What a Difference a Week Makes!

Keith last night, sucking on his chicken mitten. He really enjoys his practice breastfeeding sessions! That is his feeding tube going into his nose.
Evelyn and her pacifier, last night.
Colin, last night. We didn't want to disturb any of them! They looked so peaceful :)

Firstly, I'd like to thank everyone for all their best wishes, thoughts and prayers. It's been a very busy week, as Edward has gone back to work and we're still getting to the hospital three times a day. I'm being encouraged to stay for most of the day to get in some practice breastfeeding, diapering and bathing. I'm trying to get over the last vestiges of my cold before I spend more time with the babes - both Edward and I are wearing masks and having them on for hours on end isn't that pleasant, not to mention our fears that we're still contagious.

That being said, I have spent the past few days alternately holding all three and putting them to the breast for a bit to see how they do. All three of them have managed to latch as best they can, given their tiny size. While they're all still being fed through a tube in their nose, that and their vital signs monitors are all the wiring they have left!! We are so thrilled and amazed at their progress, as is the medical staff. If you consider that we asked their immature systems to function as full-term babies two months before their actual due date, the whole thing becomes a miraculous achievement. With their umbilical IV lines out they can lie on their tummies, which holds the preemie stamp of approval; and it can also help ease digestion. Both Colin and Keith have some issues keeping their feeds down (resulting in some full on out-the-nose-and-mouth spit up sessions), but that's to be expected for preemies, particularly boys. Colin and Evelyn have surpassed their birth weight, and Keith is only a few grams under his. Once they are able to regulate their body temperatures to 36ish degrees celcius, they will be removed from the isolettes and placed in heated water beds.

Now back to pumping!!