For the last couple days Emily has been so close to hitting the 3lb mark....but finally last night she officially made it. She is now 3lbs 0.8oz and Ellery is 3lbs 11.4 oz. Just a few weeks ago they were the tiniest babies I've ever seen and now they seem so big. Of course put them next to a 6-8 lb baby and they will seem tiny again.

Both girls have now taken an entire feeding by bottle the last two nights. This again is a huge accomplishment. The nurses didn't expect them to do so well so early. They definitely like having the bottle instead of the feeding tube.

For the last couple days Emily has been so close to hitting the 3lb mark....but finally last night she officially made it. She is now 3lbs 0.8oz and Ellery is 3lbs 11.4 oz. Just a few weeks ago they were the tiniest babies I've ever seen and now they seem so big. Of course put them next to a 6-8 lb baby and they will seem tiny again.

Both girls have now taken an entire feeding by bottle the last two nights. This again is a huge accomplishment. The nurses didn't expect them to do so well so early. They definitely like having the bottle instead of the feeding tube.

This weekend was pretty quiet in the Singer corner of the NICU. The girls were focused on gaining weight and sleeping. Personally I'd love to be doing the sleeping part, but the gaining weight...not so much. As of tonight Emily weighs 2lbs 15.4oz and will hopefully hit the 3lb mark by tomorrow. Ellery weights 3lbs 7.2 oz and is fast approaching 3 1/2 pounds.

They both had their first attempt at bottle feeding last night. The nurse who works the night shift decided to give them a head start to see if they could do it. Normally they don't start the preemies on bottles until 32 weeks which will be on Tuesday. Both girls only had about 5ml which is a very small amount but they seemed to do pretty well. Hopefully they pick it up quickly because they can't go home until they've mastered the bottle.

This weekend was pretty quiet in the Singer corner of the NICU. The girls were focused on gaining weight and sleeping. Personally I'd love to be doing the sleeping part, but the gaining weight...not so much. As of tonight Emily weighs 2lbs 15.4oz and will hopefully hit the 3lb mark by tomorrow. Ellery weights 3lbs 7.2 oz and is fast approaching 3 1/2 pounds.

They both had their first attempt at bottle feeding last night. The nurse who works the night shift decided to give them a head start to see if they could do it. Normally they don't start the preemies on bottles until 32 weeks which will be on Tuesday. Both girls only had about 5ml which is a very small amount but they seemed to do pretty well. Hopefully they pick it up quickly because they can't go home until they've mastered the bottle.

No major updates to report. Ellery is now 3lbs 2 oz and Emily is 2lbs 10 oz as of last night. They've been moved to the East wing so that they can just hang out and grow. Yesterday I was able to hold both of them at the same time. It was great, but it was hard to look at one baby at a time.

Emily

Ellery Smiling!

No major updates to report. Ellery is now 3lbs 2 oz and Emily is 2lbs 10 oz as of last night. They've been moved to the East wing so that they can just hang out and grow. Yesterday I was able to hold both of them at the same time. It was great, but it was hard to look at one baby at a time.

Emily

Ellery Smiling!

Nice Work Emily!

Today I walked into the NICU to find Emily without her nasal cannula. She's been very annoyed about any of the equipment she's had up her nose. She's been on a very low level of air for the last few days so they took her off altogether. She's been off for 12 hours and doing great, so hopefully she is able to stay off the nasal cannula. Of course there is a chance she'll have to go back on, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she's off for good.

I also gave Ellery a bath today. I've never given her one before and had just given Emily her first on on Friday. Even though they are tiny they sure are strong!!

Ellery in her "bath tub"

Ellery & Emily (without her nasal cannula!!!)
Hi Sister (taken 3/17/08)

This is a typical day in the NICU. Alarms going off, other babies crying, sleeping......

Nice Work Emily!

Today I walked into the NICU to find Emily without her nasal cannula. She's been very annoyed about any of the equipment she's had up her nose. She's been on a very low level of air for the last few days so they took her off altogether. She's been off for 12 hours and doing great, so hopefully she is able to stay off the nasal cannula. Of course there is a chance she'll have to go back on, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she's off for good.

I also gave Ellery a bath today. I've never given her one before and had just given Emily her first on on Friday. Even though they are tiny they sure are strong!!

Ellery in her "bath tub"

Ellery & Emily (without her nasal cannula!!!)
Hi Sister (taken 3/17/08)

This is a typical day in the NICU. Alarms going off, other babies crying, sleeping......

Ladies and gentleman we have a 3 pounder!

Today Ellery hit the 3lb mark! I feel like she's been gaining weight quickly but they tell me once you are at 3lbs you gain even faster. Emily is also doing great at gaining and is at 2lb 9 oz. They look chunkier (if under 3 lbs can even be considered chunky??) everyday. It's the cutest thing ever!

Ellery & Emily

In their NICU outfits given to them by cousins Krista, Korryn, Kerri, and Aunt Kathie

Ladies and gentleman we have a 3 pounder!

Today Ellery hit the 3lb mark! I feel like she's been gaining weight quickly but they tell me once you are at 3lbs you gain even faster. Emily is also doing great at gaining and is at 2lb 9 oz. They look chunkier (if under 3 lbs can even be considered chunky??) everyday. It's the cutest thing ever!

Ellery & Emily

In their NICU outfits given to them by cousins Krista, Korryn, Kerri, and Aunt Kathie

One Month Old Today

Emily & Ellery are one month old today. It feels like it was just a little bit ago that they were born, but yet it also feels like it was at least a few months ago. I know...doesn't make any sense. I feel like we have been in a time warp in the NICU. Life outside flies by and I can't remember what day of the week it is or why I can't seem to accomplish anything, but yet inside the NICU time goes by very s-l-o-w-l-y.

This weekend was pretty quiet for the girls. They slept for the majority of my visits...but that is their job. As of last night, Ellery now weights 2lbs 13.5 oz and Emily is up to 2lbs 7.5 oz. Won't be too long before I have 3lb babies!

One Month Old Today

Emily & Ellery are one month old today. It feels like it was just a little bit ago that they were born, but yet it also feels like it was at least a few months ago. I know...doesn't make any sense. I feel like we have been in a time warp in the NICU. Life outside flies by and I can't remember what day of the week it is or why I can't seem to accomplish anything, but yet inside the NICU time goes by very s-l-o-w-l-y.

This weekend was pretty quiet for the girls. They slept for the majority of my visits...but that is their job. As of last night, Ellery now weights 2lbs 13.5 oz and Emily is up to 2lbs 7.5 oz. Won't be too long before I have 3lb babies!

30 Weeks

Today the girls are 30 weeks gestational age. For a single baby full term is 40 weeks and for twins it's usually 38 weeks or so. The girls are still behaving....somewhat. They both have been caught pulling on each others feeding tubes, pushing each others heads, and just doing what normal siblings would do. They are still doing wonderfully after being put in the same bed. They are regulating their temperatures (this is a common problem for preemies) and are gaining weight. Ellery is up to 2lbs 10.5 oz and Emily is 2lbs 4.2 oz. Our goal is to gain about a 1/2 oz a day and while some days they don't gain that much the next day they will gain twice that amount. So on average, we're doing great!!!

30 Weeks

Today the girls are 30 weeks gestational age. For a single baby full term is 40 weeks and for twins it's usually 38 weeks or so. The girls are still behaving....somewhat. They both have been caught pulling on each others feeding tubes, pushing each others heads, and just doing what normal siblings would do. They are still doing wonderfully after being put in the same bed. They are regulating their temperatures (this is a common problem for preemies) and are gaining weight. Ellery is up to 2lbs 10.5 oz and Emily is 2lbs 4.2 oz. Our goal is to gain about a 1/2 oz a day and while some days they don't gain that much the next day they will gain twice that amount. So on average, we're doing great!!!

Surprise!!!

When I walked into the NICU today I had a big surpise waiting for me......Emily & Ellery have moved in together!!!!

Once twins are stable enough they like to move them together since they have spent most of their time snuggled up next to each other. The girls seem to really like it. They have both been very relaxed today and I think are just trying to figure out who keeps touching them and who is right next to them. Hopefully they behave and don't pull out each other's feeding tubes....if they do we'll have to separate them. It's so cute to see them together!

Ellery & Emily

Surprise!!!

When I walked into the NICU today I had a big surpise waiting for me......Emily & Ellery have moved in together!!!!

Once twins are stable enough they like to move them together since they have spent most of their time snuggled up next to each other. The girls seem to really like it. They have both been very relaxed today and I think are just trying to figure out who keeps touching them and who is right next to them. Hopefully they behave and don't pull out each other's feeding tubes....if they do we'll have to separate them. It's so cute to see them together!

Ellery & Emily

A year ago this week....

This is what was going on at our house a year ago this week. The infamous dump truck rolling over onto my newly poured foundation & retaining wall fiasco. So much fun!

A year ago this week....

This is what was going on at our house a year ago this week. The infamous dump truck rolling over onto my newly poured foundation & retaining wall fiasco. So much fun!

Grams & Ounces!

Well Emily's new nasal cannula set up seems to be working because the last two nights she has gained more than 50 grams a day. (30 grams = 1 oz) Emily is now 2 lbs 2.9 oz and Ellery who also is gaining pretty rapidly is 2lbs 9.1oz. The girls spend their days sleeping, eating, and pooping.....just like any other infant.

Grams & Ounces!

Well Emily's new nasal cannula set up seems to be working because the last two nights she has gained more than 50 grams a day. (30 grams = 1 oz) Emily is now 2 lbs 2.9 oz and Ellery who also is gaining pretty rapidly is 2lbs 9.1oz. The girls spend their days sleeping, eating, and pooping.....just like any other infant.