Emily & Ellery's First Halloween!

Emily & Ellery's First Halloween!

It Works, It Really Works

Since Thursday night we stopped giving the girls bottles during the night. Each night gets better and better but basically they cry a little 1 time in the middle of the night. We check on them to make sure they are ok and don't have little arms and legs sticking out of the crib. Then we set an alarm to go back and check on them in a few minutes. The first couple of nights we did pick them up and comfort them and they finally went back to sleep, but they were only getting up once. Last night they woke up about 3am and after only a little bit and before the alarm went off to go back and check on them they were asleep again. So except for their one time crying each night they are sleeping from 7pm-7am. Who knew that by dropping those feeds the girls would actually sleep LONGER. Now we just need to get our naps in order. We've not been doing so well at those, but I'm trying to make sure they are back to bed after being up for around 2 hours. I thought there was no way they would be tired, but they always go to sleep when I put them down....for the most part. We've always had a 6:30-7ish bedtime but the girls were getting up at least 2 times at night and waking up for good between 5:30-6ish. Now the plan is to get them up between 6-7 so we can try to fit in three naps. I think these poor girls have been over tired for a few months...no wonder they are fussy at times. Hopefully this helps - I know waking up one time at night for a brief moment rather than a few hours two times a night is definitely benefiting me.

It Works, It Really Works

Since Thursday night we stopped giving the girls bottles during the night. Each night gets better and better but basically they cry a little 1 time in the middle of the night. We check on them to make sure they are ok and don't have little arms and legs sticking out of the crib. Then we set an alarm to go back and check on them in a few minutes. The first couple of nights we did pick them up and comfort them and they finally went back to sleep, but they were only getting up once. Last night they woke up about 3am and after only a little bit and before the alarm went off to go back and check on them they were asleep again. So except for their one time crying each night they are sleeping from 7pm-7am. Who knew that by dropping those feeds the girls would actually sleep LONGER. Now we just need to get our naps in order. We've not been doing so well at those, but I'm trying to make sure they are back to bed after being up for around 2 hours. I thought there was no way they would be tired, but they always go to sleep when I put them down....for the most part. We've always had a 6:30-7ish bedtime but the girls were getting up at least 2 times at night and waking up for good between 5:30-6ish. Now the plan is to get them up between 6-7 so we can try to fit in three naps. I think these poor girls have been over tired for a few months...no wonder they are fussy at times. Hopefully this helps - I know waking up one time at night for a brief moment rather than a few hours two times a night is definitely benefiting me.

Yum...peas!

I was explaining to our ped. that Ellery is just not a fan of the rice cereal, she suggested adding bananas to it. According to everything I read, I thought I was supposed to start with the cereals, move on to veggies, then the fruits. Anyway, I added bananas to the girls' cereal and Ellery liked it a little better but Emily LOVED it more than she already did. Then today we ran out of our first box and tried a new brand. Emily loved it even more and gobbled that stuff up like crazy. Ellery seemed to like it a little better but she was fussy so I didn't attempt it for long. I really wanted the girls to eat their veggies before fruits so I decided to try Emily with peas (i heard they were kind of gross!). Emily liked it! Smiled, smacked her lips, and couldn't get enough.

Ellery hanging out on the couch with grandpa.

Ellery & Emily

Yum...peas!

I was explaining to our ped. that Ellery is just not a fan of the rice cereal, she suggested adding bananas to it. According to everything I read, I thought I was supposed to start with the cereals, move on to veggies, then the fruits. Anyway, I added bananas to the girls' cereal and Ellery liked it a little better but Emily LOVED it more than she already did. Then today we ran out of our first box and tried a new brand. Emily loved it even more and gobbled that stuff up like crazy. Ellery seemed to like it a little better but she was fussy so I didn't attempt it for long. I really wanted the girls to eat their veggies before fruits so I decided to try Emily with peas (i heard they were kind of gross!). Emily liked it! Smiled, smacked her lips, and couldn't get enough.

Ellery hanging out on the couch with grandpa.

Ellery & Emily

FINALLY!

The picture in the title bar was taken in August and it took the photographer until the beginning of October to get it finished. The whole experience from going into the studio, to ordering the pics, and waiting, waiting, and waiting was horrible. Out of 150 shots this was the only one that was decent. If you want the name of a photography studio NOT to use in SW Portland...just let me know.

FINALLY!

The picture in the title bar was taken in August and it took the photographer until the beginning of October to get it finished. The whole experience from going into the studio, to ordering the pics, and waiting, waiting, and waiting was horrible. Out of 150 shots this was the only one that was decent. If you want the name of a photography studio NOT to use in SW Portland...just let me know.

8 Month Update

Well the girls are now 8 months/5 months adjusted. I can't believe how time flies! We went to the ped. this week to do a weigh-in, follow up chat about Emily's PDA (See post below), flu shot, and overall check in. All in all the girls are looking great. Emily now weighs 13lbs 5oz and Ellery is a huge 15lbs 10oz. I can't believe how big they are getting. They have had runny noses for at least a month straight and the Ped assures me it's normal and that they haven't been sick all this time. I read something about premature sinuses in babies...so maybe that's how I'll think of it.

The girls are sleeping terribly which means Andy and I aren't sleeping well either. I asked the ped about them getting up 2x a night to eat and she said it's time to drop all night feedings. I was like are you kidding? Have you seen how hungry these girls get? Have you heard how they cry? So, we've been assured that they should be getting all their caloric needs during the day and no more night feedings unless I want this routine to stay permanent. Oh and crying is OK. GASP! We are going to try dropping the night feeds this weekend - I'm sure we'll all be zombies! This should be interesting.

8 Month Update

Well the girls are now 8 months/5 months adjusted. I can't believe how time flies! We went to the ped. this week to do a weigh-in, follow up chat about Emily's PDA (See post below), flu shot, and overall check in. All in all the girls are looking great. Emily now weighs 13lbs 5oz and Ellery is a huge 15lbs 10oz. I can't believe how big they are getting. They have had runny noses for at least a month straight and the Ped assures me it's normal and that they haven't been sick all this time. I read something about premature sinuses in babies...so maybe that's how I'll think of it.

The girls are sleeping terribly which means Andy and I aren't sleeping well either. I asked the ped about them getting up 2x a night to eat and she said it's time to drop all night feedings. I was like are you kidding? Have you seen how hungry these girls get? Have you heard how they cry? So, we've been assured that they should be getting all their caloric needs during the day and no more night feedings unless I want this routine to stay permanent. Oh and crying is OK. GASP! We are going to try dropping the night feeds this weekend - I'm sure we'll all be zombies! This should be interesting.

Finally.... Emily's Echo Results

I heard back from Emily's cardiologist on Wednesday and the good news is that she does NOT have a heart murmur. Dr Armsby said her heart is beautifully formed, normal, and healthy. The problem is her PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus - see posts back from the NICU days) that they thought had closed....either didn't or is open again. If it did re-open it happened either during the NICU or shortly after. (GRR!) Emily isn't showing typical symptoms of a baby with a PDA so it's a pretty mild case which explains why it went un-noticed for at least 5 months.

What's a PDA you ask. This is a vessel in the heart that is open while in utero for all babies and once a baby is born it should close – full term almost always closes – in preemies it takes a while or medical intervention is needed. They can be given medicine or have it surgically repaired - both having risks associated with them along with the fact that it is usually on a very tiny or sick baby. Back in February our NICU Dr chose the wait and see method since Emily seemed to be doing well - it took her about 3 weeks. If she had started to have problems or if it didn't close a few weeks later she would have had to have either the drug or surgery and she would have been about 2lbs at the time. NO THANK YOU! We were very excited when it appeared to have closed on it's own. Here's a quick diagram showing a normal heart and all the valves & vessel and what a heart with PDA looks like.

The problem with having a PDA is that the blood should be circulating from the lungs throughout the body but with this PDA duct that should have closed actually it shunts the blood from the lungs to the heart and back into the lungs. Over years (Many Decades) it can cause stress to the lungs & heart. And there is a chance that the open vessel can get infected which is rare but would’t be good.

PDA Info
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_cardiac/pda.cfm


Short term, our Dr said there’s nothing to worry about but at about a year in age or 16lbs she’d like us to come in for another Echo. If the Ductus is still open (which it’s pretty likely it will be) they will do a surgical procedure. There are a few options:

• Surgical incision on the side of her body under arm – go in and close off the open ductus/value. Definitely put to sleep, maybe ventilator (but not sure – the next option makes me think this is the case), stitches on outside of body.
• Cardiac Catheterizing – go in through a catheter in Em’s leg and put a coil around the ductus. 1 hour procedure, breathing on her own, home the same day with a band aid. Minimally invasive, has risks but is likely the path we’d go. http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/cardiac_catheterization.html

So now we just need to keep an eye out for Emily to either not gain weight as expected or not be able to kick a cough or cold. If she continues to have respiratory illnesses (which is common in all babies especially during this time of the year) and can’t seem to get healthy it would make the Dr want to do the surgery sooner.

So, in a way I think this is good news. She does not technically have a heart murmur and I’m very thankful and happy that we didn’t have to surgically close this while she was a tiny baby which could have very likely been the case. They like to do these surgery’s between 1-3years so I feel that the bigger she is the better off she’ll be.

Finally.... Emily's Echo Results

I heard back from Emily's cardiologist on Wednesday and the good news is that she does NOT have a heart murmur. Dr Armsby said her heart is beautifully formed, normal, and healthy. The problem is her PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus - see posts back from the NICU days) that they thought had closed....either didn't or is open again. If it did re-open it happened either during the NICU or shortly after. (GRR!) Emily isn't showing typical symptoms of a baby with a PDA so it's a pretty mild case which explains why it went un-noticed for at least 5 months.

What's a PDA you ask. This is a vessel in the heart that is open while in utero for all babies and once a baby is born it should close – full term almost always closes – in preemies it takes a while or medical intervention is needed. They can be given medicine or have it surgically repaired - both having risks associated with them along with the fact that it is usually on a very tiny or sick baby. Back in February our NICU Dr chose the wait and see method since Emily seemed to be doing well - it took her about 3 weeks. If she had started to have problems or if it didn't close a few weeks later she would have had to have either the drug or surgery and she would have been about 2lbs at the time. NO THANK YOU! We were very excited when it appeared to have closed on it's own. Here's a quick diagram showing a normal heart and all the valves & vessel and what a heart with PDA looks like.

The problem with having a PDA is that the blood should be circulating from the lungs throughout the body but with this PDA duct that should have closed actually it shunts the blood from the lungs to the heart and back into the lungs. Over years (Many Decades) it can cause stress to the lungs & heart. And there is a chance that the open vessel can get infected which is rare but would’t be good.

PDA Info
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_cardiac/pda.cfm


Short term, our Dr said there’s nothing to worry about but at about a year in age or 16lbs she’d like us to come in for another Echo. If the Ductus is still open (which it’s pretty likely it will be) they will do a surgical procedure. There are a few options:

• Surgical incision on the side of her body under arm – go in and close off the open ductus/value. Definitely put to sleep, maybe ventilator (but not sure – the next option makes me think this is the case), stitches on outside of body.
• Cardiac Catheterizing – go in through a catheter in Em’s leg and put a coil around the ductus. 1 hour procedure, breathing on her own, home the same day with a band aid. Minimally invasive, has risks but is likely the path we’d go. http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/cardiac_catheterization.html

So now we just need to keep an eye out for Emily to either not gain weight as expected or not be able to kick a cough or cold. If she continues to have respiratory illnesses (which is common in all babies especially during this time of the year) and can’t seem to get healthy it would make the Dr want to do the surgery sooner.

So, in a way I think this is good news. She does not technically have a heart murmur and I’m very thankful and happy that we didn’t have to surgically close this while she was a tiny baby which could have very likely been the case. They like to do these surgery’s between 1-3years so I feel that the bigger she is the better off she’ll be.

Happy 8 Month Birthday E & E!!!

Happy 8 Month Birthday E & E!!!

First Trip to the Zoo!

This little sheep was so cute until it came up to me and sneezed in my face. Gross!

The weather today was so sunny and beautiful...even though it was like 50 degrees. We decided it was the perfect day to take the girls on their first trip to the zoo. I was afraid it was going to be packed since the weather is probably one of the last nice days before the rainy season comes (and stays for 6 months at least) but it wasn't too bad. We didn't feel too guilty with our big double stroller because it seemed like everyone else had some sort of strolling monster as well. The girls liked it and even took a little nap. Andy and I thought it was pretty cool too! However, I forgot that I had a camera with me and when I did remember, the photos weren't great.

See the giraffe in the background. p.s. the girls don't like the sun in their eyes.

there was a nice big polar bear swimming, but when I took the pic he had already left....naturally!

First Trip to the Zoo!

This little sheep was so cute until it came up to me and sneezed in my face. Gross!

The weather today was so sunny and beautiful...even though it was like 50 degrees. We decided it was the perfect day to take the girls on their first trip to the zoo. I was afraid it was going to be packed since the weather is probably one of the last nice days before the rainy season comes (and stays for 6 months at least) but it wasn't too bad. We didn't feel too guilty with our big double stroller because it seemed like everyone else had some sort of strolling monster as well. The girls liked it and even took a little nap. Andy and I thought it was pretty cool too! However, I forgot that I had a camera with me and when I did remember, the photos weren't great.

See the giraffe in the background. p.s. the girls don't like the sun in their eyes.

there was a nice big polar bear swimming, but when I took the pic he had already left....naturally!

Emily's Appointment

Emily's Echo appointment went great today! Once the technician brought us back I was greatly relieved to find out that he would rather try to do the Echo without sedation instead of automatically sedating her. He said that it sometimes doesn't work like they want it to and that the babies end up even more mad and fight falling asleep. Emily was a stellar patient! She hung out on the hospital bed with Andy and let him play with her and sing her the ABC's I don't know how many times. She played with the ultrasound wand (or what ever it's called) and just watched the tech. Took about 30 minutes and she didn't get fussy until the very end. Turns out the Dr appointment with the Cardiologist that was supposed to follow the Echo appointment was canceled so now we're playing the waiting game. Not sure if we'll hear the results tomorrow or next week...or who knows when. Hopefully it's soon because the suspense is killing me.

Emily's Appointment

Emily's Echo appointment went great today! Once the technician brought us back I was greatly relieved to find out that he would rather try to do the Echo without sedation instead of automatically sedating her. He said that it sometimes doesn't work like they want it to and that the babies end up even more mad and fight falling asleep. Emily was a stellar patient! She hung out on the hospital bed with Andy and let him play with her and sing her the ABC's I don't know how many times. She played with the ultrasound wand (or what ever it's called) and just watched the tech. Took about 30 minutes and she didn't get fussy until the very end. Turns out the Dr appointment with the Cardiologist that was supposed to follow the Echo appointment was canceled so now we're playing the waiting game. Not sure if we'll hear the results tomorrow or next week...or who knows when. Hopefully it's soon because the suspense is killing me.

Our First Parade!

Today the girls were in a parade at daycare. They had all the daycare kids walking through the Nike Campus and then signing songs in Ronaldo field. The girls of course were in a stroller but it was my first time to see them out and about in the middle of my work day. What a nice break! Luckily the weather was clear and sunny although it was pretty cold. I had my camera with me...but do you think I actually took pictures. Nope!

Emily is still tearing through rice cereal and two nights ago actually slept from 7pm-7am straight. I was hoping this was a trend, but I was sorely mistaken. The girls were both up so many times last night it was BRUTAL!

Tomorrow is Emily's sedated Echo up at Dorenbecher so I'm a little nervous for that, although I've researched the heck out of it and it really shouldn't be a big deal. My other main concern is that we can't feed her after 2am for her 8am appointment....I'm not quite sure how to tell a hungry screaming baby that she can't eat just yet. Hopefully she just sleeps until it's time to leave, but I know how well my planning goes. If I have a plan, the opposite happens. :)

Congrats Leslie & Nick on the birth of sweet little Avery Mae. She's gorgeous!! E&E can't wait for their Monday play dates!

Our First Parade!

Today the girls were in a parade at daycare. They had all the daycare kids walking through the Nike Campus and then signing songs in Ronaldo field. The girls of course were in a stroller but it was my first time to see them out and about in the middle of my work day. What a nice break! Luckily the weather was clear and sunny although it was pretty cold. I had my camera with me...but do you think I actually took pictures. Nope!

Emily is still tearing through rice cereal and two nights ago actually slept from 7pm-7am straight. I was hoping this was a trend, but I was sorely mistaken. The girls were both up so many times last night it was BRUTAL!

Tomorrow is Emily's sedated Echo up at Dorenbecher so I'm a little nervous for that, although I've researched the heck out of it and it really shouldn't be a big deal. My other main concern is that we can't feed her after 2am for her 8am appointment....I'm not quite sure how to tell a hungry screaming baby that she can't eat just yet. Hopefully she just sleeps until it's time to leave, but I know how well my planning goes. If I have a plan, the opposite happens. :)

Congrats Leslie & Nick on the birth of sweet little Avery Mae. She's gorgeous!! E&E can't wait for their Monday play dates!

I've not been very good at posting updates so here are a few pictures....

Emily

Ellery inspecting a new toy while she sat in her highchair for 4 seconds. So far she's not impressed with the chair.

Ellery showing off in the bumbo and playing with a new toy.

Girls in the Hood

I've not been very good at posting updates so here are a few pictures....

Emily

Ellery inspecting a new toy while she sat in her highchair for 4 seconds. So far she's not impressed with the chair.

Ellery showing off in the bumbo and playing with a new toy.

Girls in the Hood

First week of Nike Daycare

Ellery on her first day at Nike

Emily on her first day at Nike

The girls started daycare 2 days a week at the Nike center last week. They have been so happy and have been napping 3-4 hours a day which they don't do at home and they didn't do at their other daycare. They seem to really like it and the four teachers really like them. There are only 2 other babies in our 2 day class so that means 4 babies and 4 teachers 1:1...love that ratio. I think the girls do too...they know that they have their very own caregiver all day long.

First week of Nike Daycare

Ellery on her first day at Nike

Emily on her first day at Nike

The girls started daycare 2 days a week at the Nike center last week. They have been so happy and have been napping 3-4 hours a day which they don't do at home and they didn't do at their other daycare. They seem to really like it and the four teachers really like them. There are only 2 other babies in our 2 day class so that means 4 babies and 4 teachers 1:1...love that ratio. I think the girls do too...they know that they have their very own caregiver all day long.

Yummmmm rice cereal

We tried rice cereal this week for the first time. The developmental pediatrician told us we should try rice cereal on Halloween and our regular ped said sometime in October. I been thinking Ellery was ready and even her daycare teachers had said she was showing signs. I wasn't sure about Emily though, she just seemed to little. Our first experience was hilarious. Emily opened wide for each spoonful and quickly and neatly gobbled it up. Ellery made the most horrific face upon tasting her first bite and then ended up with most of it on her face. I don't think she was spitting it out, I just think it kind of dripped out. We've now tried daily for the last 4 days and Emily is still the cereal superstar and can't get enough of it. Ellery is still messy and makes horrible faces but she fusses when I don't give her more. Hopefully she starts to like it soon. It's definitely a messy and funny experience!

Ellery - what is this?

Please make it stop..

Emily- I don't know how I feel about this
Maybe it's not too bad..

Yummmmm rice cereal

We tried rice cereal this week for the first time. The developmental pediatrician told us we should try rice cereal on Halloween and our regular ped said sometime in October. I been thinking Ellery was ready and even her daycare teachers had said she was showing signs. I wasn't sure about Emily though, she just seemed to little. Our first experience was hilarious. Emily opened wide for each spoonful and quickly and neatly gobbled it up. Ellery made the most horrific face upon tasting her first bite and then ended up with most of it on her face. I don't think she was spitting it out, I just think it kind of dripped out. We've now tried daily for the last 4 days and Emily is still the cereal superstar and can't get enough of it. Ellery is still messy and makes horrible faces but she fusses when I don't give her more. Hopefully she starts to like it soon. It's definitely a messy and funny experience!

Ellery - what is this?

Please make it stop..

Emily- I don't know how I feel about this
Maybe it's not too bad..

Prematurity Awareness

Petition for Preemies

1. We urge the federal government to increase support for prematurity-related research and data collection as recommended by the Institute of Medicine and the Surgeon General’s Conference on the Prevention of Preterm Birth, to:
(a) identify the causes of premature birth;
(b) test strategies for prevention;
(c) improve the care, treatment and outcomes of preterm infants;
(d) and better define and track the problem of premature birth.

2. We urge federal and state policymakers to expand access to health coverage for women of childbearing age and to support smoking cessation programs as part of maternity care.

3. We call on hospitals and health care professionals to voluntarily assess c-sections and inductions that occur prior to 39 weeks gestation to ensure consistency with professional guidelines.

4. We call on businesses to create workplaces that support maternal and infant health.

Please sign the petition!

http://www.marchofdimes.com/padpetition/index.aspx?a=1&z=1

Prematurity Awareness

Petition for Preemies

1. We urge the federal government to increase support for prematurity-related research and data collection as recommended by the Institute of Medicine and the Surgeon General’s Conference on the Prevention of Preterm Birth, to:
(a) identify the causes of premature birth;
(b) test strategies for prevention;
(c) improve the care, treatment and outcomes of preterm infants;
(d) and better define and track the problem of premature birth.

2. We urge federal and state policymakers to expand access to health coverage for women of childbearing age and to support smoking cessation programs as part of maternity care.

3. We call on hospitals and health care professionals to voluntarily assess c-sections and inductions that occur prior to 39 weeks gestation to ensure consistency with professional guidelines.

4. We call on businesses to create workplaces that support maternal and infant health.

Please sign the petition!

http://www.marchofdimes.com/padpetition/index.aspx?a=1&z=1