Tuesday's update

Yet another boring baby day in the NICU. Both babies slept for most of the day, and the doctor (for one of the first times ever) didn't make a single change to either baby.

Gramma Polly came by to hold Eloise which I'm sure was nice for both of them. She seems to be happy with the bolus feeds and hopefully she'll start to chunk up quickly!

Cooper's been our boring baby for a while now, and we couldn't be more pleased with that. He and I had what I thought would be a nice snuggle today, but apparently he had other ideas. Along with sleeping away his Tuesday, Coop also had an off and on case of the hiccups. Well, I guess hiccups, bolus feedings and snuggle time with Mama don't really mix. Coop decided that his afternoon snack needed to make a repeat appearance...all over himself and his blanket...while we were snuggling. If we weren't already certain that Coop resembled his Daddy, his puking abilities would put it over the top! Here's to hoping he doesn't find a corner with a plant to use when he gets older!

Another boring Monday

Today was another nice, quiet day in the NICU. I hope by us getting used to the babies being boring, they don't start to get active on us again!

There really isn't much to report on our end. Eloise started bolus feedings this afternoon. Jeff said that when she got her first feeding, she started smacking her lips together like she was really enjoying it. Cooper is still just being Cooper. He's still charming the pants off of many of the nurses. Both babies spent most of the day sleeping and I'm just hoping they continue that when they come home...or maybe learn to sleep all night! :-)

Jeff, Coop, Ella and I just wanted to recognize the newest additions to the Robinson immediate and extended family: First of all, congrats to Evan and Amy on their engagement! I know Ella's very excited that with the addition of Amy, Robinson women now outnumber the men! :-) Second, congrats to Jen and Claire and their new baby boy! Cooper couldn't be more excited to have a boy cousin so close to his age. :-) We love all of you guys and we are so happy for you!

1 month old!

I can't believe our babies are one month old already! And what a crazy month it's been. Fortunately today was a pretty tame one for the beans.

Cooper has stayed pretty much the same. He's kind of been our little anchor on the crazy ship that has been Eloise. He's loving the bolus feedings still, and is getting used to the feeling of being hungry. Eloise is catching up with Coop, at least respiratory wise. While still on the high flow cannula, she's now on only 1 liter of pressure...same as Coop, although he's just on the standard cannula. Hopefully tomorrow Ella will be able to start bolus feedings as well.

To help us celebrate their 1 month, my friends Liz and Joe Bodell stopped by. It was wonderful to catch up with them, and as always, visitors are always welcome. The babies also both got to be held today...at the same time and in the same room! It was so nice for Jeff and I to hold them together so we could see them both. This can't be an everyday thing, but for once in a while, it was sure great.

No more naked babies! :-)

As a true clothes horse, today was a very exciting day for me. We (and by "we" I mean "I") were finally able to dress Miss Eloise! I'm not sure she enjoyed it as much as I did, but she looked very cute, so that's really all that mattered.

Other than getting dressed, the day was pretty boring for both babies. Eloise is continuing to progress, and went from 2 liters, to 1.5 liters on the cannula. She also enjoyed a hold and snuggle from Daddy. Cooper is just going to be getting a little more food, but other than that he's basically the same. Coop did accomplish something very big however: HE'S FINALLY 3LBS!!! :-) We're so excited that they're finally starting to chunk-up.

Scott and Katie Smith also stopped by for a visit this afternoon. While we know everyone that comes to visit really wants to see/meet the babies, I think the visits really are more for Jeff and me.

A few more pictures from the last 2 days

What a day!

Phew! It has been an exciting 24 hours for the babies, and the grandparents too. First of all, both babies were strong and stable enough to allow for all 3 grandparents to be able to hold them. Not only was it nice for the babies to be held by people other than Mommy and Daddy, it was wonderful to see the excitement on the faces of our parents when we told them. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves and maybe next time the babies will have poopy diapers saved up for the grandparents too! :-)

Eloise had another stellar day today. She went from the CPap to a high flow cannula, and she spent most of the day on room air. Respiratory wise, this is just one step higher, (a little more help), than where her brother is, but she's actually getting less oxygen than he is. I can't tell you how amazing it was to see her for the very first time without any hat or mask or tube stuck down her throat! She also got her IV line out this evening and will now be getting all her nutrients through her nasal feeding tube. She's also clearly starting to feel better as evidenced by the massive screaming fit she threw for most of the day! The only things that comforted her were being held and having someone hold her pacifier in her mouth so she could suck on it.

Cooper stayed pretty much the same, which is pretty fantastic considering how quickly he made it to where he is. He's still loving the bolus feedings, and really likes his post meal naps. There really isn't much to say about Coop, but we'll take quiet and boring anytime.

Another Thursday update

These babies are so close to the 3lb mark it's killing me!! Cooper was 2lb 13oz, and Eloise was 2lb 12oz today. I wonder which will happen first: they'll hit 3lbs, or they'll turn 1 month old. It's crazy to think that we're almost there for both!

Today was a pretty calm day, the first we've had for both babies in a while. Cooper is just cruising along on the standard cannula. He didn't even try to pull it out of his nose too much today! He is, however, starting to live up to one of his many nicknames. "Pooper" apparently had a very nice present for Daddy to take care of after I'd left the hospital for the day. :-) I'm sure the next one will be mine.

Eloise continues to amaze Jeff and I, and apparently her doctor as well. She spent much of the day, still on the CPap, on room air which is about 21% oxygen. While that doesn't sound like much, it's the first time ever she's been on room air, and not even the doctor expected her to be doing so well. She is still feeling the effects of the steroids, so the doctor did warn us that she could start to need a bit more oxygen once the steroids wear off. Hopefully the fits she's throwing will start to lessen however. Ella and I had a nice kangaroo hold today, at least I thought it was nice. Eloise on the other hand screamed, loudly, for the first 5 minutes. She also screamed anytime the nurse came in to move her. Apparently she's taking after her daddy and his displeasure when it comes to people "bugging" her.