! out it came. So, quickly they had to retube her and the nurse put in a 2.5mm tube instead of the 3mm which she had just gone up to yesterday. Hopefully it won't cause too much air leak problems or they'll have to retube her again! The antibiotics seem to be taking effect as the doctor said the bump on her arm looked like it was getting smaller. I checked it out, but it's hard to tell. I thought possibly it seemed a little flatter, not as puffy as it was. That's good! She's still eating very well. I checked out her weight. She is up to 670 grams, 680 would be 1 lb. 8 oz. WOW! 1 1/2 lbs! Hopefully this gaining will stay consistent.
I did put a couple pictures in the girl's offsite album (links at bottom of page). They are ones we took yesterday with Brian's wedding ring.
Guess that's all for this evening! I think Grandma Gloria and Grandpa Dean may be coming for a visit tomorrow. Brian went to his parent's today. Grandma Dorothy sent home these angel ornaments for the girls and one that we can make a boy angel for ^Seth^.
"I believe there are angels among us,
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hour,
To show us how to live,
To teach us how to give,
To guide us with a light of love.
They wear so many faces
Show up in the strangest places
Grace us with their mercy
In our time of need."
Thank you all for being our "angels".
Good night little girls! We love you.
Friday, November 01, 2002 at 11:28 PM (CST)
Can't believe it's November already!
The girls had a visitor this evening...my good friend, Sue, (also a mother of twins) came by to see them. She hadn't seen them since they were about 3 days old. She said they had changed so much and kept commenting about their eyelashes!
Well, today the one that had all the commotion going on was Sydney! I think she's telling us, hey...don't be giving my sister all the attention! She has this bump on her wrist area from where one of her lines went in and it seems to have gotten bigger. They think it could be infected as she was acting like she was getting sick today. They drew blood and urine to do cultures and started her on a couple antibiotics just in case. Surgery came and looked at her arm. They are going to check it everyday for now and eventually will have to decide what to do. During all this her oxygen sats dropped really low and her heart rate too. She had to be bagged, but then they came back up. She is still getting her feedings and voiding well. Later, while we were there this evening, she had thrown/spit up some and it had gotten all over her face so the tape had kind of come undone. The nurses were changing the tape on her vent and the tube came out, so quickly they had to retube her and they decided to put in the larger (3mm) tube like Lindsey got. The tube went in fine and all this happening may have been good in the sense that she was starting to get air leaks with the old tube and that tube also was kind of clogged up. She was resting pretty good when we left this evening. I hope they decide what to do with that bump on her arm. We were wondering if it was painful for her, but she didn't really act like it hurt or anything.
As for Lindsey, she is doing so much better! They stopped her blood pressure meds as her pressures had come way up. Her oxygen needs have dropped significantly - it was as low as 26% once today. She was in the 50% range when we left and had been at that throughout the day. They think the stronger steroid that they started her on yesterday is working at healing her lungs. She is still sedated and getting no feedings. She is definitely making progress! For the first time, I think I have less to report on Lindsey!
So that is the scoop today. We sure enjoy our time spent with the girls. I did take a couple more pictures, not sure how they turned out, but will let you all know when I get them on the website.
I am just exhausted so am off to bed.
Mommy and daddy love you little girls! May God watch over you and keep you safe!
Thursday, October 31, 2002 at 09:34 PM (CST)
Today was a better day!
First off, my sister-in-law, Kristy, and my niece and nephew came to the hospital, well, for two reasons, (1) so Brian and I could see the kids in their Halloween costumes and (2) so Kristy could see the girls. It was great seeing the kids...Chelsea was a hippie/flower child and Dylan was Frankenstein. Very cute and they brought little M&M guys filled with candy, the blue one is for Lindsey and the green one is for Sydney. We had a nice visit in the NICU lounge and then Kristy and I went in to see the girls. We spent some time with each one and talked with them a bit and I explained some things to Kristy. I'm so glad that we are here in the Midwest, back home again, so our families can really be a part of all this with us and support us, etc. I can't imagine going through this if we were still in Vegas with no family around. It would be very hard.
Anyway, Miss Lindsey is doing much better today than yesterday. She is still requiring almost 100% oxygen, but some of the other vent settings have been lowered, as well as, her blood pressure medication. She had been put on that due to low pressures yesterday. She is still sedated. They did do a chest X-ray and her lungs are open. They tried to adjust some of the settings based on that, but she didn't like it much so they changed it back. Guess she will just take a little while to heal. She is also on some steroids that hopefully will help with healing her lungs. They think that because she is still requiring high amounts of oxygen, that possibly her lungs are just really inflamed or bruised, etc., which the steroids should help with. Karen, another neonatologist, said that this vent is really good for babies whose lungs are little sicker. She expects her to do well with it. We hope it goes well too and that she will continue to mend and get back to the conventional vent. That will all be determined by her oxygen needs and her blood gases.
As far as Sydney goes, I just don't have a lot of new news to tell. Everything seems to just be coming along fine. Her oxygen sats to go up & down as well, but usually only when you mess with her.
I was humming my little songs to both the girls today and we talked about Halloween and what her cousins were dressed up as. I told them that Daddy and I were going to be handing out candy tonight, but next year we'd be getting them dressed to go trick or treating!
Brian and I are so thankful for all the love, support and prayers for our family. Thank you all.
Sweet baby girls...we love you. Good night!
Wednesday, October 30, 2002 at 10:56 PM (CST)
What a day!
I received a call around noon today from one of the neonatologists, Joan. She was calling about Lindsey. My heart pounded in my chest. She said she was fine, however, earlier in the morning, several of the neonatologists were consulting on what to do about her. They were trying to figure out the best course of action to eliminate the air leak. They decided to go to the larger ET tube, but about that time, her oxygen saturation levels dropped quite a bit and they had to bag her. They reintubated her with the larger tube. They had been afraid based on her size that this tube would be too big and possibly do some damage to her trachea, etc. I asked how the tube went in and Joan said it went in really well. It could be that she just has a larger trachea than most at her size and maybe wouldn't cause any irritation. After getting the new tube, they still couldn't get her O2 sats up and so they decided to go to the high frequency ventilator or oscillator. They had talked about this with us once before, but said there are trade offs to using this vent instead of the other one. Joan just wanted to let us know because when we came in, we'd see this big noisy thing. It's actually gentler on the lungs...I hope I explain this right...but it gives many times more breaths per minute but at less pressure, something like 800 breaths a minute, so when you look at her, her chest is vibrating with the shorter breaths. They were also giving her something for sedation as they don't want her moving around too much. I asked if she was okay and Joan said she was fine. When I hung up the phone, I cried. I called Brian and told him.
When we went to the hospital later in the evening, it was so hard to look at her and not cry. She was sedated and was hardly moving, not like we are used to seeing. But everyone said that she was doing really well on this vent. I asked if she could still hear us and the nurse said she could. We talked to her and told her we loved her and how she was such a strong little girl.
We spoke with Lorraine, the nurse practitioner. I asked about the plan for this vent and she said that some just stay on it a day or two and then get moved back to the other vent. They are checking her blood gases much more often on the high frequency vent and will decide when to take her off it based on that. She said sometimes babies will hang around on it for a week or so. It just depends.
We also asked about the kidney ultrasound she was supposed to have done today. Lorraine said that it did show slightly enlarged kidneys and possible stones, neither being uncommon for preemies who had been on lasiks. She said that they will do some sort of dye test in the future to see how things are flowing from the bladder to the kidneys, etc. That will all be determined by the urologist once he views the film of the ultrasound. Lorraine said it's just something they will be watching and following up on.
Both Brian and I really feel like everything will be allright and that she'll be fine. It's just that the ups & downs take so much out of us and it was so hard seeing her like that, and we wonder how long is it going to be, etc.
And then there is Sydney, who in Joan's words..."is just hanging out over there saying, na na na-na na." She's doing fine, has some fluctuations in her O2 sats, but is basically pretty stable, eating her 9 cc's every two hours and hopefully gaining some weight! She opens her eyes all the time and she's looking at us and it just pulls at your heart! I tell her she needs to send some positive vibes over to her sister and I ask her if there's anything she wants me to tell her.
I'm pooped! I think it's time to get some rest.
Those of you reading this journal, if there is ever anything you have a question on or want me to explain, please shoot me an email and I will. Thanks so much, EVERYONE, for all the prayers! I know that He is listening and is keeping watch over our little girls.
God bless you and good night!
Tuesday, October 29, 2002 at 10:46 PM (CST)
Here we are...the girls are three weeks old today actual, would've been 27 weeks 4 days gestationally. I know they've had their ups & downs, but seem to be doing so well to me.
Brian went to visit them on his lunch again. Sydney was doing fine, just feeding away every two hours. I sure hope that it starts helping her gain some weight.
When Brian was there, they told him that Lindsey was acting like her ductus (PDA) was open again so they had ordered another echo cardiogram. They stopped her feedings again and they started her on another antibiotic hoping to catch any bug that may be in her body. I went to the hospital about 3 p.m. and they had just finished the echo cardiogram and the ductus was closed! So now they still have to figure out why she's acting the way she is. One of the doctors said it could be just the fact that there are air leaks in her ET tube which is something they can't really fix until she gets a little bigger and can have the next size tube put in. She also had a problem urinating today and had gone 12 hours without peeing. Her creatine (sp?) levels have been up too, which is a sign of kidney function, so they've ordered an ultrasound of her kidney area. I think it will happen tomorrow a.m. However, before I left, she had a really heavy diaper!! I hope she was just plugged up a little and now can become a little more regular. I know she'll get there, but we all just wish we knew what's going on with her. Other than that she's doing fine...we talk to her, hold her hand and sing. I was reading to her, rather both of them, today. I just can't believe how much they've changed in three weeks! They are still so tiny, but have the most dainty features. I love just sitting and looking at them and both of them are opening their eyes more and looking back.
Well, guess that's all for this time.
Happy 3 week Birthday sweet little girls! Mommy & daddy love you! Good night!
Monday, October 28, 2002 at 09:32 PM (CST)
Hi all.
Today's big news is that I drove! Yes, it is big news as I have not driven since August! Felt kind of strange at first...
I drove to the hospital early afternoon. I prefer being there in the evenings much better. It is so much quieter and peaceful. There seems to be so much commotion during the day, more people too. Ah well..
Today was a good day for both the girls. Lindsey was trying to get settled down when we got there (Brian came up on his extended lunch break). They had been having some problems with her ET tube with air leaks so they decided to change it. I don't imagine it was too fun for Lindsey, but they said she handled it well. She was resting pretty comfortably while we were there. It was good to see. Her feedings were also increased to 2 cc's every two hours. That's about it!
Sydney was just kicking back today. She seemed a little more restless, but when she was turned over to her stomach, she settled right down. I sat and talked to her and sang her a lullaby and also my made up song. I think she liked it. They would like her just to start some steady weight gain. You would think it would happen since her feedings are going so well.
I did take a couple more pictures of Lindsey today. I added one to the album on this website and the other two to the offsite album.
We sure do like updating the journal with days like today!
Good night little girls. We love you.
Sunday, October 27, 2002 at 11:26 PM (CST)
Good evening!
Today is one of those days that we love to report! Basically nothing to report.
Lindsey is still getting her 1 cc every two hours and has had not residuals left over. They've stopped her antibiotic as her latest blood culture showed her free of infection. She had a pretty good day today and was peeking at us. I sat and held her hand for a long time and she really enjoyed it. Her oxygen requirements went down. It was wonderful to be able to touch her and not have her freaking out like a few days ago. I was going to take a couple pictures of Lindsey, but my camera batteries were dead. I have to remember to put them on the charger tonight.
Daddy held Sydney today and it went well. She really likes it when we hold her and her oxygen requirements are better as well. She was opening her eyes a lot and looking at me while I was looking at her & Brian. She's still at her 9 cc's every two hours and is just doing so well with that. She really likes being on her tummy too. She was on her back and just restless and flailing around. The nurse turned her over on her tummy and she calmed right down.
Both Brian and I changed diapers and took temperatures today, I on Lindsey and Brian on Sydney. We're getting into the swing of things.
Well, it's been a long day. Time for some needed rest. Have a great day tomorrow!
God bless you little girls! Sleep tight!
Saturday, October 26, 2002 at 10:40 PM (CDT)
Hello...I'm able to write a little earlier this evening as we were in to see the girls earlier too!
Brian volunteered for something at work today for several hours so my mom and I went to BabiesRUs to check on a couple things, mostly just information gathering. She did buy the girls a couple cute preemie outfits. Then we went to the hospital. I know Grandma Gloria sure enjoyed the couple hours she was able to spend there. Both girls seemed very content today.
I held Sydney again today for about an hour. They like it to be at least an hour or so. We are doing the skin to skin holding (kangaroo care) and then they put warm blankets over her. She really liked it today. Once she was settled in on my chest, her oxygen levels were quite stable and not ONE alarm went off the entire time! They have increased her feedings to 9 cc's every two hours hoping she'll start gaining a little weight. They were going to take out the last PIC line in her hand today so she will be free of all lines. She has graduated to receiving all medications orally! What a big step! We are praying for continued forward progress such as this.
Lindsey had a pretty good day today. They have started her feedings again, slowly at 1 cc every two hours and she was doing well. They started up her IV feedings less the sodium chloride which is what was elevated. She looked so comfy today and her oxygen requirments seem to have lowered a bit. She soooo loves being on her tummy and tucks her knees up under her and sticks her little butt in the air. We know that soon we will be able to hold Lindsey too and are praying that her PDA stays closed and her ventilator requirements aren't so volatile. I hope I can get some more pictures of Lindsey soon as I think she's changed so much from some of the last ones.
Good night little ones! May God's angels be watching over you!
Saturday, October 26, 2002 at 12:03 AM (CDT)
Here we are...on are way to 3 weeks old. Today they would've been 27 weeks gestationally. I can't believe how much they've changed just in this little time. In fact, both Brian & I were commenting on how Lindsey looked healthier, more filled out, or something today, just from yesterday. Maybe her skin was a better color or something. I don't know.
I've noticed I always talk about Lindsey first, I guess because she was born first. So, tonight it will be Sydney. The BIG news is that Daddy got to hold Sydney and he enjoyed it, as well as Sydney!! She did really well and was very stable. Brian just rocked and talked to her. I took some pictures which I have put in her offsite album. She also got fed (through her tube) while Daddy was holding her. Not a much else to report on our little Sydney. She's been stable. They took out one of her lines in her hand so she just has one in one hand now. Her feedings are going well and she had a really good poopy diaper this evening! Oh, and she had another head ultrasound which came back normal. Excellent news!
Now for news on Miss Lindsey...one thing I forgot in yesterday's journal was that Brian got to change Lindsey's diaper for the first time, not even a messy one. Didn't expect it as she's not getting any feedings right now. In fact today, her electrolytes were all out of whack, so they stopped her IV feedings and is just getting some sugar water basically. They will check them again at midnight. Hopefully they will be going back to normal. The GOOD news on Lindsey today was that her echo cardiogram showed the PDA is closed! Yea! Hopefully for good, but we will deal with whatever comes up. Also, her head ultrasound showed nothing as well. More good news! She is still way up and down on her oxygen, but seems to be much calmer than she had been a few days ago. I feel so bad that we're filling up Sydney's photo album and nothing for Lindsey, but I guess her time will come as she improves and we get to hold her too. Then we'll each get to hold one!!
Uncle Darren and Aunt Kristy came to visit this evening. They took some video and some pictures. Only a couple turned out of Sydney which I've included in her album. We had a nice time visiting with them and I know they enjoyed seeing the girls. Kristy had seen them once since they were born, but Darren hadn't seen them since then. They've sure changed a lot!
Well, I can't think of anything else. I hope I didn't forget something. Time to get some shut eye and say a prayer for our girls...
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray they Lord my soul to take.
If I should live for other days,
I pray thee Lord to guide my ways. Amen.
Love you baby girls...
And thank you all for sharing our journey with us and for all the positive thoughts, kind words, and prayers. We appreciate it so much!
Thursday, October 24, 2002 at 11:44 PM (CDT)
Good evening!
Just got back awhile ago from the hospital. Lindsey seemed to be doing better today although she still is up & down with her oxygen levels. Her blood cultures have shown some kind of infection, so she has been started on two different antibiotics. She gets her last dose of indomethacin (for the PDA) early Friday a.m. and then she has her echo cardiogram sometime on Friday. I think she's getting a head ultrasound too. So we should find out something on the echo tomorrow or Sat. She still is off the feedings until they know more about the status of the PDA. Brian sat with Lindsey and held his hand firmly on her back/bottom. She really responded well and was able to lower her oxygen levels. The nurse told us that with a preemies immature nervous system, it's best to touch them firmly, not to stroke or caress them. That stresses them out. They like the firm touch as that's what it was like in the womb. So, other than that, not much else going on with her until we get this PDA thing under control. We were glad she looked calmer and a little more restful tonight.
As for Sydney, I GOT TO HOLD HER TONIGHT! It was wonderful and I added a picture to the album on this site and some additional ones to her offsite album (link at bottom of page). We just rocked and I talked to her and sang to her a little bit. She responded very well. She is up to her full feedings and that's really all to tell about her. She's just been fairly stable. We're very pleased. Daddy is going to get to hold her tomorrow night so we should have a few more pictures.
Guess that's all for today. Hoping & praying for good news on the PDA tomorrow.
Good night sweet baby girls. May God watch over you always.
Wednesday, October 23, 2002 at 09:27 PM (CDT) - WHAT A ROLLER COASTER!
They told us it would be like a rollercoaster ride, this time in the NICU. Lindsey had a wild day today. She'd been tolerating her feedings well, but early afternoon brought havoc with her oxygen levels. Then there was a problem with her blood pressures. When these things happen it indicates usually one of three things...they were checking those things by doing blood work to see if an infection was starting, a urine analysis which they didn't do, and then they ordered another echo cardiogram to check for PDA (patent ductus arteriosis) where the vessel between the two major arteries is open. I didn't realize this, but I guess it was open on her when she was a day old so she was treated with the drug indomethacin and then it closed. After the echo cardiogram today, they've determined that it is open again. What happens when it's open is that instead of the blood flowing from the pulmonary artery to the lungs and back around through the aorta and out to the organs, it doesn't go to the organs and goes back through the blood vessel and into the lungs again, sort of flooding her lungs and they get real full and wet making it harder for her and requiring more oxygen. So, they are going to treat it with three more doses of indomethacin and see if that works. If it doesn't OR if it opens AGAIN, then she will have to have surgery. They will go in and put a suture or a staple to close it off. It's scary to think about, but it's something that happens with these little ones sometimes and I know they've done lots of these surgeries IF it comes to that. We'll know either Friday or Saturday if it's closed again. I think that's when they'll do another echo cardiogram. So, with all that they stopped her feedings again so that her little body won't have to work so hard to digest the milk. She's up and down on her oxygen so they watch her closely. Before we left they gave her a sedative like drug to help calm and settle her. Seemed to work okay. We are hoping and praying the indomethacin works again and for good! They also put in another arterial line in her other foot so that they can draw blood without poking her each time. With all that was going on with her and how sensitive she is, it just didn't make sense to poke her all the time. I'm glad about that.
Now Sydney on the other hand is just cooking right along. She was up to 6 cc's of breast milk today and going to 7 cc's at 10:00 p.m. And they said that she'll go to 8 on Thursday. Eight is where she'll stay for awhile as that is considered full feedings for her. They've also stopped her TPN and Lipids which she was getting for extra nutrients as she's getting enough from the breast milk now. She had both eyes open today!!! Very exciting! I don't think they can really see too well yet, but can tell colors and light & dark, etc. Let's just hope her feedings continue to go well, so we don't have any setbacks. As far as holding her, I probably could have today, but I wanted to wait until Brian got there and then the timing just didn't work out. I'm sure by the weekend, we'll get that all accomplished too. I'm very excited about that!!
We feel very positive about their treatment. They are both getting excellent care from everyone at Childrens. Thanks again for all the prayers. They are definitely needed and much appreciated.
My pampering went well today, got my face done, a massage and a haircut. They all said I looked sassy. It was fun and a nice treat after being on bedrest and then in the hospital.
The girls' bedroom looks great too! Kristy came to paint and both Chelsea & Dylan helped too. The color is so warm and matches well with the bedding. Thanks so much!!
Good night sweet baby girls! Sweet dreams.
Wednesday, October 23, 2002 at 12:04 AM (CDT)
Hi all...Our baby girls are two weeks old today. Yahoo! When I arrived at the NICU today there was a lady playing the harp. It was beautiful music and so relaxing. I bet all the babies really like it.
Miss Lindsey gave us a little scare tonight. She was fine most all night and then she desatted (oxygen levels drop, needs more oxygen). While that alone isn't all bad, her heart rate also plummeted. It was scary. The nurse was there ready to bag her if needed, but she came back up again without needing it. Later, talking to one of the nurses who had her before said, it is common for that to happen sometimes, especially when there is a lot going on around her. And it was VERY busy tonight. When I got there, a baby was getting ready for surgery and then later, they went to Regions to get another baby and that baby got put right next to Lindsey. The baby was just crying like crazy next to Lindsey and that's when she desatted. I thought it was awfully noisy myself so I'm sure it was terrible for her. She recovered nicely though. On another note though, she's doing well with feedings and has gone up to 3 cc's every two hours. The line in her foot that they use to draw her blood wasn't working well so they just took it out. Now she'll just have to get poked each time. She had gained almost an ounce from the day before which is too much for her so they gave her an extra lasiks treatment. She was all bundled up in a papoose looking thing today. It helps to make them feel all snug and cozy. She seemed to like it and was calmer. I washed her little face today, got the eye boogers out of her eyes and her left eye half opened! She's trying so hard to open them. I think she's going to be our sensitive one.
Not a lot to report on Sydney. She was increased to 5 cc's of breast milk today and handling well. She's been quite stable lately...something we just LOVE to hear. Also since they took the ART line out in her foot yesterday and Lindsey's today, they both have heart and respiratory monitors on now. Before we left this evening, Sydney's nurse asked if we'd gotten to hold them yet which we haven't. She thought that next time, we'd be able to hold Sydney. She said it's really up to each nurse to determine if they're stable enough. Jenn said that she'd have no problem letting us hold Sydney and we should ask if she's not here. So, I'm excited...something to look forward to!! She said they do sooo well when they get held, their oxygen needs go down, etc. We're not sure on Lindsey though, she might be too sensitive yet.
Tomorrow they are having a Pampering Day for all NICU moms. I signed up for it and will get a haircut, makeup and massage. They bring over students from the Horst salon in Minneapolis with a big van or truck or something like that. Should be fun! And then maybe we'll get to hold Sydney.
Kristy, Chelsea and Dylan are coming in the morning and Kristy is going to paint the girls room for me. Then she's taking me to the hospital and Brian will pick me up later, so I shall have a pretty full day tomorrow. I'll be so pooped, I'll have to rest all day Thursday!
Time to sign off. Good night little girls. God bless you both and all who are reading this.
Monday, October 21, 2002 at 11:38 PM (CDT) - UNEVENTFUL IS GOOD!
Well, Lindsey had a pretty good day today. She's still a little touchy. She really seems to enjoy it when Brian holds her hand. He enjoys it too. I think she's going to be a daddy's girl. She received blood today. Her pressures were kind of low and that helped quite a bit. Her feedings were increased from 1 cc to 2 cc's every 2 hours. She's tolerating that well with no residuals. She was quite restless when we got there, squirming all over the place, but seemed to calm down while we were there.
Sydney is doing very well, very stable today. Her feedings were increased from 3 cc's to 4 cc's every 2 hours and are going well with no residuals either. They are still talking about moving off the ventilator to the CPAP machine, not sure when - maybe next week. Her nurse today said that they both look so cute for being so young - that usually 23-34 weekers have that half cooked look, but they look really good. Nice skin, etc. She said she (Sydney) is starting to look like she may open her eyes. She, well, they both have a lot going for them - all head ultrasounds have been clear - which is really, really good.
For my heading, I wrote uneventful is good. I'd like to have a string of uneventful days so that our little girls can just rest and eat and grow stronger and fatter.
I added a couple new pictures to their albums today. A couple I took yesterday and one today of Lindsey since I didn't get a good one of her yesterday.
They will be two weeks old tomorrow. Seems like just yesterday already.
Thank you all who are reading this and following our progress. It means a great deal to Brian & I all the thoughtful words and prayers that you've shared in our guestbook. We so enjoy reading it.
Have a great day and God bless you.
Sunday, October 20, 2002 at 11:58 PM (CDT) - A CALM DAY
Good evening. Just got back from a visit with the girls. Sydney was increased to 3 cc's of breast milk every two hours and has been tolerating that very well. They have increased her lasiks treatments to 2x per day. This helps her to get rid of extra fluids and she's been peeing well. Her blood pressure has been very stable since coming off the meds. Not too much to report which is good. She's doing really well for a little one. She just seems to be very restful these days.
Lindsey has been much better today tolerating things a bit more. She's still a little touchy though. She, too, had her lasiks increased to 2x per day. They started feedings again at 1 cc every two hours and that has been going really good. No residual. All in all, an uneventful day. We just want them to rest, eat & grow. Brian & I took turns holding Lindsey's hand. The nurse took her blood pressure after we'd been there for awhile and she said she was really calm. She was requiring less oxygen and her blood pressure was really good, very calm. I told Brian it's because we were there.
I checked on their weights today. Lindsey was born weighing 498 grams which is about 1 lb. 1 1/2 oz. Sydney weighed 509 grams at birth or 1 lb. 2 oz. They're weights today were Lindsey, 604 grams = 1 lb. 5.3 oz. and Sydney, 645 grams = 1 lb. 6.7 oz. Sounds pretty good, but may not all be body weight...could be some fluid.
I was humming to them again tonight. They seem real content. Usually just a lullaby, sometimes twinkle, twinkle little star. Today, I just made up a song for Sydney.
Grandma Gloria and Great grandma Marcy went to visit today. I bet the girls enjoyed that! I know the grandma's did!
I just got a new digital camera and took it there tonight. I took a couple pictures and as soon as I figure out how to get them on the computer, I will put them in their albums or on the site.
Well, it's back to work for Brian tomorrow. We'll go to see the girls again in the evening. I'm not driving yet, still on some pain meds.
We love you baby girls...Mommy & Daddy
Sunday, October 20, 2002 at 01:06 AM (CDT) - HOW QUICKLY THINGS CAN CHANGE
The girls are still doing fine. We went to see them around noon today and took Grandma & Grandpa Niehaus to see them for the first time. They had never seen anything so tiny, but so perfect. We then had pizza in the NICU waiting room which was sponsored by Parents for Parents, a support group for NICU moms & dads. We met a couple moms & dads with older kids now and some new ones too. We left around 1:30 p.m.
Brian & I came back in the evening to spend a few hours with the girls. We like to come at night. It seems so much quieter and less commotion going on in the NICU. The girls are right next to each other so we each pull up a chair next to each other, one next to Lindsey and the other Sydney and then we switch a little later. Two chairs fit perfectly right between to two of them.
Lindsey had some problems earlier in the day. They were having a hard time regulating her oxygen saturations and at one point even had to bag her. They had stopped her feedings when we came at noon and had not resumed them yet in the evening. She HAD been tolerating them so well and had even increased them to 3 cc's, but maybe that was just too much for her. She seemed not to tolerate much touching or moving her. I think she just wants to rest. Other than all that...she seemed comfortable. She also had another echo cardiogram today and that turned up nothing unusual. Everything looked fine and normal.
Sydney was doing fine and they stopped her last blood pressure meds today and seemed to tolerate it fine. She's continuing to get her feedings. She really seemed to be resting soundly. We stroked her head and I hummed a lullaby to both the girls. They seem to enjoy it and I know they can hear me.
As for me, my incision popped open a bit again and was gushing out fluid so we had to cover it back up again to absorb the fluid. I guess this is just what has to happen. The doctor said that it has to heal from the inside out and the fluid has to get out. So, we'll see how it goes the next couple days before I call about it. I don't go back for six weeks.
Brian & I were both worried about Lindsey today, but it's just a reality that there will be little ups & downs. Now tomorrow we'll go in and Lindsey will probably be the one back on the feedings and Sydney off. Who knows?
Well, time to get some shut eye. I don't get a lot of that lately as I'm pumping breast milk every 2-3 hours. I do go about 5 hours or so through the night though.
Good night sweet baby girls. We love you.
Friday, October 18, 2002 at 01:40 PM (CDT)
Hi all! We are here at the hospital visiting the girls. I had a dr. appt. this morning to check my incision and all is going well again. It had opened a bit last weekend, but is now on the mend.
Let's see...what's been happening with the girls the past few days? Well, Sydney had her first bowel movement on Thursday and we are excited about that. And, when we were down there at noon, she had a really good one that went all over and they had to change all the bedding. Way to go Sydney!
I changed Lindsey's diaper for the first time yesterday and one today. Both were poopy! Figures my first ones would be that way! I've also taken their temperatures. Lindsey had the beginnings of an infection, but the culture has been clear the past two days so the antibiotics are working.
They are still anxious to get Sydney off the ventilator, but the hardware for the CPAP (step down from the ventilator where they have to do the work) is still not fitting.
Lindsey has been tolerating her feedings a bit better than Sydney. She has good sounding bowels and stomach rumblings, also, no residual after the feedings. They are still getting two cc's every two hours. I suspect after Sydney's good bowel movement today her feedings will go a bit better.
They are both going to start some medication today, sort of like a diuretic to help them get rid of fluid in their bodies. They have a little fluid in their lungs.
We can't believe how much they've changed in the past week. Their skin looks so much better now. We can see the blond hair on their heads and they also have blond eyebrows and the tiniest blond eyelashes! I wish you could see it on the pictures.
I can only add three pictures to this site, but have a lot more taken. I will be setting up an additional photo album soon with all the pictures and a link from this site to there, so keep checking back.
Thanks for all the well wishes, thoughts and prayers. We appreciate it so much!
Thursday, October 17, 2002 at 02:47 PM (CDT) - ANXIOUS TO SEE THE GIRLS
My first day home has been going okay. Brice has a football game this afternoon that Brian is going to and then we will be going to see the girls for the evening. Can't wait to check up on them and I will post a new update soon. As soon as I'm able to drive again, it will be easier to get there. Brian will be going back to work on Monday. Have a great day!
Thursday, October 17, 2002 at 02:36 PM (CDT) - POEM WRITTEN BY KRISTY LYNN ANDERSON (Kim's sister-in-law)
OCTOBER 8, 2002
by Kristy Lynn Anderson (written the evening of their birth)
The dawn awoke to birds in song,
A cool crisp autumn morn.
Today would be a beautiful day.
The day 2 girls were born.
It was God's plan for this to be,
As he prepared them all.
The parents "Kim & Brian"
and the nurses were on call.
God plans these things far in advance,
and doesn't let us know.
So when the doctor said,"TODAY"
It came as quite a blow.
Emotions were high & fear was real,
As prep for the birth began.
The angels were gathering overhead,
So they could lend a hand.
With surgeon skill the first was born
And "Lindsey" was her name.
And not too far behind her twin,
baby "Sydney" came.
So small and frail but strong in will,
Such miracles to see.
They're just a pound, one little pound,
But created perfectly!
These little girls were sent from God,
to fill their parents wish.
He sent his smallest angels,
to be this family's gift!!
So now we'll love and hold them close,
and give them time to grow.
We know God holds them in his hands,
And that he loves them so!
Tuesday, October 15, 2002 at 08:30 AM (CDT) - ONE WEEK OLD TODAY
What has happened their first week? Lindsey has been off her medication for regulating her blood pressure. She requires very little additional oxygen and sometimes breathes room air just like you & I. She had a blood transfusion the first couple days. She was taken off the billi lights on 10/12, but went back on the blanket the next day. She had her head ultrasound and it came back with no bleeding on the brain! On Sun., Oct. 13, she began her first tube feedings of breast milk and had her first bowel movement! Good job Lindsey! Monday, Oct. 14, she had an echo cardiogram to see if she had PDA (patent ductus arteriosis), a condition where the blood vessel doesn't close and all is closed. They had a hard time placing the feeding tube, so they think there may be some problem in there. They did get it placed appropriately, but it's suspicious. They will check further as she gets bigger.
Sydney was off additional oxygen on Friday and breathing room air. She's still requiring minimal blood pressure medication, but it's about as little as needed before stopping. She received antibiotics for prevention in the decrease of white blood cells. She went off the billi lights on Sat., Oct. 12, but went on the blanket on Mon. Oct 14. She's received platelets and has not had a BM yet. She started her tube feedings of breast milk on Mon. Oct. 14. She also had her echo cardio gram on Monday, no PDA but there may be something else that needs to be followed closely. She also had her head ultrasound and it showed no bleeding.
All in all, they are stable and that is really the best that we can hope for each day. We thank God each day for these two precious miracles and for giving them strength.
Tuesday, October 15, 2002 at 08:04 AM (CDT) - TWIN PREGNANCY & BIRTH
In May 2002, we discovered I was pregnant again after IUI#6. Very early on I had some bleeding and found out that we were expecting twins! I had numerous episodes of bleeding & spotting in the first trimester. We also moved back to Wisconsin during this time and I found a new perinatologist. By the second trimester, I was feeling pretty good - less sick and no more bleeding. The twins looked good. However, at my 8/20/02 appt., they discovered my cervix shortening and given my history we decided to have a cerclage put in the following day. From then on, it was bedrest at home. Shortly after the surgery, my blood pressure began to rise. They began having me monitor it at home and it seemed better there when I was resting. On Sept. 13, we had a level II ultrasound and found out the babies were girls! They looked great! I continued to monitor my blood pressure. Up to this point, I hadn't gained much weight. However, I was starting to retain fluids and was having some swelling in my hands. Then my blood pressure began going up - even at home. I called the clinic on 9/30/02 and they had me come in to check it out. BAD NEWS! High blood pressure, swelling, rapid weight gain and I was spilling protein in my urine. PRE-ECLAMSIA. They admitted me to the hospital that day for observation. They started me on magnesium sulfate to prevent seizures and monitored the babies and I. By Wed., Oct. 2, we knew it wasn't looking good for me, I continued to get sicker and was told I'd be on hospital bedrest until the babies came. I think the real goal at this point was to get past 24 weeks. I had lots of problems with the magnesium and developed pulmonary edema (fluid filled lungs), continued to gain weight (once I gained 5 lbs in one day). They took me off the mag since I was having so many problems with breathing and I was on oxygen.
NOW, looking back, it's scary to think how really sick I was. Both Brian and I really didn't get it. We were just thinking of the babies and knew that they couldn't be born yet. My protein levels in the urine continued to go up. They were drawing blood every day and really watching closely whether I was developing HELLP too, but my hemoglobin, liver enzymes, and platelets looked fine.
The morning of October 8 arrived and the doctors swept into my room and said that we couldn't push it any further. I was too sick and it was time to have the babies. They scheduled a C-section for 4 p.m. I immediately called Brian at work and he came right away. I sobbed. I was not prepared. Brian came and we cried. Over the following hours we utilized the support and resources of the hospital talking with a childbirth educator about c-sections, prayed with the chaplain, talked with a neonatologist trying to find out what to expect with our 24 weekers.
My parents, brother & sister in law, and Brian's sister came and waited. It went fast. I had the epidural put in, Brian came in - and we were scared. They had a team of 3-4 people per baby in the room. Baby A, now Lindsey Faith, was born at 4:53 p.m. weighing 1 lb. 1 1/2 oz. and was 11" long. Baby B, or Sydney Paige, followed at 4:55 p.m. weighing 1 lb. 2 oz. and was 11 5/8" long. I saw one for a second before they were taken away. After I got to recovery, Brian went to check on the girls. They were stable. They started me on the magnesium again. I saw my family for a bit and they saw the girls. I was so sick and was unable to go see them until two days later. I had many complications after the delivery with the pre-eclampsia, pulmonary edema, reactions to drugs and was put on benadryl - my eyes puffed up and swelled shut and I still wasn't getting rid of any fluids. I had gained another 10 lbs. in the 5 days prior to delivery. Finally on Thurs., I made a turn. They gave me lasiks treatment and I began dumping fluid (I had a catheter). I wanted to get better so I could see the girls. Brian stayed with me constantly, sleeping there, and checking on the girls, until I was able to move out of L & D and back to a regular room which happened finally late afternoon on 10/10. I finally got to see the girls that evening!! Hallelujah! They are cute, so tiny, but so strong in will. They had been stable every day. Their eyes aren't open yet. The nurses have called Lindsey "a feisty one" and Sydney is "a wild thing". They pretty much say to count on them being in the NICU until at least their due date, so we are figuring at least 12-16 weeks. On Friday, 10/11, they took my staples out and also removed my cerclage. However on Sat. they discovered my incision had opened a bit so I stayed another day. I was discharged on Sunday, Oct. 13 and have been staying in a "rooming in" room for the past two days. We've been able to get some paperwork taken care of, it's easier to pump and get the milk right to the NICU and of course, being close to the girls.
Monday, October 14, 2002 at 03:50 PM (CDT) - HISTORY OF INFERTILITY
Where to begin? I want to give you all a picture of where we've been up to this point and then my entries going forward will be to track the progress of the girls.
To really understand that these are our miracle babies - you have to know that I have been waiting a long time for them. I have experienced infertility all my life beginning in my early 20's. Brian and I started more aggressive treatments after we were married. We spent a couple years with pretty much constant treatment in order to GET pregnant, mostly using a drug called Gonal-F which I injected each day in my thigh to stimulate my ovaries during a cycle. This, along with countless blood draws and ultrasounds determined when it was time to ovulate. Brian would then give me a shot to make sure ovulation occurred and then we'd have the IUI (intrauterine insemination) and we'd wait. Oh, the agonizing wait... During treatment, I also had many diagnostic tests which included a laparoscopy in March 2001. They determined I have polycystic ovaries - but I do not need any meds to regulate my insulin/glucose levels.
I conceived for the first time in May 2001, but unfortunately lost the baby to miscarriage in July 2001 around 8 weeks. We waited a cycle and tried again. I conceived again in Sept. 2001, had some complications early on which landed me on bedrest for awhile. On Jan. 20, 2002, at 19 weeks, we lost our son, Seth Allan, to what they think now was an incompetent cervix, PTL (pre term labor) and PROM (premature rupture of membranes). We were devastated. I cannot describe the pain. We took several months off and decided to try again. I knew though that my time was ending. I would give myself the rest of the year, but then I was going to move on.
Current pregnacy continued next journal.
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