Moving in the Right Direction

Don't look now, but the kids are starting to string together some good days.  For the first time in what seems like a while, both Lucas and Olivia gained weight yesterday.  Lucas is now up to 1710 grams (3 lbs 12 oz) and Olivia has officially begun moving back in the right direction, now at 1485 grams (3 lbs 4 oz).  The reason for Olivia's lack of weight gain up until today was two-fold, she was shedding water weight and she was not getting as much calories in food as she was using.  The great news is she now looks much more comfortable without her puffy water weight, and her feeds and fortification should finally be back at a level that will outstrip her feisty nature.  Lucas has regained his original weight advantage from birth, but Olivia should make her way back soon.

Olivia also graduated to level 2 on her cannula because she was doing so well on level 3.  An early evening call to the NICU confirmed that she is doing well on level 2, which is great news.  Lucas almost graduated again to no cannula, but they decided to give him another day.

Lucas got another visit from the speech therapist today.  As we may have mentioned, learning to eat is the last big hurdle that remains for the kids.  Some days, Lucas is alert and raring to eat.  Some days, like today, he is a bit tired and can't summon the energy to suck, swallow, and breath all at the same time.  He will figure it out.  And the speech therapist told mom today that Lucas is now on her priority list, so he should improve soon.  She said if he can't figure it out that we can teach him.  Good times.  We are told that one day a lightbulb goes off, and their eating improves pretty quickly.  We are getting close . . .

The doctors also told mom this morning that we are pretty much ready to graduate to ccn2, aka the step-down nursery, aka the cabbage patch (because kids go there to eat and grow), aka the four-star hotel, aka the nursery next door for non-critical babies with many less alarms.  The remaining hurdle is now essentially one of logistics and staffing for the hospital.  So, hopefully by the end of the week, if the nicu staffing can handle it, the kids will move next door, their final holding place where they will finish learning how to eat and put on a bit more weight so they can fit in their car seats home.

In the meantime, we continue to enjoy our daily visits with the kids.  At the 8 am feeding, mom and dad each spent time with the kids.  Mom then attended the 11 am feeding, which included Lucas's visit from the speech therapist and Olivia's first visit with the physical therapist.  The kids then enjoyed a now routine nap, both in one parents arms.