at 06/06/11 3:18PM
I talked to Cara today and Lucy is back off the feeding tube and on very little additional oxygen. The babies are doing very well! When they get to go home is still up in the air, but it's getting closer and a few dates have been thrown around. We'll wait for the real news to let the internet know, shouldn't be too much longer, though. :)
Not much else going on around here except that we started summer bootcamp this morning and it was awesome, just as it was last year. I'm excited to get some core strength back that I've lost over the past few weeks of coasting after my half-marathon. Time to get back in shape!
Today is a busy one. We have a funeral to attend this morning, and though the family has been faithful, their father/grandfather would never heed the gospel. So though the family is glad for his long time battle and suffering to have ended, I know they mourn that he had many faithful examples and never chose to obey. I think it's going to be a really sad funeral.
If you haven't checked CarePages, I would encourage you to do so. You just go to www.carepages.com and sign up for free. Then search for EllaAndLucy and you'll be able to read about them. Preemies get very tired, very quickly. So even though Lucy had her feeding tube out (yay!) for a couple of days, she's now getting tired of eating and needs it put back in. I'm sure it won't be for long, because she really just needs some rest and to build some strength, but it's discouraging for a mama and daddy to see a step back. Because she's so tired, she's now needing oxygen again, but went without it for a couple of days (awesome!). Ella is also in need of prayers because her little lungs just are not wanting to breathe on their own. They started a systemic steroid and want prayers that the risk and side effects would be minimal. Ella is 5 lbs 5 oz and Lucy is 6 lbs 1 oz. Not too shabby! Please pray for some improvement soon so Cara and David's spirits would be lifted.
I'm off to get ready for the day.
at 05/23/11 10:33PM
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Today I mailed a massive box to Cara McCrain in Seattle because she called me last week and gave me the greatest news. She still wants my twin nursing pillow. I offered it to her the moment I found out she was having twins, but after they came early, and not knowing their situation that well, I wasn't sure she would still want or need it after so long of a stay in the NICU. Well I'm happy to tell you that each of the girls is happy to nurse and have both taken to it quite well. Cara hopes to nurse them both together very soon, which will do wonders for her supply and for her emotional well-being. So I put the pillow in a box and scattered a bunch of twin girls clothes and preemie things in there, along with a card from my Cara and Paige and a nursing cover I loved so much and a twin picture frame that says, "Twice the joy, double the hugs" or something positive like that. Not like "Double trouble" or any other such terrible twin comment! ;)
Now Lucy is bigger than my girls were when they were born, which is amazing. Ella is very close there as well. Both girls are going to be able to be off the oxygen sometime in the next few weeks, which will do wonders for their mobility in the NICU. Lucy is already out of the warmer, so Cara gets to hold her a lot more these days now that Lucy is in her crib. The girls are well on their way to going home, but as all NICU parents know, they must do three things: 1) eat on their own, 2) breathe on their own, 3) maintain their own body temperature. Lucy has mastered the body temp thing and Ella won't be far behind. Lucy is ALMOST ready to go without additional oxygen, but still needs it a bit right now. Both girls are eating a tiny bit on their own, and taking most of their feedings through the nose with no IVs needed. So we're getting there! Things are definitely brighter these days as they aren't having nearly the scary "episodes" that they were having several times a day in the beginning. I can't tell you how scary things were that first night or two, but just know that it can only be described as a nightmare and one I'm so thankful they came through. So we're still praying for no damage to their lungs, that they would start to really take on full feedings during nursing sessions, and that they would be able to go home without extra oxygen needed. The growth is definitely happening, so praise God for that and for everything He has done that we don't even realize. I'm sure the list of things He has secretly taken care of far outnumbers the list of things we all know about.
EDITED TO ADD: I got a text this morning. Lucy is off of oxygen as off today. Yes!
at 05/09/11 3:39PM
Oh man! Cara's legs are totally filling out and getting a shape to them. She's also gotten taller and just plain looks like a kid now, not a baby. She's always been my tiny baby and has stayed a little more petite than Paige, but looking at them today, they're both just getting so big. Whaaaaaaa!!!
at 05/08/11 11:15PM
Just wanted to update you all and please forgive for the "text"-like short, choppy typing. I am exhausted!
The half was great. Ran it in 2:45, which was way slower than I wanted, but to be fair to my running partner and me, we had to walk 2 really long bridges because they were shaking and it felt like vertigo to run on them. Most runners slowed down or walked them with us. It was crazy! We also had 3 bathroom stops and then I had to walk about an 1/8 mile because my achilles started killing me on mile 9.
Race break down:
Miles 1-6 were a breeze. I loved it! Feeling good, stopped for bathroom once for my running partner. I'm thinking, this is going to be a cake walk. Er, run.
Mile 7 was right after the bathroom break and it was hard to get going again. Wanted to quit. Couldn't remember why I chose to pay someone to let me torture myself.
Mile 8-9 great and feeling strong again. Started chatting about family stuff and it took my mind off the race and my ankle. Very nice.
Miles 10-12 Had to walk that 1/8 mile for my achilles, but was starting to feel the pump of the finish line.
Mile 12-13.1 Ran faster and finished strong. Saw my partner's wife and daughters at the finish line, which really boosted my confidence. I was so happy to finish.
Afterwards I was a little shaky and needed to keep moving. I also felt sick and didn't want to move. I also needed to eat but could not STAND the thought of food. I ate a little bit of cereal bar and kept drinking fluids. At the hotel an hour later, I drank a vanilla milk shake and then had a big Arby's roast beef sandwich on the way home. After that protein, I was good to go.
Today I as hardly sore (except for the achilles) and really didn't feel bad at all. I am shocked that I don't feel worse that this! My feet are sore and my toes are blistered, but I made it! It was so fun.
Concert was AMAZING! Singing with people who are that good was just unbelievable. The crowd was very sweet to us and we had a blast. My solos were very satisfactory and many kind people encouraged me afterwards, which has helped with my nerves and my confidence a lot. A kind word, a thumbs up, a knowing "Good job!" whispered after a solo is just so wonderful. The director was so lovely, as usual. I had the time of my life singing with the Choral Society this semester and hope I get to do it again very soon.
Okay, off to bed. I am BEAT!
That's great about the babies!
did you see her picture on FB? she's so beautiful!
*iloveponds
*mandao
*joes_wife
*littlebit
*jerzgirl
*nillabarr
*kerrigan
*sparky
*windham4life
*laughing_eyes
*sparker
*polaramy
*crazy_mama
*tracys
*kerifieldsrice
*linda_g
*littlelamb
*aleta
*didow
*babyface
megan
firebolt
elleymaie
*mrs_worm
michelle
*tortilla
johnandleah
dawnmk23
*notcool
rainout
cabinmommajuju
southern_yankee_mom
*robynbobm
purrph1
squeaky
ladidodd
mom_to_5_in_brazil
kristindoula
*lonette
*sunnylee
felaine
*juliev