Back in the Cabbage Patch

As the docs said during rounds this morning, today was day of life 70 (for both babies), recovery day one (for Lucas).  It was a great recovery day.  Lucas got to move back into the cabbage patch this morning.  Brother and sister were happy to be hanging out together again, and the move meant that the docs were pleased with how he was recovering from his surgery.  He got green-lighted to start eating again, and will slowly increase his volume over the next day or two until he's back on full feeds.  When the attending was examining Lucas this morning, he noticed that the tape on his feeding tube was loose and so he helped Lucas to have the tube "fall out."  We take this to be a vote of confidence in his ability to take all his feeds by mouth.  It's possible that he'll need to have a new tube put in (a simple process that the nurses do weekly under normal circumstances), but we're going to see what happens over the next couple days.  His face looks beautiful unencumbered by any tubes - we promise to take photos tomorrow.

Olivia continues to do well also.  She had three successful p.o. bottle feeds with the nurse last night and nursed three times today (although she slept through most of the first attempt).  Her coordination gets better every day.  However, the docs are a little concerned that she is burning too much energy with all these feedings, and if she doesn't start gaining weight again, she may need to back down on her p.o. feeds for a couple days.  This is really frustrating, as it would mean the doctors still can't give us an estimated departure date, but as they keep reminding us, we will be successful only by following the babies' cues and their timelines.  Our own desires and schedules are not part of the equation.  So fingers crossed that she has gained some weight today, and if not, the road will be a little longer. 

One upside to this lingering amble to the finish line is that the babies will be stronger and breathing better by the time they finally go home.  And until they get their exit tickets punched, we are lucky enough to have lots of moments in each day when we can feed and snuggle and sing with our two wonderful kids.  We are lucky to be learning about how to care for our kids from some very talented and caring nurses and therapists.  And we are lucky to have so many dear friends and family along for the ride with us.  Your love and support and wisdom and encouragement sustains us, especially in these slow days.  We hope that the weekend brings lots of joyous moments, both big and little, for our family and all of yours.