2 months

Grandma's back just in time for us to get the house ready. Andrew may be going home this week!! The boys are checking stuff off their list of milestones and mom and dad off of our to-do list. The temporary nursery will be in our living room while we figure out our and their sleeping shift schedule. Char's getting a desk in her room so she donated the rocking chair to the boys.

The plan for the boys at home will be different than with Char. We need to be really careful taking them out and being around sick people as their immune systems are really weak. We're discussing with our care team to find the right balance so we don't become crazy shut-ins. We'll also need to start thinking about getting a nanny since they can't go to day care. This scares me! Please share your thoughts with us about how to find a part-time nanny.

On Monday, Bennett's hematocrit labs came back higher so he avoided another blood transfusion. Bennett gained 10 oz this week, and out-gained Andrew's 8 oz, for the first time! Bennet is 5lbs and Andrew is 7lb!

They both got their immunizations which have set Bennett back a few days. He was on the wall air under 1 and now back on the pole at 2. Bennett's eyes are still not good and showing signs of retinopathy. Right now they'll keep a close 'eye' on it. Kristen and I took the half day infant CPR course and grandma will take it next week. Tomorrow, they'll check Andrew's heart to make sure his valve closed.

Tuesday Aug. 7th was the day that Kristen was originally going to be induced or have a C-section, 1 month before their Sept full gestation due date.

Tuesday was movie night at the hospitals small children's theater so we watched Lorax with Char. It was great fun and also really sad to see all of the sick children. On Thursday, we went to the fair and saw the animals, rode the rides (and pony) and watched the demolition derby. The finale was an RV demolition derby! We're trying to keep a balance if doing things with Char. Her behavior is better now than ever.

8 weeks and counting

It's been 8 weeks and I just want these boys home. It's looking like it will be a while yet, hopefully within the month. They're doing okay, I'm just getting impatient.

Bennett gained 9 oz this week, and Andrew gained 13 oz, good progress for both. They are enjoying being in the same bed as are we. This upcoming week is when they we originally planned to have them by C-section 1 month early and here they are 2 months old.

Kristen worked a full day and 2 half days which makes it a lot harder to get it all done, especially getting the house ready for them to come home. Grandma Garnon comes back on Tuesday. Today Laura took Char swimming! and Char has been going to gymnastics camp on Fridays which she loves.

Day 50 and sharing a bed!

The boys are out of the incubator (isolette) and cobedding on day 50!

I fed Andrew a bottle and he drank 2/3 of it. Bennett is enjoying being all cozy with his brother. They ate both almost double their birth weights. Their hematocrits were not as high as we thought they would be but they're not going to give them blood transfusions since their reticulocyte counts are high enough which means they're working to make red blood cells.

Bennett is on the right, Andrew on the left. The pictures with the hat are from nurse Brandi who took them overnight, unstaged!

7 weeks - how is Bennett?

We've heard from several people that they're concerned about Bennett, but please know that he's doing okay.  He is smaller than Andrew, but he gains weight every day - usually 30-60 grams a day; and he's gained 13 oz in the last 2 weeks.  Bennett is below the 10th-percentile while Andrew is in the 50th-percentile in weight and size.  The gap has widened for a few reasons.  Bennett gets less food since he's smaller and can only handle less volume as he grows.  He'll catch up in the eating category as he gets older.  Bennett's hematocrit is still lower, which means that his body is using a lot of energy to try and create red blood cells.  It looks like this is going in the right direction based on other labs, but we'll find out more on Monday on whether he'll need another transfusion.  Bennett was also growth restricted in utero so he may just end up being smaller, but he's alive and rockin' it.  He is still getting some extra air, which keeps him doing well.  We'll keep you all posted, but don't worry, he's just doing this slower than his brother since he's smaller.  He's still doing okay and progressing nicely on his own path at his own pace.  When you compare him to himself on a weekly basis, he's on track.  Maybe he'll just end up being more agile than most Wilson boys.

Andrew will likely go home first which will create a whole set of feelings of joy and sadness, and fear; and maybe it will be an easier transition.  Who knows.  It will work out.  My mom will be here then to help out.  Andrew still has a heart murmer, which may be nothing or he may need surgery.  Like most things, we just won't know for a while. 

We do not know if either of them will have any long term neurological, muscular, or emotional issues; and maybe won't know for a long time.  This scares me more than Bennett being small or even Andrew's murmer.  It will work out, I'm sure.  We have a great support group!

Hopefully, I filled you in on more of the details but that I didn't make you sad.  The day-to-day is mostly good.  They are both gaining weight.  Char has been great.  She got to hold Andrew on Saturday and just loved it (for 5 minutes).  Kristen has been back to work for a few days which has worked out okay.  I've been back to work since the 2nd week.  We just landed a large project which is exciting, and provides the challenge of being efficient so I can get to see the boys and Kristen and Char each day too.  We spend as much time at the hospital and with Char as we can, which ends up meaning we hold and change them 3-4 times a day; and then sleep at home.  Andrew got his first few bottles this weekend just drinking a little bit before falling asleep and they've both been making some progress on breastfeeding.  They have gotten to spend some time in the same bed which is nice for them and great for us to see.

Andrew bear - week 7

Bennett bear - week 7

Andrew with a bottle!

Char found a horse ring on our outing to Podnah's for a breakfast BBQ.

Andrew's first bottle.  We were sad that we weren't there but it was the best decision for his care.  We are thankful that our nurse sent us this picture.

Char did her own hair with the barettes from Carolyn.

it was so special to see Char holding Andrew

Bennett has curly hair?

Char does great in the hospital all day.

Andy

I went to Target but they tore it down.  It looks like I've been out of the game for a while.

The A-team.  Adrian is back from vacation, Deb is a super RT, and Dr. Baker is great (for an intern).  All of our nurses and caregivers really have been great and we've even made friends with a few.  Adrian was in Germany and is back telling wordly stories about spas, an "adventure" for the bucket list.  By the way, the intern thing is a joke. 

high five!

tree artwork by Rachel, their designated bather

buddies, sharing a moment togetehr