A Week of Firsts

This past week we experienced some firsts. 

As I told you last week the doctors gave the OK for Kamryn & Karsyn to begin bottle feeding.  Kamryn is now taking all 8 of her feeds from a bottle.  Karsyn is up to 5 bottles a day & will be increased when she can take the entire bottle in 30 minutes for each of the 5 bottles. 

They are both still on caffeine.  While Kamryn has not had a breathing episode in quite some time, Karsyn continues to experience some mild ones in which she quickly recovers.  She has had a couple while trying to bottle feed.  The doctors decided to increase her caffeine by 20% today.  It takes about 4-5 days for the caffeine to work. 

I also had a first this week.  Since my little angels are doing well with the bottle feeds, I was allowed to introduce them to breast feeding.  It was an experience for all 3 of us & will take a while for them (& me) to get the hang of it.  But thanks to their wonderful nurse today, it was a good experience.  I couldn’t have done it without her.

Kamryn & Karsyn are continuing to grow each day.  We were actually given a bag of clothes that are now too small for them.  Landon & I didn’t think that would happen so soon.  Kamryn is now 5 lbs 7 oz.  Karsyn is now 4 lbs 10 oz.

Even Landon had a first this week.  Nurse Melissa got him to change his 1^st diaper.  I told you she wasn’t giving up.  Of course, he hasn’t changed one since.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers.  We are praying that they quickly outgrow the breathing episodes and they get to come home together.  As it is today, there is a good chance Kamryn will come home before Karsyn.

Happy Mother's Day!

Kamryn & Karsyn have had a busy week. 

Kamryn now weighs 4 lbs 9.2 oz and is 16.5” long.  She has not had any breathing episodes but is still on caffeine.  Kamryn no longer likes having a feeding tube.  She generally pulls it out once a week.  Of course, she decided to this on Wednesday while I was visiting.  It was more traumatic for me than it was for her.  The dermatologist says her birthmarks are OK & they will recheck in about a week.

Karsyn now weighs 4 lbs 0.6 oz and is 16.1” long.  She continues to have very minor breathing episodes which she generally recovers from without any stimulation.  She had to have blood work & an x-ray this week because of blood in her diaper.  All tests came back normal; she has an anal fissure which will heal on its own.

When we arrived today, their cubicle looked different.  They are out of their isolets & are now sharing a crib.  Here’s a picture of their new bed.

Kamryn is on the left.  Karsyn is on the right.

Their new bed was not our only surprise.  The doctor gave the OK to introduce bottle feeding.  The nurse was kind enough to wait until we got there so I could give them their 1^st bottles.  They did great and each took about a ½ ounce.  They will try one bottle feed a day for a while.  Here are some pictures.

Kamryn’s 1^st bottle

Karsyn’s 1^st bottle

I hope you all a wonderful mother’s day.

Love,

Kelly

3 Weeks . . . .

Kamryn & Karsyn will be 3 weeks old tomorrow.  They continue to grow every day.  Karsyn now weighs 3 lbs 4.2 oz (yes, the 0.2 oz is a big deal) & Kamryn weighs 3 lbs 12 oz.  Kamryn's umbilical cord fell off yesterday and Karsyn's eye looks so much better.  We are approaching 48 hrs of no breathing episodes for both Kamryn & Karsyn.

On Thursday they were actually able to start wearing clothes.  Although they do have some growing room, they look so cute in their preemie clothes.  During our visit they maintained their temperature so well that the nurse let them take a short nap together while they waited for their next feed.  Landon & I were so happy they could be together for a little bit.  Here are some pictures.

The next picture is of me changing Kamryn's diaper.  Nurse Melissa wanted Landon to change Karsyn's diaper but he couldn't be convinced.  I have a feeling she's not giving up that easily.

Here's Karsyn wrapped up in her turtle & frog blanket.  For those of you who don't know, before we knew they were girls, Landon called them his "little turtles".

In between his business trips & marathons, Pawsie was able to finish their bedroom furniture.  Now we have the daunting task of getting their room ready.

Prayer for Premature Infants

Prayer for Premature Infants

By Clinel “Sissy” Davis

Our gracious heavenly Father, thank you for this precious child that you have given this family.  Lord, we know from Your Word that you never leave us or forsake us.  We call upon Your name for comfort in our hour of need for you are our strength, our only refuge, and we seek peace in this time of uncertainty.  Our hearts are overwhelmed with fear and doubt.  You, Lord, are the Great Healer.  We ask that You pour out Your great healing power on this precious little lamb of Yours.  Bless and keep this little one surrounded with Your abundant love and mercy.  This is the prayer of our hearts.  We ask these things in the precious name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Movin' On Up

Last night when we arrived at the NICU, we were greeted by Nurse Holly smiling and telling us our babies had been moved across the hall to the step-down NICU.  We were thrilled.

Kamryn gained 1 oz overnight bringing her weight up to 3 lbs 6 oz.  Karsyn gained 1.8 oz bringing her weight to 2 lbs 15.8 oz; we're calling it 3 lbs.  If they continue to gain weight tonight, their feeds will be increased again tomorrow.

Karsyn had one breathing episode today but recovered quickly.  She also has some drainage from her left eye.  The doctor believes it is just a clogged tear duct & they will do periodic massages.

Kamryn has not one, but two birthmarks.  One is on her belly; the other is on her backside.  A dermatologist is scheduled to take a look at them this week.

Here are some pictures we took yesterday.

Proud Daddy

Karsyn Ann



Kamryn Rose

Happy Easter

Kamryn & Karsyn have both gained 2 oz.  Kamryn now weighs 3 lbs 4.2 oz & Karsyn weighs 2 lbs 13.2 oz.  They haven't had any breathing episodes.  The doctor has started them on multi-vitamins. 

Here are some pictures we took last night.  The hats and booties are from Aunt Kaci.  The hats actually have bunny ears.  They were a hit in the NICU.

Baby Booties - a little too big

Kamryn Rose - 13 days old

Kamryn Rose - 13 days old



Karsyn Ann - 13 days old

Karsyn Ann - 13 days old - & Holly - one of the wonderful nurses in the NICU



Kamryn Rose & Karsyn Ann are here

I'm creating this blog to keep everyone updated on Kamryn & Karsyn.  So here's what's been happening. . .

Around 2pm on April 10th I thought maybe my water broke (during my baby shower).  I was only 29 weeks 5 days.  After calling Landon & the doctor, we were on our way to the hospital still convinced this was a trial run & I'd be back at my shower in no time.  Once at the hospital, the nurse informed us that I was definitely in labor.  After an ultrasound & calling the doctor on call (my doctor was on a plane), Baby A would be arriving and then the doctors would make a determination whether or not Baby B would be delivered.

At this point we are still in triage.  The ultrasound showed I was only 4 cm.  Well, I informed the nurse that I had the urge to push.  Needless to say, I was not 4 cm but 10 cm.  The next thing we know, there are several nurses in the room & they are telling Landon to follow them.  As we approached the operating room, they told Landon to put on some scrubs.  The doctor and anesthesiologist were not there yet; the nurses asked me not push.  This was not very easy.  It seemed like an eternity before they arrived.

Once the anesthesiologist arrived, the doctor and nurses told him to numb me up.  He did a fantastic job - I got both a spinal & an epidural.  It was now time to push.  I was so numb that I couldn't push; like I said the anesthesiologist did a great job.  Since the babies' vital signs were good, Dr. Swing decided to let some of the anesthesia wear off.  Every 15 minutes the nurses would check to see if I could feel anything.  It took several hours before I was able to start pushing again.  Baby A arrived at 10:02pm, weighed 3 lbs 2 oz, & was 15.25" long.

Now it was time to decide if Baby B would be born tonight.  After consulting with a specialist, Dr. Swing decided we would go ahead with Baby B's delivery.  Of course, I had to have another ultrasound to see if she dropped of if I would have to a C-section.  She didn't drop so I would get to have a C-section as well.  Remember the anesthesia had somewhat worn off; therefore, I had to get some more and wait some more until I was numb again.  Finally, we started again.  During the process, I told Dr. Swing that I felt a lot of pressure; she said not to worry.  (Later, Landon told me she was actually on top of me trying to pull Baby B out.)  Baby B arrived at 10:44pm, weighed 2 lbs 11 oz, & was 15.25" long.

At 4am April 11th, I finally got to see my babies.  They actually wheeled me into the NICU while in the hospital bed so I could see them.

Since we were not prepared at all for them to arrive this early, it took us a couple of days to name them.  On Tuesday, April 12th we finally decided on Kamryn Rose & Karsyn Ann.

Kamryn & Karsyn are expected to be in the hospital until they're original due date of June 21st.  We are told they are doing exceptional for as early as they were.  They no longer require any oxygen; Kamryn only had fresh air oxygen; while Karsyn actually had to be on a ventilator for a couple of days.  They both received IV fluids for about a week.  They have feeding tubes because it will be several weeks before they can learn how to suck, breathe & swallow at the same time.  Kamryn, who started at 3cc of feed every 3 hrs, is now up to 28cc every 3 hrs.  Karsyn, who started at 2 cc every 3 hrs, is now up to 25 cc.  They both experience what we call "breathing episodes"; this is when they forget to breathe.  This is typical of preemies & they are receiving caffeine to help.  They haven't had any episodes today.  They did lose some weight but are now back up to their birth weights.

Landon & I have been overwhelmed with all the prayers and kind words we've received over the past 2 weeks.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers, as the doctors caution us that most preemies will take a few steps forward and take a couple backward.

It's time to get ready to go to the hospital.  I'll post again soon.

Happy Easter & God Bless,
Kelly