Painter Crew Updates

 So many BIG moves! Michael hit the 4 lb mark today!!!! The nurse said he will only poop during the day haha. He is eating 36 mL every 3 hours and breathing like a champ! Michael loves his pacifier especially when he has the prongs in.  Austin got moved to a big boy crib yesterday! He also managed to give himself another bloody nose so he gets to stay on the mask for 24 hours, starting to think he's learned to play the system 🤔 Austin also is the most pooping baby, he does it every time they change diapers. Breathing has gotten so much better too! They also both got put in sleep sacks today and seem to be loving it!  We are so blessed and thankful for the nurses who have been keeping us updated since we can't be there. Our nurse for the day even put them together so we could see them at the same time.

Austin is a whooping 4.4 lbs Michael is 3.13  They are letting Austin have an open crib for a few days to see if he is ready for a big boy crib! They moved their feeding tubes to their nose so they will be ready to try out no oxygen next week!!!!!  Also the nurses emailed pictures of the boys tonight and they just absolutely made my day #nicunursesarethebest  Here is Austin-notice the hand.. ALWAYS has to be out 💕 And here is Michael 💕 he just looks so cozy

Austin is tipping the scales at 4.2lbs! Michael is holding strong to 3.10lbs but also pooping up a storm soooo 🤷‍♀️ We managed to get COVID... somehow. Now we can't see them until August 4. Disappointed is any understatement. I understand the reasoning of it but it just sucks 😞  Thankfully I've had really mild symptoms- honestly only a cough.  Philip has more of the body aches and fever symptoms.  Not seeing the boys for 10 days is going to be difficult but thankfully the hospital can set up Zoom meetings and we can still see the boys! 

They finally got to move into the Rainforest this morning!!!  Next time they get a bath they will probably   be moved into big boy cribs because both are doing an amazing job at keeping their temperature regulated.  This week they will have their first eye exam. The doctor is hopeful that the bubblers can come off next week or the week after (around what should be 33-34 weeks).  Both are still gaining weight like champs!  Austin up to 3.13 and Michael at 3.8! Both have gained a pound since birth.  They are also opening their eyes a lot more even though they can't really focus them yet  Here's Austin! Here's Michael! Also, Michael said no pictures please!

This week has been full of good, calm news. We are just growing and getting bigger. Still haven't heard anything about when they will move to the Rainforest. I am hoping by the end of the weekend. 

 Big mile stones coming our way!  The boys are so close to being able to be in a regular crib. They have the lights on during the day and the boys were wide eyed and bushy tailed today!  Austin is up to 3lb 10 oz!  Michael is 3lb 4 oz!  both are only 3 oz from gaining a full pound since they were born.  Somehow every time I change diapers I get a poopy one...and Philip hardly ever does!!  Neither boy likes being fully swaddled. They kick their feet out as soon as you wrap them up. Then an arm comes out within a few minutes. Hopefully some bigger blankets will prevent that!  We are so close to moving out of the garden we are just waiting for an open room in a different part of the NICU. We think they will be moved to the Rainforest. 

Michael has FINALLY hit 3.1 lbs!!!!  Austin is up to 3.8!  They are wearing clothes now and are able to be swaddled. We can also hold them like "normal" babies. They are slowly getting to learn how to regulate their temperature and once they are successful at that they can move into regular cribs!  Austin and Michael will also get their first eye exam either this week or possibly next.  I cannot get over how they are growing so much and are so incredibly strong.  Here's Austin the day he was born, about 2 weeks old and 3 weeks old And here's Michael same days! 

In the world of NICU, no news is good news!  So with that being said heres a small update: Our boys like to eat! They get that from their daddy 🤣 Austin is up to 3.6 lbs(+9oz from birth) Michael is still holding strong on 2.15 (+8oz from birth)  Breathing for Austin still seems to be intermittent and he does not like his prongs (think oxygen tubes in the nose for adults) and breathes much better on his mask that covers his nose. But it is getting better!

We met with a group of people yesterday who described our boys as "medically boring" and I'm okay with that!  Michael is up to 2 lbs 15 oz Austin is up to 3lbs 4oz  Austin's breathing has been a bit more difficult but nothing the doctors are concerned about. His lungs are just still developing. He has been going through a phase of not wanting to be comforted when he is upset. He spits out his pacifier, he cries and pushes you away when he doesn't want you to mess with him. He doesn't love skin to skin time because he can't stretch out 🤣 Michael is totally his Daddy. He is so relaxed and chill, while being held he just passes right out and looks so comfortable. He loves skin to skin and will sleep forever on you if you let him.  Neither boy like their hands being contained though when they are swaddled. They almost always wiggle out a hand within a few minutes of being swaddled. The biggest news of all was they are going to be moving out of the Garden soon...

 We've officially made it to "31 weeks". Overall nothing major has changed but we did have a small hiccup. Austin is still struggling with his breathing and it turns out he is slightly anemic. Those two actually go hand in hand (who would have thought) but the doctors made the decision last night to do a blood transfusion to help him out. *The word transfusion sounds terrifying, but really they just gave him a bit more blood to help his red blood cells figure out what they are supposed to do*  The doctor seemed optimistic that this would be a one time only thing 🙂 Both are continuing to gain weight and are averaging about an ounce a day! 

 Austin officially hit 3lbs!!! Michael is not far behind him at 2.11!!  We were given the opportunity to hold them together at the same time and of course I jumped on the idea.  It was amazing having them back together and just felt like this is perfect. It was also kind of wild to see them both on my stomach when I was so used to them being in my stomach. They didn't acknowledge each other but they were incredibly calm. This was the first time they'd been together since they were born 16 days ago.  I am so proud of the boys for kicking butt. Hoping to come home sooner rather than later 🤞

In our NICU they have neighborhoods for the babies to be in. The Garden is where the smallest babies are who need more assistance, and because our guys were so small they are in the Garden. Once they out grow the Garden they can be transferred to the Beach, River or Meadow.  Every day we receive a phone call from the doctor updating us on anything that might have changed or occured during the day. Saturday was no different, but the words I heard from this doctor made my entire day. First, Austin is back up to his birth weight! !! (It's normal for premies to take about two weeks to get back to their birth weight). Secondly the most amazing thing to hear was the doctor say " these boys are the most stable babies in the Garden". While they will still be in the Garden for the next few weeks, usually until around 32 weeks, it's so encouraging to hear that. What's odd about this is on Friday I couldn't stop the anxiety of the boys not being home. For some reason, i...

Today the boys are 2 weeks old! It's hard to believe that two weeks ago our plans were completely flipped upside down.  While I know they are in the best hands, I am struggling this morning with not having them at home.  When I asked the doctor if she had an idea of when they would come home she said "it's too early to even think about that." Which I figured, but hearing it sucked! She followed it up with probably around their due date, again I knew that. But that is 10 more weeks!!!  A grand total of 12 weeks, 90 ish days, 3 months however you want to look at it. I hate how far they are away, but love the care they are getting. I have Mom guilt for not being able to be there every day.  I spent the whole day with them yesterday and soaked up all the cuddles and smiles I could get, and now today I'm missing them terribly.  14 days down... 66 days until their due date.

Both boys are off their IVs!!!! Which means they only have their feeding tube and the bubble machine to help them breathe! We were expecting this to happen by the end of the week for Austin and the plan was end of next week for Michael so ahead of the plan!!

Today would I would have been 30 weeks! But then we wouldn't have gotten to meet our sons yet so it has worked out ☺️ Austin is up to 24mL (.8 oz) every 3 hours. This is going to be the last increase for a little bit as his belly is only able to hold so much. The doctors are hoping to have his IV removed this week and he will be getting all nutrition from the milk. Fingers crossed!  Michael is up to 17mL (.57oz) with the 'protein powder' because he is so much smaller his intake has to be a little slower but we think he is going to quickly catch up to his brother! He also bumped up to the next size diaper and is no longer in the smallest one they make.  This picture is what he was in, compared to a pair of baby socks! 

We went to see the boys yesterday and they are still kicking butt! Michael forgot to breathe while holding him yesterday but was able to get him self back in balance within 20 seconds, which is wonderful!  No major changes other than we are finally reaching out birth weight or surpassing it!!  Here is Michael-who is definitely the little brother but determined as hell to have at least one hand un-swaddled (is that a word...?)  Austin finally opened his eyes for a bit and we were able to catch a picture of it!  Also check out this little grin from Austin  Philip held Austin for the first time and I got to hold Michael.  Philip and I also changed their first (of millions) diapers

 I was never one of those women who said "being pregnant is great I love this..." Especially towards the end of my pregnancy (all 6 months of it) I was down right uncomfortable. Couldn't lay down like normal, turning over in bed felt like I had run a marathon and climbing up in the truck was enough to knock me out. But, now that I have had the boys part of me misses being pregnanct. The feeling of them moving and experiencing all the little things, hiccups, heck even my ribs being bruised...do I wish I would have stayed pregnant longer, yes but only for the fact of it would have given the boys time to grow. But our boys had other plans! Updates : Austin is steadily moving up in milk he has made it to 15mL (they were both at 6mL at the beginning of last week). Austin's pic line looked a little infected so they removed it and put a normal IV in. The doctor is hoping that we only need it for a few more days and then he will be getting all his nutrients from milk alone.  ...

 Sorry y'all! I'm going to do my best to update daily but no promises! Both boys went up to 10 mL of food! Michael is so close to being back at his birth weight he was 2.5 yesterday. Austin is 2.8 and slowly gaining weight!  I also found out that Michael is about an inch shorter than Austin so not only is he 5 minutes younger but he's officially the smaller brother. But so mighty! On of the nurses even made the comment that he is all hands and likes to pull all the wires.  Both are off the "tanning beds" as their jaundice is looking a lot better! But those numbers could fluctuate so they may need them again, which is okay! I got to go to lunch with Kinsey yesterday and we just kept talking about how everything has worked out in the wildest way and that everything has fallen into place. It wasn't OUR plan, but it was God's plan- I'll be honest I've never been one to say oh God has a plan I will just let it go and let God....but after everything that...