Weekend Update

I promised daily updates and I have already failed you! I know anyone who has been reading this blog has just been clicking "refresh" nonstop since Friday... But seriously, I was unable to find my wit and charm you all love and so I thought I would hold off.  Last week ended with really great news and we were very excited with the girls' progress.  While they are still doing very well, this weekend was a little rough on mom and dad.  

Ella Update

Ella is back under the photo therapy lamps after their bilirubin levels went up quite a bit between Thursday and Saturday.  Last night (Sunday) her numbers had increased even more, so a second lamp was added.  The good news: she projectile pooed all over Ryan last night and pooped twice more since.   Ever think you'd be reading a blog about poop?  I never thought I would be writing about it.  Again, pooping helps to get rid of bilirubin, so an explosive projectile poop is great news ... except for maybe Ryan (who was pooped on) and the nurse who had to learn how to take the incubator bed apart to clean it.  I, on the other hand, thought I may have split my c-section stitches because I was laughing so hard.  Lamps aren't a huge deal - it is just difficult to see them (1) take a step backwards; (2) put a mask back on; and (3) not be able to be swaddled.  

I wrote last week (I think) that Ella was able to go off of oxygen.  The first couple of transitional days were a little rough for her - or probably more rough for me - as we are told that a few drops in heart rate are common in babies, premature babies, and premature babies who are going through a big change or transition.  She was pretty good until Saturday when her oxygen levels started dropping and continued through last night when after one especially low drop, they decided to put her back on oxygen.  While we were obviously disappointed to see her take this step backwards, it came almost as a relief knowing that we wouldn't have to standby and watch her struggle to breath so much.  The nurses here can each tell us a hundred times that it is common in premature babies and that it isn't "the worst thing" - but it doesn't necessarily make us feel better when we can't do anything but standby and watch.  Absolutely the most helpless feeling.  

Sadie Update
Sadie is a rock star when it comes to breathing - but she just cannot poop!  This girl has had two suppositories (we were very disappointed to learn what those really are... poor girl).  Unfortunately, she has not yet been able to go without the suppository.  My sister-in-law, Tiffany, told me to be prepared because we would be praying for poop for years to come.  Yay: things to look forward to. 

Sadie also had to go back under the photo therapy lamps.  So she also is back to wearing her super hero mask and basking in the "sun".  I just received word that her bilirubin levels have dropped significantly and she may be able to get rid of the lamp today... keep your fingers crossed!! 

Photo Update
Fortunately,while both of the girls were out from under the lamps and were able to be swaddled, I was able to get a couple of really cute pictures! 

"Eat your heart out, Lebron" - Sadie (top pic) and Ella (bottom pic)

Ella's thoughts on photo therapy. 

No funny caption here... Sadie just looks so cute!

"I just pooped all over my dad and $25,000 bed just so I could get another bath." - Ella

Okay - so some of you may not believe me, but I swear that every time I read "Where the Wild Things Are" and get to the part where the "Wild Things roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth...", Sadie smiles like this!  I tested this theory by reading it to her 4 times on this particular day and she smiled each time.  I read this out loud throughout my pregnancy so I am convinced she recognizes it! 

Another one where I have no caption - just a cute picture of Ella!