Getting closer

Day 12 at the hospital. Preemie world is so different than the full-term baby world that we are familiar with. Their brains aren't fully developed at 35 weeks. 40% of their brain growth happens during that last month in utero. That includes the coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing. So that's what Max and Noah have been doing here. Getting pumped full of breast milk via a feeding tube through the nose, resting, growing, and practicing oral feeding with bottle and at the breast. They are doing really well. This morning their feeding tubes were removed and they've graduated from their incubators to open cribs (see if they can maintain a good body temp without their incubators). Two steps closer to going home!

Noah in his open crib this morning

Which is really exciting but also terrifying at the same time. The nursing staff here is incredible. It's too bad we can't take the nurses home with us. We are on a feeding regimen of every 3 hours. Then after they feed, I go pump for the next feeding. This doesn't leave much time for anything else except eating, going to the bathroom etc. But I've been able to get some good rest at night (~5 hours put together?) because I let the nursing staff feed the boys at the midnight, 0300 and 0600 feedings. Having to pump for those feedings means I have to wake a bit at night but still - this is the most rest/sleep I'm going to get in a several years!!

Leo is having a hard time with me being gone. I miss him, too. Dave and his mom did the 12P and 3P feedings the other day and I was able to spend some quality time with Leo. It was wonderful. We had  a great day. We went to Pioneer Park, Taco King for lunch. Then back to my room at the hospital so I could pump and he actually took a nap there. Then we went to Hot Licks! Dave said he was really sweet and happy for the rest of the night and the next day. I'd like to spend 1 day/week with Leo. Big changes for everyone. Looking forward to being at home so we can all start adjusting to having 2 more additions to our family!

Leo on the carousel at Pioneer Park