Breathing is incredible

"Every Breath is Magic!"

Switchfoot, American Rock Band

Robbie is growing everyday and is 9 lbs 2 oz, Harper is struggling to gain weight and is 8 lbs 2 oz. We are trying to increase her calories, but he is just hungrier than her!

She never complains and does anything I ask her to do. All she wants to do is nurse.  

If Robbie could be held all day, he would love it. Sometimes I make Nana put him in the crib.

Updates: I have a good feeling Robbie's brain bleed may have resolved, but we will not know until Monday. Well into his exam, the ultrasound tech asked, "Which side was it on again?" I know the results will be positive!!!!!

Both Babies are doing fine and no oxygen has been needed this week in our house. We keep the oxygen near by, and Robbie is teetering on needing it but he has been able to bring himself back to normal range on the monitor when he has fallen low.

I have been staying sane, giving myself 30 minutes to have a swim every day, and 30 minutes to have a nap, and my mom does the same.....

just not at the same time.

Our bill came from the hospital and the total is 1.3 million dollars pre-insurance. Hopefully Cigna will be generous with us, and we will also get help from a grant the state of AZ has for families who have babies in the nicu through no fault of their own (no drug use, etc, causing prematurity).

Pete is holding up fine, is working hard everyday and comes home in a good mood, as always. He is a great dad, and sings funny songs and has funny conversations with his kids all night. Luckily, he doesn't need much sleep, and although Nana K has offered to sleep in the master which is next to the nursery, so Pete could sleep in the spare bedroom, he prefers to be a part of all the nighttime feedings and diaper changes thus far.

So he falls asleep feeding a child in the recliner from time to time......

I'm not concerned..... Pete is an awesome dad.

I am on maternity leave until end of October. I like being home with the babies, but I also miss my work and my clients, and will be excited to get back.

Starting in November, the kids will be staying at Karla and Gary's
during the day Monday thru Friday.

Appointments since discharge from Nicu:

July 24th: Robbie Pediatrician Appt with oxygen

July 25: Interview with Raising Arizona Kids Magazine (follow up)

Aug 2: Early Intervention appt in home

Aug 3: Harper Pediatrician Appt with monitor

Aug 7: Robbie Pediatrician Appt with oxygen

Aug 9: Harper Pediatrician Appt

Aug 15: Robbie Circumcision with oxygen and monitor

Aug 16: Robs and Harps Pulmonologist Lung Specialty

Aug 17: Head Ultrasounds Rob and Harps, Abdomen Ultrasound Harps

(To check for hemangiomas on her organs)

Aug 17: Pediatrician Appt Rob and Harps-- reflux check and weight check

Aug 21: Pediatrician Appt Robbie and Harper-weight check

Aug 21: Follow up Circumcision

Aug 22: Robbie Heart Echo

Aug 23: Early Intervention Robinson and Harper in home

Aug 27: St. Joes Visit follow up in home
Aug 28: GI Doc to discuss reflux issues
Aug 29: Neurology with Dr. Bristol who followed the babies at St. Joes
Aug 30: Harper Dermatology for hemangiomas on liver

My mom and Pete and I thought we would get the kids home and hold them for 3 months and soothe them back to health with kangaroo care. Instead, we have been going from appt to appt and trying to remain sane.