5 Lbs of Amazing.....Robbie's post

Robbie is 5 lbs today!!!!

Robbie had a few breathing stunts, and forgetting to breathe is apparently unacceptable to the Nicu nursing staff, so the kids were moved back upstairs so they could be closer to doctors, just in case a quick order needed to be given. We had to give up our nice hospital room but we need to make sure Robbie is safe and getting all the attention he is demanding. (Putting the nurses and Pete and I into cardiac arrest on two separate occasions is something I would not like to get used to). Harper would have been fine in the nice hospital room which is a closer step to going home, but she agreed to stick with Robbie, so back to the 5th floor we all went. Michelle RN had to delicately talk me through this and continuously told me "this is not a demotion" but we need to keep a closer eye on Robbie than we may have thought a week ago.

Robbie is also experiencing reflux, which is common with preemies, and his breathing stunts may be related to having bad reflux attacks. He has a hard time at the end of his feedings. We are told he will outgrow this, but it is uncomfortable to watch, knowing there is nothing we can do. During my pregnancy, acid reflux was the worst part for me, so I feel particularly sensitive about his discomfort.

Robbie weighed in today at 5 lbs, and Harper was 4 lbs, 14 oz.

Robbie is 16 inches long, and Harper is 16.5 inches long.

If I were still pregnant, I would be 35 weeks along today (the twins are 11 weeks old). My pregnancy app for today says, "Your baby is the size of a coconut, and eyelashes and fingernails are growing luxuriously." I've learned what they tell you is going on inside your body during a pregnancy is not always accurate. The only positive aspect of having a preemie at 24 weeks gestation is being able to watch what would otherwise be a mystery in the womb. There is a pregnant nurse in the nicu who is 35 weeks along, so I get to see what it may have looked like for me and she can see what size is growing inside her.

We took a discharge class to learn how to care for preemies at home, learn baby CPR, and to get ready for them to come home in July.

He doesn't look like he would pull stunts like stopping his breathing,
but he sure keeps us on our toes.

He brought his hands out a little as if he was trying to be even cuter for the picture.