Frick Twins: Day 3

We’ve been told that there will be ups and downs as Henry and Jameson grow and mature.  Today was a little more of a challenge, but given that’s average for this point post-delivery, we’re largely on plan.  They described it that usually there is a honeymoon period right after birth where the babies respond to the challenge, but over time exhaustion can make things a little bit tougher for their little bodies to compensate.  Last night they put Jameson back on the CPAP machine to help normalize his breathing.  It feeds through his nose, and he was still trying to breathe through his mouth, which negated the effect of the machine for a period of time.  But by this morning, the machine was doing its thing and his breathing was much more stabilized (in the 40-80 breaths per min vs last night it was spiking over 100).  Jameson also has some jaundice, very common for preemies and especially the smaller of twins.  The smaller twin usually compensates in utero by creating more red blood cells to absorb oxygen.  Now that he’s born, he needs to dispose of those.  They provide phototherapy light that he’ll be under for 2-3 days as that helps breakdown the red blood cells and makes it easier to excrete the broken down cells.  It basically looks like he’s in a mini-tanning bed.  They are monitoring it, but not out of the ordinary and not at a dangerous level.  Henry’s doing better, but also has some occasional moments where his breathing will pause.  It’s usually short and he solves it on his own, but a little stimulation helps also.  Raechel and I both got a chance to touch them through the hand holes of the incubator machine that they use to keep their temperature stable.  Raechel keeps getting more mobile, keeps on her 2-3 hour pumping schedule, and we’ve even managed to both take a shower today.  All in all, not a bad day

 

One comment on my medical notes: they’re an interpretation of a tired, non-medical brain of what I think I hear.  But I think I usually have the jist right.

 

Hard to believe Raechel’s first contraction was only 48 hours ago!  One of the other nurses made that comment, to which I replied, “For these guys, that was a lifetime ago”

Baby Henry

Frick Twins: Day 2

Today was a good day, the babies look a little stronger every time we see them.  Raechel was able to make a couple trips into the NICU today to meet and touch her brand new babies.  Everyone is progressing according to plan and both Henry and Jameson have managed to stay off any assisted breathing, though their respiratory rate can fluctuate.  They had their first tummy time, which the nurse said can help with breathing and digestion.  Jameson was a little fussy at first, but they let me touch him for the first time and that helped calm him down.  In general they’re pretty active moving their arms and legs around; they’ve already gotten a reputation with the nurses for being very feisty.  They’ve started introducing a little bit of milk+formula to their systems to get their digestive tracts moving.  The staff continues to monitor them very closely and keep us updated.  Raechel continues to heal and get stronger as well, doing some walks down the hallway and ramping up to solid foods. 

 

Kathy brought in some good old ND inspiration for the babies today you can see in the attached photo.  Thank you, it’s perfect!!!  Can’t have enough positive prayers and thoughts.  And thanks for all the flowers, balloons, etc. that everyone has sent!  Makes the hospital room much more cheery.

Cruisin to the NICU

Baby Henry, 2 days old

Baby Jameson, 2 days old

Rae touching Jameson

Notre Dame decor for the incubators

Frick Twins: Day 1

Baby Henry and Jameson arrived in dramatic fashion, i.e. Raechel had her first contraction at 1pm and babies were born a little after 3pm.  By the time we got to the birthing center, Raechel was already 7 cm.  I think I managed to get three update texts out and they were wheeling her into the OR prep.  I walked into the OR and Henry’s head literally started pushing through about a minute later.  Because they’re premmie’s at 31 weeks, they did an emergency C-Section to get Jameson out quickly 9 min after Henry was born (that description is way easier for me to write than verbalize as I had to be escorted out of the OR to watch through a small window).  They came in at a teeny 3lb 7oz and 2lb 15oz, though rounding up to 3lbs for Jameson makes it sound better / us feel better.  They had them on a CPAP w/normal air to help them breath and their lungs develop for about 24 hours and are currently testing them without it to see how they breathe on their own.  They said their X-Rays were great given how young they are; lungs looked good w/o fluid.  Assuming that goes well over the next few hours, the next key phase is getting them eating beyond their glucose+protein IV feed they have right now.  Raechel’s already been doing a great job pumping getting them started on colostrum / breast milk which I hand deliver down to the NICU every few hours and they provide to the babies. 

 

In terms of expectations for how long they are in the NICU, they want us to prepare for them being in until their actual due date in early December, but hopefully we’ll get to take them home sooner than that.  The NICU staff has been amazing; very helpful, attentive, and with the perfect attitude.  We’re taking it one day at a time; baby stepsJ 

 

I attached a couple of photos of the boys when they were about 15 minutes old and first wheeled into the NICU. 

 

Raechel’s recovery has been going great; she was up on her feet for the first time in less than 24 hours post-birth, granted for a short trip across the room to the bathroom.  We’ll hopefully get to take her down to meet Henry and Jameson for the first time later this afternoon.

15 Minutes Old: Baby A (Henry) and Baby B (Jameson)

New wallpaper in the dining room

Finally found the perfect solution for the dining room wall. Love love love the improvement

Before and After: My Home Office

I love working from home... Here are a few pictures of my home office. This room doesn't feel complete yet... So stay tuned!

Bedroom from the previous home owners

Rae's office!

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My wedding bouquet

Little seating for Dave when he visits my office

Guest Bedroom #2

This guest bedroom was plain when we first moved in: white walls, no crown molding. After a few attemps to make a welcoming place to stay, I am finally content with the space.

Iron Bed from Ikea, quilt from Target, pillows / art / mirror from Home Goods

Welcoming note from The Fricks

Love this zebra chair! Another find from Home Goods

Guest bathroom connected to the room

Before and After: Laundry

Who says the laundry room should be boring? Not me! I went with a white washer/dryer set since I knew I wanted to paint the walls blue. Added the magenta rug to spice it up!

Before

After

Family Portraits May 2011

One of my favorite things in the house!