The NICU routine

We've made it through Day 5!  Miguel and I are getting comfortable with the Neonatal ICU and the team of doctors and nurses in and out of the triplets' room.  They have invited us to sit in for rounds each morning and we have taken advantage of that, learning all of the acronyms and lingo.

Sammy is settled in nicely. He continues to be the overachiever and is now using 'room air' with his ventilator. This is great news that his body is developing enough to process the oxygen breathing in and CO2 breathing out without the mecanical devices doing it for him.

Danny has become more stable over the last few days, and is caught napping peacefully on his side cuddling his homemade body pillow set up by nurse Donna.  He is still secretly our trouble maker and likes to surprise pee during diaper changes and reach in his mouth and tug on his tubes.

Elsie continues to surprise everyone, even the doctors in her rapid improvement. She has stabilized her weight (she now weighs the most!) and her nervous system is finally welcoming touch (which mom and dad love!) so we can sooth her when she fusses. She is still on light therapy and loves to sunbathe. 

All the babies hit another milestone today by having their first poop. This means they are able to process the breast milk through the stomach and intestines and all are working properly.  After losing a little bit of their birth weight,  all are sitting around 1lb 7oz. You can see on the boards they use grams to weigh them. An average baby at delivery is around 3000 grams.

The NICU nurses amaze Miguel and I with their dedication to our babies and the genuine love they have for their job. They had us bring in blankets from home which they use for the babies bedding, and set up our room with decor from the nursery. We cannot thank them enough for caring for our whole family.

So now that I've been discharged,  Miguel and I travel back and forth to Dartmouth each night. As unbearable as it is for us to leave the babies, the doctors have told us to expect to be in the NICU until mid January. Therefore, we must establish a routine that gives us the most time with the babies while allowing us to rest so that we are physically and emotionally ready to handle all the ups and downs we will face.  We often leave before 7 and return after 8.

Many of you have offered help and we are so grateful.  My cousin Sharon asked to share her contact info with all of you. She would like to start a 'dinner train'. You can email her at smgavon@verizon.net or call her at 774-271-0018 for more info.

We are so blessed to be starting Day 6 with babies that continue to improve!

Miss Elsie Mae sunbathing (no tan lines please!)

The daily boards:

Danny side sleeping

Dad checking Sammy's temp

Mom and Dad with Danny as he gets a bedding change

Elsie wearing Daddy's wedding band on her arm and holding Mommy's in her hand (sometimes the pictures make them look bigger than they really are, I will try to include size indicators as they grow)