8 WEEKS!

I know I say this every week, but I can't believe it's been 8 weeks.  This Tuesday, November 26th was the 'minimum' date the doctors wanted me to make it to before I delivered.  They said any days/weeks I stayed pregnant after the 26th was a bonus.  You know what they say about the best laid plans...


Babies are doing great as far as weight gain.  Sammy has caught up to his brother and sister now that his PDA is closed and they are not restricting his fluids.  Babies are weighing in between 1600 (3lbs 8oz) and 1650g (3lb 10oz).  It is hard to believe that in 2.5 weeks we went from being too small for preemie clothes to I'm not sure how much longer these will fit!  Our next weight goal is 1814g which is 4lbs.  We'll be taking bets on the first achiever and the over/under on the next blog update :)


We got a visit from Dr. Caskey yesterday.  She was the attending on the first month the babies were born.  She couldn't believe how big they were.  While she was there, she said something that really resonated with me.  She said 'I can't even begin to tell you the multitude of things you DID NOT see here in the NICU with 24 weekers.   With THREE 24 weekers.'  As harrowing an ordeal as this has been, I am in awe of all the complications my babies did not experience.  We see babies in the NICU everyday undergoing surgery, visiting with specialists, taking one step forward and 3 steps back.  Today a family of a baby that passed 2 years ago came in giving gift bags to the NICU families.  Their baby was a 26 weeker that had various complications from day one and could never truly overcome his prematurity. He passed in his sleep at 1.5 years old.  No rare disease, no chromosomal abnormality, no major issue at birth except that he was 26 weeks and very premature.  So tonight and every night I count my blessings that my three 24 weekers have been making steady progress like babies do in the womb.  They truly are miracles.  

We are getting lots of visitors and everyone is excited to hold babies.  We are just as excited to see our babies being cuddled because there is only so many arms on Mommy and Daddy to hold :)  It does give us a little anxiety because this is the cold and flu season and the doctors and nurses have told us that a common cold can put the babies back on a ventilator and delay any progress for months.  But as long as no one in your family at home is sick and you scrub in, then we are thrilled to have baby holding visitors :)  Let me just put it out there, that super germ-a-phobe moms always made me shake my head.  Thus, I am a little peeved that I have to be one of those due to the prematurity of the trips.  OK rant over.


I took tons of pics this week because I am so excited to have fat babies!!!   I also did some comparison pics from week 1 till now so you can see their progress.  

Mommy holding Sammy

Who wants to be double fisted when you can be double breasted!  ;)

Tia holding Elsie who is making a silly face!

Sammy just chillin waiting to be dressed

Elsie snuggling with Momma

Danny moving and shaking in his isolette

Danny taking matters into his own hand to block the light

Sammy holding his binkie

Sammy putting it up for a fist bump

Daddy and Elsie

Elsie blocking the light

Sammy enjoying Daddy time

Elsie is apparently in deep thought sleeping on her hand

Sammy snuggling with Auntie Tracey

The next few pics are all of Sammy being very expressive:

His hand placement reminds me on 'Mini Me' from Austin Powers in this pic

Hey check out my double jointed fingers

If you're happy and you know it....

Maybe I'll just pray for a minute

Throwing out my gang signs 

THIS IS MY FAVORITE PIC!  WHAT A BIG SMILE FOR AUNTIE TRACEY

Check out my cool outfit

I put my hands up, their playing my song....(not that I want Miley in my blog)

This is Mommy being completely in love with her little girl

Love cuddling her!