Update

Emma and Levi have been doing well.  As of today they weigh the exact same thing.  3 lbs 9. 1 oz.  They are getting so big!  I can't believe it!  Once they get closer to four pounds they get to come out of their isolettes! I cannot wait for them to be in a different bed.  Next week they will also begin to bottle/breast feed.  They will be four weeks old or 34 weeks gestation on Wednesday.  They will start off with one bottle/breast feeding a day and will continue to get the rest through their feeding tube.  this is one step closer to us brining our sweet babies home.  Right now we are thinking they will get to come home towards the end of June!  Each day I pray that they will continue on the positive path that they have been on so that they can come home!  I never imagined how hard it would be for them to be in the NICU. I know that they are getting the care that they need and that right now this is the best place for them but I still get sad each day when I leave them. I feel guilty when I am not there and constantly long for them.  Here are a few sweet pictures of the babies from the past couple of days. I am so happy that they are wearing clothes now. They look so cute in their tiny preemie clothes. 

Emma with her bowe that the Nurse made!

Levi sleeping!  doesn't he look like Clayton

Levi and mommy during Kangaroo Care

Emma with her cute onesie with her name! Thanks Jamie

Levi in his froggy outfit

Levi snuggling with daddy

Emma being swaddled.  She was not happy being put back in her bed!

A quick update

The babies are three weeks old and 33 weeks gestation.  They have met some new milestones this week! 

Levi now weighs 3 pounds 5 ounces and gets to wear clothes now!  He looks so different with clothes on. I need to get him some more outfits. I was so hesitant to get them preemie clothes but now they need a few.  Here is a picture of Levi in his first outfit! 

He looks tiny still! 

Emma is also doing well this week. She weighs 3 pounds 4.3 ounces. She just needs to gain about 3/4 ounce in order to be able to wear clothes also! I am so excited for them. I hope that they will continue to do well.  Yesterday was a scary day as they thought Emma had an infection and also might need a blood transfusion. They went ahead and started antibiotics while they are waiting for the blood culture to grow. So far nothing has happened so I am hoping that there is no infection. Yesterday her red blood cell count was low. This could mean that she is anemic or it could of been from the infection if there is one. They were concerned that she may need a blood transfusion. Today after retesting her level was back up. So they are holding off on the blood transfusion and will retest next week.  Please pray that she will be free of infection and also will not need a transfusion.  I am on pins and needles everyday hoping and praying that these sweet babies will stay healthy and continue to grow and be strong so that they can come home soon!

Mommy and Emma during Kangaroo time!

Emma's first bowe!!!! 

Our New Normal

• We go to the hospital every day. Sometimes for hours. It is so hard to be away from the babies but I am still healing and need time to rest so I know they are in the best possible place for them and that they are getting great care.  
• My breast pump has become my best friend!  I am currently pumping for the babies. I pump 8 times a day.  
• I love taking part in kangaroo care.  For those of you who don't know "kangaroo care" is when you hold a baby skin to skin on your chest.
• Emma and Levi are both over three pounds! Im so happy that these little guys are gaining weight. Each day I pray that they will eat well and continue to gain weight. 

Please continue to pray for these sweet babies.  Please pray that they will take to breast feeding as well as eating from a bottle.  Please pray that they will continue to gain weight. Please pray that they will stop having bradys (when their heartrates drop).

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for Emma and Levi.  It is all the prayers that have helped get these babies to where they are today! 

Happy Two Week Birthday to Emma and Levi

I cannot believe that Emma and Levi are two weeks old today.  It's hard to beleive that these two sweet babies are here in the world and how much I love them already.  Here are a few things these miracles have accomplished in their short life already.

Emma~
She weighs 2 lbs 11 oz and is tolerating my milk fabulously.  In a day or two they will be weaning her off of the oxygen.  She is having less and less bradys (dips in heart rate) and loves to be held.  Emma has contracted MRSA.  It is just colonized in her nose and she does not have the infection.  There are several babies in the NICU that have it and Emma was moved to be with those babies.  She had a brain scan the other day and there is no evidence of bleeding on the brain! YIPPEE!!

Levi~
He is back up to his birthweight and weighs 2 lbs 14 oz.  Levi has been off of all oxygen for a couple of days and is doing very well.  He too is having less and less bradys and loves to be held.  As of right now Levi does not have MRSA.  levi also had a brain scan and there is no evidence of brain bleeds! 

I pray each day that these sweet babies will continue to grow and be strong enough for them to come home.  It is very hard to leave them each day but I know that they are well taken care of!  Here are a few pictures of the babies.  The ones of Emma are dark and I will have to get some new ones in the next day or two.


                                         Levi and Mommy

Levi and Mommy

Emma snuggled in!